Get Out Your Chum Pot—Winter Flounder Are Here
Posted by Shore Publishing
Long before winter flounder season opened, our limited ‘blackback’ fishery was well underway. These right-handed flatfish oscillated into the shallows in search of clean running water, wholesome sand, or unsoiled mud. Here eggs were fertilized, nurtured, and allowed to grow—some escaping the searching eyes of predators—an easy meal at best.
Above the waterline, a few old timers dressed for early brisk spring weather tended their dories. There were seasoned rods, drop lines, ground tackle used for and aft, and even a plunger attached to an elongated pole—probably one scavenged from a pair of clamming tongs. There were a few patched burlap bags and, of course, makeshift chum pots.
Fishing for Pseudopleuronectes americanus is not what it use to be. For one, forget about filling a burlap bag. For another, today it’s more like fishing than catching. One thing hasn’t changed—chumming. If you want to bring these flatties to your hook, chum! A world-record fish of about seven pounds will most likely only be a wish, but there is food to be had for the table.
Whether fishing from a small boat or casting from shore, dock, or jetty, chumming is a ‘must’ if you hope to limit out in Connecticut with 10 fish at 12 inches. Ground up soft baits like clams, mussels, and oysters exuding scent mixed with some processed pet food will do nicely. Frozen chum logs, though, will last longer. Our old salts would take their makeshift plunger and stir up the bottom adding additional attractants. This technique unsettles sea life that might either be resting on the bottom of just below creating a natural chum slick. Dragging a small lunch hook or hookless jig along the bottom would also create the same effect.
Bait a few seaworms on a double flounder rig or a single #6 to #8 Chestertown hook, fish the bottom, or work the channel sides and keep an eye on your rod tip(s). If you’re ambitious, consider painting your sinkers red or yellow. If the tide, current, and choice of spot are on, there’ll be fish fillets for the table and racks for the traps.
On the Water
Spring weather is inching up with wisps of 58- to 60-degree temperatures followed by typical lows, cold fronts, wind, and rainy spells. All of these elements energize the environment, similar to the effect a muzzle blast has at the starting line. The ‘ready, set…’ gets attention and before we know it, the fish are jumping, birds chirping, buds popping, and anglers begin crisscrossing lines.
Flows in the rivers/streams are increasing from the runoff while the shoreline is reaching for 43-degree water. Mid-Long Island Sound, on the other hand, has a way to go with its temps still in the mid- to high-30s. Nevertheless, anadromous fish are entering the Sound finding their way into the tidal rivers, signaling the beginnings of their spring run.
With the frail winter flounder season open as of April 1, true to form, ‘blackbacks’ have already shown up at the mouths of many rivers, beaches, coves, and harbors. Over the past couple of seasons, there appears to have been a very slight increase in catches up and down the New England coast however, numbers are way down compared to years past. No sense in complaining, though, we’ll just have to make the best of it. They still are fun to catch and great table fare.
Although technically, blackfish/tautog season is open, we’ll need a few more weeks until water temperatures hit 53-degrees or so and the shore bite turns on. There are plenty of holdover schoolie bass that have turned the corner and began entering the Sound from the rivers, though. Some fish in the 30-inch range have begun to roll but those are still pretty much up-river.
With this most recent moon tide, hatches of worms, small crustaceans, and other forms of sea life have occurred. Naturally, these caught the attention of striped bass, white perch, and others. With river herring introduced into the mix, the shoreline is being recharged and the brackish and briny have come to life for another season. Soon the shad will show.
Captain Morgan’s is accepting registrations for its annual Codi/Bubba Memorial Opening Day Trout Contest. As in the past, prizes will be awarded for the top three heaviest trout weighed at the shop with additional prizes awarded during random drawings. All Connecticut stocked trout waters with the exception of the TMAs, WTMAs, and Lower River/Tidal Waters are closed until Opening Day, Saturday, April, 18.
Note: Having a hard time finding or obtaining a sportsman license? Captain Morgan’s has all 2009 fishing, hunting, trapping licenses/permits (rifle, shotgun, archery, muzzle loader, HIP, CT duck stamps, etc.) available including shellfish licenses for Guilford and Madison. Don’t wait until opening day.
Whenever and wherever fishing, think Captain Morgan’s for all things fishy including the latest gear, bait, flies/flyfishing, rod/reel repair, clam/crabbing supplies and licenses/permits. 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,
Posted by Shore Publishing
Long before winter flounder season opened, our limited ‘blackback’ fishery was well underway. These right-handed flatfish oscillated into the shallows in search of clean running water, wholesome sand, or unsoiled mud. Here eggs were fertilized, nurtured, and allowed to grow—some escaping the searching eyes of predators—an easy meal at best.
Above the waterline, a few old timers dressed for early brisk spring weather tended their dories. There were seasoned rods, drop lines, ground tackle used for and aft, and even a plunger attached to an elongated pole—probably one scavenged from a pair of clamming tongs. There were a few patched burlap bags and, of course, makeshift chum pots.
Fishing for Pseudopleuronectes americanus is not what it use to be. For one, forget about filling a burlap bag. For another, today it’s more like fishing than catching. One thing hasn’t changed—chumming. If you want to bring these flatties to your hook, chum! A world-record fish of about seven pounds will most likely only be a wish, but there is food to be had for the table.
Whether fishing from a small boat or casting from shore, dock, or jetty, chumming is a ‘must’ if you hope to limit out in Connecticut with 10 fish at 12 inches. Ground up soft baits like clams, mussels, and oysters exuding scent mixed with some processed pet food will do nicely. Frozen chum logs, though, will last longer. Our old salts would take their makeshift plunger and stir up the bottom adding additional attractants. This technique unsettles sea life that might either be resting on the bottom of just below creating a natural chum slick. Dragging a small lunch hook or hookless jig along the bottom would also create the same effect.
Bait a few seaworms on a double flounder rig or a single #6 to #8 Chestertown hook, fish the bottom, or work the channel sides and keep an eye on your rod tip(s). If you’re ambitious, consider painting your sinkers red or yellow. If the tide, current, and choice of spot are on, there’ll be fish fillets for the table and racks for the traps.
On the Water
Spring weather is inching up with wisps of 58- to 60-degree temperatures followed by typical lows, cold fronts, wind, and rainy spells. All of these elements energize the environment, similar to the effect a muzzle blast has at the starting line. The ‘ready, set…’ gets attention and before we know it, the fish are jumping, birds chirping, buds popping, and anglers begin crisscrossing lines.
Flows in the rivers/streams are increasing from the runoff while the shoreline is reaching for 43-degree water. Mid-Long Island Sound, on the other hand, has a way to go with its temps still in the mid- to high-30s. Nevertheless, anadromous fish are entering the Sound finding their way into the tidal rivers, signaling the beginnings of their spring run.
With the frail winter flounder season open as of April 1, true to form, ‘blackbacks’ have already shown up at the mouths of many rivers, beaches, coves, and harbors. Over the past couple of seasons, there appears to have been a very slight increase in catches up and down the New England coast however, numbers are way down compared to years past. No sense in complaining, though, we’ll just have to make the best of it. They still are fun to catch and great table fare.
Although technically, blackfish/tautog season is open, we’ll need a few more weeks until water temperatures hit 53-degrees or so and the shore bite turns on. There are plenty of holdover schoolie bass that have turned the corner and began entering the Sound from the rivers, though. Some fish in the 30-inch range have begun to roll but those are still pretty much up-river.
With this most recent moon tide, hatches of worms, small crustaceans, and other forms of sea life have occurred. Naturally, these caught the attention of striped bass, white perch, and others. With river herring introduced into the mix, the shoreline is being recharged and the brackish and briny have come to life for another season. Soon the shad will show.
Captain Morgan’s is accepting registrations for its annual Codi/Bubba Memorial Opening Day Trout Contest. As in the past, prizes will be awarded for the top three heaviest trout weighed at the shop with additional prizes awarded during random drawings. All Connecticut stocked trout waters with the exception of the TMAs, WTMAs, and Lower River/Tidal Waters are closed until Opening Day, Saturday, April, 18.
Note: Having a hard time finding or obtaining a sportsman license? Captain Morgan’s has all 2009 fishing, hunting, trapping licenses/permits (rifle, shotgun, archery, muzzle loader, HIP, CT duck stamps, etc.) available including shellfish licenses for Guilford and Madison. Don’t wait until opening day.
Whenever and wherever fishing, think Captain Morgan’s for all things fishy including the latest gear, bait, flies/flyfishing, rod/reel repair, clam/crabbing supplies and licenses/permits. 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,