PARACHUTE JIG
The venerable parachute jig has probably produced more stripers than any other type of lure fished on wire line. At first glance, it doesn’t look like any kind of baitfish a predator would be interested in, until you consider how it performs underwater.
Unlike most other lures fished on wire, the parachute should be jigged for best results. This makes the “reverse” skirt flare and pulse as the jig darts through the water, imitating a squid. The best way to achieve this action is to hold the rod upside-down, with the tip pointed at the water, and use a short, sharp, sweeping motion, like using a broom. White, pink and chartreuse parachutes are particularly effective in areas where menhaden, herring, shad and squid are present, while darker patterns (black, red and purple) work well over rocky reefs inhabited by scup, sea bass, cunner and the like. Another great thing about parachutes is that they can be trolled very deep—up to 40 feet— without additional weight.
A final note on fishing parachutes: Always add a long strip of pork rind to the hook, and make sure the lure is fished just above bottom. If you don’t tap bottom every so often, you aren’t fishing deep enough.
your tackle box. This oldie-but-goodie is a killer on striped bass and bluefish in the Northeast. When fished correctly, it exhibits a lazy, side-to-side swimming action that stripers find irresistible.
The 3 ½-inch lure comes in many colors and patterns, but the pearl version is tops, especially early in the season when squid are common.
The Jumpin’ Minnow is best fished on relatively light gear— 8- to 12-pound test is ideal. Use a wind-on leader system and a 20- to- 30-pound-test fluorocarbon leader.
PROVEN LURES 46 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING
Bucktail jigs have been around since the first caveman invented the artificial lure, but the SPRO version is a cut above the rest. This wellmade jig features sharp, strong saltwater hooks and a chip-resistant finish that withstands abuse from rocks and teeth. The realistic head shape, patterns and prismatic eyes also set it apart from traditional bucktails.
The SPRO bucktail is deadly on fluke and sea bass, but it helps to add a small strip of squid or scented soft-plastic bait to the hook. Hop the lure over the bottom while drifting, making it imitate a squid or baitfish.
Small SPRO jigs work great in shallow water and light current, while three- and four-ounce versions can handle deep water and strong currents. Carry them in different sizes.
If you fish for stripers anywhere in the Northeast, you’ll want to have a Santini Tube Lure in your arsenal. This long, plastic lure probably imitates an eel (although the stripers aren’t sayin’), and is best trolled on leadcore or wire line. It was designed by Everett, Massachusetts, tackle shop owner Pete Santini, and is an outstanding lure for taking bass during daylight hours, when the fish are holding deep.
Here are several keys to fishing the Santini tube effectively:
• Place a live seaworm on the hook. The scent of the worm apparently convinces the bass to strike after first being drawn to the swimming action of the lure.
• Troll the lure as slowly as possible; between one and three knots is ideal.
• Troll the lure through areas with good current flow and a boulder-strewn bottom in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Trolling outfits usually consist of a six-foot boat rod and a conventional reel filled with either wire or leadcore line. The latter is easier to use and works well in depths of 15 feet or less. Use a six-foot fluorocarbon leader of 50-pound-test to connect the leadcore to the lure.
The most popular tube color is dark red, although fluorescent green, pink, and black all take fish on certain days. Try the brighter colors in low-light situations and darker colors on sunny days.
NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 47
SANTINI TUBE LURE
SPRO BUCKTAIL JIG
shallow, which allows it to be fished over structure in ten feet of water or less, where many game fish hang out in the spring. While the lure comes factory-rigged with three trebles, many anglers remove the belly hook to limit foul-hooking.
48 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017
CRYSTAL MINNOW
The Crystal Minnow is effective for targeting stripers in shallow to moderate depths. It features prominent prismatic eyes, as well as a tight swimming action and highly reflective sides, and is rigged with strong, sharp
ounce version, which matches silversides, mackerel and herring. The floating model will dart and dive to three fished in shallow areas where the bass are likely to hold
NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 49
ACME KASTMASTER
Often overlooked by anglers seeking saltwater sport, Cape Cod’s many freshwater ponds offer tremendous action with largemouth bass all season long!
BY CHRIS NASHVILLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM RICHARDSON
Many of the Cape’s kettle ponds can be fished in a kayak, canoe or from shore.
ention “Cape Cod” to an angler, and he is likely to conjure up images of striped bass, bluefish and bluefin tuna. However, the Cape also offers a freshwater option that’s equally exciting, not to mention more dependable and accessible, especially during the steamy summer doldrums or when the wind howls on the ocean.
The Cape is peppered with over 360 kettle ponds, many of which teem with well-fed largemouth bass, plus a supporting cast of trout, pickerel, perch, sunfish and other species. Many of the ponds can be waded around in their entirety, while others require a kayak, canoe, paddleboard or skiff to access the best spots. Free maps of the ponds showing their depth contours and access points are available on the state’s MassWildlife website.
GEAR UP
REEL
Shimano Stradic 2500
ROD
7’ medium-fast Shimano
Convergence spinning
LINE
8 lb. test PowerPro braid
LEADER
10 lb. test Yo-Zuri fluorocarbon
The
FORMATIVE YEARS
Kettle ponds were formed some 10,000 years ago by large chunks of ice left behind by the retreating Laurentide Ice Sheet. The remnant ice chunks were partially covered by sand and rocks carried in the glacial meltwater that helped create the Cape and Islands. As the ice melted, it left water-filled depressions in the soil. While the Cape’s kettle ponds can be up to 80 feet deep, most average 30 to 50 feet, and feature steeply sloping bottoms.
Fish-holding structure in the ponds mostly centers on aquatic or shoreside vegetation, although some ponds feature rocky bottoms that provide terrific structure for bait and predatory fish. And speaking of bait, a handful of these ponds serve as spawning and nursery grounds for migratory river herring, which provide a rich food source for some unusually large largemouths.
Toothy chain pickerel spice up the pond action, but may cost you a few lures.
QUICK TIP: In midsummer, topwater plugs fished at night can produce spectacular action.
Gary
Daddy Mac Viper Bluegill
Booyah spinnerbaits
Booyah Pad Crasher & Poppin’ Frog
Yo-Zuri 3DS Minnow
Baker Lures jerkbaits
Colorado spoons
Worden’s Rooster Tail spinners
Arbogast Jitterbug
PRE-SPAWN STRATEGY
The kettle pond bass fishery comprises several distinct phases during the season, each requiring its own set of techniques. The spring pre-spawn bite begins after the first good stretch of warm weather, usually around the end of April or early May. During this period, the bass are constantly on the move, searching for good spots to make their beds in the shallows. Therefore, they will mostly be found near shore in one to six feet of water.
Pre-spawn fishing can be difficult at times, since the fish seem to be more interested in breeding than feeding. Also, the fish move around from day to day, so you often need to put in some time to find them. One day you may see them cruising along the shoreline, while the next they may be out of sight in slightly deeper, darker water.
Casting six-inch Gary Yamamoto Senko soft-plastic worms, shallow crankbaits and even small jerkbaits is a great way to cover a lot of water during the pre-spawn period. A moderate to slow retrieve with a “wacky-rigged” six-inch Senko on a 1/0 Gamakatsu wide-gap hook can be deadly. By the way, this is a great time to target the trout-stocked ponds; if the bass bite is slow, the trout can pick up the slack.
CAPE COD LARGEMOUTHS NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
Yamamoto Senko Worm
shallow pond edges fish best in late May and early June.
SPAWN TIME
The next phase is the spawn, which tends to happen a few weeks after that first warm-weather window. You’ll know when the fish are spawning due to the number of beds—round, sandy depressions—along the edges of the pond. You’ll often see the number of beds increase two-fold in the course of a day during the height of the spawn. This is the perfect time to cast lures over or along the edges of the bass beds with unweighted soft-plastics and jerkbaits. Salamander imitations work especially well during the spawn. The bass will aggressively protect their beds as long as their eggs are present, and the strikes can be violent.
You’ll know the spawn is over when the abandoned beds start to collect leaves and other debris. This post-spawn period, which usually begins around mid-June, can be a challenging time. The fish aren’t as hungry from their reproductive duties and defense of their nests as you would think. However, searching slightly deeper water with jigs and deep-diving crankbaits can be productive.
2017 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 55 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
The author displays a fine kettle pond bass that hit a wackyrigged Senko worm.
HOT SUMMER NIGHTS
Once midsummer arrives, those who venture forth after dark can reap big rewards. Jitterbugs and other topwater lures fished at dusk and through the night can elicit heart-stopping strikes from large, unseen fish as they patrol the shallows, drop-offs and the edges of lily pads, looking for a meal.
Anther shift occurs as summer gives way to autumn. Fall fishing can be hit or miss, depending on the weather. In mild years, bass fishing can remain productive into November, while other years it turns too cold, too quick. At this time, jerkbaits and other slow-moving lures can be the key to success. In ponds with herring runs, expect the bass to lurk near the creek mouths, waiting to ambush the departing youngof-the-year baitfish.
While kettle pond bass will never possess the mystique of a surf-caught striper or 500-pound tuna, at least they’re guaranteed to show up. The next time your ocean plans are foiled by the weather, or if you’re simply looking for a more laidback kind of fishing, give the Cape Cod ponds a try. Like some of the herring that end up in the bellies of big kettle pond largemouths, you may never return to the sea.
The following kettle ponds hold good numbers of bass and offer excellent public access for waders and paddlers alike.
1. Brewster: Nickerson State Park (Big Cliff, Little Cliff, Flax, Higgins Ponds)
2. Dennis: Scargo Lake
3. Sandwich: Spectacle Pond, Peters Pond
4. Yarmouth: Long Pond
CAPE COD LARGEMOUTHS 56 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
A deep-diving crankbait fooled this hefty fall fish.
Start your season here. S. Dartmouth, MA | Newport, RI 508-994-4444 CapeYachts.com
Expert anglers reveal their top strategies for catching striped bass and bluefish in one of the most productive—and challenging—hot spots in the Northeast.
TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM SCHLICHTER
The author displays a striper caught on a bucktail rig fished in the Race. Note the distinct rip line in the background.
hen it comes to fish-holding features, rips rank among the best. And thanks to its swift tidal currents, the Northeast has plenty of them—although none compare to the three-mile stretch of hyper-turbulent water between New York’s Fishers Island and Little Gull Island known as the Race.
Arguably the mother of all rips, the Race is infamous for its ferocious currents and tall, standing waves created by a bottleneck of landmasses and a steeply sloping bottom that rises abruptly from over 300 feet to less than 30 feet in some spots. The combination of current and topography attracts predators, which hold near the craggy bottom, waiting for food to be swept past.
MAGIC SPOT
Stripers and bluefish are the main targets of Race fishermen, with the former arriving in late May, the latter a few weeks later. Cow and schoolie stripers are at their peak concentrations in June and linger through October, feasting on shoals of herring, squid, silversides, sand eels, menhaden and butterfish.
Finding the Race is easy. A prominent “rip line” forms at the crest of the reef, with a section of smooth water on the upcurrent side. At slack water, however, the rip line disappears for about an hour, and on windless days conditions can be remarkably tranquil. But don’t be fooled; the Race has many faces and moods—some extremely sinister. Use caution, especially in a wind-opposing-tide scenario.
SQUIDDING & BUCKTAILING
The two most popular methods of fishing the deep, turbulent waters in the middle of the Race are jigging big (8- to 12-ounce) diamond jigs and drifting bucktails. With the first approach, run upcurrent of the rip line while watching your depthsounder. When the sloping bottom reaches a depth of between 160 and 190 feet, throw the engine into neutral and free-spool your jig rapidly to the bottom. Once it hits bottom, take ten quick turns on the reel. Free-spool the jig back down and crank it up again. Remember that bluefish and bass often strike a jig as it falls, so if your line stops abruptly or you feel a bump on the drop, engage the reel and lift sharply on the rod to set the hook.
Repeat this speed-jigging, or “squidding,” process until you near the rip line then reel in and motor back upcurrent about a quarter-mile and make another drift. If you’re new to the game, simply follow the fleet, marking productive spots when you hook up so you can repeat the drift.
Bucktail jigs are fished on a three-way rig, where a heavy bank sinker, tied to a three-way swivel, is used as the primary weight. The jig itself trails behind the sinker on a six-foot leader. To fish bucktails, run upcurrent of the rip line to the same spot you would when diamond jigging. Free-spool the rig to the bottom and immediately take a few turns on the reel to prevent a snag. With the current running at or near peak velocity—the best time to fish—it may be necessary to let out more line as you drift along, even though the water gets shallower as you near the rip line. It’ll take some experimentation to figure out the precise amount of line to let out based on the current and the depth at which the fish are holding. Other than depth adjustments, you don’t need to impart any action to the bucktail during the drift.
FISHING THE RACE 60 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
Always bring a variety of bucktails and pork rind in different colors.
Dawn often sparks the best action with stripers and bluefish.
QUICK
TIP:
Using
the
lightest
jig or sinker possible to tend bottom will let you detect more strikes.
LIGHTEN UP
Because of the Race’s strong current and deep water, bucktailing and jigging have traditionally involved heavy, 6 ½-foot boat rods rigged with workhorse reels like the Penn 4/0 Senator, loaded with 40- to 60-pound mono. Sixteen- to 24-ounce sinkers were necessary to keep the thick mono somewhat vertical.
However, a new era in light-tackle Race fishing is upon us, and one of its pioneers is Kerry Douton, owner of J&B Tackle and captain of the well-known charter boat DotE-Dee out of Niantic. “The invention of super-braid line has allowed us to lighten up tremendously on tackle and still effectively fish deep water,” says Douton. “Thanks to the thin line, we’re able to fish with weights as light as eight ounces. This allows us to use much lighter rods and smaller reels—and have a lot more fun.”
Douton’s three-way rigs consist of a 1 ¼-ounce bucktail jig with an 8/0 hook, which is bigger than the hook normally found on small bucktails. “I use a white Smilin’ Bill leadhead,” explains Douton, “These jigs normally come with a 6/0 hook, but we order them with bigger hooks, which hold better on large bluefish and bass. You can go with a bigger bucktail, but if you go too heavy, you lose its action when the current slows. Remember, it’s the sinker that gets the rig to the bottom, not the jig.”
Douton tips his jig hook with a strip of red, yellow or white pork rind, which flutters seductively in the current and simulates a baitfish’s beating tail or a squid’s pulsing tentacles. Other anglers use a strip of felt soaked in a fish-attracting scent.
1 ¼ oz. bucktail jig
6’ 80-pound mono leader
12” 30-pound mono
3-way swivel
8 – 12 oz. bank sinker
LIGHT TACKLE 3-WAY RIG
RACE RODS & REELS
To fish light bucktail rigs, Douton recommends quality, high-speed conventional reels without a levelwind. He maintains that levelwinds restrict the speed of the drop, allowing a belly to form in the line before the rig can reach bottom. He prefers reels made by Penn and Shimano in sizes equivalent to a 2/0 to 3/0. He fills the reels with 30- to 40-pound Dacron backing then “top-shots” them with 150 yards of 30-pound braid. He matches his reels to 6 ½- to 7-foot, medium-heavy freshwater “muskie” rods in the 17- to 40-pound-class and 14- to 30-pound-class range.
My personal favorite Race outfit is a Shimano Torium 16 reel paired with a 6 ½-foot Lamiglas Tri-Flex graphite medium-fast-action, 15- to 30-pound-class rod (model BL6630C). This outfit performs well with any amount of weight and can handle the largest fish in the Race. I fill half the reel with 50-pound braided Dacron backing and a top shot of 40-pound-test PowerPro braid.
BORDER OPTION
While the majority of anglers prefer to fish the Race’s deep spots, there’s another option that’s tailor-made for those in small to midsize boats. On the perimeter of the rip is a series of islands and reefs in 5 to 20 feet of water that offer some of the best light-tackle action in southern New England.
The prime structure runs from Race Point on Fishers Island to the Sluiceway east of Plum Island. Between these two points are the reef off Fishers Island, Race Rock, Little Gull Island, Great Gull Island and the boulder-studded shallows over to Old Silas Rock.
If new to this area, explore it at low tide, on a day that offers bright sun, gentle winds and light current. Wear polarized sunglasses, which are invaluable for spotting the rocks. Mark their location for future reference.
MULTIPLE SPECIES
“The ‘perimeter’ waters can be very productive,” confirms Captain Dixon Merkt, a former guide who has long fished the area’s myriad rocks, islands and rips. “And it gets even more exciting as the season progresses!”
The shallow-water action starts with bass in May and June, with bluefish moving in by July. Bonito begin to show in mid-August, followed by false albacore. In September and October, the Race holds bass, blues, and albies, plus a few Spanish mackerel.
“You can catch fish at midday, especially bluefish and false albacore,” says Merkt. “However, if you want bass, fish a half-hour before sunrise. The single most important consideration is the tide. Either tide—they can both be good. The fish and birds start feeding when the water begins to move.”
SHALLOW-WATER TIPS
“Learn to read the water,” continues Merkt. “Look for ‘nervous’ water created by the current flowing over submerged structure. Start fishing upcurrent and drift through the nervous water. If you see feeding birds, get upcurrent of them and set up a drift that will take you through them.
“Also, it’s best to cut the engine, unless you’re drifting into an area where it should be left running for safety reasons. Engine noise can put the fish down. That’s particularly true with bass. And always have an anchor handy; if your engine quits it will keep you from drifting into the rocks or out to sea.”
FISHING THE RACE 62 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
Caution is needed when fishing the Race at peak tide, especially in a small boat.
Bluefish and other predators will chase topwaters fished in the “perimeter”waters.
TOPWATER FUN
Aside from the number and variety of species, one of the main draws of this area is the eagerness of the fish to strike a surface lure. The fish are seldom fussy, and almost any medium-size topwater or swimming plug will draw strikes.
In addition to plugs, Merkt favors one all-purpose metal lure for lighttackle fishing. “The Deadly Dick,” he says, “is effective on all species. It works very well on false albacore and bonito in early autumn. Three-quarters of an ounce is about as heavy as I go.”
EELS TOO
Live eels can also be effective when fished around shallow structure. While eels are great for taking trophy fish at night, they can be effective on larger school bass at dawn and dusk. And don’t hesitate to sling eels at midday. Cast them around the rocks in shallow water or drop them into the deep eddies on the downcurrent side of prominent structure, such as Race Rock.
Diamond jigs are one of the simplest yet most effective lures ever created, and they excel in the Race. Not only do diamonds imitate a variety of prey items, from herring to squid, their streamlined shape lets them reach bottom quickly in fast current. That said, always use the lightest jig possible when vertical jigging. If your jigs come factory-rigged with treble hooks, replace them with heavy-gauge 8/0 Siwash singles. Treble hooks make catch-and-release difficult, are a greater safety risk in rough seas and increase the chance of snagging bottom. Also, avoid rubber or vinyl tubing on the jig’s hook. Although it looks enticing, the water resistance created by the added material is enough to make reaching and tending bottom difficult. Lastly, because of the speed a diamond jig is fished, wire leaders are unnecessary, even when bluefish are present. Instead, use 40 inches of 80- to 100-pound mono for abrasion resistance, and use a loop knot to attach the jig.
An appropriate spinning outfit for the lighttackle approach starts with a 7- to 7 ½-foot, medium-action rod, which is light enough to cast small floating lures and soft-plastics, yet has the backbone to handle most of the fish you’ll encounter. Match the rod with a medium spinning reel filled with 15- to 20-pound-test mono or 30-pound-test braid. The leader can be 18 to 24 inches of 30- to 50-pound-test mono or fluorocarbon.
Whether it’s big bass and blues in the extreme depths and currents of the Race or a variety of light-tackle targets along the shallower margins, the rips and rocks of eastern Long Island Sound stand ready to please all types of anglers. Pick your days and conditions carefully, and you’ll soon see why this stretch of water has long been considered one of the fishiest spots in the Northeast.
FISHING THE RACE 64 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
The Deadly Dick will take all species that feed on the shallow edges of the Race.
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Shallow stones yield heart-pounding, light-tackle action with spring stripers along the southern New England coast.
y home waters of Buzzards Bay offer no shortage of rocks, particularly the hard, propeller-bending kind. But I wouldn’t have it any other way, because the same ledges and boulders that make boating so interesting in the bay also provide prime structure for striped bass, especially in late spring.
The fun starts around mid-May, when the first migratory schools of bass push into the shallow bays and coves, feasting on squid, silversides and herring. Once they find a food source, the fish tend to hang around for a few weeks, moving onto the warmer flats and ganging up around structure in 3 to 15 feet of water. And that’s when things get exciting.
Of special interest are isolated patches of boulders or ledges surrounded by 10 to 12 feet of water at high tide. Many of these rock piles, or reefs, are completely submerged at high water, or may have one or two especially large boulders poking above the surface. In any case, caution is needed when fishing them.
GEAR UP
REEL
Shimano Spheros 2000
ROD
7 ½’ St. Croix Avid 15-30 lb. class LINE 30 lb. test PowerPro braid or 10-12 lb. test mono
TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM RICHARDSON
Jonathan Craig plucked this striper from the rocks off Bird Island in Marion.
PRIME STRUCTURE
Also on my target list are boulder-strewn stretches of shoreline, submerged jetties or groins, and rocky points, especially those near river, pond and creek mouths. The latter can attract large bass if associated with a herring run. While dawn is always a great time to find stripers around the stones, I’ve found that tide is most important in the early season. I prefer a rising tide in most cases, and strive to be on the water at least three hours before high tide. That gives me plenty of time to “work” a series of prime spots before slack high.
BUZZARDS BAY STRIPERS
QUICK TIP: If live bait is available, drift one behind the boat as you cast lures to the rocks
Max Richardson took this schoolie on a Zoom Fluke.
Soft-Plastic Hogy Skinny Series
Small hard baits like the Rebel Jumpin’ Minnow often draw explosive strikes around the rocks.
EBB TIDE STRATEGY
Slack tide can bring an abrupt halt to the action. The lack of current gives the bait a chance to scatter and the bass shut down accordingly. There are exceptions, of course, places that continue to hold fish as the tide ebbs.
For example, I find that rocky points washed by the outgoing current can be productive, especially on the first two hours of the dropping. And rocks near the mouths of tidal ponds and estuaries can be productive when large amounts of baitfish are being flushed out. During the lower half of the tide, try working any deep “holes” in the vicinity of creeks, pond inlets, rock piles and ledges.
DRIFT & MOVE
To fish the rocks efficiently, set up a drift that takes you past either side of the hazard, keeping as far away as your casting range will allow. Drift past one side of the structure, then the other. If you don’t get a follow or a strike on your first pass, move a bit closer and try again. However, in my experience it’s usually a waste of time to make more than two drifts past the same spot; if the fish are present and in a feeding mood, you’ll usually know it by your first or second cast.
Fishing around such “bony” structure is best done from a small, maneuverable, shallow-draft boat, for obvious reasons. Boats with low freeboards offer another advantage, as they can be equipped with a trolling motor, which makes avoiding the rocks infinitely easier—and less stressful.
TOP PLUGS
No matter what the tide, my arsenal of lures never changes. Favorite hard-bodied plugs include the bonecolored Rebel Jumpin’ Minnow, Zara Spook, Cordell Pencil Popper and the Rapala Skitter Pop. All four make a commotion on the surface and contain rattles that attract fish. Retrieve them at a moderate speed to make them slash, wobble and pop on the surface.
In the soft-plastic department, I love the seven-inch SlugGo and Fin-S-Fish, in pearl or Arkansas shiner. I rig mine Texas-style on a worm hook. This bait is dynamite when twitched slowly on or just below the surface, and can be a day-saver if weeds or grass are a problem.
Cordell Pencil Popper
PHOTO MATT HAWKINS
ROCK TACKLE
All the above lures fish well on light spinning gear. My go-to outfit is a 7 ½-foot, fast-action graphite rod rated for 15- to 30-pound-test line. I fill the reel with 30-pound-test braid or 10- to 12-pound-test mono. The leader is a three-foot section of 20-pound-test fluorocarbon attached to a two-foot loop tied in the end of the main line using a Spider hitch or Bimini twist. I use a Bristol knot or slim beauty knot to connect the doubled main line to the leader. This wind-on system allows the leader to pass easily through the rod guides for better casting accuracy and also helps when landing fish.
Of course, flies also work well around the rocks, and it’s tough to beat a 2/0 or 3/0 Clouser Minnow, Half-and-Half or Rhody Flat Wing in olive-over-white, all-white or chartreuse-over-white. Large herring and squid patterns are also effective in the early season. Fish all of the aforementioned flies on a nine-weight outfit with an intermediatesink or a sink-tip line and a nine-foot leader ending in a 20-poundtest fluorocarbon tippet.
On sunny days, you can often sight-cast
CATCH THE BREEZE
I’ve mentioned that tide is an important factor in early-season rock pile fishing, but wind can also play a role. I’m a firm believer in the famous angler’s saw, “east is least.” Not that I’m superstitious; it’s simply that my experience over the last 30 years of fishing bears this out. Even the slightest whisper of wind from the east seems to shut down the inshore action, perhaps due to barometric pressure.
On the other hand, a rising southwest breeze really seems to rile the fish and put them in a feeding mood. Combine it with a rising tide and you’ve got the recipe for a superb day of fishing the rocks!
72 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
Scattered boulders over otherwise sandy bottom serve as bait magnets, attracting both bass and blues.
The ends of jetties and rocky points are great places to find stripers.
to bass around the rocks.
PHOTO MIKE LAPTEW
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
PHOTO DAVE SKOK
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CANYON FISHING 76 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
A trip to the edge of the continental shelf can lead to the catch of a lifetime—but that’s only part of the adventure.
The crew of Tokatomist pose with an 80-pound wahoo taken at Oceanographers.
ou’re definitely not in Kansas anymore. Or New England, for that matter. When you’re floating some 1,000 feet above what might loosely be considered terra firma, you can’t help but feel a little, well, out there. Welcome to the North Atlantic canyons. These great underwater fissures on the edge of the continental shelf, carved by meltwater-fueled rivers during the last ice age, comprise an altogether different realm. Appropriately, the waters are populated by creatures not encountered by mortal men—at least not those who fish inshore waters.
TEXT
2017 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 77 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
BY TOM RICHARDSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT RISSELL
The warm, deep-blue Gulf Stream waters that flow along the shelf edge carry with them everything from triggerfish to blue marlin. Yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi mahi, bigeye tuna and hammerhead sharks also travel the great bluewater river, and far below, along the steeply sloping canyon walls, are colorful tilefish and that most mysterious species of all—the broadbill swordfish.
CANYON FISHING 78 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
Top left: Jackson Parmenter with a rare 145-pound yellowfin taken in Fishtales Canyon. Top right: The canyons are home to several species of tuna, including bigeye, yellowfin and albacore. Above left: Mahi are common around any type of flotsam. Above right: Quality stand-up gear can handle even the biggest canyon beasts.
2017 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 79 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
Top: A 700-pound blue marlin caught aboard Skipjack out of Falmouth Harbor. Above left: Tense times in the cockpit as a marlin is led boatside. Above right: Aside from the occasional container ship or other passing vessel, the canyons can be a lonely place.
Of course, you need the right boat to fish the canyons, which lie anywhere from 80 to 120 miles offshore. The weather has to be stable, the seas manageable. And even when the elements align, success is never guaranteed.
But that’s okay, because fishing the canyons is really about visiting a place few others get to experience, and you’ll be excused if you find yourself feeling like the ancient mariners who were sure the dark seas contained ship-crushing beasts.
Here, truly, there be monsters!
80 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
Top: Wahoo are a top target of canyon anglers. Center: Dawn and dusk can be the most productive times for trolling, often bringing in wolfpacks of yellowfin and bigeye. Above: Fish fight at sunrise—a great way to start the day in the canyons.
SOME PEOPLE THINK TUNA IS CHICKEN THAT COMES IN A CAN.
CONNECTICUT
Branford River Marine Branford, CT 203-488-8921 branfordrivermarine.com
Defender Industries Inc Waterford, CT 800-628-8225 defender.com
Guilford Boat Yards Guilford, CT 203-453-5031 guilfordboatct.com
Niantic Bay Mobile Marine Repair LLC Mystic, CT 60-848-2628
Oak Leaf Marina Inc Old Saybrook, CT 860-388-9817 oakleafmarina.com
O’Haras Landing Salisbury, CT 860-824-7583
oharaslanding.com
Spicers Marina LLC Noank, CT 860-536-4978
spicersmarina.com
MASSACHUSETTS
Action Marine & Water Sports Inc Holyoke, MA 413-534-8000 actionmarineholyoke.com
Bill’s Outboard Motor Service Inc Hingham, MA 781-749-1303 billsoutboard.com
Captain Bub’s Marine Inc Lakeville, MA 508-763-4000 captainbubsmarine.com
Doug Russell Marine Worcester, MA 508-791-4917 dougrussell.com
Essex Marina LLC Essex, MA 978-768-6833 essexmarinallc.com
Grey Lady Marine Acquisition Company LLC Nantucket, MA 508-228-6525 greyladymarine.com
Hank’s Marine Cherry Valley, MA 508-892-4788 hanksmarine.com
The power and reliability of the Verado 350 will take these people to an aisle they won’t find in any grocery store. Sorry, Charlie. Ahi’s on the menu tonight.
Learn more at mercurymarine.com or visit your local dealer, today.
McLellan Brothers Inc Everett, MA 617-389-5508 mclellanbrosinc.com
Merrimac Marine Supply Methuen, MA 978-682-7291 merrimacmarine.com
Obsession Boat Sales East Falmouth, MA 508-540-0877 obsessionboatsales.com
Portside Marine Service Danvers, MA 978-777-5727 portsidemarine.us
Rick’s Outboard Marine Inc Fairhaven, MA 508-992-4888
Riverfront Marine Sports Inc Salisbury, MA 978-462-7755 riverfrontmarine.com
Slips Capeway Marine Inc Raynham, MA 508-822-6948 slipscapewaymarine.com
USA Marine Inc Worcester, MA 508-791-7116 usamarineinc.com
Wareham Boat Yard & Marina Inc West Wareham, MA 508-748-1472 wareham-boatyard-marina.com
MAINE
Branch Pond Marine Ellsworth, ME 207-667-2268 branchpondmarine.com
Clark Marine Manchester, ME 207-622-7011 clarkmarinemaine.com
Mid Maine Marine & RV Inc Oakland, ME 207-465-2146 midmainemarine.com
Oquossoc Marine Inc Oquossoc, ME 207-864-5477 oquossocmarine.com
Parker’s Boathouse George, ME 207-636-2722 parkersboathouse.com
Port Harbor Marine Inc South Portland, ME 207-767-3254 portharbormarine.com
Royal River Boat Repair Inc Yarmouth, ME 207-846-9577 royalriverboat.com
RPM Service Inc Naples , ME 207-693-3014 rpm-services.com
South Port Marine South Portland, ME 207-799-8191 southportmarine.com
TW Willard Inc Caribou, ME 207-493-4507
White Rock Outboard Inc Gorham, ME 207-892-9606 whiterockoutboard.com NEW HAMPSHIRE
Dover Marine Dover, NH 603-742-5453 dovermarine.com
Green’s Marine Inc Hooksett, NH 603-485-5131 greensmarine.net
Monadnock Boat Store Rindge, NH 603-532-5911 Stoddard, NH 603-847-9300 monadnockboatstore.com
Paugus Bay Marina Laconia, NH 603-524-1233 paugusbaymarina.com
Ward’s Boat Shop Inc Center Ossipee, NH 603-539-4563 wardsboatshop.com
Winnisquam Marine Belmont, NH 603-524-8380 winnisquammarine.com
RHODE ISLAND
Billington Cove Marinainc Wakefield, RI 401-783-1266
CL Marine Inc Warwick, RI 401-732-6764 clmarineri.com
Jamestown Distributors Bristol, RI 401-253-3840 jamestowndistributors.com
VERMONT
Boat Headquarters Swanton, VT 802-868-4444 boatheadquarters.com
Fairlee Marine Fairlee, VT 802-333-9745 fairleemarine.com
Vermont Home & Marine Williston, VT 802-658-5427 vthomemarine.com
Woodard Marine Inc Hydeville, VT 802-265-3690 woodardmarine.com
NEW YORK
Canada Lake Store & Marine Caroga Lake, NY 518-835-6069 canadalakemarine.com
Capital District Marina Cohoes, NY 518-237-3442 capitaldistrictmarina.com
Chic’s Marina Inc Bolton Landing, NY 518-644-2170 chicsmarina.com
CR’s Marine Service Inc Schenectady, NY 518-370-3596 crsmarine.com
Day Brothers Boats Plattsburgh, NY 518-562-2628 daybrothersboats.com
E-Z Marine & Storage Inc Brant Lake, NY 518-494-7381 ezmarineandstorage.com
Point Breeze Marine Saratoga Springs, NY 518-587-3397 pointbreezemarina.com
Snug Harbor Marina Inc Ticonderoga, NY 518-585-6685 snugharbormarinainc.com
Candlewood Lake features prominent structure that provides cover for both smallmouth and largemouth bass.
Bustling with wakeboarders and pontoon boats, Connecticut’s largest lake also happens to host some of the best freshwater bass fishing in the Northeast.
estled in the southwest corner of the Nutmeg State, busy Candlewood Lake, which bustles with pontoon-boating families and wake-riding teens through the summer, doesn’t seem to be the type of fishing spot that would garner the attention of pro anglers. Yet in 2015, the massive manmade lake was ranked as one of the top 25 bass waters in the country by Bassmaster Magazine.
“What really makes Candlewood shine is the abundance of big bronzebacks,” explains local guide T.J. DeFelice of Bloodline 203 Fishing and Guide Service. “We’re talking tons of quality fish pushing the four-pound mark, plus a surprising number of largemouths weighing six to seven pounds.”
BY TOM SCHLICHTER
MANMADE MECCA
To be sure, this honey hole is no secret. Recreational boaters of all types flock to the lake in summer to relax and pursue assorted watersports, while anglers mine every nook and cranny. Yet Candlewood, the largest lake in Connecticut, manages to absorb the pressure. Created in 1928 as a source of hydropower, the lake is 17 miles long by two miles wide, with roughly 100 miles of shoreline shared by the towns of Danbury, New Fairfield, Sherman, Brookfield and New Milford.
“When they flooded this valley to create a lake,” says Pete Planer, a tournament angler who fishes Candlewood frequently with his partner, Norm Izzy, “they left the old buildings, stone walls, junk cars and farm stuff right where it was. What a break that turned out to be for future generations of fishermen!”
TRACTORS, PLANES & CARS
Indeed, divers have found all sorts of artifacts from before the valley—and a small village named Jerusalem—was claimed by eminent domain and intentionally flooded. Among some of the more interesting discoveries have been the remnants of covered bridges, a small plane, farm tractors and even a Model T, parked on the muddy lake bottom.
“I’m not sure how it turned out for the villagers,” says Planer, “but it all adds up to plenty of structure for bass and other species these days.”
Planer, who runs a series of open “buddy” bass fishing tournaments on both Candlewood and Greenwood Lake, New Jersey, notes that such an abundance of structure requires good electronics.
“If the bite goes soft,” he reveals, “you can bet the bass have either suspended or are relating to some kind of bottom mess. A quality fishfinder can eliminate a lot of the guesswork.”
A bass-stacked boulder.
Topwaters
work
Ask the pros on these waters to talk about their favorite bass seasons, lures and techniques, and you’ll get surprising variety of responses. In early spring, when the water temperature is below 55 degrees, DeFelice throws a floating fly hair jig he designed specifically for targeting suspended smallies. It matches up well to yearling bluegills—a primary prey of earlyseason bass.
As the water warms, Planer and Izzy favor three- to five-inch Big Hammer square-tail swimbaits. Cast them out, let them settle just above the bottom then retrieve them slowly. DeFelice likes swimbaits, too, but switches to twoinch Keitech Swing Impact softplastics fished on six-pound line once the bass move onto their beds.
Come June, tournament angler and fishing scribe Mike Iovino, who guides out of Candlewood Bait and Tackle in Danbury, likes to “walk the dog” early in the morning. “Don’t be afraid to throw big surface lures,” he advises. “It’s okay to go with a saltwater-sized Zara Spook. These bass aren’t easily intimidated.”
CANDLEWOOD FISHING CHARTERS
Bloodline 203 Charters (910) 381-8304; bloodline203fishing.com
Candlewood Lake Guide Service (203) 948-5054; candlewoodlakeguideservice.com
Paul Mueller Fishing (203) 910-3676; paulmuellerfishing.com
Bassman Tours (203) 570-7952; bassmantours.com
The Valley Angler (203) 792-8324; thevalleyangler.com
BAIT & TACKLE
Candlewood Bait & Tackle (203) 743-2221; candlewoodbait.com
CANDLEWOOD BASS 86 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017
The Valley Angler (203) 792-8324; thevalleyangler.com well in the morning.
SWIMBAIT SUCCESS
This Candlewood smallie nearly choked on a bluegill.
PHOTO TOM SCHLICHTER
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
QUICK TIP: When the waters heat up, try a drop-shot rig with a live alewife or soft-plastic worm for tempting smallies.
MIDSUMMER PRODUCERS
Once the summer heat moves in, some anglers switch over to live shiners and alewives fished on drop-shot rigs around structure, while others prefer Senko worms fished either “wackystyle” or Texas-rigged. “Think about using 10- to 12-pound-test mono line instead of thin-diameter braid or dense fluorocarbon when worming,” advises DeFelice. “That extra thickness will slow your worm’s descent, giving the bass extra time to pounce.”
Drop-shot rigs work well with either live bait or soft-plastics. Iovino likes to drop-shot a 4 1/2-inch, straight-tailed Roboworm. He fishes this setup in 25- to 30-foot depths once the water temperature tops 75 degrees. By that point, the smallies and baitfish have mostly moved out of the weeds to suspend offshore. The largemouths, however, stay in thick vegetation throughout the summer, so you’ll need to toss weedless frogs or punch jigs with trailers to reach them.
TOP LAKE SPOTS
Hot spots change with the seasons, of course, but are more related to water temperature and depth than any specific piece of structure or location. As a soft rule, you’ll find the most bragging-sized largemouths from Chimney Point south, including Squanz Cove and Turtle Bay. The smallies are everywhere, although the New Milford arm of the lake, towards Candlewood Dam, is especially consistent.
For such a big lake, Candlewood’s shoreline access and wade-worthy stretches are limited. The area around 11-acre Candlewood Town Park off Hayestown Road, however, can really rock for both species of bass in the spring, plus it’s pretty good for trout, crappie, yellow perch and sunfish. There’s a fee to use the beach here, but fishing is free.
2017 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 87
Candlewood pro Mark Condran hefts a big bronzeback caught in midsummer.
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
After a morning of fishing, many Candlewood anglers head for DOWN THE HATCH , the lake’s only dock-and-dine restaurant. Located on Echo Bay in Brookfield, the casual restaurant opens for lunch at 11:30 a.m., and features plenty of guest slips. That said, be prepared to wait for a space to open up on busy summer weekends.
The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor patio seating, and serves a wide range of menu items, ranging from burgers, sandwiches and wraps to more elaborate entrees, including steak and seafood dishes. It’s the perfect place to wrap up a great day on the water!
(203) 775-6635; downthehatchrestaurant.com
RAMPS & REGS
If you wish to launch a boat, the Lattins Cove ramp at the southern end of the lake is free of charge, as is the ramp on Squanz Cove in Fairfield. Both are good, but Lattins may experience low water in the fall due to drawdowns. Gas is available at Pocono Point Marina in Danbury, Echo Bay Marina in Brookfield and Gerard’s Water’s Edge Marina in New Milford.
Trailer-boaters should note that there is a 26-foot maximum boat length limit on Candlewood, a 45-mph daytime speed limit, and a 25-mph nighttime limit from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise. A six-mph speed limit applies to all waters within 100 feet of shore, docks, moored vessels and hazardous areas. No-wake zones exist in both Lattins and Squanz Coves.
Lastly, keep in mind that this is big water. Light winds from the west make for great fishing, but gusty northerlies can churn up four-footers. Pay attention to the forecast before launching.
“At the very least, choose your days wisely,” cautions Planer. “Reschedule if you suspect a significant chop. The bass will still be there tomorrow.”
CANDLEWOOD BASS 88 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
Live alewives fished on a dropshot setup can be a sure bet when lures are’t working.
Candlewood crappie are a great option when the bass come down with a rare case of lockjaw.
Refuel at Down the Hatch.
PHOTO TOM SCHLICHTER
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
ENJOY YOUR VIEW FROM THE TOP
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Swimming Mullet Grub Nemesis
BY TOM RICHARDSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM CROKE
What’s not to like about bluefish? They fight hard, are readily available through much of the season and are easy to catch. About the only knock against them is that they don’t make good eating.
Just don’t tell that to Helen Rennie, a French-trained professional chef who happens to hold blues in high regard. Indeed, they’re her favorite fish to grill.
“Most fish are difficult to grill,” explains Rennie. “Cod, haddock and flounder are all very flaky, so they tend to break apart. Bluefish, on the other hand, have a very moist, firm meat that sticks together nicely on the grill.”
Rennie’s method for grilling bluefish fillets is fast and simple, and works with any standard propane-fueled gas grill (propane is preferred, as it burns hotter than charcoal). She likes to serve this summer dish accompanied by grilled corn and panzanella salad.
Try her recipe and we think you’ll end up keeping a few more bluefish this season!
To learn more about Helen Rennie and her many recipes, visit helenrennie.com.
This simple, delicious recipe might just change your mind about the culinary value of the humble bluefish.
GRILLED BLUEFISH NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
the skin and cook over high heat,
Score
4)
CILANTRO LIME BUTTER:
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter at room temperature (but not melted)
• 1 tsp. lime zest
• 1 tsp. lime juice
• 1/2 garlic clove, mashed
• 1 tbsp. minced fresh cilantro
• Pinch of chili flakes
• Pinch of salt and pepper
BLUEFISH:
• Disposable aluminum pie pan
• 4 pieces of scaled bluefish fillet, skin on (6-8 oz. each)
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tsp. canola oil, plus more for grill
COOKING:
Make sure to start with a clean grill surface. Place a large disposable aluminum pan upside down over the grilling surface. Cover the grill and preheat on high for 10 minutes. Do not remove the pan until you are ready to place the fish on the grill.
Dry the fish thoroughly with paper towels. Lightly score the skin on a diagonal at half-inch intervals (without cutting through the flesh) to prevent the fish from curling.
When the grill is at peak temperature, sprinkle coriander, salt and pepper on both sides of the fillets. Coat the fillets with canola oil.
Remove the pan from the grill. Dunk a wad of paper towel in canola oil and, using tongs, wipe it over the cooking surface.
Place the fish on the grill, skin-side up, diagonal to the grill grates. Cover the grill and cook for three to four minutes per inch of thickness, or until the fish displays grill marks.
Slip the tines of a fork between the grill grates and gently push up on the fish to separate it from the grill. Flip the fish and grill on the skin side three to four minutes per inch of thickness.
Check to see if the fish is done by separating the flakes in the thickest part of fillet with a fork. The fish is done when a trace of translucency still remains in the center. Remember that the fish will continue to cook after it’s removed from the grill.
Remove the fish by first dislodging it with a fork then lifting with a spatula.
Top with the cilantro-lime butter and serve.
NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
(SERVES
Chef Helen Rennie serves her grilled bluefish with grilled corn and panzanella salad.
Above: Will and Mason Johnson with the day’s catch. Right: Chef Rennie gets ready to grill.
TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY
BY TOM RICHARDSON
Plentiful and delicious, haddock are a great way to shake off the winter rust.
The spring haddock bite on Stellwagen Bank is a great way to kick off the fishing season and put some fillets in the freezer.
o the general public, there seems to be no shortage of doom and gloom concerning New England’s oncevaunted groundfish fisheries. Yet while cod stocks have foundered over the last several decades, Gulf of Maine haddock are becoming more abundant, to the point where anglers are all but guaranteed a limit (12 fish per person in 2017) of these tasty, white-fleshed bottom fish.
This is especially true during the spring run of haddock on Stellwagen Bank. Beginning in April and running through May, haddock gather on the bank in large numbers to spawn and feast on the abundance of sand eels, crustaceans and other prey. It’s game on for anglers who have their ship and tackle together!
REEL
Heavy: Penn GT 320 or Shimano TLD 20
Light: Shimano Calcutta B or Maxel Hybrid 25
ROD
Heavy: 6 ½’ , 30-80 lb. class Shimano Trevala
Light: 6 ½’, 20-40 lb. class Tsunami Trophy Jigging
LINE
Heavy: 50 lb. test PowerPro braid
Light: 30 lb. test PowerPro braid
PHOTO JONATHAN CRAIG
TAKE IT TO THE BANK
“It’s like the old days of cod fishing,” states Captain Rich Antonino of Black Rose Sportfishing. “And, somewhat sadly, it’s really the only viable early-spring fishery we have north of Cape Cod.”
Antonino begins targeting haddock in mid-April, launching his 25-foot C-Hawk cuddy cabin out of Green Harbor in Marshfield, some 15 miles from the southern portion of Stellwagen. This port, as well as nearby Plymouth Harbor, also puts anglers reasonably close to the middle and northern parts of the bank should the fish be staging farther north.
Antonino points out that haddock move around quite a bit, so it’s helpful to have some local intel on their whereabouts before making the run. “That said, I usually find that the fish start off on the western side of the bank and make their way to the eastern side as May progresses.”
WHERE TO FIND THEM
In recent years, haddock have gathered in good numbers on or near the southern edge of Stellwagen by early May. The easiest way to pinpoint them is to look for the fleet of drifting boats. Otherwise, Antonino recommends starting at the southwest corner of Stellwagen and working north along the western edge of the bank in a zig-zag pattern. Drift from deep water to shallow, or vice versa, depending on the current and wind, and use your plotter trail to mark your progress. Continue making drifts along the bank edge and onto the bank until you find the fish.
Naturally, the presence of bait is a good sign that you’re in the right place, so watch your depthsounder for clouds of sand eels coming off the bottom or dimpling the surface. “I know it sounds strange, because haddock are bottom feeders, but look for working birds,” adds Antonino. “The birds indicate bait, and that bait can be spread all the way from the surface to the bottom.”
DOWN TO BUSINESS
Once you’ve found the fish, catching them isn’t too difficult. Simply lower a metal jig, such as a Vike, Gibbs, Daddy Mac, Crippled Herring or diamond jig, to the bottom and make gentle lifts of the rod to give it some action. It usually doesn’t take long before a fish climbs aboard.
“Haddock in particular seem to be attracted to turbulence on the bottom,” Antonino says. “I’ve put a GoPro camera on the bottom in front of a jig, and when we dragged the jig along, kicking up mud, the haddock swarmed it and really attacked.”
If you’d like to learn the basics of haddock fishing, especially with light gear, book a trip with Capt. Rich Antonino of Black Rose Fishing Charters. Capt. Rich is an enthusiastic host, and loves to fish with families. Give him a shout at (508) 269-1882; blackrosefishing.com.
STELLWAGEN HADDOCK 96 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
The author shows off a haddock destined for the dinner plate.
PHOTO GENE ALLEN
Standard cod jigs reach bottom quickly in strong current.
HADDOCK LIGHT
Antonino loves the spring haddock fishery because it allows for the use of light gear. “In some cases, you’re only fishing in 70 feet of water on top of the bank,” he says. “Plus, the average size of the haddock is four or five pounds, so there’s no need for heavy gear. And lighter gear encourages kids and grandparents to come out and have some fun with these fish.”
As long as the drift speed isn’t too extreme, fluke and sea bass gear is perfectly suitable for spring haddock fishing. Start with a 6 ½- or 7-foot rod in the 15- to 30-pound-class range and match it with a light conventional reel filled with 30-pound-test braided line.
The terminal rig is equally basic: Tie a barrel swivel to the end of the main line then tie on four to five feet of 40- to 60-pound-test mono leader. One to two feet above the end of the leader, tie in a six-inch dropper loop for attaching the teaser. For the teaser, Antonino prefers flies tied on 5/0 to 7/0 Gamakatsu octopus circle hooks, as they last longer than soft-plastic grubs and shrimp tails (which are also effective). In both cases, pink, red and orange colors generally get the job done, but bring a variety in case the fish show a preference for one type. If bites are hard to come by, try dunking the teaser in a fish-attractant, such as Berkley “Gulp!”
TENDING BOTTOM
To fish effectively with light gear, Antonino has his anglers cast “into the drift” (downwind or downcurrent) and free-spool their jigs to the bottom. This allows the jig to reach bottom by the time the boat is directly overhead. “When the line is vertical, slowly lift the rod tip, just enough to stand the jig on end. That’s usually enough to draw a strike.”
If you choose to stick with more traditional, heavier gear, you’ll want to fish on the upcurrent/upwind side of the boat. The main goal is to make sure the jig is tapping bottom, which means letting out more line every so often as you drift along. When the angle of the line exceeds 30 degrees from the rod tip, reel in and repeat the process. Also important is keeping the rod tip low to the water, allowing plenty of room to set the hook when you feel a bite.
Once you hook up, hold the rod at a 90- to 45-degree angle to the water and
Heavier gear may be required when current and wind create a fast drift.
4-8 oz. metal jig
red or pink teaser fly
4’-5’ 60 lb. test mono
LIGHT-TACKLE HADDOCK RIG
COD ALERT
Speaking of hooks, Antonino rigs his jigs with single hooks, which usually result in less damage to undersized fish or any cod his clients happen to catch. He also points out that haddock and cod caught and released in relatively shallow water have a much higher rate of survival than fish taken in very deep water.
In recent years, the number of codfish on Stellwagen seems to be increasing too, and you’ll likely catch a few while jigging for haddock. However, check the regulations before making your trip, as they change often, and you may not be allowed to keep any cod in federal waters. This has been the case in the last two seasons. If you find yourself hooking a bunch of cod, try moving to a different spot that only contains haddock.
Also note that all fish racks (carcasses) must be retained if you choose to fillet your haddock on the way to port, so that law-enforcement officials can determine the species and size of the fish if you happen to be inspected. The alternative is to leave a portion of skin on each fillet to allow identification. Oh, and remember that you’ll need a saltwater fishing license for all anglers over age 16.
Yes, there’s no shortage of complicated regulations governing today’s fisheries, but at least there’s some good news where the haddock fishery is concerned. Give it a try next spring and you could find a new way to start the season.
If you plan to fish the spring haddock bite starting in April, check your boat-insurance policy. Standard polices for New England boaters only cover the period from May through October, so you may need a rider to extend coverage before the policy start date. Fortunately, such riders cost very little, if anything at all, and can usually be established the same day.
STELLWAGEN HADDOCK 98 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
Jigs with single hooks make it easier to release small fish.
The presence of party boats is a sure sign of haddock below.
Cod are a common bycatch on the bank.
DAY’S
CATCH
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THE
BIG
SHOULD BE YOUR ONLY FOCUS
Your guide to finding and catching these colorful, hard-charging, high-flying summer visitors.
BY LARRY BACKMAN
Does it get any better? In the case of mahi, not really.
PHOTO MATT RISSELL
n many respects, mahi mahi are the perfect game fish: they fight hard, they jump like mad, they taste delicious, they reproduce like rabbits and they come in a rainbow of surreal colors. It’s too bad you have to travel to Central America, Baja, Florida or the Caribbean to catch them. Or do you?
While it’s true that the biggest mahi—specimens of 50 pounds or more—roam deep-blue tropical waters or the Gulf Stream far offshore, plenty of fish in the threeto ten-pound range can be caught relatively close to shore in southern New England starting in July. When 75-degree water spins off the Gulf Stream and pushes inshore, mahi can be found within 25 miles of Point Judith, Westport and Falmouth—and even closer to harbors on Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Block Island. In rare years, they have even been caught within five miles of Newport.
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Mahi make the ideal fly-rod targets on eight- and nineweight gear.
QUICK TIP: Once you hook a mahi, keep it swimming next to the boat. This will draw its schoolmates within easy casting range and keep them in a feeding mood.
MAHI HUNTING
Locating mahi usually isn’t hard. Simply head south until you hit clear, warm blue water. In midsummer, this usually occurs near the 25-fathom line, some 20 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. Once your temperature gauge shows water of 70 degrees or more, set out a trolling spread.
My standard spread comprises a pair of Joe Shute/ballyhoo combinations on the long ‘riggers (40 and 50 yards back), a pair of small squid bars off the short ‘riggers (25 yards), a pair of ballyhoo off the transom corners (5 and 10 yards) and a bird/ Black Bart Tuna Candy combo off the center ‘rigger (100 yards). Trolling speed is around five to six knots.
This spread will work for bluefins, as well as mahi. In my mind, it’s more important to have a simple, weedless spread that’s easy to manage than having more lures in the water, especially if fishing short-handed.
FLOTSAM PATROL
As you troll, keep a lookout for any type of floating structure, such as logs, weeds and pallets. Mahi gravitate to any kind of object, and even something as small as a five-gallon bucket can hold several dozen fish. When you find any of the above, troll the spread within 10 yards of the flotsam and watch for gold and blue streaks.
Of course, lobster pot buoys are among the most reliable mahi magnets, and there are a number of areas within 25 miles of shore where you will find good concentrations of pot buoys equipped with radar reflectors, also known as “high fliers.” Once you reach the 25- to 30-fathom lines, you will start to see the odd pair of fliers. If you run another 10 miles to the southern half of the area shown on charts as the “dumping grounds,” you will start to see long lines of fliers set around its borders. Find them and you will find mahi.
CHUNKIN’ FUN
In addition to the spinning gear, bring a pair of slightly heavier conventional outfits filled with 40-pound-test braided line and rigged with two to three feet of 50-pound-test leader and a 5/0 bait or circle hook. Once the mahi school is chummed close to the boat, hook a chunk of bait, flip it out a few feet from the boat and leave the reel in free-spool. The idea is to let the hook bait sink at the same speed as the chum. Once a fish picks up the bait, flip the reel in gear and hang on.
If you can keep the mahi interested with a slow but steady stream of cut bait, you might be able to pull at least a half dozen fish off a single pot buoy before the school becomes wary. Once that happens, find another high flier and start the game all over again. Note that not every flier holds mahi, so keep moving if you don’t raise some fish after a throwing out some cut bait.
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PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
HOOK UP! NOW WHAT?
Once you hook the first mahi on the trolling gear, bring in the rest of the spread and break out some buckets of fresh bait, such as squid, butterfish, pogies or mackerel. Cut the bait into twoinch cubes and toss out a few chunks every 30 seconds. This will hopefully draw the rest of the school close to the boat and keep them in a feeding mood.
Now grab some light spinning outfits filled with 12- to 20-poundtest line and rigged with a two-foot trace of 50-pound-test leader, to prevent cut-offs from the mahi’s small, raspy teeth. Tie a rubber shad on one outfit and a white or yellow bucktail on the other and start fan-casting the area. Small, metal and epoxy jigs also work well.
Mahi are within range of midsized center consoles.
PHOTO MATT RISSELL
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LOOK FOR HIGH FLIERS
You can also find mahi by “pot hopping,” or running from one high flier to another and casting small lures around them until you locate a school of fish. In many cases, you can see the fish swimming around the pot line before you even make a cast. And if you don’t, try sending a small, shiny spoon or jig into the depths below the buoy and working it back to the surface with short, jerky motions.
If you succeed in hooking a fish, bring it close to the boat and let it swim around. This will often keep its schoolmates swarming around the boat for a minute or two while the rest of the crew casts spoons, jigs chunk baits—or flies.
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Mahi love Daddy Mac jigs and similar flashy lures.
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
MAHI ON THE FLY
Catching mahi on fly gear is a blast, and the fish are suckers for a variety of flashy patterns. Many anglers use flies tied on circle hooks, which are virtually guaranteed to set in the corner of the fish’s mouth.
Eight- or nine-weight rods rigged with intermediate or full-sink line are ideal for most of the mahi you’ll encounter, and a large-arbor reel makes it easy to stay tight to these frenetic, mad-dashing fish.
One last piece of advice: Bring a large cooler and lots of ice on a mahi trip. When you locate a concentration of fish, it’s easy to catch a bunch—and you’ll have plenty of takers when it comes time to hand out fresh fillets.
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High fliers are mahi magnets.
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
Black sea bass numbers have exploded in recent years, with plenty of big fish available.
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Four charter captains share their advice for scoring more and bigger black sea bass from Cape Cod to New York.
BY TOM SCHLICHTER
even years ago, I was snorkeling along a stretch of sandy beach in eastern Long Island Sound when I saw something ususual. It was July, and the waters were clear, warm and teeming with dozens of small, olivechecked fish.
“Those look like baby sea bass,” I thought, although it seemed unlikely, given the species’ affinity for rocky bottom. But sea bass they were, and their numbers kept increasing. There were hundreds of them the following week, and uncountable numbers by the start of August. A giant swarm of so-called “sea biscuits” had invaded the inshore waters of eastern Long Island!
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PHOTO TOM SCHLICHTER
SEA BASS BONANZA 112 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 2017 NEWENGLANDFISHING.COM
QUICK TIP: Always bring jigs in several sizes to account for changing wind and current.
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
Sea bass are suckers for bucktail jigs tipped with squid.
IN THE BLACK
It was the beginning of a sea bass explosion in the Northeast. Within three years, the famed Block Island fluke grounds were crawling with two- and three-pounders, while New England’s bays and sounds saw catch rates swell to unprecedented levels during spring and early summer. In Maine, lobstermen were catching so many incidental sea bass that the state opened a commercial fishery for the species.
Fisheries managers confirm that sea bass stocks are at sustainable levels, are not overfished, and that the species is expanding its range. It’s as rosy an outlook as you’ll see for any food or game fish species these days, and will hopefully lead to more liberal season, size and catch limits over the next few years.
BUZZARDS BONANZA
“It’s as close to ‘can’t miss’ fishing as I’ve ever seen—and it’s likely to get even better!” says Captain Eric Morrow of the Bounty Hunter Fleet based in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. “We’ve got tremendous numbers of fish here in Buzzards Bay. Big fish, too. Many are in the three- to fivepound class.”
“The season kicks off in late May,” Morrow continues. “The fish initially show up to spawn over mud bottom in 12 to 35 feet of water before moving to deeper areas with more structure in late June. During that early-season period, try the waters off Bird Island, north of Cleveland Ledge and off Scraggy Neck. Just follow the fleet and you’ll find some fish.
“There’s not much current here, so you can get away with your favorite freshwater bass outfit—either spinning or baitcasting. I like to fish 20-pound-test braid with a 10-pound-test top shot of mono or fluorocarbon.”
Morrow favors small Crippled Herring jigs, Ava 007 diamond jigs and bucktails. “You’ll rarely need more than two ounces in these waters, except in very windy conditions. With the metal jigs, free-spool them to the bottom, crank up a few turns at a moderate speed and repeat until you get smacked. With bucktails, keep them on or near the bottom and keep the rod tip moving to give them action.”
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Matt Nugent with a big "bumphead" he caught during the spring run in upper Buzzards Bay.
SPRING FLING
A bit farther north and east, Captain Mike Bosley of Dragonfly Sportfishing calls the spring and early-summer sea bass fishery in Nantucket Sound “spectacular.” “Sea bass love structure,” explains Bosley, “and we have tons of it.”
Nantucket Sound contains scattered rock piles, along with several artificial reefs. Just last year, in fact, the concrete rubble of a local school-demolition project was distributed over a well-defined area now known as the Harwich Artificial Reef. “There’s your sea bass honey hole,” laughs Bosley. “The GPS numbers are right online. It’s a big area and no secret. Nearby Yarmouth Reef is another great spot.”
From late May through mid-July, Bosley targets sea bass up to six pounds in 15- to 40-foot depths. Since currents in the Sound are a bit stronger and the fish tend to hold slightly deeper than in Buzzards Bay, he prefers to use a larger reel filled with 20- to 30-pound-test braid and a 30- to 40-pound-test fluorocarbon leader. His lures of choice include a one- to three-ounce chartreuse or green-over-white Spro bucktail jig tipped with Berkley Gulp! or a small strip of scup belly, usually adding a high hook with another piece of Gulp! or squid for bait. If the bite is hot, he might switch to small diamond jigs, which also “serve as a good handle for lifting sea bass out of the water.”
Catching is easy these days, notes Bosley, so it’s okay to be selective. With so many three-pound-plus fish around, there’s no justification for keeping anything much smaller. “We don’t keep anything less than 18 inches long on my boat,” he states, “and no one gets short-changed on fillets.”
SOUND OFF
The waters of Long Island Sound are also loaded with sea bass, but the fishing here has a split personality. The best action occurs to the west off Clinton, Bridgeport and Norwalk from late May through June, while fishing from Niantic to Fishers Island and the Race peaks from August into September.
“Sea bass catches have been phenomenal the past few seasons,” says Captain Jack Bucchi of the charter vessel Priority One out of Clinton. “We drift for them in 100-foot depths over a mix of sand and gravel bottom. We actually avoid structure so we can get in a long drift and keep fish coming over the side.”
Fluke rigs baited with strips of squid are all you need, notes Bucchi, but to make things more interesting, he recommends a five-ounce Williams Yabi jig or Shimano Lucanus jig. If the current is running strong, you can tie a foot of 30-pound-test mono to the bottom eye of the jig and add an appropriate sinker. That will get your offering down to the bottom while ensuring the lure stays just above the rocks. Tip the jig with a piece of squid and keep it bouncing.
In the eastern Sound, from Niantic to Fishers Island and across to Long Island’s North Fork, the best sea bass action runs from August through September. Here, however, standard high-low rigs and squid baits are favored for fishing over wrecks, rock piles and submerged boulder fields in depths of 80 feet to over 100 feet.
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Sea bass are the ideal species for kids to tackle.
Basic diamond jigs and other metal lures take their share of fish.
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
PHOTO TOM SCHICHTER
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ROCKING THE BLOCK
If there’s an epicenter to the recent sea bass explosion, it’s probably the waters surrounding Block Island. “There’s obviously a ton of fish here,” says Chris Willi of Block Island Fishworks. “How could all those boats from Montauk, Connecticut and the Rhode Island mainland be wrong?”
All kidding aside, Willi notes that the rocky bottom surrounding the island is covered in mussels, making the area a sea bass dreamscape from late May right into August. Combine that with the ecosystem developing around the recently installed wind farm southeast of the island, and there’s an even greater draw.
You’ll find plenty of fish holding over and around structure in this area, but Willi adds that some of the best action occurs over patches of open bottom. On the south side of the island, for example, there’s a large, sandy stretch that gradually slopes from 40 to 70 feet deep. It’s a favored spot for doormat fluke, but flounder anglers catch plenty of huge sea bass there as bycatch.
“I love working that stretch, because it gives up big fish and you don’t lose any rigs,” explains Willi. “I’ll rig up with a Hogy Sand Eel jig tipped with Berkley Gulp! or Fishbite products and score almost at will. All you have to do is get your lure down to the bottom and keep it hopping along. The sea bass, some topping five pounds, will take care of the rest. Just be careful to avoid the gillnets in this area.”
Tons of sea bass over sandy bottom? I think I’ve seen that before, even if only on a very small scale near a very special beach!
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Sea bass can provide consistent action throughout the day.
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
Remember
hile there’s seemingly no end to the list of strategies concocted to fool big stripers— with new ones cropping up all the time—the fish themselves haven’t changed. That’s good news for anglers, because those tried-and-true striper-catching techniques invented by our fishing forbears remain viable in modern times. To make things easier, let’s simplify the game plan for finding and catching big bass on a consistent basis.
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TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM RICHARDSON
TROPHY BASS TIPS
these tips and you can score with big bass all season!
It has been said a million times, and for good reason: big bass like big baits. The largest bass are also the laziest, so they aren’t going to waste their energy chasing down a mouthful of bay anchovies. Rather, the only thing that’s going to get them off their aquatic couches is a super-sized meal that’s rich in fat. An adult menhaden (bunker), herring or mackerel is the food they crave, so find some big baitfish and you’ll be one step closer to glory.
Stripers like structure, be it a rock pile, ledge, bar or single big boulder. That’s no secret, of course, but you need to narrow it down somewhat to find the honey hole. Look for areas with strong current, as they serve as good places for stripers to ambush a critter that can’t fight the flow. Depth is also important. While you may find big bass in five to ten feet of water in May and June, you’ll have to move deeper as the season progresses. The exception is the waters north of Boston, where cooler temperatures often keep the bigger fish feeding in shallow water through midsummer.
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PHOTO ERIC KULIN
Despite the fact that current plays a big role in locating prime striper structure, consider that some of the biggest bass on record have been taken during the small window of slack tide. The theory is that these monster fish find slack water the optimum time to patrol the rocky bottom around their lair without having to fight the current. It may also be why eels perform best on record-setting stripers.
The best fishermen keep detailed logbooks of their trips, as it helps them discern patterns that lead to repeated success. For example, if you happen to score a large fish at a certain rock pile, using a certain bait, at a certain time of year, in certain wind and tide conditions, chances are you’ll find fish again when all those elements realign. The only trick is that you have to put in your time to amass enough data in order to gain meaningful information—but that’s not such a bad thing, is it?
While plenty of trophy bass have been caught during the bright, mid-day hours, your bets improve considerably at first light. False dawn is when stripers have a big advantage over baitfish such as menhaden and herring, as these baits are vulnerable to attack from the dark waters below and appear clearly against the backdrop of brighter sky. The take-home lesson: Whether you’re fishing from a boat or shore, be at your designated fishing hole just as the eastern sky is beginning to brighten.
PHOTO JONATHAN CRAIG
While the old chestnut “don’t leave fish to find fish” is good advice, it doesn’t apply to the quest for a trophy bass. If you’re catching small fish in a certain spot, but have your sights set on a cow, it’s best to pull stakes and head for greener pastures. Bass typically school by size, so you’re not likely to find a 50-pounder hanging with a bunch of hyperactive schoolies. Plus, the more aggressive, smaller fish tend to out-compete the larger, slower lunkers.
If you uncover a pocket of large bass, do everything you can to fish it hard. You may enjoy several days of outstanding fishing as long as the conditions remain stable. And you’ll surely kick yourself if you wait a week and find the spot empty upon your return.
Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight. Unless you love risk, using featherweight gear to battle a 30-pound-plus fish is asking for trouble. If a big bass is your goal, bring your “A-team” tackle and make sure your line and leader are fresh and nick-free. Similarly, test all of your knots (twice), and give your hook point a touch-up with a file before making a cast.
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference in fishing. Similar to checking your hooks, line, rods and reels, take the time to wash your hands of sunblock or insect repellent before handling a bait or lure. These products can ring the warning bell for suspicious stripers. Along the same lines, make sure you have a good-sized landing net onboard and keep it ready for action. After fighting a fish, check your leader for signs of wear and tear, or play it safe and tie on a new one.
Never randomly launch a trip and hope to catch a monster fish. Instead, take a look at tide charts, log books and weather conditions before launching. Create a game plan for the day based on your comfort range and the conditions—and stick with it. Be methodical. That way you won’t waste time in your search for a trophy.
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TROPHY BASS TIPS
For a truly eye-opening fishing experience, plan a spring trip to Cape Cod’s Brewster Flats.
ant to see something cool? Feast your eyes on the miles of corrugated sand that is the Brewster Flats at low tide. Aside from an occasional gull pecking at some piece of detritus, there’s not much to see. However, as the tide advances, flooding the flats through a labyrinth of guzzles and channels, the keen-eyed observer will notice ghostly shapes meandering through the shifting web of light and shadow.
These are your quarry—stripers and bluefish, themselves hunting prey in some one to three feet of water. To catch them in such an environment requires stealth, careful observation and perseverance, as these are not the same fish that inhale foot-long menhaden with abandon or eagerly crush parachute jigs in the comfortable depths of a rip.
But that’s what makes this fishery so remarkable, so alluring. For many anglers, flats fishing is the only fishing, and the reason they make the pilgrimage to this seven-mile stretch of Cape Cod each spring.
BY TOM RICHARDSON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATHY BECK, BARRY BECK & DAVE SKOK
PHOTO CATHY & BARRY BECK
Fly fishermen flock to the flats each spring, intent on sight-casting to skinny-water stripers.
GEAR UP
REEL
Sage 6200 fly reel ROD
9’ 9-weight Sage Method fly rod
LINE & LEADER
RIO InTouch Intermed. Line
9’ 16 lb. RIO Striper Tapered Leader
On foggy or overcast days, flats anglers must be attuned to the slightest surface disturbance.
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PHOTO DAVE SKOK
SHALLOW-WATER PARADISE
The fishery begins in mid-May, triggered by the migratory run of stripers entering Cape Cod Bay via the Cape Cod Canal, according to Captain Dave Steeves, a guide with Goose Hummock Shops. Steeves says that the main push of fish depends on water temperature, but adds that the flats usually hold good numbers of stripers by late May, with mid-June being prime time for both bass and bluefish. Come summer, the fish thin out as the water warms and boat traffic increases, although dawn can still produce dependable action, even if it’s not necessarily a sight-fishing game.
Steeves prefers to fish the low incoming tide, when it’s easier to intercept the bass. As the water slowly covers the sand, the fish move out of their deep, low-tide haunts and spread out over the flats, looking for prey, which includes silversides, sand eels, squid and crabs. Good intercept points include the edges of bars and channels, which the fish use as highways to access the flats and as escape routes when danger looms. Once the water gets high enough, the fish roam the flats in large schools, which are easier to spot, but also travel alone and in pairs. These individual fish can be exceptionally hard to detect, even on sunny days, so polarized sunglasses are a must.
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Pay close attention to the tide when fishing from a skiff.
Fly selection is based on the type and size of bait on the flats.
PHOTO CATHY & BARRY BECK
PHOTO CATHY & BARRY BECK
FLATS CLUES
The higher stages of the tide can present a challenge, because once the majority of the flats are covered by water, the fish could be virtually anywhere. To help find them, look for bird activity, particularly any circling, dipping or diving terns and gulls. Also look for the swirls and boils of feeding fish, or the wakes and ripples of fish cruising or lazing just below the surface. In very skinny water, you may even see the broad tail fins of stripers as they root on the bottom for crabs and sand eels. Approach any potential fish-holding areas slowly and carefully to avoid spooking your quarry.
Once you spot the fish themselves, the next goal is to put yourself in the right position for a cast. Ideally, the sun and wind should be at your back and the fish swimming either toward or parallel to you. Drop the lure or fly 10 to 20 feet ahead of the fish and let it sink to the bottom before beginning the retrieve.
Note that flats fish can be understandably fussy, given the clear water and their heightened sense of vulnerability. If you have trouble drawing a strike, slow your presentation, try a different lure or fly, or keep changing your retrieve until you find the formula that works. Reducing the size of your leader and using fluorocarbon can also turn the trick.
Of course, it could also be that the looming presence of the boat or kayak is putting the fish on alert. If you suspect that’s the case, drop anchor and try fishing on foot. You may be surprised by the fish’s change in attitude.
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PHOTO CATHY & BARRY BECK
PHOTO DAVE SKOK
FLATS TIP: If you have trouble drawing a strike, slow your presentation, try a different lure or fly, or keep changing your retrieve until you find the formula that works.
FLATS TACKLE
Effective spin tackle for fishing the flats includes a 7- to 7 ½ -foot graphite rod with a flexible tip for throwing light lures, paired with a light spinning reel filled with at least 200 yards of 30-pound-test braid or 12-pound-test mono. The leader can be three feet of 12- to 16-pound fluorocarbon connected to the main line via a Bristol knot, Slim Beauty knot or uni-to-uni knot to create a wind-on leader system.
For tossing flies, a nine-foot, nine-weight or eight-weight outfit with sink-tip or intermediate-sink line will do the job nicely. Finish with a nine-foot tapered leader ending in two feet of 12- to 16-pound-test shock tippet, although you may need to reduce the tippet size if the fish are selective.
PLASTICS, PLUGS & FLIES
Top lures for flats fishing include five- to eight-inch, soft-plastic baits like the Slug-Go, Cape Cod Sand Eel, Hogy, RonZ, Fin-S-Fish and Got Stryper. “Walk-thedog” plugs such as the Zara Spook and Rebel Jumpin’ Minnow are also effective, as are poppers such as the Rapala Skitter Pop. Good colors include pearl, bubblegum and olive-over-white. And on many days, fresh sand eels fished on the bottom can’t be beat!
In the fly department, the Clouser Minnow, Half-and-Half, Mushmouth, Gurgler and any number of sparsely tied epoxy sand-eel patterns will take fish on the flats. And since crabs are high on the menu of flats stripers, bring some patterns such as the Red Hackle Crab and Merkin. These should be heavy enough to reach bottom quickly in three to five feet of water.
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Stripers possess keen eyesight, which makes them spooky at times.
Big bluefish also roam the flats in late spring.
The Brewster Flats hold fish of varied size.
PHOTO DAVE SKOK
SAFETY FIRST
While flats fishing seems pretty tame, a potential source of danger for wade fishermen is being trapped by the rising water. It’s important to monitor the tide and plan your escape route back to shore, especially in the early season, when the water is very cold and fog is common. Pack an inflatable PFD, a cell phone, handheld compass or PLB, as well as some type of sound-signaling device in case you find yourself in trouble.
Kayakers and paddleboarders have a ready means of escape—as long as they stay near their ride. Also, both vessel types serve as convenient gear-transport systems, and allow you to access different parts of the flats without having to wade through deep channels. For many anglers, a shallow-draft boat is the preferred flats-fishing platform. A skiff not only gives you a higher perspective on the surrounding water, allowing you to spot the fish more easily and from a greater distance, it lets you investigate distant parts of the flat in an efficient manner. However, fishing from a boat requires close attention to the tide, as the water drains surprisingly quickly from the flats. Failing to make your ebb-tide retreat could mean a long, dull wait until the next tide.
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A flats skiff lets you spot fish from a greater distance and cover more water.
PHOTO CATHY & BARRY BECK
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Don’t let the dog days get you down! Try these warm-water tactics and you can enjoy action with a variety of game fish in Narragansett Bay through the steamy summer months.
BY CAPTAIN DAVE MONTI
t’s midsummer and the heat is on. It’s the dog days of summer, the period between July and August when the water temperature in Narragansett Bay can climb to 75 degrees—and even higher in the shallow coves and salt ponds.
When the water gets that warm, compounded by poor flushing of the bay’s north-facing coves, the oxygen level drops and fishing in many areas can be challenging, to say the least.
So, what’s a summer angler to do?
As a charter captain, I’ve often had to find fish for customers during the toughest conditions, so I know it can be done. Here’s some advice on beating the heat in Narragansett Bay.
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
Believe it or not, keeper-sized fluke can be caught in parts of the bay through the summer.
FISH WHERE THE FISH ARE
A major key to catching fish during summer is water movement. The bay water is warm, so you have to fish areas that are flushed often and feature deep structure or “edges.” This includes channel drop-offs, bridge abutments, rock clusters, jetties, outcrops, points of land and wrecks, preferably in 20 feet of water or more.
The deep shipping channels, from the southern tip of Prudence Island to Providence, serve as “fish highways” as they sweep baitfish in and out of the bay. Productive spots with good current flow include Warwick Point, Providence Point, Sandy Point, the T-Wharf on the southern end of Prudence Island, Popasquash Point in Bristol, Sally’s Rock in Greenwich Bay and Quonset Point in North Kingstown. The Jamestown and Newport Bridge abutments also serve as fish magnets, as they are washed by swift currents and provide good structure for game fish and their prey.
BOTTOM LINE
Perhaps the best way to score during the height and heat of summer is to target bottom fish such as black sea bass, scup and summer flounder (fluke). This can be great fun for the entire family, and may even yield some fish for the table. Bottom fishing can be done while drifting or anchored over structure. Moving water is most important, which is why I like to fish two hours before or after high tide. Some of my favorite places to bottom fish during the dog days are the waters off Warwick Neck Light, Providence Point, the northern tip of Prudence Island and the T-Wharf.
Another good spot to anchor is General Ledge, a third of a mile northeast of the Jamestown Bridge. The current here is strong, and the ledge sits in about 30 feet of water, surrounded by 45to 60-foot depths. This is one of my go-to places to catch scup and sea bass when I have children onboard and need to hold their interest. Similar ledges, humps and rock piles are scattered throughout the bay. Indeed, it’s often rewarding to study a chart and investigate likely areas where the bottom rises to within 20 or 30 feet of the surface from much deeper water. These spots almost always hold bait and game fish.
BRIDGE GAMES
Drifting under and around the Jamestown and Newport Bridges can also be a great way to score with fluke and sea bass. A favorite spot is the area just south of Rose Island in 20 to 30 feet of water, near the G C “1” can, where the water drops abruptly to 60 then 90 feet. The rocky bot tom on the south side of Rose Island, closer to shore, also holds scup and sea bass in summer.
Fishing for fluke below the Newport Bridge can be good, too. Depending on the wind and current, I will fish either the north or south side of the bridge. Both ends of the bridge are pro ductive. The idea is to stay close to the bridge abutments at the start or end of the drift. Strikes often occur along depth breaks and where the current is strongest.
BEST TACKLE, RIGS & BAIT
The tackle side of the equation is pretty simple. All you need is a double-hook (high-low) rig above a bank sinker, or a standard fluke rig on a three-way setup. You can buy pre-made scup, sea bass and fluke rigs at most tackle shops for about three to five dollars apiece.
The natural bait you’ll need is readily available, too; seaworms, squid or clams will all do the job. I often start out with multiple rigs and bait types, with each angler fishing a different bait until we figure out which one the fish want. Only use small pieces of bait when fishing for scup and sea bass. Both species are master bait-stealers, so you need to set the hook quickly when you feel them tapping.
When targeting fluke, I believe in larger baits. I typically fish three- to five-inch strips of squid, with some other type of natural bait to hold the squid in place, such as strips of fluke belly, bluefish, sea robin or scup—basically, whatever incidental species I happen to catch that day.
For summer bottom fishing, I generally use light tackle. Spinning or conventional reels matched to light- to medium-weight rods and 15- to 20-pound-test braided line is all you need. Use just enough weight to hold bottom.
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QUICK TIP: Tube lures dressed with a live seaworm will take summer stripers and blues when trolled along steep channel edges.
Scup
are reliable summer bets over rock piles and other bottom structure in 20 to 30 feet of water.
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
DOG DAY BLUES & BASS
To catch bluefish and striped bass during the summer months, the same rules apply: find a combination of structure and moving water. However, it’s also critical to locate a concentration of bait, be it juvenile menhaden (peanut bunker), bay anchovies, silversides or adult menhaden (bunker, pogies).
I’ve had great success by trolling tube lures on leadcore line and weighted with a one- to two-ounce keel sinker rigged between the line and a five-foot monofilament leader. The keel sinker helps get the lure down to where the fish are holding, and also prevents line twist. I find that red, amber or bubblegum-colored tubes work best, especially when the hook is tipped with a live seaworm.
Tube-and-worm trolling works well along the steep channel edges at Popasquash Point off Bristol and the fast-moving water off Conimicut Point. Once again, you need to be there when the water is moving, not at high or low tide. The best period is two hours before or after slack water. Trolling in Greenwich Bay works well for bluefish, especially in the northern part of the bay along the 15-foot contour line. The waters off Sally Rock, on the south side of Greenwich Bay, are also worth trolling. The edges of Ohio Ledge, which extends north of Prudence Island, can hold fish as well.
GO LIVE
Live eels are one of the most effective summer baits for stripers, day or night. Hook the eel through the roof of its mouth and out one eye. I use circle hooks, which generally catch in the corner of the fish’s mouth, making release much easier. Some good spots to drift eels for summer bass include the jetty at Coddington Cove in Middletown, the Newport Bridge abutments, Brenton Reef and Seal Ledge.
Live menhaden and scup are other top summer baits. The latter can be caught on small pieces of squid fished over hard bottom or rock piles, but need to be of legal size to use for bait. Menhaden can be snagged with a weighted treble hook or gathered with a castnet. With menhaden, hook the bait through the bridge of its nose and let it swim around with the bait school. You can also anchor and chum the fish in with chunks of bait, or drift chunks of cut menhaden or scup around the bait schools. Some anglers use a nylon fishfinder weighted with a bank sinker to get their chunks to the bottom in deep water.
No matter what technique you go with, fishing early in the morning—preferably before dawn—will yield the best results during the summer dog days. Also, don’t forget to try different spots, and look for new places that other anglers run past on the way to so-called greener pastures. These could be summer day-savers for years to come!
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Expect fluke to hold in deeper, cooler zones with good current flow and bait concentrations.
Keeper sea bass can be taken over deep, hard-bottom areas in the lower bay.
PHOTO MIKE LAPTEW
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
The Norwalk Islands are a fish-rich archipelago that produces throughout the season.
PHOTO PETER MASSINI BIGCITYAERIALS.COM
A season-long smorgasbord of game and food fish awaits the angler in and around the beautiful Norwalk Islands in southwestern Connecticut.
BY CAPTAIN TOM MIGDALSKI
he Norwalk Islands represent some of the best fishing structure in Long Island Sound.”
So states Captain Chris Elser, a man who has fished this glacial archipelago off southwestern Connecticut for over 30 years. “Glance at a chart and you’ll notice many areas with extremely tight contour lines indicating abrupt depth changes,” Elser adds. “That translates to prime holding areas for bait and game fish.”
Today, a few of the Norwalk Islands are privately owned, some are held by the cities of Norwalk and Westport, while still others are part of a national wildlife refuge. But for anglers, it doesn’t really matter, as the waters surrounding them are open to the public and comprise a vast network of fish-attracting channels, bars, boulders, reefs and rips.
Fly anglers will find plenty of willing takers, including bluefish.
PHOTO TOM MIGDALSKI
PHOTO TOM MIGDALKSI
PHOTO MIKE LAPTEW
SEASON STARTERS
Fishing among the islands heats up when surface temperatures push past 50 degrees and the big stripers move in, followed closely by other species. “The large migratory bass typically arrive by early May,” says Elser, “but I’ve had excellent fishing with 20-pound fish as early as the second week of April. These fish are chasing schools of bunker. As the season progresses, sand eels move into the island chain. The two- to four-inch baitfish are necessary for consistent shallow-water striper and bluefish action, and they also affect the fluke fishery. Fluke move in among the islands in mid- to late May, and they feed heavily on sand eels.”
While all of the islands hold fish, Cockenoe (pronounced “ko-kee-nee”) is a good place to start, given its easternmost position in the chain. Because of its rugged shoreline and proximity to the Saugatuck River, Cockenoe consistently produces good catches of blackfish, porgies, striped bass, bluefish, weakfish and flounder.
Use caution when fishing this area, however, as the water is extremely shallow and rocky. Don’t attempt to run between Cockenoe Harbor and the Saugatuck at low tide, or you’ll soon find yourself in a foot or less of water. Instead, stick to the deeper water amid the boulders and reefs of Georges Rocks and Cockenoe Shoal, marked by Buoy G “1” and the R “24” bell. Both spots are good places to cast, troll or drift natural baits, including live bunker.
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Fluke lurk along the edges of rocks and other bottom structure.
Bonito often invade the islands in August.
Trailer-boaters can access the islands via the Visitor’s Dock.
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
especially blues and bass, as the current flows over the shallows. It’s also an excellent spot for blackfish and sea bass. These two species are also abundant around Greens Ledge, Great Reef and the boulder fields near Chimon and Goose Islands.”
Chimon and Sheffield Islands form the core of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses 145 acres of the Connecticut shoreline. At 70 acres, Chimon is home to the largest heron rookery in the state, as well as other nesting shorebirds. For this reason, access to much of Chimon and Sheffield is prohibited during nesting season (April 15 to August 15). However, Grassy Island, Shea Island and the beach on the west side of Chimon are open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
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Great-tasting black sea bass are a reliable bet.
NORWALK ISLANDS VARIETY
Striped bass and scup mingle over ledges and boulder fields.
PHOTO MIKE LAPTEW
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
SKINNY-WATER STEALTH
The Sound-side edges of the islands offer many prime spots for live-lining eels and bunker, chunking, slow-trolling and plugging for bass, weakfish and blues. “You can work these shallows from almost any boat,” says Captain Ian Devlin, another local guide who has spent his life plying these waters, “but the fish are easily spooked, so your best approach is with a pushpole or trolling motor.”
Devlin likes to work rocky outcroppings or crescent-shaped bights where deep water abuts the shallows. He drifts through the prime zone while blind-casting until he finds the fish then circles back upwind to repeat the drift. Devlin also looks for concentrations of sand eels, silversides and herring, and pays close attention to working birds. His favorite lures for fishing the shallows include big Zara Spooks and Slug-Gos, which he works with a side-to-side sweeping motion to give them a lifelike action.
TUBE TROLLING
“If you prefer trolling,” says Elser, “the Norwalk Islands are ideal for tubeand-worming. Look for rips and reefs that run north-south then troll parallel to and slightly upcurrent of the structure. “I have my best success with red and bubblegum tubes trolled on No. 27 colored leadcore line. Given average tide and sea conditions, I deploy one color [10 yards] of leadcore for every four feet of depth. Since I almost always troll tubes at depths of 18 to 35 feet, which is a good general depth zone for big bass in general, I feed out anywhere from four to eight colors of line.
“It’s important to troll the tubes no faster than two knots, to give the lure the best action and achieve the proper depth. Try to stay near the reef, but don’t allow the lures to hit the high bumps. It’s a fine line between fishing in the strike zone and getting hung up.”
Blackfish and fluke also gather around many of the islands, with the south side of Copps Island being especially productive. This includes Copps Rocks, which extend about a half-mile east of the island toward Buoy R “26.” Shea Island’s eastern shoreline is also strewn with rocks that provide excellent habitat for bass, blues and blackfish, especially in October.
Fishing the Norwalk Islands can leave one with a craving for seafood, so if you can’t wait to get home and cook your catch, set a course for SoNo Seaport Seafood, a dock-anddine establishment of the old-fashioned kind, hard on the gritty Norwalk Harbor waterfront. The venerable (since 1984) eatery and fish market offers six slips for boaters in midsized craft, although larger vessels can dock at the nearby Norwalk Visitor’s Dock (for a fee) and either walk to the restaurant or take their dinghy over.
SoNo Seaport offers indoor and outdoor “family-style” dining, and serves the typical seafood fare, ranging from boiled lobster dinners to delectable whole-belly fried clams. Other popular items include fresh local oysters, shrimp, calamari, steamers, chowder, lobster rolls, king crab legs, fish & chips, hamburgers, sandwiches and more. Entrée prices range from $17 to $25.
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Bluefish from snapper size to gorillas are always up for a fight.
Diners enjoy the view of Norwalk Harbor.
Fried whole-bellies at Sono Seaport Seafood.
PHOTO MIKE LAPTEW
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
QUICK TIP: During periods of slow current, try anchoring in the rocky areas and fishing green crabs for big fall blackfish.
ALBIE ACTION
Copps Rocks, Beers Rocks and Goose Island are known for attracting bonito and false albacore starting in September and running through October. Indeed, fall offers a good shot at the coveted “Northeast Grand Slam,” or catching a bonito, false albacore, striped bass and bluefish in the same day. Proven lures for the albies and bones include four- to six-inch white or pearl soft-plastics like the Slug-Go or Zoom Fluke, or small, metal lures such as the Deadly Dick.
The shoreline of Grassy Island is mostly gravel and fine sand, and provides several sheltered boat-landing areas. While you may find some bass here, the area appeals more to bluefish, weakfish, flounder and porgies.
SOUND ADVICE
If the action is spotty among the islands, which is often the case in midsummer, head for the deeper, cooler waters of the open Sound. About ¾-mile south of Sheffield Island are the submerged tugboat Celtic and the barge Cape Race. The wrecks appear on charts as a 32-foot high spot surrounded by 70 feet of water, and provide prime structure for blackfish, sea bass and porgies. The edges of the wrecks are often patrolled by big fluke.
The rocky bottom surrounding Buoy “28C,” about two miles south of Greens Ledge on the western end of the islands, is a great spot for a number of species. Explore the area 100 yards south of the buoy in about 45 feet of water. Blackfish are numerous here, especially in the 30- to 60-foot depths, through Thanksgiving. Start in the shallower spots and work your way deeper until you find fish.
Buoy “11B” (marked as Eatons Neck Point), about a mile southeast of R “28C” and three miles south of Sheffield Island, marks a high spot in 15 to 30 feet of water that serves as a perennial hot spot for stripers and bluefish in the fall. If the fish aren’t holding here, work nearby areas along the sloping reef drop-off in 35 to 90 feet.
BAIT & TACKLE
Fisherman’s World
(203) 866-1075; fishermansworld.net
GUIDES
Capt. Chris Elser (203) 216-7907
Capt. Ian Devlin (203) 451-9400
BOAT LAUNCHES
Saugatuck River state ramp
Compo Beach & Marina town ramp
Veterans Memorial Park
Calf Pasture Beach
FISHING LICENSE
A saltwater fishing license is required to fish the coastal waters of Connecticut. Purchase one online at ctwildlifelicense.com. Anglers who hold a saltwater license from New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts or Maine are exempt from having to purchase a Connecticut license.
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The deep-water wrecks off Norwalk are home to big blackfish.
Porgies (scup) can be caught on small baits and shiny jigs.
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
FALL FAVORITES
Mid- to late fall usually sees a hot bite on the mid-Sound reefs. Look for bird and bait activity from Buoy “11B” west to “28C,” then triangulate toward Eatons Neck Point. This area holds lots of baitfish and provides excellent diamond-jigging action.
Just over a mile south-southwest of “11B” is the Obstruction Buoy. The rip here, along with the rips that make up along “11B” and “28C,” are the best spots south of the Norwalk Islands for trolling lures, drifting live baits and chunks, and diamond-jigging for striped bass and bluefish in autumn. During periods of slow current, try anchoring in the rocky areas and fishing green crabs for big fall blackfish. They catch some big ones off Norwalk!
Chunking and diamond-jigging take big bass in the fall.
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PHOTO TOMMY COSTELLO
BY STEVE WYMAN
The headwaters of the Connecticut cast a spell over anglers seeking world-class action with trout and salmon in a spectacular North Woods setting.
NEW HAMPSHIRE TROUT & SALMON
grew up fishing the New England surf with my dad, a member of the old-school beach buggy crowd, and have lived the salty life since the day I donned my first pair of hip waders. Yet even with 50-plus years of salt flowing through my veins, I recently found myself drawn back to the sweetwater destinations I fished as a college student in New Hampshire—more specifically the town of Pittsburg in the northernmost part of the state.
Once known as the “Indian Stream Territory,” Pittsburg comprises a vast swath of forest, lakes, streams and rivers. In 2002, the state set aside 25,000 acres between Clarksville and Pittsburg as conservation land, in part to protect the system of lakes that forms the headwaters of the Connecticut River, which flows for 410 miles to Long Island Sound.
Tommy Costello works a section of the Trophy Stretch below First Connecticut Lake.
PHOTO TOM RICHARDSON
SOURCE OF POWER
Beginning as a trickle some 300 yards below the Canadian border, the river initially flows into Fourth Connecticut Lake—really just a spring-fed bog—before continuing south into Third, Second and First Connecticut Lakes. At 2,800 acres, First Connecticut is New Hampshire’s fifth largest lake, and is home to several cold-water game species, including lake trout and northern pike.
To catch lakers, which can weigh up to 30 pounds, you normally need to think deep, the exception being the period just after ice-out. In early May, these fish often hold within ten feet of the surface—but not for long. As the water quickly warms, the lakers transition to the 35- to 45-foot depth zone. In summer, the trout move deeper still, seeking water in and around the magical 53-degree mark.
Traditional lake trout techniques involve trolling flashy spoons on downriggers or leadcore line, although some anglers also score by deep-jigging. Lakers tend to congregate at the same depth and in the same areas, so when you catch one, drop a waypoint so you can return to the spot.
The Upper Connecticut offers steady action through the summer months.
RIVER REWARDS
Of course, most visiting sportsmen—particularly fly fishermen—are drawn to the river and its robust population of trout and landlocked salmon. Each section of river between the lakes is unique, and offers a multitude of opportunities for catching brook trout, landlocked salmon, rainbows and trophy browns. The 2 ½ miles from First Connecticut Lake to manmade Lake Francis is known as the “Trophy Stretch,” for obvious reasons. The tailwater dam at the base of First Connecticut delivers cold water from the bottom of the lake, supporting phenomenal fishing all season. The spring and fall can be especially productive times to fish the Trophy Stretch, highlighted by runs of big salmon and behemoth browns that push upriver from Lake Francis.
For dry fly enthusiasts, summer is a great time to fish the Upper Connecticut, as this time of year sees a lot of insect activity. Bill Bernhardt, head guide at Pittsburg-based Lopstick Outfitters, says the most important thing to remember when searching for fish with dry fly patterns is a slow drift. If your fly is drifting slowly, the fish should at least rise to check it out. If this continues to happen without the fish eating, it’s time to change flies. “Be ready to change your fly on the fly,” says Bernhardt. “The fish will tell you what to do; you just have to pay attention.” Some go-to dry fly patterns for the Upper Connecticut include the Elk Hair Caddis, Pale Morning Dun, Olive Soft Hackle and Sulphur Comparadun.
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Rainbows are one of three trout species found in the river.
QUICK TIP: Turn over river rocks to get a sense of what type and size of nymphs the fish are feeding on.
Big landlocked salmon enter the river in spring and fall.
PHOTO AJ DEROSA
DEEP THOUGHTS
While nothing beats the thrill of seeing a trout or salmon take a dry fly, it’s important to remember that two-thirds of the fish’s food is consumed below the surface. Hence, the effectiveness of nymphing.
Nymph flies imitate the immature stages of insects that eventually make their way to the surface. To learn what the fish are eating, simply look at the underside of a river rock. This will provide clues as to what color and size nymph fly to tie on. Popular patterns for the upper river include the Flash-Bang, Hairs Ear, Beadhead Pheasant Tail, Hatching Pupae Olive, Gummy Worm, Elk Hair Caddis and CDC Emerger Slate Olive. At certain times, large stonefly patterns such as the Golden Stone will also take fish.
The trick, of course, is getting your imitation down to the level of the feeding fish— normally a few inches above the river bottom. This can be accomplished by means of a heavily weighted stonefly pattern or a small split-shot or two pinched onto the leader about 15 inches above the nymph fly. A drag-free drift is often critical to getting a fish to eat, something that high-sticking or mending of the line can accomplish. Your fly should never float faster or slower than the current. Strike indicators can help keep the line from snagging bottom, and a light tippet is often necessary to induce a strike. Many guides recommend a 4X or 5X tippet.
During my last visit to the Pittsburg area, my family stayed at the Cabins at Lopstick, which also features an on-site guide service. One day we were greeted on the front porch of the Lopstick office by a friendly Quebecois named Dany Dassylva, the newest member of the Lopstick family of guides. While Dany’s north-of-the-border accent and big smile had my kids at hello, I was digging his Ford Transit. This rig would have made MacGyver proud!
Dany is a river lover, wired for exploration. “Rivers and lakes are the true essence of life,” he likes to say. When not guiding, Dany can be found portaging a canoe to stretches of unexplored whitewater and catching wild brook trout on flies.
We booked Dany to give my kids, Emma and Ben, a fly-fishing lesson on the Lopstick trout pond, which makes an ideal classroom for fly-fishing lessons. With a “hands on” enthusiasm and a warm sense of humor, Dany conducted this little orchestra with the patience of a saint.
When class was dismissed, Dany could have punched out for the day. Instead, he grabbed a pair of waders from his truck and said it was time to show Ben how to nymph-fish for trout on the Connecticut River. Suffice it to say, I have Dany Dassylva to thank for the fly rod-and-reel combo, hip waders and box of flies that found their way under the tree this past Christmas. A fly fisherman was born.
— Steve Wyman
2017 / NEW ENGLAND FISHING / 149
The Upper Connecticut is a fly angler’s paradise.
Ben Wyman fights a fish with guidance from Dany Dassylva.
The fly box of Bill Bernhardt, head guide at Lopstick Outfitters.
GOING BIG
Big trout and salmon do not get that way by relying on a restrictive diet of mayflies and nymphs, which is why streamer flies can be so effective on larger fish. These flies also allow you to cover a lot of water in a short amount of time. Often, a big fish will attack a streamer just to chase it out of its territory and thereby reveal its presence. Some local favorites include the Grey Ghost, Grey Soft-Hackle Streamer and Royal Coachman. Cast the streamer across current and slightly downcurrent, and work it back with short strips.
Spey casting streamers can be very effective on the upper river, where the densely wooded banks limit one’s backcasts. Greg Inglis, another Lopstick Outfitters guide, employs this technique just below the dam at Fourth Connecticut Lake using a 10-foot Orvis Spey rod. The long rod allows him to make twohanded roll casts to drop his fly on seams and pocket water from spots where backcasts are all but impossible.
No matter how, where or when you choose to fish the Upper Connecticut river, be prepared to try a host of different techniques depending on the conditions. And also be prepared to fall in love with the Pittsburg area, as I did some 30 years ago!
The Cabins at Lopstick make an ideal home base for any trip to the Pittsburg area. An Orvis-endorsed outfitter employing some the best fishing and hunting guides in the region, The Cabins at Lopstick comprise a network of owned and managed housekeeping units scattered throughout the area.
Each cabin, some pet-friendly, has a fully equipped kitchen, private bedrooms, satellite television, outdoor grills and a private porch with spectacular views of the lakes. Fishing tackle, flies and apparel are sold at the main office, but the coffee and friendly advice are free!
For more information, visit cabinsatlopstick.com or call (603) 538-6659.
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Behemoth browns often feed after dark.
The lakes in the Pittsburg area offer a host of water-based activities.
The Cabins at Lopstick welcomes anglers and their families.
n the annals of surf fishing, the name Arnold Laine looms large. Laine, from Phillipston, Massachusetts, was a respected and tireless surfman who patrolled the beaches of Cape Cod with the likes of fellow surfcasting giants Frank Woolner, Stan Gibbs and Jimmy Andrews. Here,
Today, the scene may elicit the wrath of conservationminded anglers, but must be taken in context. It was the heyday of surfcasting, when striper populations were at an all-time peak and big fish were common on any given night. Surf fishing had became a cultural phenomenon after World War II, and many surfmen and their families spent the entire summer on the beach in specially modified “beach buggies” featuring bunk beds and cooking stoves. Catch limits were unheard of, and most fishermen sold fish to supplement their income or pay for food and fuel. At the time, no one considered that the population of stripers would one day crash or that many Outer Cape beaches would be closed to oversand vehicles and overpopulated by seals.
Laine (center) poses with a night’s catch taken from the Outer Cape with pals Maurice DiBenedetto (left) and Dominic Mastro (right). The precise date is hazy, but the photo was likely taken in the late 1950’s or early ‘60s.
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