Capt Morgan, The Day 10/21/05

1. Remember how the season started? Rain and lots of it, especially during the weekends when anglers were anxious to ready their crafts for the already-touted good fishing. "What goes around, comes around," said many of the elders as I was growing up. Need I say more?
2. Now that the downpours are hopefully behind us—at least for now—perhaps, our fishing windows will broaden. Air temperatures cranked down as the winds and cold front passed and with them the briny dropped a bit more. Certainly the tidal rivers received a good flushing (au natural), forcing much of the bait to temporarily seek other refuge, but as things settle, they'll be driven back in by the bigger predators, namely the bass and blues. There are blitzes in our near future, don't you worry!
3. The few opportunities anglers had to brave the elements did afford them some good fishing. Some of the inlets from the Sound managed to hold pods of bait and those fishermen loading their rods with lures capable of reaching such schools were into fish. However, the opportunities throughout most of the shoreline were limited and short-lived. Just prior to the deluge, stripers in the 20-pound range were in the rivers up to the Route 1/I-95 corridor with larger fish farther up the major tidals.
4. Linesiders are thick and blues are even thicker. Mid-shore boat launches have been getting a workout as anglers attempt to pinpoint the best action. However, since the fish have been weather-driven, they've been on the move and planning too far ahead usually results in a change of plans. This week, shore fishing ought to pick up and certainly the popular shoals and reefs will settle down.
5. Trollers, jiggers, drifters, and chunk/chummers will also see an increase in activity as the two B's spread out and intensify their hunts for food. Fresh bait is a given, but as finesse becomes less of an issue, time and timing become more of a key to a successful fishing trip.
6. Find a rip and fish will be close at hand. Find a hump, like a wreck or irregular bottom structure with limited escape routes, and your rods will bend.
7. In a little more than a week's time, porgy/scup fishing will close for the year on Oct. 31. There is still time left for good porgy fishing before it ends considering most reefs in the vicinity of Faulkner's Island and the shoreline from Old Saybrook to Branford continue to hold fish in water that, in places, is approaching the high 60s.
8. Fall fishing for freshwater trout and bass has been ignited by the drop in temperature. Largemouths have been inhaling live bait and seasonal artificial lures. Trout are onto worms and spinners as well as small spoons. The recently stocked rivers and trout parks are drawing anglers who are experiencing good action. Walleyes are getting the nod, as are some smallmouths in the cooler waters. With the winds subsiding, look for northern pike activity to increase especially prior to any impending fronts. by Captain Morgan