Blackfishing season is over, bass season begins

Written by Leon Sylvester Jr.
Wednesday, 14 December 2011 00:00

With Blackfishing season now officially closed, and safe, fishible ice still quite some time away, fresh and saltwater anglers are turning toward targeting our local tributaries wintering Striped Bass populations.

These fish move into the tidal lower sections of our area rivers during the months of November and December to feed on schools of herring, shad, shiners and other small forage fish. Anglers will find large numbers of fish ranging from 14 to 22 inches which are hitting a variety of soft plastics and flies ranging from 3 to 7 inches in length.

Fishing red hot as water temperatures cool down

Written by Leon Sylvester Jr.
Tuesday, 25 October 2011 23:00

The blackfishing bite continues to be red hot and should only improve as water temperatures continue to drop. Keeper tautog are hitting Asian, green, hermit and fiddler crabs at all the usual hot spots.

Any underwater structure in 10-plus feet of water should be holding fish as the water temperature drops into the 50s. Probe the bottom with your offering, looking for drops, rock piles, caves and anywhere else where blackfish might be hiding.

Keep your line tight — blackfish hits are very quick, and if you are not ready you will easily miss your opportunity to strike and set the hook.

Fishing is heating up as waters cool down

Written by Leon Sylvester Jr.
Tuesday, 11 October 2011 23:00

Autumn in Long Island Sound is not only about trophy size catches. It is also a time when anglers often catch rare and exotic species which have lost their way during the numerous maritime storms or the gulf stream’s warm northern flow during the summer months.

Some of these species, including burbots, northern kingfish, oyster toadfish, northern pufferfish, red hake and triggerfish have all been showing up in catches throughout Long Island Sound. Though these catches are rare, they are not uncommon for this time of year.

Both John Valentino and Johnathan Schmedlin of Stratford landed burbots last weekend, while Bob Hannon of Stratford came up short in his pursuit of the elusive oyster toadfish, but did witness several caught near him.

Anglers finding a mixed bag of keeper-size fish

Written by Leon Sylvester Jr.
Wednesday, 05 October 2011 08:34

Blackfishing season is now open, and anglers are finding a mixed bag of keeper size and smaller fish at the New Haven Breakwall, Penfield Reef and various rock piles off Middleground Lighthouse. Green and Asian crabs are working best, but sandworms and clams will also put tautog in the boat.

Joe Eltman Sr. of Waterbury landed several nice togs while fishing near Middleground Light on Saturday. This was Joe’s first attempt at blackfishing, and he was able to limit out with his largest fish of the day, weighing in at nearly 7 pounds.

Porgy fishing continues to be fantastic with large 1- to 3-pound porgies being caught just about everywhere. Porgies will strike sandworms, clams, squid and crabs, and can be found anywhere there is some sub-surface structure for them to congregate around. Because of the great abundance of porgy this year, the season has been extended to Dec. 1.