Go Fish! – Reeling in a New Season
IS IT OVER? IS THE SNOW AND ICE
GONE?
I think it is safe to say one of the most brutal winters any of us can remember, is finally over. And thank goodness, because it’s fishing time! Time to trade in the shovels and snowblowers for rods, reels, and baits, because the fish are here. And if you’re like me, you’re absolutely itching to fight a fish or 20. If you weren’t able to get into the garage and prep some tackle in the arctic tundra that was this past winter, now is the time to start playing catch up. Sometimes, colder weather turning outdoor storage areas and garages cooler can take a toll on your gear. Make sure to check your line, and if you aren’t sure, bring your reels by the local tackle shops and let them take a look. The minor expense of putting a new line on your reels can be the make or break between the catch of a lifetime, and massive disappointment.
But with the logistics out of the way, let’s actually talk fishing. It’s flounder (or fluke to some) time! Like past years, the limits haven’t changed: three fish at least 18 inches in length each, per angler, per day. Those are the rules and we are stickin’ to ‘em. Also unchanged, is how to catch them. One thing you will see in nearly every tackle box, lure bag, and boat, is Berkley GULP! These artificially scented plastic baits are designed to not only mimic real baitfish like minnows, their soft texture entices fish to grab on, and not let go! Rigged on a similar colored bucktail or jighead (for added casting weight and to keep your bait towards the bottom of the water column), with a weightless teaser hook tied just above, this setup is a must. Cast it out, and bounce it back to you slowly, making sure you can always feel bottom. That kind of commotion is irresistible to these brutal bottom feeders.
Fluke also love a nice natural meal. Cut some bunker or squid into strips, throw some clam in the mix, and maybe even hang a minnow or two off the hook, and you’ll be sure to draw some attention. Rigged similar to how you would the artificial stuff, live bait is a timeless method that can be fished slower, but produces the same and sometimes better results. While they are the star, we can’t let the fluke take all of the thunder. Striped bass have been back in a big way as they make their way back into the northeast waters.
The last few months have shown promising signs with fish being caught in huge numbers in the back bays and rivers. We’ve also seen a healthy stock of bait in the ocean. Bunker, eels, and clam have all been producing as these fish fatten up for their summer residency.
With bass, timing isn’t super tricky. Sure, dusk and dawn will typically produce better numbers. That being said, check the local piers, bulkheads, jetties, and beaches anytime you have a few minutes to try your hand. Same thing with the flounder. Most opt for the daytime assault. But don’t let that worry you as these ferocious, flat assassins eat around the clock just like their striped brothers.
By Brandon Smith, @FloodTideMedia