The year 2020 started like any other as anglers wondered whether open-water fishing would prevail or enough ice would build to flip flags on their tipups. December had offered a few tentative days of fresh ice, but that fell by the wayside as January temperatures were unseasonably warm leading up to the thaw—at least south of the I-95 corridor. North of that dividing line, enough thick ice had developed to afford ice anglers some intermittent winter fun.

Sweet water anglers experienced some good fishing that pretty much continued until the alarm sounded, warning of the spread of COVID-19. Even the Atlantic salmon bite was decent, as well as the striped bass bite, in the main tidal rivers. However, it soon became apparent that our attitudes and trends would change, as would life as we know it.

The first indication that things would be different on the fishing scene came when the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection moved up Opening Day of trout season. This was done in order to reduce the typically large crowds encountered and to also encourage social distancing—something that would become all too familiar. From there, it was an uphill battle to contain a pandemic that wouldn’t go away any time soon. Fortunately, it didn’t take long before anglers realized that fishing was a user-friendly way around being stifled by the situation.

Once water levels were up to handling hatchery stocking, trucks bearing trout were unloaded into the lakes and ponds and then finally into majority of the rivers and streams. Conventional and fly fishers alike unleashed their pent-up enthusiasm. They caught a variety of fish not only for sport, but now in part for table food in order to avoid lines at the markets.

We saw some really good early spring striped bass activity in the rivers and a better than expected winter flounder bite in the bays. The run of American shad in the Connecticut River was better than last year as commercial hauls increased and anglers caught more fish. Even the spring blackfish (tautog) season, which traditionally starts slowly, was an improvement. However, the fall season that lasted through Thanksgiving was superior. Many of the fish caught were small in comparison, but there were some good double-digit white chins being hooked.

The new striped bass slot limit of 28- to 35 inches was received with hardly any pushback as fishers embarked on an exceptional catch-and-release schoolie season and one that saw several 40-pounders or better released. Bluefish were a disappointment as their season produced less than hoped. Atlantic menhaden proliferated the Sound, but topwater blitzes were minimal in comparison. In many cases, even stripers turned a fin down to them as the season waned and saw noticeable kills stretched along Connecticut’s shoreline. Sea trout (weakfish), though, continued their steady runs from last year, giving several fishers their first catch.

There were some good summer flounder (fluke) catches including nice doormats that took whole squids. As usual, shorts outnumbered the 19-inch keepers. Weather conditions hampered drifts and, in general, created more challenging days than expected. For the entire season, black sea bass ran strong, probably bringing out more fishers than any other species. Catches were good throughout the season both in size and limits, and 2021 should be no different.

The reefs saw porgy pounders smile as many hubcap-size slabs or better were caught. Shore casters did well, too, not only with porgy (scup), but also with eatable sea robins and snapper blues. Sharks seemed to be everywhere as numbers of sand sharks (and others including protected species like tigers and sandbars) were caught and released nearshore and farther out. Once again, blue crabbers had a successful season when it kicked in and weather conditions cooperated.

So what’s in store for 2021? Inline circle hooks when bait fishing for striped bass, for starters. Should be another interesting year on the water. Fish well, stay safe, and may your biggest fish of 2020 be your smallest of 2021.

On the Water

December blew by with 60-knot winds, high seas, and plenty of rain for the holidays. Air temps hit a partly sunny 55- to 60 degrees before temps dropped into the 20s and 30s. Inshore water temps rose to 45 degrees and then slowly dropped again. However, there was a stint where tentative ice built to three- to four inches just north of I-95. Needless to say, there were a few daredevils who tried their hand at ice fishing, even though thickness was variable and a bit iffy in spots. It was a little better up north.

Heavy winds caused power outages as rain continued. Main rivers rose to near flood levels, causing flooding in several of the low-lying areas. Trout and Atlantic salmon fishing were briefly interrupted due to those high water levels and fast flows. That continued as air temps plummeted and conditions began to moderate. Nevertheless, fishing remained challenging, but improved.

Long Island Sound remained quiet except for sea bird activity and gulls pecking at the tide line for food unless disturbed. At low tides, harbor seals could be seen basking in the sun, but as the tides changed, they would slip into the water in search of food. Although it was chilly, a few optimistic fishers could be seen testing their new holiday gear, knowing full well that hooking up was more wishful thinking than anything else.

However, those seals slipped into the Sound for a reason and, by doing so, they would have managed to supplement their diet with any schooling Atlantic herring. Under the right conditions, if one of those fishers had a sabiki rig in their bag, the effort would probably have paid off. After all, any feeding holdover striped bass would have most likely sourced out those herring. Not a bad bait to prepare for the coming season.

Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our USA and international fishing friends who keep up with the latest fishing news and frequent social media.

For all things fishy including ice fishing, 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

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