Bluefish: The Season’s First Surprise
Posted by Shore Publishing on May 07 2009, 12:33 PM
Filed under: captain morgan, fishing
Springtime fishing for striped bass showing signs of early movement is always a blast. The air is cool and refreshing. The water is clear and gear is fine-tuned. Of course, there are always a few gremlins that creep into the picture but usually (and hopefully) nothing of any import. It’s the early birds who have already been on the water who are the first to pass the word that bass are in or shad are making their run.
Some anglers take their first clues from Mother Nature. They observe the blooms, birds, and tidal river activity. They see more birds feeding on schools of baitfish, seals taking herring, and red-tail hawks swooping down onto the wetlands. Turkey vultures are also at work, pecking away within their own hierarchy. But word of the first catches of the season often come from early anglers’ transition into the new season.
It was late in the day, after several fresh stripers had been caught and released. April had barely turned the corner when uncharacteristically, after a brief but hard hit, both line and rod relaxed. Fluoro leader had been cleanly sliced—the telltale sign of something with teeth. It was the first bluefish of the season, at least for this fisherman. It always happens, but at varying times, depending on conditions.
Without fail, there’s that first fish of a species that’s hooked and from there, word travels. The tide was flooding and fish were feeding. From that very first cutoff, “linesiders” that were so eager to be caught faded into the depths, or at least opted not to race for food. For what felt like 40 minutes or so was actually half that, but during that brief period, a school of younger-class blues let this angler know that they had returned.
With an ample food supply and plenty of room to cruise, these aggressive fighters will keep coming and most likely hang in for another season of gear-busting action. So it just might be time to check those wire leaders, sharpen hooks, and examine terminal tackle and connectors. Expect another season of bait-filled rivers, relentless gorging bluefish, and plenty of action!
On the Water
An early stretch of hot summer weather gave way to more spring-like temperatures as showers and wind embraced Long Island Sound. After a few 80-degree plus days, things began to settle down to where early morning temps slipped into the 40s and then gradually climbed to the 60 and 70s. Shoreline water temps hovered around the 50s; mid-Sound ones were about the same.
As rain and run-off from the tidal rivers mixed with the salty pond, more anadromous fish sought those avenues and filled the rivers. Bait numbers increased, as did the numbers of striped bass and bluefish. The springtime striper bite is on with both schoolies and keeper-size bass mainly being caught from shore and within running distance of Faulkner’s Island.
Kayakers are jumping on this early bass bite casting and tube’n worming in key tidal rivers. Local reefs and shoreline structure are likely spots for hook-ups. Be prepared for a tow or two especially when one of those 35- to 40-inch holdover linesiders takes a liking to your bait. Mixed in will be some early Hudson fish that have made their way down. Most though, are still in New York waters. Soon, the “Chessies” will follow.
Harbor blues have been showing up with a few of the bigger boys tightening up the ranks. Shad and menhaden have been the draw along with river herring so it’s time for some chunk bait and look-alike artificials. Stripers have been taking seaworms, eels, soft plastics, and jigs.
With blackfish/tautog season closed until July 1, our current open fishery, in part, is limited to winter flounder, striped bass, bluefish, black seabass, and shad. However, there is plenty of action ongoing both in the Sound and its associated tidal rivers where there has been some decent white perch action.
For all things fishy including 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
Posted by Shore Publishing on May 07 2009, 12:33 PM
Filed under: captain morgan, fishing
Springtime fishing for striped bass showing signs of early movement is always a blast. The air is cool and refreshing. The water is clear and gear is fine-tuned. Of course, there are always a few gremlins that creep into the picture but usually (and hopefully) nothing of any import. It’s the early birds who have already been on the water who are the first to pass the word that bass are in or shad are making their run.
Some anglers take their first clues from Mother Nature. They observe the blooms, birds, and tidal river activity. They see more birds feeding on schools of baitfish, seals taking herring, and red-tail hawks swooping down onto the wetlands. Turkey vultures are also at work, pecking away within their own hierarchy. But word of the first catches of the season often come from early anglers’ transition into the new season.
It was late in the day, after several fresh stripers had been caught and released. April had barely turned the corner when uncharacteristically, after a brief but hard hit, both line and rod relaxed. Fluoro leader had been cleanly sliced—the telltale sign of something with teeth. It was the first bluefish of the season, at least for this fisherman. It always happens, but at varying times, depending on conditions.
Without fail, there’s that first fish of a species that’s hooked and from there, word travels. The tide was flooding and fish were feeding. From that very first cutoff, “linesiders” that were so eager to be caught faded into the depths, or at least opted not to race for food. For what felt like 40 minutes or so was actually half that, but during that brief period, a school of younger-class blues let this angler know that they had returned.
With an ample food supply and plenty of room to cruise, these aggressive fighters will keep coming and most likely hang in for another season of gear-busting action. So it just might be time to check those wire leaders, sharpen hooks, and examine terminal tackle and connectors. Expect another season of bait-filled rivers, relentless gorging bluefish, and plenty of action!
On the Water
An early stretch of hot summer weather gave way to more spring-like temperatures as showers and wind embraced Long Island Sound. After a few 80-degree plus days, things began to settle down to where early morning temps slipped into the 40s and then gradually climbed to the 60 and 70s. Shoreline water temps hovered around the 50s; mid-Sound ones were about the same.
As rain and run-off from the tidal rivers mixed with the salty pond, more anadromous fish sought those avenues and filled the rivers. Bait numbers increased, as did the numbers of striped bass and bluefish. The springtime striper bite is on with both schoolies and keeper-size bass mainly being caught from shore and within running distance of Faulkner’s Island.
Kayakers are jumping on this early bass bite casting and tube’n worming in key tidal rivers. Local reefs and shoreline structure are likely spots for hook-ups. Be prepared for a tow or two especially when one of those 35- to 40-inch holdover linesiders takes a liking to your bait. Mixed in will be some early Hudson fish that have made their way down. Most though, are still in New York waters. Soon, the “Chessies” will follow.
Harbor blues have been showing up with a few of the bigger boys tightening up the ranks. Shad and menhaden have been the draw along with river herring so it’s time for some chunk bait and look-alike artificials. Stripers have been taking seaworms, eels, soft plastics, and jigs.
With blackfish/tautog season closed until July 1, our current open fishery, in part, is limited to winter flounder, striped bass, bluefish, black seabass, and shad. However, there is plenty of action ongoing both in the Sound and its associated tidal rivers where there has been some decent white perch action.
For all things fishy including 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