Printer Friendly Version - Black Sea Bass Opens on Saturday, May 18

Taking advantage of the spring striped bass bite, Hunter Martins of Clinton (bottom right) and great uncle Peter Husak visiting from Maryland (top left) enjoyed some good fishing and quality time together well into the evening’s sunset. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Anthony Pesce of Madison continues his fishing exploits, as he catches and releases schoolie striped bass adding to his long list of achievements. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Closing out an active spring blackfish season, Bruce Andes of Madison adds this estimated 6-7-pound tog to the day’s quick bite. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Black Sea bass (Centropristis striata) is a fishery that inhabits Atlantic coastal waters from the Gulf of Maine to the Florida Keys with minimal concentrations in Connecticut waters until around 2010, when water temperatures began trending upward. Long Island Sound, being a unique nursery for breeding and a storehouse of forage, such as crabs, shrimp, juvenile tautog, lobsters, squid, and the like, what better environment for these opportunistic feeders to pause their migration northward and set up house?

As water temperatures continue to warm along the Atlantic coast, their movement north into cooler, more hospitable habitats continues. Fortunately, because they are aggressive feeders, they are considered by a portion of the marine fishing community to be a resource that is recreationally fun to catch, delicious to eat, and aesthetically appealing.

Unfortunately, because of their aggressive nature, they are considered by another portion of that community to be a nuisance and a detriment to fish stocks that have either already established themselves in the Sound or regularly migrate to it. Because of their indiscriminate eating habits, there has been a noticeable decline in certain fisheries (such as summer flounder) that have shifted locations, since black sea bass have successfully spawned and established a healthy fishery.

When forage is reduced and the young of a species is preyed upon, there is a reduction in the stock biomass. These predators are basically a bottom reef fish that can grow to 25 inches and can live up to 20 years. Although they can grow to nine pounds, most caught are four pounds and under. The current CT state record is 25” at 7.5 pounds, caught in 2005 by Mike Lane (RIP).

According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these fish are not overfished, and overfishing is not occurring. They are also primed for regulation adjustment from the present split private boat recreational season of a five fish daily creel limit and a minimum length of 16 inches.

The opening of the season in CT is anxiously anticipated, and plans are underway to get the jump on initial catches. From bare jigs to simple rigs, usually tipped with squid and/or clams, black sea bass will most likely be congregating in 40-60 foot depth reefs - although smaller fish will still be around rather shallow structure. A 3/0 plain octopus or octopus circle hook is one of the preferred hooks anglers select when baiting up. Braided line will get up and down the water column quicker than monofilament with the added benefit of packing the reel with more line.

High pressure shifted farther offshore out to the Atlantic, as a cold front approached from the west before passing through. Weak high pressure returned briefly before it returned as a warm front. A series of low pressure centers impacted the regional weather and into the weekend. A stretch of weather followed a mix of clouds and rain between sunny and partly sunny days with air temperatures rising into the mid-70s, while, for the most part, lows remained in the 50s. Throughout Long Island Sound, water temperatures remained in the mid-50s with nearshore temperatures trending higher. Seas ranged from around a foot to 2-3 feet, pushed by gusty winds at times reaching 20 knots.

Until black sea bass show off what they have to offer this season, at the moment striped bass remain the focus of most fishers. Schoolie action has been ramping up, as they turn heads toward live and artificial baits. Most tidal rivers, bays, and shoreline points, where bait congregate, are productive focal points. When wind cooperates, fly fishers are hooking up with traditional flies, like Clousers, deceivers, half/half’s, epoxies, and the like.

Plugs (poppers), swim baits, and spoons increased hookups of catch/release sized fish while drifting and three-waying near, and mid-Sound reefs have produced good results. Dropping flutter spoons are attracting good bass at the lower half of the water column especially during this period of fewer bluefish. That will change.

Scattered schools of bluefish are showing up - along with weakfish - now that water temperatures have broken the mid-50-degree barrier in many nearshore waters. Spoons and bucktails, with strips of squid or rinds, are the way to go. Both species are relentless when hooked, the difference being that bluefish will battle a fisher to the end and then some.

A weakfish’s limit is its soft mouth that often tears during runs, enough so that a hook will slip through. During the fight, a weakie will often lose a front tooth or two, which is a small price to pay for its freedom. Early stages of porgy fishing is around the corner, as real slabs begin showing up on the reefs as water temperatures have broken the mid-50s. Adding a little more excitement, American shad are running, hickories are showing up, and white perch are being caught.

Recent May trout stocking has been occurring in many of the state’s waters. If you have been trying and have not yet hooked into a solid rainbow, brown, brook, or tiger trout, keep up the effort. There is still plenty of time to take advantage of the approximate 500,000 trout that will continue to be stocked through the end of the month. From the catch and release rivers, management lakes, trophy trout waters, and parks, catch rates have been running above average.

Many of the lakes and ponds are seeing good bass action, decent pickerel catches of CT’s No. 1 apex predator, and panfish ready hit the fryer like black crappie and bluegills, as well as some catfish, carp, and bullheads. How about a few of those walleye hideouts? Check out Saltonstall, Saugatuck, Beach, Coventry Batterson, Gardner, and Mashapaug.

Point of Interest: At the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) public hearing on potential Inland fishing regulation changes held on May 8 on Zoom and attended by 61 members of the angler community, one of the comments that reverberated with the most pushback was in regards to extending the Class No. 1 trout streams by an additional 19. Concern was that if not carefully thought out and managed properly, too many catch and release trout will be illegally harvested especially with the lack of adequate enforcement and signage. That point was well received.

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 adventures. Gift certificates are available for a special angler!

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.