Marine Fishing Report: Blueshfish Are Thick Throughout the Sound

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has released this week's marine fishing report. The following is an overview of that Aug. 23 report, which also includes information on inland waters. It is attached to this article.

This Week's Catch

BLUEFISH are thick throughout LIS with fish ranging in size from about 4 to 12 lbs. Bluefish have been providing anglers great surface action at first light especially at "The Race" which has been "red hot."

The downside is that with all the bluefish around it’s making it tough for anglers seeking STRIPED BASS. The night time shift is now in order for pursuing trophy linesiders and evading large chopper blues. Live lining bunker, eels, or scup again is the choice for slob bass. The usual fishing spots for both stripers and bluefish include the reefs off Watch Hill, Ram Island Reef, Thames River, Plum Gut, Pigeon Rip, Little Gull Island, outer Bartlett Reef, Black Point, the “humps” south of Hatchett Reef, lower Connecticut River, Long Sand Shoal, Cornfield Point, Southwest Reef including outer SW Reef, Six Mile Reef, the reefs off Madison, Guilford, and Branford, Falkner Island area, Charles Island area, lower Housatonic River, buoys 18 and 20 off Stratford Point, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Penfield Reef, the reefs around the Norwalk Islands, and Cable and Anchor Reef.

SNAPPER BLUEFISH fishing remains good to excellent in the tidal rivers. This is a great time to introduce kids to fishing since the action is fast and furious! Light freshwater spinning gear is all you need.

SUMMER FLOUNDER (fluke) fishing still remains on the slow side but some nice keepers can be caught in deep (100+ ft) water.

SCUP (porgy) fishing remains good to excellent on the major reefs and rock piles with fish measuring 14 to 17 inches.

BLACK SEA BASS fishing is good to excellent on the deep water reefs, wrecks, and over hard gnarly bottom.

Be on the lookout for LITTLE TUNNY and ATLANTIC BONITO on the south side of Fishers Island, the Race, Little Gull Island, Pine Island off the Thames River, Jordan Cove over to Millstone Point, and Sixmile Reef. These torpedoes can cover a large area in a nanosecond!

BLUE CLAW CRABBING is prime time in the tidal creeks!

Water Temps

Surface water temperatures in Long Island Sound are in the mid to low 70’°F. For more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions visit www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html or www.ndbc.noaa.gov.

Regulations & License Information

For current Connecticut recreational fishing regulations, anglers should consult the 2012 Connecticut Anglers Guide. Anglers can purchase their fishing licenses online at www.ct.gov/deep/fishinglicense or at participating town halls, DEEP field offices and fishing tackle vendors. Additional information can all be accessed on the DEEP website at: www.ct.gov/deep/fishing.