CSA April 2024 SUDS

President’s Letter

March 2024

Greetings Surfcasters,

Our second outing of the 2024 season is at Saturday, April 27 at The Audubon Coastal Center at Milford’s Smith Point. Already 20+ lb. fish have been landed.

Did I say Smith Point is our second outing? I did. That’s because as a club, our members should make our best effort to attend the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan public meeting Wednesday, April 17 at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Hilton Hotel, 20 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT. I consider attending the April 17 pubic meeting our first outing. The New England Fishery Management Council will be soliciting comments regarding the range of alternatives to consider Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Fisher Management Plan. Register to participate at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3372208096915656544.

Immediate past club president and current executive board member George Baldwin will speak about this issue briefly this Wednesday night at our general membership meeting. E-board member Steve Hasselbacher will also speak briefly. Be sure to ask questions. We have had guest speakers present on this topic. We as a club are informed about the issue. We should continue to educate ourselves and educate others who appreciate a health striper fishery.

My experience is that in-person attendance goes a long way in supporting what our club believes is a significant issue. Wear your CSA shirt or hat with pride. Be sure to greet the meeting organizers afterwards so they know CSA members consider Atlantic Herring viability a significant issue for striper health.

Looking forward to seeing other CSA members Wednesday April 17 in Mystic.

Tight lines everyone, V. Mike Simko

Boot Camp at April CSA Meeting
Wednesday April 3rd at 7pm at the Surf Club

No, there won't be any pushups or drill instructors.  CSA is presenting another member led presentation, this time it's about surf casting footwear.  There wouldn't be much to say if we only fished the sand beaches of Cape Cod or Nantucket.  The rest of the New England coast is a slippery, weed covered bunch of rocks.  What we wear on our feet is going to determine where we can safely fish.  Also, it's a good time to evaluate our choices in boots as we ponder if out current ones will take us through the upcoming season.

We would like as many and hopefully all members bring one or more of your wading boots and or boot foot waders and tell us;   What you like or don't like about them?    Comfort level?    What kind of traction they have, any spikes?   What do they cost?     How the customer service of the company has been?   And anything else you'd like to add. 

There isn't anywhere else that you can get better information than from fellow CSA members.  So please bring surf shoes to the Aptil meeting and share your thoughts on them.  When it comes to knowledge about striped bass, theres something you can learn, no matter how long you've been at it.

Upcoming Events

At our most recent E-Bored Meeting we talked for a few minutes, time being precious, about some of the events and outings we could support in the months ahead.

APRIL - Our upcoming April membership meeting taking place this Wednesday night at the Madison Surf Club starting at 7:00 PM.

As stated earlier, you are all encouraged to attend the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan public meeting Wednesday, April 17 at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Hilton Hotel, 20 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT.  The New England Fishery Management Council will be soliciting comments regarding the range of alternatives to consider Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Fisher Management Plan.  Register to participate at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3372208096915656544.

Later in April, on the 27th, we plan Meet at the Audubon Bird Center parking lot sometime in the afternoon to catch the dropping tide at the mouth of the Housatonic River before sunset.  Times will be discussed at the meeting and I’m sure we’ll be sending out more messages to let you know more about it.

MAY - At our May 1st membership meeting we’re having “Bring you’re favorite rod and reel.”   Prior to the meeting, Tom Fucini, a rep from Tsunami Fishing Tackle will give a demonstration of their Forged Surf Rods on the beach.  Come early. - We will also be holding elections for officers and board members.  If anyone is interested in running for office or just to have an opportinity to be on the board, speak up and come and join in.  There’s no beer and pizza at the meetings anymore, but we manage, and our leadership likes to run a tight ship and get us sailing home in less than an hour most nights.  In Branford there’s always the Eel Pot or the ice cream shop near by for after meeting treats.

Plans are also in the works for a night at the Mystic Seaport Planetarium to view the stars and constelations that are visable during the striper fishing season.  Find out more at the meeting.

On Friday, May18th we plan to have our Annual West Haven Weakfish Outing at the West Haven Town Beach.

JUNE - I’m not sure what we’ll be doing for a meeting in June because  June 6, 7 & 8 CSA will be on Cuttyhunk for our Spring trip.  We will be staying at Pete’s Place and we will have more details at the meeting.  So far, we have only 3 members signed up and we hope many more will be coming along.

As the season progresses, we will be having many of our usual outings to more local beaches in Connecticut and Rhode Island.  If you have any ideas of places you’d like to try fishing or just want to get out of the house, come along or speak up if you want to run a trip yourself.

Club Contests

Striper a Month 2024

Each year CSA runs a year long contest to see who can catch a striped bass in the 12 month period between December of the previous year and November of the current year.  The following members have managed to catch at least one bass a month from December 2023 through March 2024. 
 

Mike Benzinger
Steve Hasselbacher
Jim Munson
Liam Rosati
Bill Tesbir
 

High Hooks and Top 10

High Hook Rules are as follows:

1. Fish must be caught from shore or surf, with both feet planted on Terra Firma.

2. The High Hook club tournament generally runs from the first Sunday following Thanksgiving for a period of one year.

3. Overall length, measured from the tip of the lip, to the end of the tail, is used to determine the winner.  Weight is optional and not used to determine a winner.

4. Entries must be reported by the first membership meeting following the catch.

5. Entries can be sent to Mike Mullen at mike@highhooklures.com or the current Club President via email or submitted in writing at a club meeting.

So far we have had Just one High Hook entry.
  Glenn Silver entered a 34.25” striper caught on a fly.  Nice going!

Angling for Unicorns

George R. Baldwin

Something about weakfish has a strong pull on many a surfcaster. Perhaps it’s the fact that they’re not as abundant and frequently caught as striped bass, like finding a rare coin in your garden. Unlike striped bass, which often seem to be everywhere, they are found in relatively small patches of shoreline. They show up for several weeks at most, and then disappear beyond the reach of a surf rod. And many of those who do know when, where and how to find them are tight-lipped as a politician in a campaign funding investigation. And so these fish, sometimes referred to as “unicorns” in recent years, remain a mystery and a perpetual bucket list fish to many. (MUCH MUCH more information from George available to members in good standing through the monthly email)
 

CSA March 2024 SUDS

President’s Letter

March 2024

Greetings Surfcasters,  

Great to see the evening sunlight until almost 6 o’clock.  Likewise for those early birds.   And with the lengthening days is the promise of club outings.  Looks like our first planned club outing will be to the Milford Smith’s Point Audubon for spring schoolies on Saturday, April 27 to take advantage of the dropping tide.  Next will be our annual weakfish outing at the West Haven sandbar also on a Saturday evening May 18, perfectly timed for an 8:48PM high tide.  Also, confirmed is our annual June trip to Cuttyhunk from Thursday, June 6 through Sunday the 9th.

Club members should give it their best shot to make one or all three of these outings.  I find the camaraderie the best part.  And for those family membership or for the less seasoned among us the April Smith’s Point trip provides a great introduction to surfcasting; sandy, soft sloping shores, a high probability of catching fish and a short drive for those of us west of New Haven. 

Also mentioned, actually a reminder at our recent e-board meeting was that impromptu pop-up outings are absolutely encouraged.  No outing is too small.  Just a reminder though, should you like to plan an outing on the fly be sure to let one of the e-board members know so our club’s liability insurance covers any unforeseen circumstances. 

Our club’s earliest club spring event is the Spring Cow. Just as the name suggests, the member who catches a striper, in the maritime district, after spring begins (for us it is 11:06PM March 19), 40” or greater.  Jim Munson is shooting for a hat trick having won in 2022 and 2023. 

Looking forward to seeing as many members possible at this year’s outings.

Tight lines everyone,

 V. Mike Simko

CSA March 2024 Membership Meeting

Wednesday March 6th at 7:00 pm at the Madison Old Town Hall.

Bucktail Enthusiast, Stephen Gressak will be our March Speaker

Steve will be giving an encore and updated presentation on how to fish the simplest of lures and the complexities the presentation. If you’ve ever fished next to Steve when he’s throwing bucktails it’s an almost humiliating experience.  Be there Wednesday night.

It really is time to renew your Fishing License

Go to https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing/General-Information/Fisheries-Licenses-and-Permits to renew.

Connecticut Coastal Access Guide - https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Coastal-Resources/Coastal-Access and and click “Here."

CUTTYHUNK FERRY’S FUTURE IS NOT CERTAIN by V. Mike Simko (join the CSA to see the rest of this topic)

Improving Catch and Release    by Pat Abate (join the CSA to see the rest of this topic)

Report Chasing     By Pat Vogt (join the CSA to see the rest of this topic)

ASMFC Herring Meeting - Mystic, CT April 17th

Connecticut was doing a great job restoring its herring runs. They fed our striped bass and bluefish, helped bring back the ospreys and eagles (their nesting is timed to coincide with the arrival of herring to feed their chicks), otters and many other wildlife species. Offshore, they feed bluefin tuna, whales and other pelagic creatures. Millions of taxpayer and corporate dollars were spent on fish ladders, dam removals and other components of herring restoration. Now a few boats out of Gloucester are decimating our herring in bycatch that they're allowed to sell.

We can again restore them, to the point where they can feed our wildlife and provide a thriving local commercial fishery if we do it right. Maine currently has such a situation. We just need to move the big commercial sea herring boats away from our river herring migrations during a few key months. Get the word out, let's make it happen.

There's an ASMFC Scoping Hearing on April 17th at the Hilton Hotel in Mystic, CT from 6:00-8:00pm. Let's flood the venue with proponents of rebuilding our herring runs once again. Click on the link and register.

Click Here to Register for the April 17th Herring Meeting

Presidents Letter and SUDS Teaser Feb 2024

President’s Letter - February 2024

Greetings Surfcasters,

For the last 12 years (excluding one COVID year) the club’s annual Demo Day has been a feather in our collective hats. Our first Demo Day back in January 2012 was the cumulative effort of our then club President Bill “Billy D” Delizio. With an organized effort that first Demo Day has grown to a regionally attended event. This year’s Demo Day went without a hitch (well, no PA system - but it did not seem missed). Around 40 exhibitors packed into Clinton Town Hall Green Room, and twice – at 10 and 12 noon - filling the back lecture Rose Room, from Long Island, Billy “The Greek” Legakis. For five years long time CSA member Greg McNamara worked getting The Greek as a Demo Day featured speaker. Great effort Greg. The Greek was enthralling when not giving us belly laughs. Our club members were well represented demonstrating surf fishing topics. Every exhibitor was coordinated by immediate past president George Baldwin. So too every aspect of the intricate room setup being managed by past president Billy D. If you enjoyed an egg/cheese/bacon sandwich or a hot dog then thank club members Tracey Baldwin and Rosie Greider.

Keep in mind Demo Day has grown to be a regional event. At one point I walked out to my car parked next to other vehicles with CONN., NY, NJ, RI, PENN and MASS plates. Take pride that your local surfcasters club has regional exposure. There has been interest shown by the Montauk Surfcasters, Narragansett Surfcasters, Hudson River Anglers and a couple of New Jersey organizations asking to participate in our surfcaster community efforts.

Attend a monthly meeting. Be aware that the schoolie and cow raffle prizes are a result of generous donations by Demo Day exhibitors. Many of our monthly speakers are initially recruited at Demo Day. Demo Day results in new memberships, a year’s worth of raffle prizes and a lifetime’s worth of new friendships.

Our next Demo Day will probably be Saturday, January 18, 2015. There is no rest for the weary. Our upcoming February 21 executive board meeting will be addressing our next demo day in just 11 months.

Tight lines everyone,

V. Mike Simko

CSA February 2024 Membership Meeting

Wednesday February 7th at 7:00 pm at the Madison Old Town Hall.
Bill is a surf fishing guide from Long Island.  He'll be speaking about how to “Read the Water” and what it’s like to fish Montauk.  Quite a few CSA members have gone out fishing with Bill to learn how to fish Montauk and the beaches nearby.  He is a very enthusiastic fisherman, to put it mildly.  And he likes to talk about fishing to anybody interested in the sport and he really knows what he’s talking about.  You won’t want to miss this guy.  Be there Wednesday night.

Upcoming Events - want to know when and where to see these legends? Better join the CSA!

Below is a list of topics, speakers and activities we hope to get involved with throughout the months ahead.  If you have any further ideas of topics you’re interested in or speakers you’d like to hear from, please bring them up at a monthly meeting or speak to Pat Abate, Mike Simko or members of the board.  Your input may be just what we need.   

Dave Peros, fishing guide around the Elizabeth Islands and writer. Surfcaster, boat and fly fisherman who has spent a lifetime on Cape Cod. He’s committed to speak. 

Steve Gressak, an encore and updated presentation on how to fish the simplest of lures and the complexities the presentation. If you’ve ever fished next to Steve when he’s throwing bucktails it’s an almost humiliating experience. He’s committed to speaking. 

Mike Wade, owns Watch Hill Outfitters. He’s going to speak about surf fishing the Watch Hill area. He said he’d be honored to speak.

Swap Night, a meeting where members can buy, sell, give away or trade fishing related items. 

Boot Camp, a member round table on the love hate relationship with our foot ware. Let’s all bring in our boots and share what our experiences with boots has been and what modifications we have made. 

Dave Anderson, he gave a very insightful presentation at our October meeting. He said he’d like to speak to the club next year on a non related surfcasting subject. 

My Favorite Rod and Reel, a member round table on the one outfit you love the most for shore fishing. It can be a fly rod, albie outfit or any combo you use from shore.

Pat Vogt, long time member AKA weakfish whisperer to count on him for a program that’s on the bucket list of many members.

LOADING CORDELL REDFINS        by George Baldwin

7” Cotton Cordell Redfin     I always carry a light one (Bone or Smoky Joe) and a dark one (Blurple, but black works just fine)

Split Ring Pliers    Hansom makes my favorite model, and can be ordered through ZeeBaas. 

Want the step by step How-To instructions? Active Members get the full story!

February 2024 SUDS Monthly Newsletter also had submissions such as:

Fly Line Review     by Dave Nguyen

Letting Go and the Long Road Back     By Pat Vogt

CSA February Skies    By V. Mike Simko

Members in good standing get the full SUDS email with these submissions and more!