Captain Morgan, 5/15/09

A few springtime showers, moderating temperatures, and moon tides sparked a flurry of fishing activity in the Sound. With rising and falling tides, herring, alewives, shad, etc., continued to enter many tidal rivers, bringing plenty of small- to mid-size striped bass into those associated estuaries. Bass to 40 pounds have been caught farther up into the major tidals with several fish in the 32- to 34-inch range broadening their range along the shoreline as they journey down from their holdover habitats.

Those splashes that have been catching the attention of anglers are being generated by a mix of river herring and menhaden. Water temperatures are into the low 50s pretty much throughout the Sound, fluctuating in the shallower sections as river run-off enters from the north. There’s bunker in the rivers and schools moving intermittently between local reefs.

The seasonal influx of baitfish has brought schools of blues—first the harbors, now followed by packs of the “big” gals. So far, getting to the stripers has not been hampered in the least, as “linesiders” are happy to inhale curly tail jigs, swimmers, and bait. Clousers are the ticket along the flats and lower tidal rivers. Inshore reefs are beginning to hold schools of bass where they’re falling for fresh bait as well as bucktail jigs. Early May fishing has been outstanding and there’s plenty more fish on the way.

Although winter flounder season has a few more weeks before it runs its course and the fishing has been so-so, “flatties” continue to quietly be caught. A few fish per outing with limits caught here and there from several coves/harbors is overshadowed by a surge in bass/blue activity. Look for a few teo- to three-pound, last-minute, end-of-the-season channel “blackbacks” to be caught. Trout and large- and smallmouth bass are taking center stage on the freshwater side. With the popular Hammo, Salmon, Shetucket, Farmington, and Housey rivers receiving fresh stockings of trout along with the trout parks, there are plenty of fish being caught. Weekends bring out the crowds, so finding a quiet hot spot can be difficult, but weekdays are more relaxed. If preferred, there are less frequented rivers and streams that can easily provide relaxation and a creel limit.

Largemouth bass fishing is red hot. They’re moving into the shallows and along pads and weedlines, exploding on soft plastics like frogs or lizards. Nighttime top water is also producing good fish in the four- to six-pound range. During the day, live shiners are deadly. Look for good end-of-day smallie action using a reliable craw imitation. While on the lakes or ponds, troll for trout at about 15 to 20 inches.

Note: Having a hard time finding or obtaining a sportsman license? Captain Morgan’s has “all” 2009 fishing, hunting, trapping licenses/permits (rifle, shotgun, archery, muzzle loader, HIP, CT duck stamps, etc.) available including shellfish licenses for Guilford and Madison. Captain Morgan’s for all things fishy including the latest gear, bait, flies/flyfishing, rod/reel repair, clam/crabbing supplies and licenses/permits. Swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison.