Printer Friendly Version - Time Has Come - Sharks Biting Striped Bass Begins

Are striped bass shark bites becoming a normal occurrence in Long Island Sound? It seems so! After a tide of good bass fishing with Captain Roy, Jim Luce of Madison/NJ could not save this striper from a sandbar shark’s jaws. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Aidan Charles of Guilford - fisherman, cyclist, and endurance coach - got into some fluke, including this nice doormat, while fishing Long Island Sound. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Joe Doktorski of Madison caught this fine example of a weakfish while fishing Long Island Sound waters in about 90 feet using Gulp on a hi-lo rig. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

A quote from Captain Morgan’s column (Sharks and Stripers are Here, but What of the Bites?) published on Aug. 4 stated “there is ample time for an increase in striped bass predation by sharks. Time will tell.” Well, the time has come. Matt P. ironically summed it up as being taxed, as in The Taxman getting his substantial cuts.

Conditions are right for this developing Long Island Sound phenomenon to surface again this season. First off, separate deliberate attacks from unintentional ones. Local sharks (sandbar/brown, sand tiger, dogfish, etc.) are relatively shy, docile, and tend to avoid people unless provoked or unintentionally startled. They are driven by food and procreation. So, do not slip on a pair of diving fins and thrash around with a fresh fish dangling from your side, and expect to not trigger attention.

One way fishers catch fish is to use natural bait. Another way is to use an artificial lure of some type to fool a fish into reacting as if it were normal forage. When one enters the water, we are entering a fish’s world and should be cognizant of our actions. If one successfully triggers a feeding reaction by trashing like a wounded fish, smelling like one, or encouraging investigation, then one should not be surprised by any fish’s reaction.

A hooked and struggling striped bass sends all of those signals. They might tend to enter tidal rivers to avoid such predation, however, if given the opportunity, they will ascend from the bottom to take advantage of an easy meal, leaving a fisher with half of a fish.

Some fishers will employ a net when catching a striper. Some use lippers. Others will attempt to lip a linesider with a free hand. Although we would like to catch and release a bass as quickly as possible without totally removing it from the water, it is advisable to take a second or two to look through your polaroid sunglasses down at the fish first. This could avoid an unintentional brush with one of these hungry sharks before sticking your hand in the water, thereby allowing for a maneuver to save the fish.

Good Labor Day weekend weather, accompanied by intermittent late day showers, continued with high pressure that built over the region. Most of the week experienced this ideal weather pattern for early September, until a frontal system finally approached. Air temperatures ranged from the low to high 70s, with mostly sunny conditions mixed with clouds and showers. Long Island Sound waters generally stayed around 73 degrees, accompanied by 5-10 knot winds and seas about a foot or less with the occasional two-footer.

The new moon cycle brought a surge of fishing activity, as the following days ushered in a cool-down period. It is a clear indication that sunset is arriving earlier, shortening daylight hours. Most fishers found that the overall bite ratcheted up pretty much throughout Long Island Sound but are still awaiting the arrival of meaningful albie and bonito runs.

We have seen an uptick in the mini and doormat fluke bite, but not to the extent of being consistent. Catch them now before they migrate further out. Closer to shore, short flounder have been caught more readily. In either case, squid, teasers, and scented baits have been fished most effectively. Another favorite, the black sea bass, is showing off its colors and also gaining weight from all of its eating. There is no sign of them running to deep, cooler water yet, so fishing 40-60 feet is still producing quality fish. This will go on for awhile longer. The scup bite continues to surge. Slabs have been the norm, and those needing to grow are pecking away at clams, squid, and seaworms also.

Snapper blues are scattered and are showing up intermittently. A mix of harbor and chopper blues are pushing schools of peanut bunker to one area then another - not locking them in for any length of time. This is occurring randomly and mostly mid-Sound, including small patches of water around The Race. Look for more intense activity within the Sound by mid-September, providing weather and the bait schools hold up. Meanwhile, the striped bass bite continues to be good, as they take live eels, chunks, and artificials. Sizes have been mixed, but over-the-slot cows have readily been caught, indicating what lies ahead. Nice weakfish keep on surprising fishers.

Sandbar sharks, Sand Tigers, and Dogfish are showing up more frequently, as they normally do this time of year. Sizes have been impressive, as have their appetites for chunk baits fished on the bottom. Northern kingfish, striped sea robins, toadfish, and the like are being caught, as well. The estuaries are being hit quite heavily by blue crabbers. However, there have been prime areas that have seen little pressure and produced catches of seven-to-eight-inch Jimmies by scoopers and hand-liners.

If one needs a break from fishing either the salt or the briny, switch. Both are experiencing excellent fishing. Freshwater is on fire. The recent cool air temperatures and stretch of good weather put lakes and ponds into bonus prime-time territory. Large/smallmouth have been quite active, taking both natural and artificial baits. Panfish, bottom feeders, and toothy predators are keeping anglers on their toes, while trout have come out of their tentative state slurping and charging dries, emerges, nymphs, and streamers. Browns are making blistering runs, as small, colorful brookies have been testing three-to-four-wgt setups. Worms, inline spinners, and swimmers are being successful with conventional anglers.

Shark Encounters: Submit your photos of shark vs. striped bass (or other fish) encounters while reeling in a fish. From a nip or a serious bite to the gills, all photos are of interest to further this season’s research efforts. A snapshot of a fish after the fact and/or one being pursued in the water has importance. Submit email to captainmorganusa@hotmail.com and include name, approximate depth, and location.

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.