Printer Friendly Version - CT Spring Blackfish (Tautog) Season Opened on April 1

Blackfish season just opened on April 1, with anticipation running high for catches similar to this 11-pounder caught by Rob Acampora of Clinton in 2023, who is looking to top that season’s catch. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Osprey are in, tending to their seasonal nest rebuilding projects and foraging for fish inland and along near-shore marine waters. Photo by Captain Morgan on rainy March 28

Know your four basic trout stocked by CT DEEP in our rivers, lakes, ponds, and trout parks. From left to right are rainbow, hybrid tiger, brook, and brown trout. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

For a relatively small body of water, Long Island Sound sure can give up a record tog when it feels like it. We have seen togs suffer through being designated as overfished in 2015 (and overfishing occurring) to, as of 2020, not being overfished and overfishing not occurring. That brings us back to Connecticut’s record tog, “Taugzilla” caught by Thien Nguyen, measuring 34 inches and weighing in at 26 pounds, 9.6 ounces.

Today, the majority of the togs caught fall in the range of 3-5 pounds, but double digits break into the realm of blackfish referred to as white chins. These are the ones known to delicately mouth and suck in your bait, hunker back into their rock-strewn lair, stretch out their pectoral fins, and hunker down. Sensitive fingers, a rod with a backbone and ginger tip, and patience to re-direct their attention, will win out more often than not. A tog this size can easily be a 10-12 pounder.

Blackfish (Tautoga onitis) are one of the slowest growing fish in marine waters, and a white chin of that size can easily be 15-20 years old and could live to be 40. Togs did not live to be that old by being ambivalent to their complicated surroundings, including predation from one form or another. One of the most popular and tastiest ground fish, they are sought after, both from shore and out on the water.

As near shore water temperatures rise, and they are rising, the bite will intensify proportionately. There are only four weekends to fish these bulldogs before the April spring season closes for two months and then re-opens again on Monday, July 1. April is a transitional month, which means that winds and seas can be unpredictable - the two climatic factors that can negatively affect a normally fishable tide. So if you really are looking for a trophy tog and/or some really good eating, then plan your fishing days carefully to maximize your effort-to-catch ratio, especially in the last two weeks.

Our area remained between offshore low pressure and high pressure tracking down from the north. A warm front then moved through (or close by) the area from the east. More rain followed, before a cold front approached and moved out. A weak high pressure commenced to build, as air temperatures trended to the high 50’s and low 60’s, accompanied by rain and mixed sun/clouds. Long Island Sound water temperatures edged upward toward the high 40’s, while winds moderated and seas generally ranged from 1-2 feet within the Sound.

If you are hankering for your first trout of the season, you best get on board with the rest of the anglers who are delving in to 500,000 rainbows, browns, brooks, and tigers that have been being stocked. To say the least, CT DEEP has been busy working around the weather and water conditions to make it happen. So far, catches and releases have been as expected - very good. Even returning ospreys are using their talons effectively.

Catches of 16” from the Trout Management Lakes (TML’s) have varied, mostly due to windy conditions for the trollers. Casting from the banks is a different story - especially when casting back to the wind. Trout have been taking spoons, inline spinners, and some swimmers, as well as teaser flies. In the rivers and streams that experience less of an impact from high water and fast flows, natural/scented baits, inline spinners, countdowns (some floaters), and small spoons have been effective. Fly fishers working sinking nymphs and streamers, along with hi-lo combo droppers, are connecting more often than not when fishing the stocked waters.

While key tidal rivers need more time for their levels and fast flows to subside, as well as those rivers stocked with Atlantic salmon, many local lakes and ponds are seeing very good fishing. Largemouth bass action continues to be good, along with some aggressive bronzeback activity. Yellow perch, black crappie, other panfish, some pickerel, on/off again northern pike, and channel catfish are gaining traction. Intermittent catches of white perch have been taking place in setbacks from the CT River and other tidals. Live bait and artificial lure selections have varied and have been used effectively, but they are dependent on both weather and water conditions, including depth, clarity, and flows.

Holdover striped bass are migrating to the lower tidal rivers spreading out along the shoreline. The slot limit remains the same: one fish to be harvested not less than 28” and no greater than 31” tip to tip. Inline circle hooks remain in effect when fishing with natural bait. Soft plastics, spoons, bucktails, and sinking flies are the way to go.

Blackfish (tautog) season opened on April 1 to two togs at 16” minimum length. For them to really fire up locally, it usually takes up to a week or two before the spring season closes on Wednesday, May 1. Their optimum water temperature is between 50-68 degrees, and around 53 degrees has been the magic number, when they come inshore to actively feed and spawn before heading back to their deeper winter grounds and semi-hibernate. Swing by Captain Morgan’s for your custom tog jigs, rigs, bait, gear, and info on traditional hot spots needed to get you going.

New Fluke Regs: Last week it was official. Connecticut and New York summer flounder (fluke) regulations are in the books for recreational fishers. On both sides of the pond, and after ASMFC’s approval of a compromise proposal to abide by NOAA’s 28% harvest reduction in the annual Recreational Harvest Limit (RHL) for 2024, the regulations set forth in last week’s column and finally inked are: Open split season, May 4 - August 1, three fluke at 19” and greater. August 2 - October 15 , three fluke at 19.5” and greater.

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. 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.