Blackfish bite kicks off the Sound's fall tog season
Fall tautog season has opened with a bang, per The Fisherman — Connecticut. AW Marina reports blackfish around the mouth of the Thames River, with boaters hitting limits while shore anglers scratch out keepers. J&B Tackle called the start strong for anyone who put in the time. Water at the New London station read 63°F this morning, with New Haven at 61.2°F and Bridgeport at 62.8°F. That is a comfortable range for tog and bass feeding up for the season ahead.
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Midday is the window to plan around. The low tide arrives at about 10:56 AM at New London and between 12:20 and 12:30 PM at New Haven and Bridgeport. Tog tend to feed hard as the tide turns off the bottom. The Fisherman (Northeast) notes many blackfish are shallow, under 30 feet, with jigs doing the damage, and those wanting a giant can check deeper snags.
The evening high lands near 5:10 PM at New London and about 6:35 PM at New Haven and Bridgeport. That makes a decent late-day window for stripers, which AW Marina describes as productive alongside sea bass. A First Quarter moon means moderate tidal swings through midweek, so currents should stay manageable. J&B Tackle also says albies are working back into the Sound, so keep a metal jig rigged for any surface commotion.
Context
Mid-October is right on schedule for Long Island Sound. Tog move onto structure as water cools, and the fall striper run is typically in full swing across the region, with Long Island reports from The Fisherman (Northeast) describing the same pattern just across the water. Sea bass and other bottom feeders usually stay on the reefs while tog take over the spotlight. Always check current state regulations for seasons and size limits before keeping fish.
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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