It’s
September and for some anglers, the long-awaited fall fishing season is about
to explode. Anxiously preparing for this time of year, fishermen/women are not
only looking forward to the coastal striper run, but are also gearing up for
the albies, bonito, huge gators, and big cows. Tide tables are scrutinized and
a close look at moon phases is normal for timing, from now on, is crucial.
A
call from Mother Nature can come at any time and when it does, all else stops
and the casting begins. “We have a little time ahead of us before the serious
action, mate,” Cap spoke in low tones. Fish sense the change and, ever so
slightly, begin responding. Noticeably, a few seals were close by with fish
clenched tightly in their mouths. Soon after their fill they began to casually
frolic and bob in the waves with little regard to our close proximity.
“Time
to seek out a different spot,” said Cap. “Where there are seals or dolphins,
there’s bait, but the bite will shut down tighter than a rusty hinge.” Without
warning, there was the soft swooshing sound as a small school of speedsters
creased the rip line—fleeting silversides spurting in all directions attempting
to avoid the onslaught.
“Ease
off on the casting and be quiet.” The school circled the boat and then the word
came, “Cast ahead of the school and don’t worry about reeling in too fast,”
blurted Cap. This was the first of a few days where bonito made their way into
the Sound. Those telltale wavy dorsal stripes of an Atlantic bonito were
unmistakable, as was their speed.
Line
peeled and melted away as these superior swimming fish refused to give up. Rods
bent and pumped as the “bones” circled, dove, and ran. If you’ve ever hooked
into a bonito using 10-pound test and light gear, then you know exactly the
feeling. It’s hard to determine whose adrenaline was pumping faster, but for
these eight- to nine-pound fish, they certainly acted big for their size.
Anyone
who fishes for bonito knows the expression, “bone dry.” These speedsters pop up
unexpectedly and disappear just as quickly, giving rise to the above. It pays
to be prepared for, without warning, you can be into a feeding school,
muttering unmentionables as cast after cast results in empty hooks.
On
the Water
With
the bluefish tournament(s) and Labor Day holiday behind us, we now look forward
to some great fall fishing. Water temperatures have begun their dip and now
range from 68 degrees to the low 70s. A look at the horizon reveals the
beginning of a fall painting with dabs of yellows and oranges appearing between
the branches and below the water’s surface, fish are starting to stir.
Bluefish
have infiltrated pretty much throughout Long Island Sound with concentrations
along key rips—smaller fish, less than eight pounds, feeding within casting
distance from shore. Meigs Point is seeing more of those ivory jaws tearing
through schools of bait, often mixed in with smaller striped bass. From the rip
to N10 to Kelsey and Charles and on to Indian Reefs, schools are popping up
more often.
Faulkner’s
Island is also seeing fairly steady action.
Cinder Bottom and the North Rip are good bets for a mix of bass and blues with
the fish running by the north tip of the island east past the drop off and onto
Kimberly Reef. Key reefs like Kimberly and breakwalls like Kelsey have been
experiencing a fairly good tautog/blackfish bite. Unfortunately, the season for
them came to a temporary close in Connecticut
on Sept. 1 before reopening with a four-fish limit on Oct. 1.
Stripers
have perked up recently. Early evening flood tides have brought some larger
fish out of the depths and into the shallows. Of course, intermittent schools
of menhaden have also caught their attention. Casting eels, bunker, and plugs,
as well as trolling T/W’s, have been highly productive. Farther out, reef
drifting is producing fish in excess of 40 pounds, mostly during the early
morning bite.
Just
before the season for fluke closed on Sept. 2, William Kreitler landed a
near-Connecticut-record doormat weighing in at 13.83 pounds and measuring 31 ½
inches. The Connecticut
record to date is 14.4 pounds. “I find the bait, then the fish, and then the
dinner table,” was his comment when asked what are plans for the fish. What a
great way to wind down the 2008 fluke season!
Porgy/scup
and snapper blues are creating a stir on and off shore. Both species are
approaching fall size and seemingly eager to be hooked. Except for bottom fish,
an angler can’t find much more cooperative fish, making them excellent fish for
youngsters to catch. Now is the time to take advantage of the run.
Note:
Congratulations to Lucille Slie of Wallingford for being the shop’s
‘unofficial’ 2008 Captain Morgan’s Bluefish Contest winner with a weight of
13.08 pounds. Unofficially, she placed 13th in this year’s WICC Greatest
Bluefish Tournament on Earth.
When
fishing Long Island Sound, think Captain Morgan’s for all things fishy
including gear, bait, flies/flyfishing, rod/reel repair, clam/crabbing
supplies, and licenses. Swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days
located on 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time, from your Connecticut
shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter where we don't make the fisherman,
we make the fisherman better...
Tight
Lines,
Captain
Morgan