Captian Morgan, 7/19

• New moon, swifter currents, higher/lower tides, and good weather made for some excellent fishing opportunities. After some brief early week rainfall, anglers were ready for another fishing weekend. A cold front brought temperatures down to the high-70s mid-80s while water temps remained in the high-60s to low-70s. That change turned on the bite. Another late weekend front kicked up seas, making for a slightly less enjoyable boat ride but, nevertheless, productive fishing.
• With anglers filling Captain Morgan's shop from across the state, throughout the country, and as far away as New Zealand and South Africa to fish and enjoy our local waters, interest was focused on the much anticipated fluke contests. Fishing was brisk as flukers searched for that $10,000 big prize doormat. Scales were quiet for most of the first day with the surge coming at day's end. The top shop fluke caught by William Kreitler of Milford weighed 9.5 pounds and measured 28 inches putting it unofficially in third place. First place topped the scales at 10.9 pounds.
• With the 6 p.m. deadline approaching, the second day's fishing was hampered a bit by a mix of southwesterly winds and current, causing anglers to rethink fishing spots/drifts. Waves were one to three-plus feet, but the hunt for that elusive doormat continued. Unofficially, first place belongs to Yong Zhe Yan (NJ) with a 10.9-pounder, second is Patrick Ciesielski at 9.95 pounds, and third place is William Kreitler with his 9.5-pound doormat, who is the shop's heaviest fish. Other Captain Morgan weigh-ins were No. 9 Jim Zottoli with an 8.53-pounder and No. 13 Rich Campbell at 8.04 pounds.
• Schoolie stripers continue to be caught throughout the Sound especially near shore and by tidal rivers. Larger bass are more apt to be found on the reefs although, during low-light conditions, they are being caught off jetties, harbor channels, and in rivers themselves. New polly chutes are proving to be quite effective due to their pulsating action, peanuts are a good choice for top water, Grimm Reefers for the bottom, and tension lures throughout the water column.
• Large schools of bluefish have been feeding heavily on top around Faulkner's Island and beyond. Chunkers and casters are doing well from shore oftentimes catching a mixed bag of fish while diamond jigs are catching bottom dwelling alligators. Reefs are giving way to schools of smaller scup now that slabbers have spawned, although they're almost everywhere. Sea bass are seemingly having a better year with five- to six-pounders being caught from deep offshore reefs.
• Alert: DEP reported a breakout of 'didymo' (Didymosphenia geminato) a highly invasive alga that can have a great negative impact on fresh water rivers. Found in the upper reaches of the Connecticut River in Bloomfield, Vermont, as well as the White River, it potentially can have a suffocating effect all bottom life. Not considered a threat to the lower river, anglers are advised to be on the lookout for clumps of this gray/white/brown (never green) species attaching to lower units, fishing gear, etc. If found, remove and leave where found. Clean gear for one minute in 140F water. Optionally, use a two percent solution of household bleach or five percent solution of salt, antiseptic hand cleaner, or dishwashing detergent.
• Blue crabbing is hot and the new throwable Crab Trapper (developed by a local engineer and perfected with the help of Captain Morgan) is making catching more productive and enjoyable. It throws a distance, rights itself, contains a bait cage, and keeps crabs trapped. A new, great, unique, and intriguing concept that works!