CTFishTalk.com: $20,000 in Prize Money in Memorial Day Weekend Striped Bass - Connecticut Saltwater ( CT Saltwater ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

bigoutdoors · Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 144 Location: windham ct

$20,000 in Prize Money in Memorial Day Weekend Striped Bass Classic
By Captain Morgan

Now is the time to get those lite set-ups crank’n and those flies stripp’n! Early springtime action is hot and if your timing is on, you’ll be in the midst of breaking dorsal fins and fanning tails. A recent evening trip quickly warmed a chilled body as a fast-pumping heart spread warmth within. The action view from one of those small, sleek fishable plastic sleds they call
kayaks puts an angler almost on the same level as with surface feeding fish. At times, concentration was broken when a disturbance from a linesider caused a cast to be re-directed.

Only two techniques were used this night—surface plugging and slow trolling. Striper's in the 30-inch class couldn’t get enough small one-ounce poppers and when that slowed, scent-impregnated soft baits took over. Braided line cast effortlessly, transmitted the slightest tug and allowed for precise hook sets— and there were many. At times, our mini-poppers barely touched down when they were fought over, other times it just took one or two twitches. A generous coating of herring scent (squid or bunker would have done as well) increased hits when it took more than one twitch to hook up.

Soft-scented swim baits fished along the edges of the school and in tight to structure produced more strikes when striper's began to disperse and surface action slowed. This technique brought out some of the larger fish but not as many as before. Some even larger were hooked and released when bass worms were trolled with tubes or in-line spinners. It was definitely a fun-filled trip but after all was said and done, it wasn’t long before the early morning ring of that alarm quickly ended any rest. No regrets! With tournaments around the corner (some strictly prohibiting live bait) this is a good time to sharpen skills and look toward spicing up your artificials with scents loaded with fatty acids, amino acids and natural pheromones—the real stuff! These attractants are not miracle workers, but in the hands of a conscientious angler, they do make a difference.

On The Water: Jackets, sweatshirts and rain gear best described Mother Nature’s attitude during early May. Shifting winds kept anglers guessing while fish continue to enter the Sound, freshly renewed by another springtime runoff. Together with moon tides causing greater than normal fluctuations and natural debris entering tidal rivers, balls of bait collected in the channels after being washed from the wetlands. This combination of events created early outstanding striped bass fishing as schools actively moved throughout rivers.

At times they were scattered however, during later afternoon/early evening dropping tides, activity increased when they began to collectively feed. Major rivers, like the Connecticut, saw good action in the flats while minor tidal rivers like the East, Menunketesuck, Patchaug and Hammonasset, not only had river runs but also fed adjacent shorelines. In addition, scattered schools of menhaden spiced up the works in harbors from New Haven eastward, drawing fish to 40 inches downriver.

Bait continues to flood the Sound followed by pursuing harbor bluefish, fluke and some larger striper's migrating up the coast. Fishers Island and the Race are seeing some mid-size bass as is Six Mile and some of the local reefs, including Hammonasset and Southwest.

Trollers/drifters are connecting regularly while shore fishing is notably picking up steam.

With only a few more weeks of winter flounder fishing, catches remain upbeat. $20,000 in Prizes - $10,000 First Prize - $1,000 Port Prize!

Registrations are now being accepted at Captain Morgan’s for the annual Nor’East Striped Bass Memorial Classic and piggy-back shop contest. Contest runs from May 24 to 26 and is a 30- to 34-inch slot limit, boat only, team event.

The heaviest combined weight of two striped bass determines winners. Stop by the shop for details.

Note: Madison Shellfish Commission will hold its annual Memorial Day clam hunt at West Wharf with a special section designated to young clammers.

Over 30 bushels of clams (some specially marked) will be spread about and those lucky enough to scratch up a prize winner will be awarded prizes, including gift certificates from Captain Morgan’s.

If needed, shellfish licenses and gear including waders, rakes, baskets, etc., are available for purchase at the shop. This event, as usual, is expected to be a crowd pleaser and a great way to kick off the season!

Trout fishing remains good with the parks and management areas prime. A mix of conventional and fly fishing are producing excellent catches with more State stockings on the agenda. Flows were fast due to the rains but have been subsiding, offering good conditions. Pike in the shallows are taking live baits and large plugs while largemouth bass are inhaling soft baits and shiners.

It’s May and fish are biting so for all things fishy including gear, bait, flies/flyfishing, rod/reel repair, clam/crabbing supplies and licenses, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located on 21 Boston Post Road, Madison.

Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter where we don't make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better... Tight Lines, Captain Morgan