This is always a tense time for me...
Once September hits, I am tirelessly watching for the arrival of hard tails here in western long island sound. Last year we had a strong bonito run for the first time since I have been fishing these waters by September 15th. This year, nothing. Usually this is the week the albies show up, if they are going to. Since I have been fishing these waters, the albies have shown up every year, however prior to about 6/7 years ago they were somewhat rare.
We have a lot of baitfish, the nights are getting cooler. There have been a lot of strong winds from the east caused by a hurricane offshore which typically pushes the fish into the sound, and there is a new moon this week. So I am hopeful that the pattern will repeat itself and we will have a strong push of fish this week. The seas will finally subside by weds, after almost a week long blow which has made is difficult for most to scout the area. Ideally the fish will be there once we all get a chance to get back on the water.
Last year was the weakest run I have seen of albies in western long island sound. They stayed near long island and almost an hour boat ride away for the majority of the fall, which made finding them difficult.
FINGERS CROSSED...
