Conn Post, 9/16/05

• The recent heat wave had a major impact on the Long Island Sound fisheries. Striped bass were beginning to bite well, but they have withdrawn from the shallow water over the past week. The larger bluefish also have changed patterns a bit by feeding at night. Both fish species are still very catchable. Anglers need to adjust their tactics to have success.
• Striped bass seekers report good luck on tube-n-worms, live bunker, eel rigs and diamond jigs. Those willing to travel to the eastern Sound will find the best fishing in the Race, which has produced several large stripers over the past several nights. Other eastern Sound hotspots include Ram Island Reef, Plum Gut, Norwich Harbor, Millstone Point, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Hatchett Reef and Long Sand Shoal. Closer to home, Morris Cove on the east side of New Haven Harbor, the junction of the Quinnipiac and Mill rivers in New Haven, Pond Point in Milford, Charles Island, Stratford Shoal, Penfield Reef, Sunken Island off Fairfield, Southport Harbor and Sheffield Island off Norwalk are giving up striped bass in the 18- to 30-inch class. Remember, the legal size minimum is 28 inches.
• Most of the harbors and tidal rivers between New Haven and Stamford are infested with schools of small "peanut" bunker. Bluefish ranging between three and six pounds are chasing the baby bunker around. This habit makes the bluefish susceptible to poppers, casting spoons, small swimming plugs and large in-line spinners. Most of the action occurs in the early morning or late afternoon. If you are looking for bluefish in the nine- to 12-pound class, visit the same harbor areas just before sunrise or after sunset. Mark Hirschbeck, 9, of Stratford, caught his first bluefish last week in Johnson Creek.
• Bottom fishing offers a mixed bag. Fluke fishing is generally slow with the better fishing reported east of the Connecticut River or on the Long Island side of the Sound. Blackfish are starting to show up, but the season is closed until Sept. 22. Conservation officers are inspecting creels. Be sure to release all hooked blackfish immediately. Porgy fishing started out good, but has tapered back in recent weeks. This week the fishery seemed to rebound on most of the reefs and breaklines in 15 to 40 feet of water.
• Last week, Fran McNally of Stratford tried striped bass fishing with a tube-n-worm along the Housatonic River breakwater. To his surprise, he caught a 2.90-pound porgy. This fish took the lead in the Stratford Bait & Tackle annual fishing contest. Meanwhile, Matt Jurzcyk, 16, of Milford, caught a 3.67-pound fluke in New Haven Harbor. He also weighed his catch at Stratford Bait & Tackle.
• Elsewhere on the Sound, a few small bluefin tuna have been confirmed in the Race area. Some false albacore have also been showing up around Fishers Island. After a very dismal beginning, blue crabbing has dramatically improved in all the tidal rivers between Branford and Rhode Island.
• Freshwater anglers need to note that Lake Housatonic will undergo a three-foot drawdown Saturday-Monday. A rowing event is tentatively scheduled for upper Lake Lillinonah on Sept. 25. During the race, the Lover's Leap gorge will be closed to boat traffic.