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10/23/2023 04:04 PMOf course, it can always get better. But when one is into a week of non-stop hookups, runs, and large fish in skinny water, it is hard to fathom such a thought. Fall is expected to offer up hungry, determined fish indiscriminately foraging through unsuspecting schools of fish. These schools, also consuming their fill, do not realize the danger until the upper hand shifts. Then it is too late!
To the casual observer, this field of play is one without rhyme or reason. However, in the real world of fisheries, a majority of the time, there is a hierarchy followed and generally strictly enforced. In this case — eat or be eaten! For the past few weeks, this is precisely what has been happening — only with greater intensity.
Long Island Sound is serving up quite a buffet for all gullet and stomach sizes. Like with people, food might be too large to handle, but that does not stop them (or fish) from trying. We have seen that with many species — fish, gulls, snakes, and so on. During a Fall Run, there might as well be an illuminated sign blinking, “All you can eat for the taking.”
The one goal is to fill up on energy needed to sustain the return trip home. A fish’s metabolic system kicks in, creating a relentless drive to fill a bottomless pit that ultimately distributes the needed protein. This is what is going on now! Like a slight of hand magician, a fisher is out there misdirecting a striped bass, bluefish, or any number of others into responding to what it appears to be but is not. During this spirited feeding time of year, it is especially easier to pull that feat off.
In order to get a jump on the action, rely on first-hand up-to-date information regarding baitfish location rather than something filtered down. That means observing the tides, currents, and moon phases affecting the specific location and time of day. The best data originates from one’s personal observations and that of real-time buoy monitoring. Adding information gathered from trip logbooks can provide additional good input pertaining to dates, water temperature, weather, location, depth, and other pertinent data. This extra bit of heads-up knowledge can go a long way in avoiding being late for the party and coming up with too little too late.
On The Water
A trough remained over the region before being replaced by high pressure. That system moved into the Atlantic as a frontal system approached from the west. That one impacted the area, bringing unsettled weather as another low developed along the coast before it moved to the north and east of the area. Long Island Sound water temperatures held in the low to mid-60s, while after midnight, air temperatures straddled the 40s and 50s, and daytime ones shifted within the 50s and 60s. One to two-foot seas fluctuated back and forth from calm to choppy as winds blew around 5-10 knots.
The stage was set for phenomenal fishing as we came off a new moon and fished days mixed with sun and clouds. Schools of baitfish stretched for acres or built up in bays and coves, creating one of nature’s marine spectacles, namely, blitzes as the Sound’s predators either sliced through peanut bunker, anchovies, and shad, or attacked topwater lures, swim baits, and jigs. Gulls dove, pieces of menhaden flew everywhere, and fishers circumvented the area, trying not to break up the action.
The image of chopper bluefish broke the surface, systematically dismembering fish after fish and leaving the scraps for trailing striped bass below, as well as any other bottom fish (including sharks) to scavenge the sea floor. If one had a casting lure in their box and it was cast into the melee, a hookup was almost guaranteed. Then, as suddenly as a blitz appeared, it disappeared into the abyss only to pop up further up or down the tide. That episode was just a taste of what has been going on as the temperatures drop and the bait piles up.
Striped bass not only were onto surges of the typical fall time bait schools but were also sucking in or grabbing onto live eels (available at Captain Morgan’s) as they were either cast in the tidal rivers or drifted along reefs and rip lines. Many of these bass have been attracted to topwater lures, soft swim baits and bucktails, and, in deeper water, diamond jigs — six ounces in central Sound, heavier in deeper, faster water. This season is seeing increased numbers of linesiders over 40” caught and released in the Sound itself, as well as foraging and staging in key lower tidal rivers along with healthy numbers of below the slot fish. For those fishers who enjoy an occasional tasty striped bass meal, there have been fish in the 28-31” slot that have been caught on conventional and fly fishing gear.
Recently, blackfish (tautog) have been on fire, including shorts that have moved onto the feeding grounds. Togs 8-10 pounds have been boated, but most quality fish have been in the 5-7 pound range and smaller. There has been an influx of shorts during the past few tides, but regardless, crabs have been the number one bait. Whether double or single hooked, whole or cut in two, and fished on a rig or tog jig, these bulldogs usually cannot resist a crab offering. Chum with some clams and glob a portion of a clam on a hook is another successful method of bringing home dinner. In either case, it is tog season, and they are more than cooperating, even though their numbers can use a boost.
Tog fishers out this past week had another surprise. Fishers adjacent to them, casting from the breakwalls and jetties, had the opportunity to hook into a false albacore as some cast the same water for foraging bluefish. A few of those albies pursuing spearing actually latched onto a topwater popper or deadly dick-type lure. The fun started when the albies made their distinct runs while toggers were pulling up fish.
Albies exploded in unison as they moved from reef to reef and bay to bay. Others popped up farther out around Faulkner’s Island by close reefs, rips, and bays while they chased rainbaits. It took a while for them to impact the Sound, but once they arrived in force, action was swift. Weakfish eased offshore; however, mid-Sound did see sporadic activity. Porgy and black sea bass continue to connect with bottom fishers — some of which are thinning out, with the exception of dogfish and semi-resident coastal sharks. Although water temperatures are gradually trending downward, there is still plenty of forage to go around, keeping fish in the Sound perhaps a bit longer than normal. Meanwhile, hickory shad and blue crabs are still in the tidal rivers, but most fishers’ attention is elsewhere.
Inland waters continue to be very productive, including brackish tidal rivers. Trout rivers, parks, and management waters that have recently been stocked have been seeing exceptional catches, as well as those wild trout rivers holding colorful brookies being caught/released on ultra-light gear and fly fishing outfits. Lakes and ponds are seeing a good bass, pickerel, catfish, and panfish bite that appears to have staying power, probably through the fall foliage season and then some.
Fly Fishing Clinic: Now accepting reservations for the remainder of October. An outstanding opportunity for the experienced or intermediate fly fisher! Booking inland and marine fly fishing lessons for 2023-24 with top flight, highly experienced instructors and guides. From trout, salmon, steelhead, and sea-run browns to striped bass, bonefish, permit, and tarpon, etc., techniques learned and honed will improve your fishing. Holiday gift certificates are also available.
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 the latest gear, flies/fly fishing, rods/reels, clam/crabbing supplies, fishing trips, licenses/permits, and much more, 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 and Authorized Penn Premium Dealer, where we don’t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better.
Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan
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