The weather continues to be the biggest variable affecting the fishing effort in our region. Right on the heels of Hurricane Irene, we experienced heavy rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee and now are in midst of high seas from the offshore Hurricane Katia. On the other hand, many of those that got out during nice weather over Labor Day weekend found some great action, and most anglers are positive that better fishing lies ahead once things settle down after these storms. It should mostly be a rain-free weekend with swells subsiding by Saturday so we’ll be back on track soon. If nothing else, these storms are dipping water temperatures that could jumpstart the fall run, if it hasn’t begun already.
Rhode Island
Hurricane Katia should pass by on Friday within a couple hundred miles of our eastern flank, yet close enough to make for some dangerous surf and rip currents, so please use caution if hitting the water over the next few days. Let’s hope things calm down in short order as there are some good fish inhabiting Rhody waters. Pete at Saltwater Edge informed me that “Iron” Mike Everin landed a surf-caught 48.5-pound cow striper on an eel last weekend. Mike and his wife are expecting another child at any minute, so it’s a good thing he snuck that fish in before the big day. Pete also had solid reports of false albacore and bonito over the weekend in Newport waters and eastward. The albies were reportedly in the 4- to 8-pound range, gorging on rainbait and falling for proven lures like Deadly Dicks and Jumpin’ Minnows.
Robin of Quonny Bait and Tackle noted that all of the breachways are producing good results for those putting their time in. Customer Ron Edson landed a nice scup off one of them recently, but it was not enough for dinner so he chunked it instead and landed a 37-inch striper. Robin said there are a ton of mullet and peanut bunker in and out of the salt ponds too, which are starting to pick up the beach action.
Dave at River and Riptide spent nearly a full day breaking in his boat on Sunday. Along Watch Hill Reef, he found more 10-pound blues than you can shake a stick at, as well as some bass up to 30 inches feeding on small bait such as butterfish and squid. He also took a ride to Plum Gut where birds were working over bigger bait and smaller blues. On a more serious note, Dave noticed a dangerous amount of debris, including telephone poles and trees, so boaters should keep their eyes peeled on the water!
Block Island
Block’s Southwest Corner and North Rip remain the places to be for striped bass, and the former has been void of bluefish, to the delight of many eel fishermen. John at Twin Maples said that boat anglers drifting live eels continue to rack up sizable stripers in the 40-pound class between the buoys on the southwestern portion of the Island. John noted that Sandy Point has a mix of bass and blues falling to topwater plugs and to look for birds working. He also mentioned that hardcore surfcasters have been capitalizing on the recent gnarly conditions, scoring nice fish with big pencil poppers and needlefish plugs. Jack at Quaker Lane Bait and Tackle added a positive Block report by saying boaters trolling wire and parachute jigs with pork rinds have been outdoing eel fishermen at Southwest Ledge, including one recent trophy of 48 pounds. Jack also heard of 7-pound albies being taken at Block’s North Rip on Tuesday with Point Jude PoJees.
Connecticut
Long Island Sound continues to produce quality fish, despite tough conditions from serious amounts of muddy freshwater and debris pouring in from its many rivers. Fellow Connecticut Surfcasters Association member Toby Lapinksi had one heck of an outing on Tuesday night in snotty conditions. Somewhere along the eastern Sound, he landed 37- and 42-pound stripers using live eels, the latter of which he weighed in for the Striper Cup. Toby said bait was thick even though the water remained pretty dirty from the hurricane and recent rains.
Pat from River’s End gave me good news in the form of a decent daytime striper bite in the Race and Plum Gut for those three-waying eels and bucktail jigs. He also echoed what many other shopowners had to say, the fact that Long Island Sound is paved with blues right now, just in time for the WICC bluefish tournament. Things kick off Saturday morning at 12:01 AM and come to a close on Sunday at 5 PM. The entry fee has risen to $42, while the top prize remains a hefty $25,000 for the heaviest bluefish weighed in over the weekend. The tournament was originally scheduled two weeks ago, but Hurricane Irene threw a wrench in those plans. Chris at Stratford Bait and Tackle said that so far this is the lowest registration he’s seen in the 12 years his shop’s been involved, yet is hopeful procrastinators are just waiting for a more concrete weather forecast before signing up. Nonetheless, bluefish have had two additional weeks to fatten up and the competition could be less than average, so if you’re on the fence maybe this is a good year to join.
Matt at Hillyers reminded me that fluke season is closed for the year in Connecticut and that blackfish is closed until October 1. He said that porgy season remains open and that fishing is excellent, with dinner-plate-sized specimen present on most rock piles in Long Island Sound, eating sandworms, squid and clams. Matt also noted that snapper blues are getting larger by the day and are a perfect opportunity for youngsters to get hooked on fishing, not to mention they make for a great meal.
Best Bets for the Weekend
There’s a good chunk of change being offered for the largest bluefish caught in Long Island Sound this weekend. Blues have been cooperative and very plentiful lately. The tournament playing field could be narrowed down due to a number of factors too, so this could be the year to get in on the action. Where the winning blue will come from is anyone’s guess, but what it will be caught on is a little easier to put a finger on. If you can find fresh bunker for this weekend, you’re doing well. Live-lining or chunking is a great big blue tactic, as is trolling wire and parachute jigs tipped with small eels.