A
basser from way back, this old salt is finding it hard to pass up the
unbelievable—no, obscene—bluefish bite currently underway. As described, in
part, by one online dictionary, obscene: “so large in amount as to be
outrageous,” that description is right on target, at least when winding down
the East River.
Here
are found stretches of stacked menhaden, gorging blues, and stripers keeping
their distance, making themselves known only after very mature choppers have
filtered through with the tide or darkness blanketed the area. High above,
gulls circle nervously following the stream of fish. Anglers dart here and
there from riverbank to tackle box to cooler in need of ice. Present is a
hurried aura to retie and cast before the bite ends as other anglers nurse
wounded gear.
It’s
a time in Connecticut
fishing history that will be talked about and revisited for years to come.
Bunker are being herded farther into the rivers where some, but not many, make
it back down to freedom. Their sheer numbers ensure survival, but considering
the likelihood of being consumed by bluefish or hypoxia (oxygen shortage), the
odds seem insurmountable.
There
are obstacles and interruptions in this fall’s feeding frenzy that a bluefish
must feel if, in fact, it can. Hooks flying, lures popping, rod tips flailing,
and a myriad of blurred expressions on anglers’ faces as those piercing eyes
look at their predator, man. Yet, during this time of uncertainty, more fish
are being coveted as food. Recipes are more openly exchanged and bluefish, to
many, don’t seem that unpalatable. Maybe there’s a hidden reason why these fish
are now so accessible.
It’s
a trip that ended with more than catch, release, and some in the cooler. There
was tattered gear, a few bruises, a vessel in need of a good scrubbing, and
disbelief camouflaged by smiles and salt spray. Bluefish in numbers more than
15 pounds just shouldn’t be gorging themselves relentlessly this far up in a
tidal river. It’s just not normal! It’s obscene!
On
the Water
The
culprit of the week was the wind, but that prelude to coming events calmed
down, giving anglers a great weekend. Although afternoons became unsettled,
fishing was outstanding under typical fall skies. Prior to the sun breaking,
evening rain and daytime showers greeted most anglers during the second half of
the weekend as they prepped for the days’ events. And those episodes were full
of expletives as well as grand endings. Fishing was hot!
The
one word used to describe the action, at least in the East River and adjacent
ones, is “obscene.” Menhaden and other baitfish continue to saturate these
rivers with bluefish well in excess of 10 pounds hot on their tails. Not every
cast will net a bite or a fish, but pretty close. To many, it’s a shock, not
expecting the ferocity and the size of fish on the attack. To others, it’s an
event to remember not having witnessed this degree of activity in the past.
This
is the way it is and has been in recent weeks. Bluefish fights have been
unbelievably colorful, almost as good as the stories that followed. Water
temperatures are dropping and slowly rebounding to cooler temps than before.
The fall run is on with reefs from the Race to New Haven seeing not only superb
bluefish action but also an increase in striped bass activity.
It’s
only going to get better as surf casters begin to connect more with plugs and
eels and boaters hit more concentrated pockets of linesiders on local reefs.
However, with the unleashing of striper regulations, launching of season-long
species-specific tournaments, and keeping more striped bass in the 50-plus
pound class, there appears to be fewer of the big cows around. Headlines,
though, tout catches of 60- to 70-pound-plus fish and therefore give the
opposite impression. We all better keep a close eye on the stocks or back to
the ‘70s we go!
As
blues work their way down the rivers, stripers are right behind, not only
taking plugs and soft plastics but also engulfing live eels as well. The
overcast showery mornings brought out the striper bite. Faulkner’s north rip
and Charles reef has been productive while Southwest has had its moments with
seemingly not as many takers. Closer to shore at spots like Can 8, Hammonasset,
Chimney Corner, and the S’s have been more consistent. In short, the Sound has
become a magnet for menhaden, predators and their voracious appetites.
Blackfish/tautog
season opened to some nasty weather with seas too much for tog pullers and
mostly likely, the togs. Day two saw a good bite of togs on Madison Reef but
like Bruce Andes put it, “When the tide turned and the winds kicked in, four-
to six-footers made for a miserable ride home.” However, for him the morning
trip was well worth it.
Freshwater
had its moments as well. Recently stocked rivers and lakes saw an increase in
trout activity with flows/clarity improving. With that in mind, it’s time for
the annual Atlantic salmon stocking of Shetucket and Naugatuck rivers. Surplus
broodstock (270) between 2 and 15 pounds will be introduced with 40 more
stocked experimentally in Crystal and Mashapaug lakes. Other finfish including
largemouth, smallies, pickerel, carp, and cats have varied in activity with
yellow perch being the more consistent. It’s time for a little shuteye so…
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 at 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
Pictured: Robert Rigg (right) of Cooksburg, Pennsylvania, an accomplished river
trout angler adept at using nymphs on a 3-4 weight fly-fishing setup and guest
of Tyler Thorpe of Madison, had a “catch of a lifetime” with a 14.6-pound East
River bluefish caught on a popper after never having fished saltwater before.
Photo courtesy of Captain Morgan