Captain Morgan's Bait & Tackle

• It's April but harsh March-like weather was evident as extra pairs of socks were needed to retain foot warmth, half-gloves to dress hands, and extra layers to insulate the body. Below-normal water temperatures due to wind/cold were in the mid-30s, far from the “high” of 43 degrees just a short time ago. Day by day, though, we are slowly gaining and sooner rather than later our scenery will change. Flora will burst in bloom and migrating fish will fill the Sound. But for now, we'll cast our lines at every available window of opportunity.
• For a while as breakwalls retained the sun's warmth adjacent water temperatures moderated and tautog turned on feeding on soft and small baits. The bite temporarily ended when the weather roughened, causing them to move back to deeper water.
• Winter flounder once in the coves were more protected, but the change in weather caused those flatties (including many fishermen) to lay low as well. The recent classic Nor'easter that caused the barometer to plummet and churned LIS into a murky cauldron slammed shut any opportunity for filling coolers with 'togs or “blackbacks.”
• River herring and other indigenous baitfish on their annual spring run nevertheless continue to forge northward in our fertile tidal rivers. Hampered by recent water surges and exceptional low/high tides, their journey goes undaunted.
• Striped bass have been actively feeding in those rivers, taking full advantage of that food as well as other estuarine wetland sealife washed from the protection of wetland grounds. Schoolie bass that have filtered into the Sound are also being caught along the shoreline on various live, fresh dead, frozen, and artificial baits.
• Trout season opens Saturday and the “open” sign will light at 3 a.m. So, for all things fishy, including bait, gear, rod/reel repair and licenses, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison/Guilford line. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline's full-service fishing outfitter where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...