It’s Never Too Early for a Spring Run of Striped Bass
Posted by Shore Publishing
It’s early spring and few boaters are out on Long Island Sound enjoying the solitude and early runs of fish. Yards are being primed for the rush as ‘Sounders’ begin to feel warmer weather taking hold. While winter wraps are gradually being undone, reminders of chores put off last season come to light. It’s during this prime time that, for many, it’s a bit too early. For others, the wait must end. It’s time to once again feel the caress of salt spray.
More to the point, it’s time to cast or drift for the season’s first fresh striped bass. From now on, each tide will bring more fish into the Sound and as the month of May digs in, more echoes will light up the fish-finder, and more blips will appear on the radar screen. Below the waterline is where the action is. One would be amazed at the season’s influx of “fish on fish” activity that is transforming the Sound into a habitat for fish and a playground for anglers.
A faint glow signals that sunrise is about to occur. “Fish on” and the adrenaline begins to pump as the short runs and angular bursts of a freshly hooked striper try an escape. Rod tip dips once, twice, three times and then torques, forcing this angler to bow and move from side to side. “These fish are fresh!”
Within a 25-yard stretch of structure, bass were holding and taking advantage of prime ambush cover and a current funneling baitfish toward their gullets. This angler was also taking advantage of the situation and, as of yet undetected, continued to fool fish into taking the bait. Quite honestly, it was their urge to feed as opposed to the skill or finesse of the fisherman that contributed to this catching spree.
Not one boat was visible and, as the sun rose and lights along the shoreline turned on and off, there was still an obvious stillness. A few trawlers entered the view and the occasional airplane either lifted off or descended with landing gear deployed. Soon the season will be upon us and scenes like this one will be few and far between. But there will be more bait, more fish, and much more fishing.
On the Water
Another outstanding fishing weekend with air temperatures reaching the mid-70s to the low 80s. Winds subsided and rain held off, however, shoreline water temps still struggle to reach the high 40s until the warmth of tidal river outflows nudge them upward. Life in/on the water is getting busy.
Trout were restocked and anglers continued to converge at popular holes and structure that gave up numbers of fish during opening day. With the warm front settling in, fishing was strongest just prior and eased as southern air currents brought in warmer weather. Lakes saw an increase of small boat activity with the largemouth bass bite being about average and smallmouth seemingly more aggressive. Other species like pickerel, panfish, and catfish continued their springtime feeding mode hitting both artificials and live baits.
Back on the Sound, “‘tog pullers” were looking for that magical bite that suddenly emerges this time of year. But with water temperatures fluctuating and hovering below 50 degrees, that bite stalled once again. Blackfish/tautog moved onto the walls in New Haven but only teased anglers in the Westbrook/Clinton/Madison areas. As the weekend progressed, some ‘togs were caught on soft baits and crabs during mid-day tides however time is quickly running out as the May 1 temporary closure approaches.
Striped bass activity definitely got anglers attention. All tidal rivers holding year-round linesiders are seeing exceptional movement. Larger fish are moving both up and down river, while schoolie-size-plus bass are streaming into the Sound and all along the shoreline. There is considerable bait entering the rivers as well as moon tide hatches of worms and other forms of sea life. A few winter flounder can also be picked up around the eelgrass and sandy bottoms of adjacent coves and channels.
Stripers are feeding on eels, worms, soft plastics, and river herring imitations. Schools of small bass are hungry and have been feeding all along tidal wetland structure especially where rivers/creeks merge. Many have filtered into the Sound where anglers were able to experience a spring run of these feisty fighters. Stripping a clouser or half/half along the flats have also produced fish just before sunrise.
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.
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,
Captain Morgan
Posted by Shore Publishing
It’s early spring and few boaters are out on Long Island Sound enjoying the solitude and early runs of fish. Yards are being primed for the rush as ‘Sounders’ begin to feel warmer weather taking hold. While winter wraps are gradually being undone, reminders of chores put off last season come to light. It’s during this prime time that, for many, it’s a bit too early. For others, the wait must end. It’s time to once again feel the caress of salt spray.
More to the point, it’s time to cast or drift for the season’s first fresh striped bass. From now on, each tide will bring more fish into the Sound and as the month of May digs in, more echoes will light up the fish-finder, and more blips will appear on the radar screen. Below the waterline is where the action is. One would be amazed at the season’s influx of “fish on fish” activity that is transforming the Sound into a habitat for fish and a playground for anglers.
A faint glow signals that sunrise is about to occur. “Fish on” and the adrenaline begins to pump as the short runs and angular bursts of a freshly hooked striper try an escape. Rod tip dips once, twice, three times and then torques, forcing this angler to bow and move from side to side. “These fish are fresh!”
Within a 25-yard stretch of structure, bass were holding and taking advantage of prime ambush cover and a current funneling baitfish toward their gullets. This angler was also taking advantage of the situation and, as of yet undetected, continued to fool fish into taking the bait. Quite honestly, it was their urge to feed as opposed to the skill or finesse of the fisherman that contributed to this catching spree.
Not one boat was visible and, as the sun rose and lights along the shoreline turned on and off, there was still an obvious stillness. A few trawlers entered the view and the occasional airplane either lifted off or descended with landing gear deployed. Soon the season will be upon us and scenes like this one will be few and far between. But there will be more bait, more fish, and much more fishing.
On the Water
Another outstanding fishing weekend with air temperatures reaching the mid-70s to the low 80s. Winds subsided and rain held off, however, shoreline water temps still struggle to reach the high 40s until the warmth of tidal river outflows nudge them upward. Life in/on the water is getting busy.
Trout were restocked and anglers continued to converge at popular holes and structure that gave up numbers of fish during opening day. With the warm front settling in, fishing was strongest just prior and eased as southern air currents brought in warmer weather. Lakes saw an increase of small boat activity with the largemouth bass bite being about average and smallmouth seemingly more aggressive. Other species like pickerel, panfish, and catfish continued their springtime feeding mode hitting both artificials and live baits.
Back on the Sound, “‘tog pullers” were looking for that magical bite that suddenly emerges this time of year. But with water temperatures fluctuating and hovering below 50 degrees, that bite stalled once again. Blackfish/tautog moved onto the walls in New Haven but only teased anglers in the Westbrook/Clinton/Madison areas. As the weekend progressed, some ‘togs were caught on soft baits and crabs during mid-day tides however time is quickly running out as the May 1 temporary closure approaches.
Striped bass activity definitely got anglers attention. All tidal rivers holding year-round linesiders are seeing exceptional movement. Larger fish are moving both up and down river, while schoolie-size-plus bass are streaming into the Sound and all along the shoreline. There is considerable bait entering the rivers as well as moon tide hatches of worms and other forms of sea life. A few winter flounder can also be picked up around the eelgrass and sandy bottoms of adjacent coves and channels.
Stripers are feeding on eels, worms, soft plastics, and river herring imitations. Schools of small bass are hungry and have been feeding all along tidal wetland structure especially where rivers/creeks merge. Many have filtered into the Sound where anglers were able to experience a spring run of these feisty fighters. Stripping a clouser or half/half along the flats have also produced fish just before sunrise.
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.
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,
Captain Morgan