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10/24/2024 12:00 AMBecause striped bass (Marone saxatilis) is one of the most pursued recreational fish species along the Atlantic coast, maintaining a healthy stock biomass is crucial to their survival. Over the past several years, there has been a push to bolster the stocks by implementing various regulations, including the most recent one fish daily limit and a very restrictive slot limit of 28-31” for recreational anglers.
The surprise came a couple of seasons ago when statistics regarding catch, effort, and release did not add up to technical stock assessments. Unfortunately, the catch and release part of the surveys did not take into consideration release mortality, which gave birth to the idea of implementing inline circle hooks when bait fishing for striped bass.
The whole idea of using inline circle hooks is to reduce ‘gut-hooking’ by catching the lip of the fish. When a study, “Evaluating the conservation benefit of circle hooks for the Atlantic Striped Bass recreational fishery,” was first published this fall, surprisingly, it concluded, “Contrary to expectations, the circle hooks used in this study did not result in lower release mortality than conventional J-hooks.”
This very comprehensive and detailed study took into account the release condition of the striped bass, scoring each according to apparent lack of injury (1), minor injury (2), major injury (3), and apparent mortality (4), which had not been done previously. The stripers were tagged with an array of 39 acoustic receivers maintained throughout Salem Sound, Massachusetts, over the course of the two-year study, which were attached to U.S. Coast Guard AIDS to Navigation or to the sea floor. Based on data received and fishery recaptures, it was possible to determine that tagged fish were either known survivors or known mortalities.
One point to emphasize in the regulation that mandates the use of inline circle hooks for striped bass when bait fishing is that the use of treble hooks when bait fishing does have a severe negative effect on striped bass release mortality and therefore, most agree that part of the regulation is the double-edge sword and should be upheld. As efforts unfold, time will tell on the never-ending attempts to restore, maintain, and protect this highly revered and popular marine fish species, especially in view of another year of poor striped bass spawning in the Chesapeake - the second lowest since 2012!
On The Water:
High pressure to the west was slow to build into the area as low pressure over the Canadian Maritimes hung around. Meanwhile, low pressure developed off the Mid-Atlantic coast, passing to the south and east. A high-pressure system eventually built in and took a dominant position, replacing cold air temperatures that dipped into frost territory. Air temps that dove into the 30s and meandered in the low 40s during morning hours ultimately climbed back into the 50s and 60s and finally hit 74ºF during the day. This transition took place during days mixed with sun and clouds before seeing low pressure and some shots of needed rain. During this period, Long Island Sound near-shore water temps slid from the mid-60s to 61ºF while seas kicked up 2 to 5 feet amidst 10 to 20 knot winds gusting to 25 before calming down to a foot or less.
A drop in air and water temperatures perpetuates dynamic runs of migrating fish species. Stiff winds, choppy seas, and bait movement only adds to the elements energizing the waters of Long Island Sound. Over the past two weeks, we have seen striped bass downing or making an attempt to eat everything from small baits to large plugs. Portions of the Sound saw explosive bursts of this near-shore robust feeding that kept fishers on alert.
Whether it was a live eel or small mullet to a squidded bucktail or half/half, hand-tied appetizing fly, linesiders opened their mouths and fought to engulf it. These schooled-up stripers were in 20-25-pound class, with some over-the-slot cows making their appearance during October’s full migrating moon. This is the time to target striped bass - however, we cannot rule out a run of bluefish that are making up for the time they missed over the summer. Although the run is occurring a bit later, the wait is sizing up to be worth the wait. Spoons, jigs, and topwater plugs are, all of a sudden, being put to use more than during earlier weeks. Hickory shad, as well as schools of menhaden, have also created a flurry of activity.
Since early spring, weakfish have been no stranger to many fishers plying the Sound. Many caught and released have been short of the 16” minimum length, which is a very good sign for their spawning results. The numbers approaching 30” (as in the past few seasons) are not as impressive, but the numbers around 16” to 22” definitely are. Squid continues to be the number one bait (with crabs and clams being a close second) that are attracting the fall run of these squeteagues. Of course, they will take a variety of artificials. At last cast, bonito has been intermittently working the rips, so keep an eye on the surface and follow the gulls.
When days broke in favor of anglers, tog pullers were out in full force. Those days saw busy breakwalls and rocky outcrops that dot the shoreline. For the most part, blackfish (tautog) were on crabs with the average limit of three ranging from 3 to 5 pounds, but larger whitechins were not shy to crunch on a crab as toggers wrestled with them to leave their crevices. Sun and light breezes made it a bit warmer and much easier to hold a spot. Certainly, water temperatures dropping below 60ºF got these togs into more of an eating mode.
Porgies and black sea bass are definitely still in play. Both are favoring depths more than a cast from shore, but smaller ones are still catchable nearby. Sticking with squid and clams is the best bet. Even though the fluke season is now closed, there is plenty of other bottom fishing left. Chunks or strip baits will get more than just a nibble.
Inland rivers, lakes, ponds, and state parks have been seeing good Fall activity. Bass, pickerel (thumbs up!), trout, panfish, etc., are keeping anglers in the groove. Even though most rivers continue to need rain, angling for trout has been doable. Pick your days, and catches will follow.
Tightlined Slam 2024: First Place individual Slam: Steve Gannon, Team Porgy Picatta, Three fish total (102.5”); Second Place: Joe Cipolla, Team Row Jimmy, Three fish total (85”); Third Place: Ben Burdick of Team Apex Angling, albie, striped bass & bluefish (82”). Individual Striped bass: Steve Gannon (42”); Individual Hard Tail: First Place, Ben Burdine & Chase Freiman tied with three false albacore each; Bluefish on Fly: Danny Westfield, Oh my FOD, two fish (64.5”).
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. Or, contact Captain Morgan for a fly fishing trip of a lifetime to a remote national or international fishing destination.
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. Face coverings are optional but recommended inside. 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.