In
a year of a tight economy, it’s difficult to explain why so many anglers turned
out for this year’s WICC and Captain Morgan’s Bluefish contests. Enthusiasm was
high and so was the participation. Above all, the weather was superb and
bluefish were in Long Island Sound.
Was
it because prize money was the motivating factor? Was it due to it being such a
great weekend, one of the last before many return to school or back home from
vacationing? Or perhaps, was it because anglers just came out in force to carry
on this 25-year tradition? Some actually believe this event goes back even
further—further back than the current records show. Back to the days (and
before) when there was a million-dollar tag attached to one “wanted dead or
alive” chopper. No one ever claimed that target.
Increasingly,
the lines at Captain Morgan’s grew, bringing anglers together in a
conversation-evoking atmosphere. Recaps of previous year’s events could be
heard throughout the shop and tips were freely passed on from one to another.
Those specific, precious spots, however, seemed to be missing from the chatter,
but that was all.
Once
registration deadline came and went, darkness fell and the serious job of
gathering last-minute gear and, of course, fresh bait began in earnest.
Weigh-ins were light the first night and as daybreak approached, anglers were
already heading out. There were no really big fish caught that day as
expected—the lead being 15.54 pounds giving way later on to a 15.77-pounder.
Odd, since that weight class always seems to be the fewest in competitions
past. Captain Morgan’s held third for most of the day with 13.08 pounds caught
by Lucille Slie of Wallingford.
The
scales lit up steadily during the day. Since the heavy fish were still cruising
Long Island Sound–not yet a statistic–and the weather was ideal, anglers were
eager to get back on the water returning later with fish of similar size. Much
of the same occurred on night two (a little more choppy) and, as the sun rose
on the final day, the lead still held at 15.77 pounds caught in western Connecticut. In fact,
the three lead fish at that time were Connecticut’s.
Anglers
brought in multiple catches looking to increase their rank in the standings.
“Hi, Cap. Should I bring a fish around six to seven pounds?” “If it makes you
feel good, but honestly, keep fishing,” was the reply. She kept fishing and
finally, later that day, a 10.52-pound blue was weighed. When the fish are
small and weights bunched together, intensity increases among anglers and then
the real competition begins.
As
the tide ebbed on day two, chum slicks were set up and anglers went back to
fishing. It was bright, sunny, and wind-free before turning partly cloudy,
overcast, and at times breezy. Would today bring in a 16, 17, 18, or even a
19-plus pounder? Was there one already caught? Would there be a last-minute
race to the scales? These were just some of the thoughts on anglers’ minds. At
8:12 a.m. Captain Morgan’s weighed in a 14.96-pound blue caught by Walter
Luciuk of East Granby, putting him in fourth
place.
At
12:51 p.m., Captain Morgan weighed a 17.58-pound blue caught in 90-plus feet
off of Madison/Clinton by Richard Brown of Fairfield overtaking first place.
Shortly thereafter, as big blues continued to enter the Sound with the flooding
tide, a 17.83-pounder was caught by William Theis of Broad Channel, New York, overtaking the
lead. With two hours left to go, the rush was on.
A
few spots exchanged places, but when the scales shut down, unofficially,
“hi-hook” went to New York along with third. Connecticut took second, fourth,
and fifth. Overall, Connecticut held 13 of the top 20 spots—New York with
seven, with Captain Morgan’s netting five. Unofficially, Carmen Carpentieri of
Branford, won the shop’s Port Prize with a 12.10-pounder. Winner of Captain
Morgan’s shop contest will be announced next column.
On
the Water
Outstanding
weather for anglers met this year’s WICC Bluefish Tournament contestants.
Nearly all inshore/offshore reefs, shallow/deep holes and harbors had anglers
in search of ‘Big Blue.’ There was a good class of choppers caught—good color,
form, muscle and, of course, teeth. Small bluefish were everywhere, chasing
intermittent schools of menhaden. At times, some tidal rivers as well as
harbors were choked with bunker, but as fast as they appeared, they parted.
This
event, as in the past, brought out the ‘bluefish-mania’ in anglers. The color
of the sky matched the fish. Some anglers though, weren’t aware of the day’s
event. They were content with snapper fishing or pounding porgies/scup. Some
were even trying to squeeze the last out of the blackfish/tautog season before
it temporarily closes on Aug. 31 and re-opens again on Oct. 1. Others were
looking for doormat fluke before it closes in CT on Sept. 2.
Shoreline
fishing has ratcheted up again since water temperatures have dropped a bit
more. Striped bass are feeding longer and closer to shore, gorging on small
baitfish as well as sea worms and other soft baits. Bunker and eels are
accounting for most catches while jigging and trolling is paying off in deeper
water. Six Mile, Southwest, Charles, Faulkner’s, and the S’s remain good
producers. Goose Island’s southern edge has been a haven for small bass during
the flood on both flies and bucktails. Look at the North Rip on the flood for
bass and the flip for daytime top water, bluefish action.
Don’t
underestimate Kimberly Reef! Good for scup, togs, blues, bass, and some weaks
and sea bass, too. This reef is known to have fish on it for a few days and all
goes quiet—mostly due to tidal/weather conditions. It takes time to learn the
tides, spots, and techniques, but it’s well worth the effort.
Definitely
time to dim the lights 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:
It was another successful WICC and Captain Morgan’s Bluefish contest with a
Branford resident unofficially winning the shop’s port prize.
Photo courtesy of
Captain Morgan