Printer Friendly Version - Fishing is a Universal Language

Angler Henry Condo of Madison gears up to travel to Cuenca, Ecuador to fish El Cajas for rainbow trout with great grandmother (96) and generations of family using American-made lures that he passes around to wide-eyed locals. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Shane McClellan of Branford is an accomplished kayak fisher and traveler, catching and releasing fish from large over-the-slot (44”) striped bass (bottom) to good-sized smooth dogfish (top right) and this pelagic, warm water houndfish he caught in Mexico (top left), generally found in oceans, seas, and lagoons worldwide. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Chris House and daughter Harper (8) catch/release largemouth and striped bass together while fishing in the sweet and briny, although her favorite, she confesses, is shark. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Travel is up! As multi-cultural fishers and non-fishers pour into the country, we sometimes forget how many of our country folk criss-cross the states as well as travel abroad to catch some of those popular exotic species. Fishers have a unique way of communicating. Through the broken tongue, hand gestures, facial expressions, and translation apps, we manage to get our points across - no matter the country.

Even in our travels to remote islands where the fishing is outstanding, nature’s flourishing critters are ever watchful, and hook, line, and sinker is definitely understood. Not surprisingly, through the internet, many locals are familiar with some of the more modern gear, even though theirs may not be quite up-to-date. Needless to say, barter is ongoing, both on many streets and on the water - especially with fish and terminal gear.

Fishing is one of the truest forms of bonding. All people engage in fishing, cooking, eating, and/or selling fish in one form or another. Recipes can be very localized and unique - from sushi to the fire. Fishing can also be that varied. One time, way back when, a native showed me that a simple old glass coke bottle, a line, and a hook can out-fish a top-of-the-line rod/reel conventional boat setup. Back at the mooring, I insisted he have the combo. He opted for a few lures instead, but later he relented.

It is no wonder that this Old Salt considers fishing not only an activity or way of life for some, but a universal language. It is seen when traveling, in the shop, and when carrying out fisheries management business. So, what’s the takeaway? The world is changing, along with its waters and fishery stocks. We see it locally, internationally, and worldwide. With continued population growth, it is more important for each of us to pay attention to how fish and fisheries are handled today in order to slow down fish mortality and get a handle on improving fish stocks for the future.

A stalled frontal boundary lifts north, as a warm front continues the southern New England heat wave that saw extremely humid and hot conditions. The remains of Beryl approached then also lifted north, pulling a cold front through the area. The frontal boundary remained within the local area somewhat cooling down the temperatures - but not by much. Sun and clouds persisted, accompanied by scattered thunderstorms. Long Island Sound water temperatures rose and remained in the low 70s, as morning fog persisted creating compromised visibility. Light breezes turned gusty, as seas fluctuated from calm to around two to three feet.

There continued to be an influx of Atlantic menhaden into the Sound, often piling up in lower tidal rivers and creating intermittent striped bass feeding. Although warmer water temperatures drove some stripers into cooler, more oxygenated water, when blitzes occurred, the fishing was over the top.

Near-shore reefs saw good action, as linesiders moved from west to east. Live eels were king, backed up by three-waying bucktails, diamond jigging, and flutter spoons. Over-the-slot bass were bending rods as were below the slot. Catches within the 28-31” slot were a different story, as these fish have been more of a challenge - but doable.

Since black sea bass re-opened in Connecticut, catches on both sides of the pond have been fairly consistent. Respectable knotheads have been caught - some in 40-60 feet, others slightly under and several deeper where water temperatures were cooler. Rigs, squid, and jigs could not be simpler to bring these aggressive feeders to the hook.

Flipping the coin to porgies, scup fever has arrived, and catches for food and recreation took a hike, as did the number of scup bangers hitting near-shore reefs, and fishing from shore has increased. Whether tying on a rig or a single hook baited with squid or sea worm, the result was the same. For family or solo fun, it is hard to beat hooking into scrappy porgies and then making a simple or dressed up meal of them.

Weakfish catches have not let up. Many more weakies are being caught and released near-shore but are smaller than the minimum 16” length. That is a good sign for the stock but a word of caution. Many fishers are not familiar with this fish when they are that small and have difficulty identifying them. Initially, look for two canine-like teeth in the front of the upper jaw and yellow fins. They also have rows of tiny teeth, and during reeling one in, they may lose one or both of those canines. Because of their trout-like appearance, they have earned the name of seatrout by many anglers.

Blackfish (tautog) is another that has been causing a positive reaction since the opening of their summer season. Togs moving out from the shallows during their transition have been intercepted by enthusiastic toggers. These stubborn, hard-fighting bulldogs will test your skill, patience, and persistence. Soft and hard natural baits like sea worms, crabs, and mollusks are their soft spot. They will move them into their mouths with their large lips and prominent teeth, giving a fisher but seconds to determine when to set the hook. One cannot be thinking of the meal while trying to catch one, or they will surely miss the hook set. Tog jigs, rigs, simple hook setups, and sinkers are enough terminal gear needed to get down to business.

Fluke hunters are finding it a little less stressful to catch a keeper, even though the ratio grossly favors shorts now by about 15:1. Drifting near-shore shoals or deeper offshore wavy bottoms have been netting some nice mini-doormats, while summer flounder over 10 pounds have been more of a premium within the Sound but more plentiful farther north out around the islands (Block, Nantucket). Bluefish have been another species feeding within the Sound, but choppers have been more prevalent on either ends of it while soaking chunks along the reefs, diamond jigging, or trolling spoons - even a flutter spoon if you are deep enough. If fortunate to encounter a blitz, break out a popper or flashy spoon, preferably with a tail.

Dogfish, sand sharks, and others, as well as the regular sea robins, skate, northern kingfish, etc., are keeping bottom fishers busy, especially when dunking natural baits. Many of these species are being caught near-shore, while dogfish are in both shallow and deep water. Fishing the estuaries can net one a limit of hickory shad, some eels, and some really nice blue crabs by scooping, trapping, or with crab throws.

This past week has seen largemouth bass and trout activity pick up - catfish as well. Largemouths have been liking frogs, jitterbugs, and poppers. Some rivers have produced large carp and some bowfin, while smallies, pickerel, catfish, perch, and bluegills have satisfied many other anglers. Night crawlers and scented baits have been good alternatives.

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.