It
was a glorious bluefish day where one didn’t bother counting the number of
choppers landed but rather how many could be brought in on one lure before
losing it. So much goes on when targeting these toothy critters. Keeping up
with a feeding school is difficult enough, but trying to second-guess where the
disappearing school will pop up next can get unnerving.
Sometimes
the wall of bait fleeing ahead of those slicing jaws can be seen from a
distance–then running to a point of interception and drifting back into the
school can be calculated. Other times, though, it’s “follow the birds” or pure
guesswork. Hookups vary and fighting patterns can be as unpredictable as
guests’ reactions onboard. Nevertheless, the whole experience is non-stop and,
oftentimes, chaotic.
From
shore, the same experience can be felt. Along the beaches, blues will move east
to west with the tide and anglers will most likely have to be on the spot when
the push is on. Harbors, coves, and tidal rivers offer more opportunity since
now both bluefish and striped bass travel up and down river, often feeding en
route. This allows an angler the opportunity to track the action and/or select
part of a tide that will allow for a strategic position.
This
morning, if a lure darted, hopped, or chugged along the surface, it was
attacked—not just attacked, but battered, bruised, and bitten. Imagine trying
to bend one of those highly acclaimed super-sharp hooks with your fingers. Then
imagine the strength of a blue when, in one bite and shake, these hooks are
broken, swivels snapped, and lures look like they were the target of a small
arms sharpshooter at a range.
“Keep
the pressure on, rod tip up, and leave the preset drag alone—looser rather than
tighter. Fight the fish, not the gear!” uttered Cap. “Watch your casts. Let’s
keep the fish busy and not the emergency room!” And then, all calmed right
down. There was no curtain call. But then again, there was no need for one. We
all knew the show was over for this tide, but soon it would start all over
again. And that’s the way Long Island Sound has been and will probably continue
to be for the immediate future.
On
the Water
The
bluefish saga continued as summer drew to a close and fall was re-born for yet
another year. The weather, although quite chilly in the pre-dawn hours, was
absolutely superb, caressed by a northerly wind and later warming as the sun
rose higher in the sky. It was a great weekend for a country fair, a beachfront
cookout, and yes, fishing.
Menhaden
are still the main draw for our broad-shouldered, over-sized northern
alligators. Tidal rivers like the East, West, Hammonasset, and Branford have
become a magnet for the micro-plankton feeders and, in turn, are attracting
methodical schools of feeding blues. The push, like a cattle drive of the early
days, is forcing these menhaden far into the upper reaches of rivers where they
become trapped and consumed—an all-you-can-eat sea buffet, so to speak.
And
at the lower tidals, anglers wait as the tide flips and the ebb brings down
schools of fish. Mixed in, of course, are striped bass but only evident to
fishers before dawn. More obvious to the eye are bluefish in the 12- to
15-pound range that continue to bend rods and destroy terminal tackle, taking
down a few rods and reels of unwary anglers. Not even a submerged Beemer acting
as a temporary reef and eventually hoisted from Guilford harbor channel deterred the fishing.
At one point a diver commented, “I don’t see the car, but there’s a lot of fish
down there.”
As
water temperatures drop, stripers entering the Sound and mounting the reefs are
becoming more active. It’s time for drifting or casting eels. Jerking chutes,
diamond jigging, and trolling are also putting fish on board. Schools of albies
have been feeding in the Sluiceway with some moving a bit westward while bonito
have darted ahead of those packs and are popping up at Crane, Hammonasset, and
Faulkner’s. Top water action (fly or spin), especially for blues, is
outstanding and, if the occasion arises, the highly prized bone can also
oblige.
As
porgy/scup season winds down for the recreational angler, eyes are focused on
the reopening of blackfish/tautog season on Oct. 1. Captain Morgan’s will have
an early supply of greenies for those looking to do some preseason scouting or
to load up for the midweek opening. With water temperatures steadily dropping,
togs ought to be ready, willing, and table-ready.
Inland
sweet water fishing for river trout is good. Many rivers received their initial
fall stocking and both fly/conventional fishers are responding accordingly. It
will only get better as fall foliage takes hold. Likewise many local
lakes/ponds as well as the trophies are seeing an increase in trout, bass,
crappie, and pickerel action.
Note:
Trout Unlimited Hammonasset Chapter is holding its annual Youth Education
Program on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Chatfield Hollow where the basics of fishing for
one of America’s favorite fish is passed to the younger generation from
seasoned anglers. Kids learn fly tying, casting, about nature, participate in
stocking, and have one fun-filled day. And it’s free!
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