Printer Friendly Version - Striped Bass Fishing is Hot But Needs our Help

Overfished striped bass stocks under proactive management are striving to rebound, however, poaching is problematic, being aggressively pursued, and should be reported. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Just in time for Dad’s Day, father and son team of Christopher Rahn and Matthew (10) of Madison joined together, as Matt reeled in his first striped bass. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Quality black sea bass are taking to the reefs, providing good fishing, attracting plenty of attention, and offering excellent tablefare. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Striped bass fever has taken over the coastal and near-shore waters of New England - particularly the southern regions. More scientifically referred to as Morone saxatilis, this revered fish, with a varied historical past, is managed, protected, and considered overfished, and efforts are underway to address it with a moratorium already established in federal waters. Additionally, regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.

As a result of cooperative efforts, we are witnessing a resurgence with a flurry of activity of younger year classes of fish that are maturing and larger numbers of mature females being caught and released to continue to produce huge quantities of eggs, thus ensuring the fecundity of the stock. Although most fishers and interested parties are aware of efforts that are underway to further protect the species (while at the same time bite the bullet and abide by them), there are few scoundrels oblivious to, or couldn’t care less about, regulations.

The life span of a striped bass can be 30 years. Roughly, a 50 pound bass is about 17 years old and can produce around three to four million or more eggs in one season. An estimated survival rate can be be up to 37%, with the larval stage being the most critical - along with natural interacting stresses. Natural predators are seals and sharks. Then there are people and their gear.

It is inexcusable for fishers - the term being used quite loosely - to ignore regulations in place in order to protect the stock’s survival. In some cases, fishing for family food is understandable, but still not a good enough reason. Most striped bass over 30 pounds are female. Killing a mature female striped bass that is capable of producing millions of eggs per season to feed a handful of people is very unacceptable. Sacrificing that many potential healthy striped bass that ultimately could feed many more mouths legally is a disgrace. The majority of striped bass fishers are conscientious and law-biding. Those that are not should be turned in anonymously to CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) at 1-800-424-HELP.

High pressure built southward from coastal New England before shifting farther out into the Atlantic. A wide-spread upper low dropped into the Great Lakes then gradually headed into the region, generating spotty weather conditions breaking up the fair weather that had blanketed the area. Sunny conditions were broken up by clouds, spotty rain, and an occasional thunderstorm. Air temperatures fluctuated back and forth from the high 70s to the low 80s, along with changes in the humidity. Long Island Sound water temperatures remained pretty much in the low 60s, patchy fog permeated early morning hours, while seas stood around 1-2 feet under generally 5-10 knot winds.

June kicked in with the arrival of more bait in the form of peanut bunker, larger menhaden, tinker mackerel, and squid. Striped bass continued their aggressive feeding, as fishers hooked into numbers of short fish and regular hookups with linesiders to 40” and over. Slot limit fish were caught, but, by comparison, considerably fewer than either side of the slot limit of 28-31 inches. This was the week that saw stripers reacting almost equally to live baits (live eels), artificial hard/soft lures, and flies. Diamond jigs and bucktails were being smashed. Flutter spoons caught their share. From near-shore blitzes to single feeders and those that are taking lures that track well in the rips, bass have awakened the fishing community - especially those lagging behind.

Connecticut waters remain the prime target of black sea bass, considering that New York (NY) does not open until Sunday, June 23. Hookups and landings continue to be steady, as an increase of knotheads are being hoisted over gunwales. Fishing near shore will generally catch throwbacks. Concentrating on deeper waters on the Connecticut (CT) side of the CT/NY demarcation line and over uneven bottom structure will most likely put fishers on quality keepers in the 3-4 pound range. Drifting, jigging, or anchored up soaking squid is an appetizer these aggressive feeders can hardly pass up. Reef fishers also are seeing more scup action, as the water temperatures continue to edge upward. Seaworms, squid, and clams are the tempting treats, but much of the porgy attention is elsewhere until the bite picks up. Bottom fishers have been into sea robins, skate, some dogfish, etc.

Blues and weakfish are sneaking into the Sound - often unnoticed. Dunking chunks will catch a fisher’s attention, when suddenly there is an unexpected hit, a quick run, and then the infamous cutoff. Bass, rock, or blue? Diamond jigs and chunks for the blues while squid, seaworms, or some small baitfish will be eaten by weakies. When fishing the lower part of the CT River, the Sound itself, and routes to Block Island, one cannot rule out that a deep strong run of a protected shortnose sturgeon can be found transversing the coastal waters. As far as summer flounder (fluke) is concerned, putting in one’s time can result in a mini-doormat or better. Drifting a heavy bucktail and squid with a large spearing teaser has been effective when time and effort is put forth in the main tidal river channels, or at either end, and deep waters of the Sound.

Anglers are cashing in on lake and pond inland waters where largemouth and smallmouth bass are being caught in good numbers on topwaters, cranks, jigs, and soft plastics. Bass and panfish are taking live worms, while trout are on worms, scented baits, swimmers, and inline spinners. Look to cast spinners and spoons for pickerel that are tearing up baitfish, channel catfish are on stink baits in the upper tidal rivers, and the white perch bite lingers on in those adjacent coves.

Fly Fishing Clinic: Accepting reservations for 2024. An outstanding opportunity for the experienced or intermediate fly fisher! Booking inland and marine fly fishing on the water 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 your special angler!

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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.