Captain Morgan, 5/28/09

A Bermuda high swept into the area followed by another one from Canada giving us a warm weather summer tease. This short-lived spell gave way to slightly cooler air temperatures making for ideal fishing conditions. Water temps in mid-Sound are around 55 degrees while closer to shore they’re running about 52 degrees, fluctuating with freshwater tidal river flows.

Inshore action remained steady with striped bass feeding throughout the coastline, including pursuing bait into our tidal rivers. Small, artificial lures as well as seaworms were effective on light gear set-ups throughout many estuarine environments. The run of hickory shad also made for good fishing as they ran with tidal changes taking small jigs, sabikis, and darts. Fly rods in the 8wt class were a good matchup for the bass, whereas a 6wt gave the angler true sport fishing with shad.

More action is now being seen on reefs like Six Mile, Southwest, and Faulkner’s North rip. Eels and other live baits are responsible for linesiders in the 25- to 30-pound range, while jerking wire/bucktails near the bottom can be equally effective. Jigging metal is also attracting attention of some of the larger fish.

There is no lack of bluefish and, not surprisingly, the action is increasing as big-shoulder blues keep making their appearance in the Sound. Mostly taking chunks, casting lures like a Surface Tension, Grim Reefer, or Krock are keeping shore-goers as well as the boaters in the action. Look for early morning/evening flood tides to be your best producers.

No changes in the scup/porgy regs for 2009 with the open season beginning on May 24, size remaining at 10 ½ inches and the daily creel limit still at 10. The reefs already have schools of this saltwater panfish on them with several even being caught from shore. Time to get ready for little ‘scup fever.’

All sweet water anglers are enjoying a diversity of fishing opportunities. Pretty much all fisheries are now active. Trout action remains steady with good flows and clarity in most of the heavily stocked rivers and trout parks. Largemouths are on their beds, pickerel are stalking the weed line, and panfish are along the shallows. Smallmouths can be found in clear, clean-bottom waters near steep drop-offs intrigued by crawfish imitations, while walleyes can be caught using spinner rigs with shiners, deep-running lures, or worm rigs. [Captain Morgan Bait & Tackle shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison.]