Printer Friendly Version - Local Marine Life Survived Millenniums of Evolution

What makes Long Island Sound unique are some of the oldest surviving species, like the horseshoe crab (top left), shortnose sturgeon (top right), and the striped bass (bottom) that inhabit within its sphere of influence. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Black sea bass season opened to a foggy, cloudy, and rainy day, but day two catches improved with better fish caught for serving a la Mediterranean style. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Pictured is a pair of one of the first Osprey eggs in the area to have been laid during this uncharacteristic weather that has delayed much of Nature’s springtime events. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

As days turn into weeks, the never-ending flow of fishers expands, and it becomes apparent that those who put in the time catch fish. Those who do not either get lucky or complain that there are no fish. Saying that is like declaring there are no stars in the sky just because they cannot be seen. Of course, we know differently.

If the horseshoe crab survived for 450 million years, and sturgeons were swimming in the sea when dinosaurs were walking the earth during the Jurassic period (nearly 200 million years ago), then fishers can be fairly certain that there are fish to be caught - especially in Long Island Sound which was formed 22,000 years ago, and that striped bass have been around for at least 700 years. In the short term, the health of fish stocks may vacillate. In the long term, they may evolve, but in our time, we can take comfort in the belief that fish will be a key part of our ecosystem for a very long time.

Getting an animal to come at your beck and call takes time and understanding. Animals have vertebrae. A fish is an aquatic vertebrate animal. Both of which can be conditioned to react to certain stimuli - including people. Fishers have learned to cater to the fish’s senses - taste, smell, sight, hearing, and feeling. They also take into account their lateral lines which they use to detect movement, vibration, and surrounding water pressure.

As fish continually move about for food, comfort, and spawning, fishers of them need to do the same. Changing locations simply may have to do with water temperature, food source, predation, or tides and currents. The key to catching fish is to learn about a species’ habits, including diet. All the technical aspects of fishing can be made as simple or complicated as one likes based on individual circumstances. But it all boils down to simply a hook, line, and sinker. So remember, whenever you feel as though there are no fish around, try re-calculating your approach. In-season and under normal conditions, they are around. It is just a question of where to wet a line and when.

A stalled warm front was northeast of the waters with another well west. Low pressure developed along the front, while another low approached from the south. The low to the south of the area got closer but moved farther offshore. A weak high pressure was followed by a frontal system that impacted our area. These complex systems brought some great days, some mixed with clouds, rain, wind, and cooler temperatures that then trended to ones rising into the mid-70s. Long Island Sound water temperatures fluctuated around the mid-50s with periodic gusty winds to 20 knots and seas ranging from calm to around two feet. The outlook looks promising, provided frontal systems are offset by high pressure.

Rains that continued to pummel the area kept a majority of fishers and vessels at bay. Either before the skies unloaded or when breaks of sun peeked through late in the day, there were times when shore casters hit the suds. When they did - and the tides were favorable - bait fishers did well as did those casting plugs and spoons. Striped bass remained the most targeted species in-between the closure of blackfish (tautog) and the opening of black sea bass. In fact, the best blitz bite of the season was on cloudy, fog-blanketed Saturday. Tidal rivers, adjacent beaches, and nearby bays continue to hold fish - schoolies under the 28” slot limit and fish within the slot. Striped bass caught from the Sound itself were generally larger, and in some cases, reel screaming hookups with linesiders over the 40” slot. Hit key tidal rivers for white perch (worms will do nicely) and shad that will take darts and twister tails.

As Memorial Day weekend rapidly approaches, marinas are readying for the commissioning of vessels that were held off splashing until the weather turned and temperatures warmed. As an indicator, we have been monitoring the progress of osprey nest tendings, fish catching, and egg laying - a good indicator of how the estuaries are changing over to a new season. Progress is changing almost daily, as some nests are well-built with twigs and branches, while others are practically bare with a couple of eggs showing. Certainly, area ospreys are behind schedule as is the case with some of our fisheries.

Fishers are experiencing periodic cutoffs from bluefish, as they make their entrance into the Sound. Chunks baits, spoons, and squid are sighted as being responsible for these May hookups. Additionally, bottom dwellers like sea robins, toadfish, and the like are feeding. On clamming days that bring you to the wetlands, be aware that the no-seeums have hatched, so if you need a good repellent, the shop has some.

Summer flounder season has been open since May 4, and there have been fewer catches from the normally fruitful tidal rivers and channels. Even gulls pecking at small fluke and winter flounder along the shore have been a scarce sight, but that should change, as water temperatures rise further, and more vessels get out to fish for them. With many of the tidal rivers warming up sooner than the Sound, it is always a surprise to a few fishers that some of these flounders hit those waters early, but generally they do so those casting from shore will hookup. In the past, soft plastic split-tails rigged on a jig head fished along the bottom is something hard for a fluke to resist. Weakfish were also caught on similar setups both from shore and vessels, and now is a good time to fish those grounds.

Opening day of black sea bass was pretty much a wash - literally. Except for the determined die-hards, the second day was calmer for most fishers who gave it a whirl. Results were mixed, but fishers looking for those season opener knotheads with thoughts in mind for a fresh, creative Mediterranean meal, or just a couple of simple batter baked fillets, did not return to port empty-handed.

Inland fishing is painting a different scenario. Trout stocking continues, and anglers are reaping the benefits in the rivers, parks, lakes, and ponds. River levels and flows continue to fluctuate, causing anglers to adjust their fishing trips and methods of fishing. Overall, action has been consistent, including several of the Class designated brook trout waters that are experiencing an uptick in activity - especially with fly fishers using nymphs and dry flies. Live worms, spooners, swimmers, and scented baits are doing well based on whether fishing moving or still water. Look for large and small mouth bass to take topwater plugs, soft plastics, and jigs. Pickerel and northerns are on spinners and spoons, while the rest of the typical grouping is on protein-loaded worms, small jigs, and flies.

Fly Fishing Clinic: Now accepting bookings 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.