Independence Day rocked as the long Fourth of July holiday played out on the water and celebrations continued throughout this infamous BBQ weekend. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and fireworks mobilized the backyard crowd as fishers attempted to find a fishing hole on Long Island Sound that was not inundated with visitors and celebrators. These summertime days off meant that it was time to wet a line, hopefully bend a rod multiple times, and spend time either releasing or filleting the day’s catch.

There were 2.5 million people living in our nation when the Declaration of Independence was ratified in July 1776. Today, there are more 332 million people living here and 60 million of them fish. So, it is no wonder why so many people help celebrate our nation’s birthday by baiting a hook or casting a lure during this time.

Independence Day reminds us that we, as a nation, are a strong, creative, innovative, and resourceful people who fished from day of inception to the present day and will do so well into the future. Our crew hopes that everyone had a great Fourth.

On the Water

An early cold front moved through the area, pushing east. High pressure took control until the start of Fourth of July weekend, when another cold front passed, bringing scattered periods of rain. South and southwest winds dominated from 5- to 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots and seas running anywhere from about 1- to 2 feet and Long Island Sound water temperatures ranging from the high-60s to the low-70s.

There is a full swing of typical early July species of fish throughout the Sound. The weather pattern has not been that out of the ordinary, even though weather seems to have prompted somewhat of a later start than usual. The high fuel prices also had a hand in delaying the launch of many vessels, but there were still many fewer dry-docked as the holiday weekend kicked off.

The inshore striped bass bite continues to be good and fairly steady during early morning tides, as well as after dark. Offshore vessels that are drifting, trolling, and jigging are doing well with slot limit fish and better, but so far, inshore fishing has the edge with fish over 40 inches typically taking topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live baits like eels. Schoolies are working the tidal rivers, beaches, and jetties and have been hitting baits, artificials, and flies.

The amount of Atlantic menhaden within the Sound is definitely drawing schools of harbor blues, as well as some larger choppers. There is a decent amount of topwater action, but limited bird action and wild surface blitzes. As water temps rise and more bunker schools enter the Sound, that type of adrenaline-rush fishing could easily return. Nevertheless, fishers are gearing up with bluefish friendly (if there is such a thing) items, lures, and bait-gathering accessories.

Expect good catches of black sea bass both on the Connecticut and New York side of the divide. There will be fish under the minimum legal 16-inch limit, but also good quality catches above in waters from 40- to 90 feet deep and approximately 65 degrees or less. Although these distant grouper cousins have a voracious appetite, squid is the No. 1 bait to use on a jig or rig. The daily limit is 5 and they store well at 0 degrees. At the same time (and while fishing the reefs) the porgy (scup) bite is ramping up. There are slabs to be caught, but enough in-between sizes over 10 inches to put together a day’s catch. Even the isolated humps are holding these saltwater panfish that will take seaworms, squid, clams, and scented baits.

Sea trout (weakfish) continue to make a splash both offshore and in several of the harbor channels. Cruising the bottom layers of the water column, these specs (as they are called in Florida) will also take seaworms, spearing, and squid that is often attached to a bucktail heavy enough to get down under existing water conditions. Drifting the bottom with a similar bucktail setup or hi-lo rig can attract a keeper summer flounder (fluke), although hooking into a short is unlikely for now. In addition, large dogfish, skate, and sea robins, along with other recognizable bottom fish, will take worms and chunk baits, putting up a nice fight in many cases. Slowly but surely, blue crabbing is coming along. Mostly small legals, there have been a few softies around and some larger jimmies, although we need July’s weather to help really get the ball rolling.

Inland water levels and flows are down, making trout fishing more challenging. Fishing the cooler, deeper holes and riffles, or deeper sections of the oxygenated trout parks are the best bets for success. There are still enough fish to make a day worthwhile, and even the various classes of brookie waters are paying off, but more casts and drifts are needed. Bass fishing in the lakes and ponds is good, pickerel fishing is rich, as are the various panfish and river channel catfish.

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 reels, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days 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

captainmorganusa@hotmail.com

captainmorgan-fish.blogspot.com

twitter @captmorgan_usa