halfpoint69

On Monday morning and this morning, I am going into where I work on Long Wharf. Across from the metal dump, there was 100 yard long by 50 yard wide pod of fish. What do you think they were? Also, does anyone go out for Macks anymore? I havent done it since my grandfather was alive back in the late 70's.

fishcounterbob

have seen the same. Been taking some casts for schoolie bass. Nothing from shore yet.
Could be some herring as I used to make pickled herring caught from the old tomlinson bridge before atlantic cement finally did it in.
Been checking the bridges since our rivers could be considered in the freshet mode. I check the warming flats tween the bridges at high outgoing and caught bass in march last year.

Scup

My guess would be Alewives looking for a place to spawn. The trouble is it is too early for them just yet. Although, considering this form's thread on, global warming, I just do not know. They have gotten themselves into real trouble in recent years and the DEP has placed a total ban on them for everyone period. Maybe what you are reporting is really good news.

As far mackerel go, you are right. The tinkers use to swim right up to our beaches in just a couple of feet water and the kids would have a blast with them from shore. I asked the commercial guys what happened to them and they blamed the environmentalists. Please do not get excited as what I am going to say, as I am still laughing at their response. They maintained that mackerel are very sharp eyed (true enough.) When we cleaned up our waters, also true, the sharp eyed mackerel just did not feel "comfortable" in our clean waters, hence the mackerel stayed in the more distant off shore waters. You do have to give it the commercial crowd as they can justify just about anything without any guilt aimed at themselves. Not only do I not see the commercial boats coming in with them, the Atlantic mackerel, I have not seen the tinkers in close for about, (a guess) 15 years. The last good catches that I heard about in my area was off the southern part of Fisher's Island. The standard rig was a piece of colorful plastic slipped over a hook. We would put three or four of them on and catch them three or four at a time. Very easy fish to catch.

ReelCrazySportfishing

way to early for the alewives. water is still to cold

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halfpoint69

I was thinking herring also, but they are too bunched up,but I have seen them this early before back in 95 or 96. AS for the macks we would use the same tube rigs with about 10 on a line.

CaptDom

The Herring have showed in local runs as early as late February in years past when winter temps are mild....

Alewives generally start their spawn in very early March. Huge schools of herring sometimes winter over in CC bay and the GOM where the temperatures at times can even dip below 32 farenheit. The bluebacks are typically much later in the spawn run, generally late march early April.

The inshore temperatures are often times much colder than those found at sea, especially at river mouths, where icepack can exist well into April some years.

The Herring movements are closely related to their diets,Two copepod species, Pseudocalanus minitus and Calanus finmarchicus comprise more than two thirds of the herring's diet in winter through summer, with three other copepod species the dominant food sources in the fall. The larvae of copepods make up a major part of the diet of larval herring. THey will follow these copepods into some amazingly chilly waters, especially up off Iceland and Bay of Fundy.

They could be herring, or could be menhaden. Most likely not stripers, although not outside the realm of possibility, as there are holdover populations in many local estuaries....

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halfpoint69

I can tell ya this. Since, the end of January all the way up until this past few days(because I didnt get out), we have been catching stipers, sea run browns, and salmon pretty consistant in the river. When I am at work a few of my buddies get off 3rd shift from Sikorskies and go then when I get out a few of my other buddies then go. We have been pretty consistant with the mix i just spoke of. I havent seen any herring or shad. They usually come in April May where we fish. Ohh and what river you might ask? Somewhere in the Housy.

CaptDom

Good to hear there are sea run browns around. Haven't fished for them in years. Salmon? Are they stocked escapees I'm guessing?

Next time you get a brown, if you dont mind posting a picture, I haven't seen one of those beauties in years!! Love the bright spots on those suckers.

I wish we had a reliable fishery for the holdovers other than the discharge at the electric plant. We also get a few guys catching in the salt ponds, but not consistently like down your way. Do you fish the Naugatuck as well?

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COASTAL CHARTERS SPORTFISHING
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halfpoint69

The salmon are from the Naugy stocking from years ago till now. There were fish ladders put in the naugy to allow the salmon and other fish to make runs. I remeber the first day they first stocked the Naugy with salmon. I wish i had a video camera on me, because it was the funniest thing I have ever seen. It was fly fishing only and you had guys who have never fly fished before up and down that river. I fished that river for over 30 years, even when it was a pollution disaster. I caught stipers all the way up to the first Naugy dam in Seymour. Next time we hook a sea run, I'll try and take a picture for ya. My buddy just caught a 17 lbs brown(not sea run) up in the Oxford area of the Naugy, and another friend of a friend caught a 15 1/2lb brown in the same area. The fishing has come such a long way in the Naugy. That river was in the Guiness book of world records for the only river to SELF ignite. With all the chemical dumping that went on back in the industial days, there was a chemical reaction where a mile strech of the river was a ball of flames. I do mostly catch and release in those areas. I am a fluke,flounder,blackfish,porgy, and striper eater. All the sea runs we catch we release. My buddy 3 weeks ago caught a 21 lb salmon in the housy on 8 lb test. It was fun to watch him pull that baby in. He revived it and let it go. NICE!! I dont think I'll be able to get out for a few days ATLEAST! The river is running a little high and we are expecting 2" of rain tomorrow.

CaptDom

I'm jealous!!! Sounds like the river system has come a looong way. Those fish you mention must be some fun on the light tackle. Might have to make a point of getting down that way next week.

The bridge in Milford used to be a good spot to launch for the sea runs....what do you suggest, inc case I find the itch? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

__________________
CAPT. DOM PETRARCA
COASTAL CHARTERS SPORTFISHING
NEWPORT, RI (401)-862-0358
www.coastalcharterssportfishing.com