Albie Fever Takes Hold Across Long Island Sound
Water temps sit in the mid-60s across Long Island Sound — 64.4°F to 66.4°F at the three NOAA CO-OPS stations along the Connecticut coast — and local shops say the fall run has arrived. Per The Fisherman — Connecticut, J&B Tackle reports albies "everywhere from Black Point to Fishers Island," with anglers working epoxy jigs and tins hard at Avery Point, Sarah's Ledge, Ocean Beach, Harkness, Seaside and Niantic Bay. AW Marina echoes the push, calling it "albie fever" as customers clean out the epoxy-jig bins. Striped bass are feeding heavily on bait but not yet blitzing, per J&B Tackle, while bluefish — from snappers to gators — stay very active throughout the Sound. Tartan II's bottom-fishing trips continue producing large black sea bass, and Black Hawk's final fluke trip of the season came in below expectations as that fishery winds down.
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Today's full moon means bigger-than-average tidal swings, with lows near dawn (roughly 3:40-5:25 a.m.) and highs mid-morning (9:45-11:31 a.m.) across the Sound's tide stations. That extra push should concentrate bait and predators around the tide turns, prime timing for the albie bite already underway.
If striped bass keep stacking on bait as J&B Tackle describes, visible blitzing is the logical next step as water eases further into the 60s over the coming week. AW Marina is already stocking crabs and rigs ahead of the tautog opener, worth watching as that fishery comes online.
Plan weekend trips around the peak tidal exchange for the strongest current-driven bite.
Context
Mid-60s water with an active albie and bluefish push is right on schedule for late September in Long Island Sound, as the fishery pivots from summer fluke and bottom-fishing dominance into the classic fall run of false albacore, bluefish and feeding stripers. Fluke tapering off while sea bass fishing holds strong fits the usual seasonal handoff, and the approaching tautog season lines up with the typical late-fall progression Connecticut anglers expect.
Synthesized from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.
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