Printer Friendly Version - An Active 2024 Fishing Season is Predicted

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Fourteenth century Cavan, Ireland. Founded in 1578 and dating back to prehistoric times, it is the home of 365 lakes and fish populated rivers like the Dromore. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Each year, Mike Duffy of Branford (top left) and Sal Porto of East Haven (top right) take a special largemouth bass fishing trip to different latitudes and longitudes. This year they went to Lake Okeechobee, FL, where fish to seven pounds were caught. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

From nearshore to offshore, fishing buds George Malauotta (top left) and Paul Silva (top right) find success fishing both CT and NJ waters. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Optimistically, the 2024 fishing season will pick up from last year, as several of the key species finished off strong. However, people can’t forget having to first survive severe springtime flooding. Remembering back, weather conditions interrupted several trips. Flooding conditions in many rivers created challenges. Most memorable were the times of logjams from toppled trees, vessels severed from their moorings, and wayward docks and plenty of flotsam that washed up on the beaches of Long Island Sound.

Putting all that aside, striped bass exploded on both sides of the slot limit. If one needed food for the table, black sea bass, porgy, and blackfish were more than accommodating. As it turned out, late summer bluefish blitzes provided fishers with adrenaline rushes, as well as food for the table - and that was just part of what was going on in the Sound. Further out and around the islands, some really nice fluke were caught.

El Niño provided us with more rain and warmer than normal temperatures that we are still feeling. This should prompt early baitfish runs, and movement of holdover and migrating fish as water temperatures rise quicker. Live eels could be problematic. Whether we will experience continued bouts with high water levels and floating debris is likely, but questionable.

Next season will be one of La Niña, but for now, another active season looks promising - sharks and all. Top water plugs will be a continued must for the bass and blues, along with select swimmers, jigs, and flies. Rigs and jigs are in order for the reef and bottom fish, in addition to assorted baits and soft lures. Expect the Sound to warehouse more migrating fish for the summer, which, in turn, will see more natural predation, due to the competition for food.

We expect another good trout season with more impressive catches in statewide waters - specifically in the management areas. Hopefully, any notable drought conditions will be minimal as compared to last year, so certain waters will not have to be deemed off-limits in the interest of protecting fish stocks. We anticipate more Best Of’s to be caught across the age spectrum. The basses and panfish will have another strong year, along with panfish. Bottom fishes will thrive, and the toothy critters will have a slightly above-average season.

High pressure held, maintaining average daily high air temperatures to 19 degrees above normal before weakening. A low pressure system then slowly approached from the mid-Atlantic coast before a second one passed to the southeast. High pressure returned briefly before another low kicked in, bringing rain, mixed sun and clouds, along with varying winds. High air temperatures returned as Long Island Sound water temps remained mostly in the low 40’s, somewhat gusty winds circled the four quadrants of the compass, and seas remained mostly calm, but, at times, rose to as much as 3-4 feet.

Lowland flooding gave way to more moderate conditions, however, many rivers remained at high levels and fast flows, which gave trout and Atlantic salmon anglers something to think about. Losing an hour to Daylight Savings did not help matters much either. The urge to get a taste of early spring fishing forced some to look at new uncharted waters that were more accessible and desirable. That not only applied to the trout anglers, but also Atlantic salmon and those looking to hook into their first sea run browns of the season during the new moon phase.

From sportsmen’s clubs to the trout management areas, including all temporary catch and release waters, anglers were getting a jump on the season. The switch from a winter mindset to springtime fishing was obvious, as skiing and ice fishing gear began taking a back seat. Not that there was a real ice fishing season, but the holdouts were cashing in their chisels. Obviously, trout catches have been up, salmon fishing more erratic, and searun trout anglers are focusing on the lower tidal rivers using sinking lures, assorted flies, and some baits.

Action in the Trout Management Lakes (TMLs) and those waters stocked with a Seeforellen strain of brown trout has picked up, as well. Hooking into these highly managed fish is a goal of many anglers. Artificial lures, including sinking flies and live shiners, cast from shore or trolled from a small safety-equipped vessel is recommended. Fish the deep contours when trolling, or work a stretch of deep water gradually shallowing out close to shore, preferably nearby bottom structure.

If one were to graph largemouth bass performance over the past several weeks, the findings would emulate a roller coaster thriller. That ride, with its highs and lows, would easily replicate temperature fluctuations and the numerous high and low systems that impacted fishing results. Between these fronts, bass fishing has been very good, especially when temperatures peaked above 50 degrees. Jerk it, live bait it, take a favorite cranker, or work a soft plastic along a weed line and/or a drop-off for some early springtime action. They are searching out landlocked alewives, panfish, and other lake and pond life that are beginning stir.

It is a different story down in the warm country, where acres and miles of water are bounded by endless natural structures made up of trees, stumps, and other cover. There, the largemouth bass grow into impressive sizes, feeding on all the waterlife to their liking, and casts can be made without interference. There is still time to grab a flight and be back in time to start off the season.

We have a ways to go before Long Island Sound breaks into the 50’s for holdover striped bass to poke into the Big Pond, considering their preferred temperature is between 55-68 degrees. However, there is holdover catch/release activity in some key tidal rivers that are showing signs of manageable water flows after the deluge of rain. Fish good, calm ambush points (pools below dams, by river bends) where linesiders do not have to spend high energy chasing forage in fast-moving currents. Now that the Spring/Vernal Equinox has passed and we are into Daylight Saving Time, those dawn and sunset hours take on new meanings. Fish them when the tides are right, especially on Saint Patrick’s Day.

Fly Fishing Clinic: Now accepting reservations for 2024. An outstanding opportunity for the experienced or intermediate fly fisher! Booking inland and marine fly fishing lessons 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 ventures.

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.