Printer Friendly Version - Honoring Memorial Day - the Unofficial Start of Summer

Ardent fly fisher Chris Vossler of Guilford had an unbelievable catch and release day on the water, when he was surrounded by striped bass blitzes while fishing the Sound’s waters off of Norwalk. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

John Conroy and Harry Pope, both of Guilford, teamed up for their limit of black sea bass during the season opener. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Asa Roberts of Guilford caught one of those explosive Long Island Sound striped bass blitzes that included this 30” linesider caught off of Clinton that was released to swim another day. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

On May 30, and throughout this weekend, we honored and mourned United States military patriots who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in our Armed Forces as prayers also go out to those currently serving. The first observance occurred on May 30, 1868 - 157 years ago - then known as Decoration Day. It all began when Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic proclaimed that day to honor Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. Since then, this day has been burned in our hearts and calendars. As such, this captain believes that all significant historical events such as this cannot and should not try to be erased from the past merely because it does not fit the present.

For many, Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning of summer, and so another season begins. As a fisherman, the season starts considerably earlier, when water temperatures rise to the point that winter season activity subsides and rebirth of spring begins. For the past several seasons, we have seen the period encompassing ice shrinks while average daily water and air temperatures rise.

There have been more inland fishing opportunities in ice-free water than in the past, and there are fewer ice holes drilled and tip-up flags being flipped. Tidal rivers have come alive earlier as did near-shore habitats. Long Island Sound water temperatures are warming, and it is seeing more southern and mid-Atlantic fish. Even with the 2015 young-of-year class of striped bass showing up in terms of shear muscle, we are seeing more fish holding over and seasons kicking off earlier but wetter.

Based on recent temperature and weather patterns, the outlook for this summer could be a scorcher with associated thunderstorms and on the buggy side. Fishing the cooler early morning, late day near-shore shallower waters, and deeper, cooler daytime tides will probably be in the offing more so this year than in the past. Additionally, increased appearances and catches of mid-Atlantic and southern fish species will be more likely. All those warming conditions also indicate that shark predation on fish species, like striped bass, will pick up from where it left off last season.

All in all (and putting climatic factors aside), look for some good overall fishing opportunities when fishing the Sound. This could easily be the year for Personal Bests (PB) and several first -ofs beginning with the Memorial Day weekend. Lines in and good luck while being safe out there.

High pressure was in play for several days before sliding off to the east, while a frontal system lifted across the mid-west and into the Great Lakes. The associated cold front moved across the area followed by weak high pressure that returned to our area. Another low pressure system lined up for the Memorial Day weekend, giving pause to plans that may be impacted. Moderate winds and calm seas were interrupted by gusty winds to 20 knots and seas from 2 to 3 feet before returning to relatively mild conditions. Air temperatures broke 80 degrees before dropping to the mid-60s and then rising to the mid-70s with periods of rain, thunderstorms, and partly sunny conditions. Long Island Sound remained in the high 50s, as lower tidal rivers broke into the 60s during the warm periods, while seas remained calm.

The striped bass bite continues to be solid, as linesiders take a variety of natural and unnatural baits. Early morning blitzes have been intense and varied throughout the day - through the Budding full moon phase, too. Top water plugs and rip swimmers have been outstanding, along with soft plastics and flies worked below the surface. Many of these fish have been feeding and caught and/or released in 8-10 feet of water. There have been instances when the water suddenly erupted for 15 minutes or so before calm prevailed - which was not the time to relax because feeding once again continued. This was the time for a top water plug or a soft plastic stick bait.

Leading into the weekend and beyond, it is no surprise that the black sea bass bite took off. The better fish were on reefs or along wavy bottom structure situated in 40-60’ depths. Setting anchor or drifting with ample weight produced some nice knotheads. Simple hi-lo rigs with or without teasers, tipped with squid, produced quality fish. Among the spots on the CT side, consider drifting just south of Faulker’s toward Goose Island or setting up on one of the sunken wrecks.

Menhaden being driven by short schools of bluefish continue to show up. At least for now, cutoffs by the blues are not problematic. Flashy spoons and jigs, along with chunk baits and squid, would be good options for hookups. Weakfish are mixed in, moving across the Sound toward tidal rivers, and will eagerly take a seaworm or squid. Summer flounder (fluke) are picking up some steam. Heavier bucktails with teasers and rigs trimmed with squid have been working in the Sound and key tidal rivers. Catches of fish in excess of the minimum length of 19” are being recorded, but we have a little ways to go to bring home some mini-doormats and better.

It is time to do more porgy fishing now that the bottom fishery is taking hold. During the past week, the rock jetties and near-shore humps have seen scup bangers anxious to get their season on the move. Catches have varied but improved, as anglers cast or lowered their rigs and seaworms, squid, clams, or scented baits to the rock piles and reefs below. Striped sea robins, toadfish, almost time for northern kingfish, and a little early for skate and any meaningful schools of dogfish round out those species except for hickory shad along the beaches and in various tidal rivers.

Inland lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams are in no way ready to take a back seat. Trout catches vary but are providing plenty of opportunities. The majority of the CT spring stocking schedule has been completed, and the remainder of it is anticipated to be completed in the next few days. Largemouth bass catches continue to make better than the average splashes, as they take spinnerbaits, jigs, cranks, soft plastics - and of course, worms. Smallie action has been good, and pickerel continue to hit hard, while schools of crappie, bluegills, catfish, and perch take live baits and small jigs where warranted.

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 the 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.