Printer Friendly Version - Fall Jigging and Plugging

Sammy Clark (11) of Madison, by way of Dubai, hooked into his first striped bass while fishing Long Island Sound that measured 30” - some of which was ultimately served sushi style. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Wyatt Merrigan (4) of Madison, a natural with a hook and line, hauls in this slab porgy and respectable fluke caught while fishing within sight of Tuxis Island. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Hello from Canada! Piet Masone of Ottawa, Ontario, CN (formerly of Madison) fished with Capain Lloyd Daume of New Castle for a day’s catch of 16 King salmon and one lone brown trout. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Two successful lure types that should be considered during fantastic fall fishing are top waters and diamond jigs. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Before you know it, fall will be here, as the equinox arrives on Sunday, Sep. 22 at 8:44 a.m. In about a month, Long Island Sound will wake up from a not particularly doldrum period, but rather weather injected bouts of uncertainty. Aside from wind-blown salt spray, downpours, and rough seas, days have seen picturesque rainbows, great sunrises, and sunsets.

Overall, fishing has been over-the-top, with the potential (weather permitting) of being an outstanding fall with blitzing bites to match. Fishers are already anticipating thick bait runs that may include, but not be limited to, spearing, sand eels, peanut bunker, etc. They will eye-ball the track of the striped bass run and monitor water temperatures that will signal the start of fish migrations out of the Sound. They will especially be keeping a close eye on the movement of baitfish schools.

Aside from all the glitz, glitter, and striking aspects of fish-catching paraphernalia, there are two types of fishing lures that stand out in the fall: a topwater plug and a sinking diamond jig. For fishers who thrive to be slammed by a predatory fish coming to the surface to attack its prey, it is hard to beat the explosiveness a plug of this sort can generate. Whether the plug is popped, fished to act like a wounded fish, or retrieved in a long rip, the strike from either below or above will be jarring. Add a rod with a stout butt, moderate bend, and sensitive tip, with a stretch of leader attached to braided line, and a fisher just upped their game.

Getting down to business is where a diamond jig comes into play. Their shiny sides easily imitate the silvery sides of many baitfish. Highly indestructible, but subject to getting hung up by the inattentive fisher, they catch a seemingly unending list of fish species. Doubling as a grip to handle a hooked fish, they come in a variety of sizes, can be plated or painted, smooth or hammered, but generally are gold or silver. Dropping them to the bottom then retrieving them partially up the water column and then released to flutter downward, or retrieving them to the near surface letting them fall back down in the process is generally the procedure. The strikes here are also memorable, as is the fight that ensues. Generally four to six-ounce jigs will be sufficient when jigging in Long Island Sound. However, depending on location, tide/current conditions, and weather conditions, jig weights can range to 20 ounces or better.

To optimize fishing success, whether fishing the surf or out on the reefs, increase the odds in your favor by bringing along a selection of topwater plugs, as well as an assortment of diamond jigs, originally developed by Gus Bahr of the Bead Chain Manufacturing Company in 1929 and called the Bridgeport Diamond Jig.

A slow moving cold front stalled southeast of the area, as a frontal wave tracked along when Tropical Storm Debby churned her way up the Atlantic coast. Eventually, the front pushed south of the area, as high pressure nudged from the northwest. The front then lifted back into the area, bringing fast-moving heavy rainfall, before a cold front passed through. Tropical moisture associated with tropical cyclone Debby interacted with both of these boundaries, causing very wet conditions. During this weather cycle, Long Island Sound water temperatures remained in the mid-70s, with northeast and northwest 10-15 knot winds (higher near the storm) gusting to 20 knots and creating seas of around two feet and compromised visibility to one to three nautical miles until the storm passed.

With the threat of wavering stormy conditions, fishers took advantage of what milder weather prevailed during prime vacation time. Targeting specific species seemed to be of less importance than actually hooking up. Wetting a line and being able to feel a fish on the other end would make the day. On the other hand, those who have been fishing throughout much of the summer had different thoughts and set their sights accordingly. Overall, the Sound has its share of fish (including baitfish), so catching something at almost any tide is realistic - except during really rough surf conditions.

Schoolie striped bass, porgy, spot croaker, sea robins, and dogfish are some of those fish that are quite likely to snap up your bait - even a small bluefish. Simple light to medium rated gear and some chunks, slices, or live baits will usually generate catches. A few swim baits or jigs can be added for the schoolies. When on the move, snapper blues will take a small spoon, rig, or shiner. Weakfish catches leveled off and were less of a surprise than when they flourished a few weeks ago.

In spite of the recent heat and finally a cool down, several tidal rivers have been good fishing options for striped bass. Look for a run of large bass to materialize in the coming seven to 10 days, and maybe even an early albie run into the Sound. Those rivers adjacent to beaches and bays have also seen an uptick of under-sized fluke, while keeper-size ones have remained evasive both close to shore and offshore. The porgy bite has been very good with catches of slabs not uncommon. Bait fishers are having the best results fishing on either side of high tide with similar results experienced throughout most of the Sound on structured bottoms.

Between weather fronts when boaters have been able to head to deeper waters, black sea bass catches have toned down but still remained good with the average being around 2-3 pounds in the Sound. While summer blackfish have a few more weeks until the temporary close, catches remain better than normal, hinting that fall can be promising. Dogfish are plentiful, skate are tugging at lines, and sea robins are feeding on the bottom along with northern kingfish. A trip to the wetlands will put you in blue crab territory, where they are growing in size and numbers.

Summer doldrums have not hit the lakes and ponds, nor have they really hit popular rivers. The cooldown saw to that as bass, panfish, toothy critters, and then some keep taking baits and lures. Largemouth catches have been especially good. Some of the lesser trout streams are creating challenges, but nevertheless, effort and skill usually pays off for fly fishers and ultra-lite fanatics.

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.