Spring Fishing
Grant Heiman ‘25
As spring approaches and the waters of the Long Island Sound warm, striped bass return, opening one of the year's most exciting fishing seasons. Springtime striper fishing in the Sound is all tactics, bait selection, and recognizing the fish's migration patterns.
When to Fish
Striped bass arrive in the sound as early as late March, with numbers increasing in April and May. The best action usually occurs when water temperatures hit the 50s causing bass to come eat . Early mornings and nights are typically the most successful times.
Where to fish
Long Island Sound's key spots include rocky shorelines, inlets, and structural places such as reefs and sandbars. In the spring, significant numbers of bass can be found near the Throgs Neck Bridge, the mouth of the Housatonic River, and places off Port Jefferson and Orient Point ( plum gut). Striped bass migrate inshore to feed, so targeting shallow waters can produce excellent returns.
Best Baits and Lures
Live bait such as bunker and eels are popular in the spring, mainly when fishing with circular hooks to comply with rules. If you prefer artificial lures, try soft plastics on jig heads and swimming plugs such as SP Minnows. The spring bite is a tough one, so working lures with a steady retrieve or irregular motion might result in strikes.
Tactics and Regulations
Trolling with spoons is an efficient approach to targeting schools of bass. Casting lures near jetties and beaches can be as effective for those fishing from shore. It is critical to stay current on local regulations, as slot limits and catch and release rules differ by state and time of year. Spring striped bass fishing in the Long Island Sound allows anglers to catch nice fish before the summer arrives. Whether fishing from a boat or from the shore, patience and tactics can lead to an outstanding start to the season.