Westport Outfitters Fishing Report: Week of October 13th


Here we go folks�things continue to shape up for the better�but a bit more patience will be necessary before the fishing lights up completely. As we predicted last week the water temps have plummeted from a balmy 72 degrees about a week ago to a cool 59.9 yesterday while we were shuffling winter storage boats back from Compo Basin. Peanut bunker are still everywhere. We can�t have our cake and eat it too�after referring back to our archived reports from last year we had spotty schools of adult bunker in our local waters and not one sign of peanuts, a favorite fall bait for albies and bass. This year, we can�t buy an adult Menhaden (unless you stop in for some freshies), but yet we can�t scan the horizon without seeing masses of peanut bunker that are now in the 6-9 inch range. The water temps are ideal and it just has to be a matter of time before the bass are on the move.  We had a report from Tuesday night where the conditions were ideal, calm cool night, no wind, dropping tide some fresh bait on the ideal piece of structure just outside of the islands�sitting patiently, waiting for the drags to start singing and just one bump and barely a keeper bass to the boat in over 5 hours of fishing. This is where the patience comment needs to come into play. It will happen, it has to...be patient. These fish are moving, you could slam them one one night and then not even get a sniff the next.  With the wind howling all weekend, the seas were up so we were forced to cancel a few charters but those that ventured out did find some fish trolling T&W. The cooling temps definitely turned on the black fish bite as well. Congrats to Orlando who took top prize at the Darien Boat Club blackfish tourney and I also did see shop customer Glen Osberg in the standings as well!! Sage Nakamara and his dad put a whoopin� on the blacks on Sunday with the largest ones getting away, according to Sage, but they still did manage a few in the 6lb range just outside of the islands. Bones, bass, blues�Sage has been on fire all year and definitely puts his time in and has been well rewarded. George Moreo was also at it over the weekend with a few keeper bass on the trolling set ups as well in the low 30 inch range. Way to impress the guests George!  The albies are still cruising our local waters and with the water temps the way they are and the abundance of peanuts, we should start to see some good catches. Tuesday Captain Chris ventured East to the never fail Housey where he was into blues up to 15lbs as well as some 20 lb class stripers with the local die hard fish heads Dan, Nick & Jae. I am sure these guys enjoyed being on the other side of the equation rather than having to be untangling lines on the charter boats as they normally are!  Wednesday night Bruce Gallaway and his trusty Tri-Balance Kayak were out scouring the shoreline where he was greeted with schools of small blues and bass crashing bunker that had found refuge on the beaches near Sherwood Point. The sun began to fall and the blitzes of blues subsided and the bass had the schools all to their own. Nice night to be out on the water even if you did not find those Albies Bruce!!  Away from it all, Howie Lipper made a last ditch effort before having to go under the knife and got into some albies out East over the weekend(see photo in "Recent Catches"). Heal fast Howie!! Our own Captain Steve Tiffinger was also out fishing Jones� Inlet over the weekend where the catch of the day was a 25 lb plus bass taken on a 550 grain sinking line on the fly rod�CONGRATS!  As the Porgy season winds down, the reports continue to get better and better. The crew up on the Saugatuck River at the turn off have been getting their fill and the shoal and areas around Copps have been producing some monster scup in the 18-19 inch range. This season will close on October 31st so get out while the getting is good!!  Jigging out at the humps of 11B, 28C and 13 continues to improve but a teaser set up is definitely recommend until the fish really start moving. Unlike last year, the migratory run could be just as hot inshore with all of this bait, so unless you really feel like bobbing around with the masses in the deep water, a few tries inshore around the islands may produce similar results without the added cost of fuel and boats.  MONTAUK REPORT  From the decks of TEASER, Captain Dean reports that the canyon is finally cooling down. The Teaser ran all the way to the southeast corner of the Hudson Canyon this week for 6 albacore and 2 keeper swords that weighed in at 111lbs. and 88lbs. The boat also caught and released 2 others. We heard that there was some great Yellowfin action out in the deep and also another good bite closer to Tom's Canyon.  The point is still loaded with False Albacore and plenty of big blues on top.  The striped bass fishing is in fine shape as well and the fall run is finally happening, with the charter boats regularly catching a limit of nice sized fish daily. There are still plenty of bluefish around as well, but with the amount of bass present, they are manageable to deal with. Get your eel's and get out here. There is no better bass fishing then right here right now!! For more information, contact Captain Dean Kardamis @ 203.556.3361.  Cooler water, colder air temps�what�s on your feet or what should be at least is a pair of semi-insulated NEW SERVUS boots-Come have a look. A cold pair of feet can ruin a great day of fall fishing!!  THE JIG IS UP- 6�6 Medium Action Ugly Stick (15-40lb) matched with a Penn 220 GT Level Wind Reel. This stout set up is a work horse put together specifically for jigging the bumps for our fall season here in Long Island Sound. Retails separately for over $210.00, NOW $189.99 as packaged!  THEY ARE BACK!! �RESTOCKED- Captain Chris� Tube and Worm Lead Core Combos-Fully rigged and ready to go. Shakespeare Tiger Stick rod matched with a Penn Sea Boy Reel, leaders, line and swivels included only $169.99. (Retails separately for $199.00) Just add water!  STAY TUNED----EPIC TRUCK LOAD EVENT COMING TO YOUR FAVORITE STORE SOON!! RODS, REELS, TACKLE BAGS, BOXES, GEAR & LINE AT UNBEATABLE PRICES!!  ITS ALMOST ALL GONE-HELLY, HELLY, HELLY!!  Helly Hansen Fjord Jackets- Were $300.00, NOW JUST $200.00!  Helly Hansen Packable and Zero G Jackets- 100% Waterproof, 100% Breathable-Were $110.00, NOW JUST $79.99.  Helly Hansen Fleece Vests and Jackets-Were $89.00, NOW JUST $49.99  MUCH, MUCH MORE, COME ON DOWN!! -- Delivered by Feed43 service