Captain Morgan's Bait & Tackle

Inland/marine life is into its springtime mode despite our reaction to recent cold weather. Temperatures in the 30s have threatened flora, nevertheless, spring spawn runs have begun. There have been blooms of new moon seaworm hatches and runs of river herring not unnoticed by our winter seal population. Counts estimate that to be around 2,000. Pair harbor seals with herring, add other predators, and you've created a formula lowering numbers of our anadromous herring inhabitants. Something to consider.

Another prime herring feeder is striped bass. Linesiders are moving down main holdover tidal rivers, feeding en route. Several intermittent coves along the Connecticut River, stretches of the Thames, and warm water flows of the Housey are attracting itchy bass anglers. Small bass with the occasional aged adult are being hooked on worms, soft plastics like Case's sinking salty shad/minnow, and twitching/swimming artificials. Also, schoolie bass are down from the Q River and have fanned east/west creating action in the shallows, coves, and smaller tidal rivers. The season is upon us!

Shoreline catches of winter flounder have been about par, but enough for a meal or two. Winds kept smaller vessels at bay where most catches occurred anyway. West winds have challenged anchoring however setting up behind the protection of a rock formation or land point saved the day for many. Anglers on shore are finding mixed results—more favorable when fishing points adjacent to coves, tidal rivers, and channels.

Blackfish (tautog) have improved with sizes ranging from three to six pounds. As the month progresses, fishing for these bulldogs will gain in intensity until their temporary close on May 1. It will reopen again on June 15.

Since all publicly stocked Connecticut waters (except catch/release) are closed until opening day (April 21), attention turned to lakes/ponds for pre-spawn largemouths and pickerel.