One of the Few Bluefish Blitzes of the Season
Posted by Shore Publishing on Aug 06 2009, 12:57 PM
And there it was! A feeding frenzy in an out-of-the-way cove, where chopper bluefish had locked in a school of peanut bunker. We were actually in search of adult menhaden for the shop when the shallow water exploded! No matter how many times one experiences this type of feeding binge, there’s an adrenaline rush. Every fisherman will have one and, if on the water long enough, it’ll seem like an automatic reflex as your hand reaches for the nearest rod.
So much spray, so many fish feeding and fleeing! There couldn’t have been much more than 12 feet under the vessel yet where the bottom sloped toward shore, fish flopped all along tidal mark. Bluefish came out of the water in pursuit of these mini-bunkers forcing them onto the muddy banks while the birds worked incessantly.
Backing off to the far edge of this on-going blitz, we began to cast plugs and either hooking up as soon as lures hit the surface or one or two cranks later. It was awesome! There were times when two fish vied for the same lure and one time when two blues and one small bass grabbed it. It was clear these fish were hungry. We must’ve caught the beginning of the feed since not one fish had a full stomach—their sides being somewhat concave.
Hopes ran high that this might be the first sign of menhaden schools re-entering the Sound. To date, there has been little in the way of bunker, but then again, the weather pattern’s left a lot to be desired. With everything running late, it was like last season when fishing really heated up as we approached September and continued through October. Then we had thick schools of bunker in the rivers and all of the bass and blues on them.
There was a lot of casting and catching/releasing this day. Plenty of scales and coughed up bait to clean up and gear to re-rig. But after everything was said and done, it was a fishing trip for the memory book! Hope your next trip is as exhilarating.
On the Water
Weekends continue on the path of one day on and the other off. August began in true summer fashion—sunny, hot, and somewhat on the humid side. Tides settled down to their normal routine although still running a bit late. The previous late day’s torrential downpour did little to churn the sea for any length of time evidenced by a surge of bluefish entering Guilford harbor. From afar, one could see a visible line where the muddy bottom discolored water to ‘coffee’ and the clear Sound took over.
Blues in the 9- to 10-pound range ravished chunk bait and lures anxious to fill their empty stomachs. These fish should have easily been 10 to 12 pounds, however, with slim menhaden pickings, they’re feeding on any food source available. If the weather continues August-like, then we should see more in the way of bunker schools. The ‘peanuts’ have shown up along with a few more small schools of adults. This has prompted more top water action along the rips on flood tides and at the flip.
Striped bass in the 35-pound range continue to dominate many reefs, although low in numbers. Consequently, ‘reef-hopping’ has been something anglers have gotten used to. Faulkner’s North Rip has seen an increase in activity as well as Goose Island and Charles. The Race has been ripping on the ebb with some ‘linesiders’ in the 40-plus range caught on bucktails and eels. At times, 16 to 20 ounces hasn’t been enough! Check out the Sluiceway and Six Mile. Inshore, there are plenty of schoolie bass taking up positions all along rocky structures and the lower tidal rivers.
Typical for this time of year, porgy/scup fever is in full swing. Sizes are mixed, however, all along the shoreline and on practically any reef you’ll find these aggressive feeders. Their counterpart, snapper blues, are getting attention as well. More are being caught from shore as schools begin to enter harbors and rivers. After all, it’s the second week in August already! In ‘short,’ fluke fishing needs help. We’re back to a lot of catching of undersized fish for just one keeper and locations fluctuate from shallow water to 80 feet, plus or minus.
If you’re into sweet water, then fishing overall has been good. Practically all species (largemouth bass, pickerel, panfish, and pike) have been cooperative. The main upper tidal rivers are producing as well as most lakes and local farm ponds. Trout have been more particular especially during the rainy stretches with deep pools being prime spots and occasional top water sprees developing during early/late day periods.
Captain Morgan’s is now selling registrations for the 2009 WICC Bluefish Tournament scheduled for Aug. 29 and 30. 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 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 Aug 06 2009, 12:57 PM
And there it was! A feeding frenzy in an out-of-the-way cove, where chopper bluefish had locked in a school of peanut bunker. We were actually in search of adult menhaden for the shop when the shallow water exploded! No matter how many times one experiences this type of feeding binge, there’s an adrenaline rush. Every fisherman will have one and, if on the water long enough, it’ll seem like an automatic reflex as your hand reaches for the nearest rod.
So much spray, so many fish feeding and fleeing! There couldn’t have been much more than 12 feet under the vessel yet where the bottom sloped toward shore, fish flopped all along tidal mark. Bluefish came out of the water in pursuit of these mini-bunkers forcing them onto the muddy banks while the birds worked incessantly.
Backing off to the far edge of this on-going blitz, we began to cast plugs and either hooking up as soon as lures hit the surface or one or two cranks later. It was awesome! There were times when two fish vied for the same lure and one time when two blues and one small bass grabbed it. It was clear these fish were hungry. We must’ve caught the beginning of the feed since not one fish had a full stomach—their sides being somewhat concave.
Hopes ran high that this might be the first sign of menhaden schools re-entering the Sound. To date, there has been little in the way of bunker, but then again, the weather pattern’s left a lot to be desired. With everything running late, it was like last season when fishing really heated up as we approached September and continued through October. Then we had thick schools of bunker in the rivers and all of the bass and blues on them.
There was a lot of casting and catching/releasing this day. Plenty of scales and coughed up bait to clean up and gear to re-rig. But after everything was said and done, it was a fishing trip for the memory book! Hope your next trip is as exhilarating.
On the Water
Weekends continue on the path of one day on and the other off. August began in true summer fashion—sunny, hot, and somewhat on the humid side. Tides settled down to their normal routine although still running a bit late. The previous late day’s torrential downpour did little to churn the sea for any length of time evidenced by a surge of bluefish entering Guilford harbor. From afar, one could see a visible line where the muddy bottom discolored water to ‘coffee’ and the clear Sound took over.
Blues in the 9- to 10-pound range ravished chunk bait and lures anxious to fill their empty stomachs. These fish should have easily been 10 to 12 pounds, however, with slim menhaden pickings, they’re feeding on any food source available. If the weather continues August-like, then we should see more in the way of bunker schools. The ‘peanuts’ have shown up along with a few more small schools of adults. This has prompted more top water action along the rips on flood tides and at the flip.
Striped bass in the 35-pound range continue to dominate many reefs, although low in numbers. Consequently, ‘reef-hopping’ has been something anglers have gotten used to. Faulkner’s North Rip has seen an increase in activity as well as Goose Island and Charles. The Race has been ripping on the ebb with some ‘linesiders’ in the 40-plus range caught on bucktails and eels. At times, 16 to 20 ounces hasn’t been enough! Check out the Sluiceway and Six Mile. Inshore, there are plenty of schoolie bass taking up positions all along rocky structures and the lower tidal rivers.
Typical for this time of year, porgy/scup fever is in full swing. Sizes are mixed, however, all along the shoreline and on practically any reef you’ll find these aggressive feeders. Their counterpart, snapper blues, are getting attention as well. More are being caught from shore as schools begin to enter harbors and rivers. After all, it’s the second week in August already! In ‘short,’ fluke fishing needs help. We’re back to a lot of catching of undersized fish for just one keeper and locations fluctuate from shallow water to 80 feet, plus or minus.
If you’re into sweet water, then fishing overall has been good. Practically all species (largemouth bass, pickerel, panfish, and pike) have been cooperative. The main upper tidal rivers are producing as well as most lakes and local farm ponds. Trout have been more particular especially during the rainy stretches with deep pools being prime spots and occasional top water sprees developing during early/late day periods.
Captain Morgan’s is now selling registrations for the 2009 WICC Bluefish Tournament scheduled for Aug. 29 and 30. 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 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