Lately, this angler has been seeing more riverbank and lakeside anglers toting trash bags alongside their nets and gear. This isn’t something new, but rather, a trend that has noticeably increased during the past few years. As happens with most outdoor types, it’s becoming a common practice to pitch in to protect the environment and the wildlife habitat.

Anglers who fish in and around their home waters are particularly protective of that resource and typically pick up the inconsiderate discards of visitors. Whether or not they treat their own home grounds similarly, no one knows. However, it’s interesting to note that because of this disrespect of property, there are more “No Trespassing” and “No Parking” signs going up.

Of particular interest is the increase of “Posted: No Fishing” signs that are being tacked on posts, trees, and attached to gates. However, these “Posted” signs are the ones being rebuffed by many of the same visitors who initially caused the trend. Therefore, it is incumbent upon those fishers to only leave their footprint behind before they can expect to see any more “Welcome” signs going up.

Anglers hit the water for a variety of reasons, such as food, recreation, solitude, and get-togethers. Wildlife and anglers should not get snagged because of the careless discarding of used fishing line, nor should their fishing space be encroached upon by an indiscriminate angler or trash along a river bank.

Simple rules of etiquette, common courtesy, and consideration for others makes for a more enjoyable fishing experience. For example, something simple like reeling in one’s line when a neighbor has a good fish on is something that is always appreciated. Likewise, even offering to lend a hand netting the catch of a struggling angler will get a thumbs up.

Fishing is a recreational sport for all to enjoy. We see anglers on, in, or near the water casting for one species of fish or another. We experience that by the sweet water as well as the briny. Unless trash is to be offloaded at the local dump, we rarely see folks wandering around the dumping grounds for enjoyment, yet unfortunately, some of the popular fishing spots are littered to the point of resembling those landfills. So, on behalf of all anglers, how about stepping up to the plate or passing the message on? You know who you are. Enough said.

On the Water

A narrow band of wind-driven snow passed through the state, closing out March as April came in with a cold front and sleet, but eventually yielded to high pressure. A low-pressure system stayed out of the region as another high-pressure system built up, setting up a week of mid-50s temperatures, along with some springtime rainfall. Long Island Sound nearshore water temps dipped to 39 degrees during cold fronts after having stalled around 43 degrees, while calm seas were riled up at times by destructive 25- to 35-knot winds, creating three- to four-footers.

Striped bass schoolie action increases by the day as fishers cast from the shoreline and also test the tidal rivers. Most of the activity is coming from holdover fish as the migration from the Hudson and Deleware-Maryland-Virginia region makes its way slowly northward. Soft baits, bucktails, and sinking flies are connecting with linesiders as they feed and move throughout the rivers and along beaches. Working a small flutter spoon with a steady retrieve and occasionally imparting a slight jerk will invoke a strike. Incidentally, the size limit on white perch is seven inches with a whopping 30-fish daily creel limit.

Blackfish (tautog) season opened on April 1 to gusty winds and sloppy seas, along with inshore water temperatures that were chillier than needed. Needless to say, the seals out-fished the ‘tog pullers as most fish remained deep, even though some did move in from some shallower waters. We are looking for the walls to heat up from the sun before those breakwalls really stage these bulldogs. Look for most fish hooked to be between three- to five pounds. Two fish at 16 inches is the daily creel limit.

There have been a few fishers longing for the taste of winter flounder, whose season also opened on April 1. At this time of year, look toward the clean sandy bottoms of protected bays that provide moving water or harbor channels that can be fished on both ebb and flood tides. For best results, fish the channels in step with the rising or falling tide with a light saltwater rod or medium- to medium-heavy trout rod with enough weight to hold bottom and around a #7 Chestertown hook or flounder rig and spreader. Two fish at 12 inches is the daily creel limit.

Trout anglers continue to hook quality fish as the stocking trucks make the rounds to the rivers, streams lakes, and ponds. Swimmers, inline spinners, and scented and natural live baits are all producing fish. Unfortunately, more people are making the rounds, targeting newly stocked waters and exerting more fish pressure than in the past. In short, more anglers, many from out of town, are eyeing up the stocking trucks and then harvesting fish indiscriminately soon after being stocked.

Bassers have gradually been kicking off the pre-spawn season, attempting to entice the shallow bucketmouths and the aggressive smallies. Worms, cranks, jigs, and spinnerbaits tell the tale of what is lurking and what is biting. Rest assured that they are in their quick-strike mode, although some waters are still a little chilly and their take, at times, a little hesitant. The rest of the lake, pond, and some river inhabitants have been just as hawkish when it comes to the spring feed. These include yellow perch, pickerel, northern pike, catfish, carp, and bullheads.

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 fishing trips, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days at 21 Boston Post Road in Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, we make the fisherman better.

Tight Lines,

Captain Morgan

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