Printer Friendly Version - Kickstart to Fall’s Tog Season Offset by Winds and Chop

Generations of family fishing adventures continue to mount when these six meet again with Captain Mike to fish Long Island Sound for black sea bass and scup. Pictured is Larry Sgrignari (East Haven), Michael Sgrignari (Wallingford), Emily and Dr. Craig McDonough, Master Cole (2) and Miss Evie (4) of Woodbridge. RIP Pio Sgrignari (92). Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

As tog season got underway, this pair of average early fall blackfish (tautog) caught on green crabs and tog jigs came from one of shoreline’s breakwalls that saw some good action once winds subsided. Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

Morgan Buerger of Lyme hoists this chain pickerel in joy that he caught in Pattagansett Lake after being inspired to get back into fishing by his young nephew, Grayson Schaefer (5) of Chester (featured in Captain Morgan’s column, “Kids Week…” published week of 7/28/24). Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan

A weekday opening of fall’s blackfish (tautog) season coincided with cooler air temperatures and a slight drop in water temperatures. Those Northern Lights were awesome. Leading into the weekend, skies were sun-filled, and seas fluctuated between two to three feet with the help of 10-15 knot northerly winds that gusted to 20 knots. However, things settled down in the latter half of the weekend.

Toggers were greeted with both a low late-morning tide and a high late-afternoon one, allowing maximum effort for the day. Enthusiasm was high. For the most part, the breakwalls, jetties, near-shore reefs, rock piles, and proven rocky spots of certain bays and island outcrops were primary fishing points in an attempt to avoid the northerly winds. That left plenty of room for the offshore reefs, however, due to choppy seas, few boats attempted to venture too far from shore, electing to remain close.

Green crabs were in demand, and opening day saw a steady flow of toggers loading up on these, tog jigs, and rigs. Falling on a sunny Thursday seemed to start the weekend early, especially since the next few days were a continuation of fine colorful fall weather. What was missing, though, was the sound of cracking open hermit crab shells. There may have been one or two old timers pounding away to remove those tog treats, but, for the most part, that echoing sound was missing. Cutting or snipping of crabs took its place.

Early reports were overshadowed by windy conditions and mostly short fish, as more toggers looked forward to better conditions expected for Saturday and Sunday - disregarding easterly winds and the threat of showers. Good catches of limits from 16-20” were made along the walls and inside bays with structured bottoms, near clumps of rocks and island chains. Togs between 20-24” were at a premium, and any known larger whitechins along this immediate shoreline will have to wait for another day.

On the eve of quickly developing Category 5 Hurricane Milton cutting a swath through Florida amidst 155+ mph winds, we, in the area of Long Island Sound, woke up in the morning to a warm, humid, rainy, windy start to the day. A series of following cold fronts then took a few days to pass before high pressure followed in their wake, which then remained in control. Air temperatures dropped from the high 70s to the low 60s then repeated a similar trend, settling around the mid-60s. Sun and clouds with a very brief bout with rain was the norm following fall’s attempt to sway the calendar. Meanwhile, Long Island Sound water temperature gradually fluctuated in the low to mid-60s, accompanied by some days of north/northwest gusty winds and one to three foot seas.

As the fall migration got underway and blackfish (tautog) season was on the brink of re-opening, many fishers have been concentrating on fishing the offshore waters for impressive black sea bass table toppers. If one is looking for these black beauties in the four-pound range, then a 90 foot reef or wreck at scattered depths is a good place to start. The number one bait producer has been and is currently a chunk of local, unadulterated squid on a jig or rig. Black seabass are moving and being caught throughout the Sound, but the closer one gets to the inshore shallows, the better the odds of hooking into sizes shy of the minimum length of 16 inches.

Slab porgies to 15” are being caught on reef structures similar to the ones black sea bass frequent, and, in due time, blackfish will also inhabit. Porgies in excess on the 9.5” minimum shore length are eating clams and squid from those anglers whose feet are grounded. Whether fishing with double-hook rigs or single hook setups, when fishing near almost any rock pile with heavy enough sinkers, scup or spot will most likely cause your rod to react.

Fall is synonymous with striped bass. It is the first thought of many fishers as the days shorten and water temperatures drop. As baitfish traverse the tidal rivers and live eels become in greater demand, linesiders position themselves to take advantage of the flow of food. Over-the-slot size fish to 42” are being caught in these tidal rivers as well as by The Sound’s popular reefs. A few slot-sized ones are being caught - but most have been above or below the 3” spread.

Paying particular attention to the tidal flow and timing of it will give one that extra edge. Selecting an appropriate bait, be it natural, hard/soft artificial, or fly (based upon how the bass are feeding) cannot be over emphasized. Expect the hits to be hard and competitive, so not being fully focused can cost you a fish - maybe the best of the season. Bluefish blitzes have been hit or miss, as singular hookups continued throughout the Sound, and large menhaden schools were happenstance. Snapper blues seem to have continued suit, while hickory shad schools have been a focal point of striped bass and blues. Poppers, spoons, jigs, or chunk baits along with wire leaders should be considered when either heading out or casting from shore.

This is the time of year for a slam - Bass, Blue, Bonito. Throw in an albie and a weakfish, and one has had a very good day. Right about now, all are catchable, but expect an albie on a fly or epoxy on a light spinning outfit to be the head-scratcher. Hook one up first, and you’re pretty much in the driver’s seat - although the blue can be the one that evades. Sandbar sharks are still creating predation issues with hooked stripers, dogfish are stacked up, skate are feeding, as are northern kingfish, sea robins, oyster crackers, etc. Blue crabs have calmed down a bit but have more to give this season.

Pickerel are on the hunt, taking scented baits and spinners. Bass have been foraging incessantly along with panfish on artificials and natural baits, while bottom feeders are just as active. Trout are responding to nymphs and streamers as well as inline spinners and swimmers. Weather has been exceptional with that touch of fall that stimulates feeding.

Tightlined Slam: Western Long Island Sound’s fly rod and light tackle catch-and-release fishing tournament was held over the weekend. Nine categories for team and individual competitions targeting striped bass, bluefish, false albacore, and bonito were the core species. Despite some inclement weather, more than 25 teams participated under International Game Association (IGA) world record length rules. Stay tuned for the official results.

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.