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05/13/2013 02:00 PMMemorial Day weekend will be here before your next hundredth cast unless you are an obsessed “bank-hugger” looking to score on big linesiders with live or next-to-live bait. If you have never been to river banks down from a major tidal dam, then picture what opening day of trout season looks like at 6 a.m. Exchange light trout gear for the heavier stuff, crank up the terminal tackle, and then be prepared to separate some shoulders in order to steal some room for a cast.
Just watching the melee that can unfold will shine light on why this obsession to guard a piece of casting ground is so significant. In fact, it is quite reminiscent of grizzlies or brown bears protecting their stand by a waterfall during a salmon run. As river herring make their annual migration up river from their marine environment, they are literally herded to the base of a dam by striped bass. It is here that the excitement builds and then explodes.
Swirls in the water first develop, followed by splashes, tail smacks, jumping bluebacks, and alewives. There is determination etched on many faces and fishing rods of all calibers casting their offerings that add to the turmoil. Hidden from view is representation of law enforcement attempting to keep this game honest since the favored bait is live (but outlawed) river herring. There are always a few who are determined to play chance although, ultimately, their bank account take a big hit.
First one rod bends, then another and another. Dorsal fins break the white water as linesiders feed and run. This frenzy in and out of the water both with fish and fishers is not a one day happening. It can go on for many early spring days with each one drawing more and more anglers vying for a precious piece of casting ground. After all is said and done, the toll taken on bass, river herring, and anglers’ gear is substantial.
On The Water
Mother’s Day weekend was mostly wet with the last half breaking in favor of fair weather. Coastal Long Island Sound surface water temperatures reached 59 degrees at some harbors while 55-57 degrees was more of the average range—cooler mid-Sound. Several boats found a tide window to hit the reefs or manage their first dunking of the season, although, most of the fishing action occurred along tidal rivers and the immediate shoreline.
Gaining in popularity as May’s No. 1 target species is, of course, striped bass. Not only are land-based anglers finding good action, but also many of the popular reefs are posturing for daily tidal activity. There has been a better-than-average run of spring menhaden, schools of herring, and eels coming out of the mud. If you are looking for early offshore action try The Race, Long Sand Shoal, Southwest, Kimberly, Faulkner’s north rip, Brown’s, New Haven Harbor, and the West Haven sandbar. Inshore it has been jig heads and soft plastics and plugs while on the reefs, mostly bucktails and strips. Seaworms, chunks, and eels have been excellent bait options.
More bluefish have been showing up, but still not enough to be of concern to those seeking schools of migrating stripers. Those encountering these early choppers have mostly intercepted them while trolling, drifting, or chunking by a mid-sound reef and shoal. A chance encounter of a weakfish at Six Mile, south of Kimberly, and the West Haven sandbar is in the cards for anglers working with bite-size baits. From the inside, winter flounder catches have been better than being reported. Chum the channels and coves for your two fish!
The much-needed rain helped increase water levels and flows in the rivers and streams and moderate temps. For a time, clarity suffered, but that was short-lived. Trout fishing has been good in the rivers (meal worms, scent baits, and small swimmers and spinners) with the lake bite (deep swimmers, spinners, spoons) seeming to increase with the deep trollers. Nymphs, streamers, and midges are still top choices—keep a low profile and target the pools. Fresh fish recently stocked at Lake Quonnipaug, Black Pond, and Cedar to name a few. Smallie and black crappie action is good, bucketmouths getting better, late date walleye is best while some northerns, carp, and cats are making headway.
For all things fishy including licenses, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, where we don’t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better.
Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan
captainmorgan.fish@sbcglobal.net
captainmorgan-fish.blogspot.com