Doormat Fluke Angling Toward Shoreline Inlets
Barely visible, two beady eyes surrounded by a mat of camouflage lie alert, the muscular body frozen as if in a trance. Poised to intercept any passers-by that would satisfy its urge to hunt as well as appease its appetite, this aggressive predator by anyone’s definition has a well-earned reputation.
Sand eels, squid, snapper blues, mullet-size fish are not immune to the piercing teeth of a doormat fluke (Paralichthys dentatus). A sportfish idolized by inland anglers throughout the eastern seaboard, fluke can be found in harbors, channels, inlets, reefs and shoals, tidal rivers, drop-offs, and all along beaches. They position themselves in comfort zones along channel slopes, rising and lowering with the tide.
As predators, they react to moving baits imitating their forage. Bouncing bucktails, fluke balls, hi-lo rigs, and flashy spinners often raise doormat-size fish. A very pleasant fishing experience, fluking is usually performed during daylight hours with a moving tide whereby a drift can be established. There are very little pre-dawn chores such as netting live bait or running to the reefs before sunrise. If the weather is uncooperative or seas rough, plans are usually postponed. This is truly a fair-weather fishing experience.
Rod tips danced as the weight of the rigs skipped along the shoal’s edge, bottoming out at about 30 feet. Suddenly the hook grabbed bottom or so it felt—more like a snag than a fish. The tip flexes while the butt of the rod braces for a tug of war. Constant pressure is applied, giving little, if any, relief to the summer flounder below. Slowly a shadow emerged as the suction was compromised.
This dark image circled as it was led to the surface. Except for the initial grab, the journey upward through the water column was rather uneventful. That soon ended when the fish was led to the net. You know, the one that looked big enough for most occasions but when put to the test, it didn’t measure up. The fluke ultimately taped at just under 32 inches and weighed a touch under 13 pounds. The jaws had a full set of fully developed and very pointed teeth that refused to unlock the bait. There were a few more fish boated and several released, but none stacked up to this Long Island Sound doormat.
On the Water
Strange as it seemed, with the exception of some wind and rain, summer actually began to develop. Mid-Sound water temperatures rose a degree or two while the immediate shoreline hit the 64-degree mark. More freshwater evaporated from the tidal rivers, bringing the salinity up. There was humidity to cope with but nevertheless, a few top 10 days crept through.
All this meant fishing improved. Striped bass action was hot just prior to the hot weather especially at Six Mile, Southwest, and Faulkner’s Island. Eels brought bass to the gunwales in excess of 45 pounds while the tidal rivers teemed with schoolies that took small jigs, seaworms, and soft plastics. There was plenty of trolling and chute jerking action out on the big pond. And with schools of sand eels present, diamond jigging was an effective method for most anglers.
More gulls were seen working, but little in the way of schools of menhaden. As the water temperatures began to climb, bluefish hit the Sound with more regularity. Anglers saw an increase in topwater action as well as bites from below the surface. Several reefs like Cornfield Point, Crane, Menunketesuck, Kelsey, Hammonasset, and Kimberly realized fairly steady action on both the ebb and flood tides. Surface Tension and Grim Reefers maintain their tried and true status as go-to lures. Look to a Krock for trolling or jigging and a Smack-It for popping action.
Drop a hook on just about any reef or rock pile and you’ll be into porgy/scup. The fever is spreading, especially around Faulkner’s and Goose islands. Both Kimberly and Charles reefs including Half Acre have been hot spots. Some smaller black seabass have poked through and are being caught in the shallows. Fluke definitely made advances with fish in the mid- to high 20 inch range feeding close to shore and pursuing bait into many tidal rivers. Outside Long Sand Shoal, Cinder Bottom, and the flats by Meigs Point have also been productive. Try sand eels, spearing, mullet, and/or live killies fished with squid for a tempting fluke sandwich.
In spite of the moans, groans and lack of media coverage, CT’s new marine fishing license has spread through most ranks. Sales continue to be brisk although many vacationers and some occasional anglers have to yet to be educated. High-density areas like state parks, boat ramps, marinas, harbors, beaches and jetties are being patrolled with discretionary enforcement taking place. By now, the feeling is that anyone fishing Long Island Sound regularly knows of the new law which took effect July, 1st.
Captain Morgan’s has begun to sell registrations for the 2009 WICC Bluefish Tournament, scheduled for August 29-30th. Tagged fish will account for $50,000 in prize money in addition to the top First Place Prize of $25,000. Several other incentives will further enhance this year’s event. As in the past, Captain Morgan’s will host its annual Bluefish ‘piggyback’ contest.
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 on 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
Barely visible, two beady eyes surrounded by a mat of camouflage lie alert, the muscular body frozen as if in a trance. Poised to intercept any passers-by that would satisfy its urge to hunt as well as appease its appetite, this aggressive predator by anyone’s definition has a well-earned reputation.
Sand eels, squid, snapper blues, mullet-size fish are not immune to the piercing teeth of a doormat fluke (Paralichthys dentatus). A sportfish idolized by inland anglers throughout the eastern seaboard, fluke can be found in harbors, channels, inlets, reefs and shoals, tidal rivers, drop-offs, and all along beaches. They position themselves in comfort zones along channel slopes, rising and lowering with the tide.
As predators, they react to moving baits imitating their forage. Bouncing bucktails, fluke balls, hi-lo rigs, and flashy spinners often raise doormat-size fish. A very pleasant fishing experience, fluking is usually performed during daylight hours with a moving tide whereby a drift can be established. There are very little pre-dawn chores such as netting live bait or running to the reefs before sunrise. If the weather is uncooperative or seas rough, plans are usually postponed. This is truly a fair-weather fishing experience.
Rod tips danced as the weight of the rigs skipped along the shoal’s edge, bottoming out at about 30 feet. Suddenly the hook grabbed bottom or so it felt—more like a snag than a fish. The tip flexes while the butt of the rod braces for a tug of war. Constant pressure is applied, giving little, if any, relief to the summer flounder below. Slowly a shadow emerged as the suction was compromised.
This dark image circled as it was led to the surface. Except for the initial grab, the journey upward through the water column was rather uneventful. That soon ended when the fish was led to the net. You know, the one that looked big enough for most occasions but when put to the test, it didn’t measure up. The fluke ultimately taped at just under 32 inches and weighed a touch under 13 pounds. The jaws had a full set of fully developed and very pointed teeth that refused to unlock the bait. There were a few more fish boated and several released, but none stacked up to this Long Island Sound doormat.
On the Water
Strange as it seemed, with the exception of some wind and rain, summer actually began to develop. Mid-Sound water temperatures rose a degree or two while the immediate shoreline hit the 64-degree mark. More freshwater evaporated from the tidal rivers, bringing the salinity up. There was humidity to cope with but nevertheless, a few top 10 days crept through.
All this meant fishing improved. Striped bass action was hot just prior to the hot weather especially at Six Mile, Southwest, and Faulkner’s Island. Eels brought bass to the gunwales in excess of 45 pounds while the tidal rivers teemed with schoolies that took small jigs, seaworms, and soft plastics. There was plenty of trolling and chute jerking action out on the big pond. And with schools of sand eels present, diamond jigging was an effective method for most anglers.
More gulls were seen working, but little in the way of schools of menhaden. As the water temperatures began to climb, bluefish hit the Sound with more regularity. Anglers saw an increase in topwater action as well as bites from below the surface. Several reefs like Cornfield Point, Crane, Menunketesuck, Kelsey, Hammonasset, and Kimberly realized fairly steady action on both the ebb and flood tides. Surface Tension and Grim Reefers maintain their tried and true status as go-to lures. Look to a Krock for trolling or jigging and a Smack-It for popping action.
Drop a hook on just about any reef or rock pile and you’ll be into porgy/scup. The fever is spreading, especially around Faulkner’s and Goose islands. Both Kimberly and Charles reefs including Half Acre have been hot spots. Some smaller black seabass have poked through and are being caught in the shallows. Fluke definitely made advances with fish in the mid- to high 20 inch range feeding close to shore and pursuing bait into many tidal rivers. Outside Long Sand Shoal, Cinder Bottom, and the flats by Meigs Point have also been productive. Try sand eels, spearing, mullet, and/or live killies fished with squid for a tempting fluke sandwich.
In spite of the moans, groans and lack of media coverage, CT’s new marine fishing license has spread through most ranks. Sales continue to be brisk although many vacationers and some occasional anglers have to yet to be educated. High-density areas like state parks, boat ramps, marinas, harbors, beaches and jetties are being patrolled with discretionary enforcement taking place. By now, the feeling is that anyone fishing Long Island Sound regularly knows of the new law which took effect July, 1st.
Captain Morgan’s has begun to sell registrations for the 2009 WICC Bluefish Tournament, scheduled for August 29-30th. Tagged fish will account for $50,000 in prize money in addition to the top First Place Prize of $25,000. Several other incentives will further enhance this year’s event. As in the past, Captain Morgan’s will host its annual Bluefish ‘piggyback’ contest.
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 on 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