May 2025 SUDS

May 2025
 

"The purpose of this organization shall be to promote, protect and preserve the surfcasting tradition, in its many forms, along our coasts...
CSA Bylaws, Article II.  Purposes

oh just shut up and Fish!
[intransitive] go fishing to spend time fishing for pleasure, Let's go fishing this weekend.
 

Contents:

President's Letter
An Announcement
Meeting Notes
CSA Swag 
Club Contests
Weakfish Outing
Going Single
Fish Pictures
May Skies
 

President’s Letter 

This is my last President’s Letter.  There were 24, hopefully some were interesting.  Next month’s letter will be authored by Steve Hasselbacher, President for the 2025/2026 term.  It is wonderful to see the Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X-er surfcasters picking up the reins from us Baby Boomers.  I believe it is healthy for the club in every respect.  Steve has been on the executive board for the last several years.  He has been vigilant.  In my line of work, my profession, it is many times more important to hear what questions someone asks as opposed to what they state.  I feel confident that Steve will guide the club, exercise the office of president as simply written in our club’s by-laws.  There is a responsibility being a president to follow your gut.  It is not to be taken lightly.  I look forward to serving the e-board as secretary.

Also, welcome two new e-board members, Joe Esposito and David Nguyen.  Along with Steve and myself they will be rounding out the e-board with Pat Abate, Mike Mullen, Billy D – Delizio, Jim Savage, Bill & Deb Goeben Charlie Gargano and George Baldwin. 

New blood, new ideas – that’s to be expected with each new president.  Good luck E-board.  And my pleasure being your president for the last couple of years.

Tight lines everyone

Mike S.

Here's my Formal Announcement (again)

Greetings CSA members,

During May’s meeting at the Stony Creek Brewery in Branford our club will hold our annual elections, and it has been suggested to me by several members, that I run for Club President this year.

At first I was apprehensive. When I think of a club president, I think of someone who has been a long time member, with a great understanding of the clubs inner workings and service structure, who is well spoken, with a fancy wardrobe.  That is not me.  I am a relatively new member, having only joined 4 years ago, and being a board member for the last 2 and some change.  I am however, a very dedicated and passionate angler.  Member Jim Munson once wrote "I find that my resentments are saltwater soluble,” which resonated very deeply with me.  From the relationships I've developed, places I've seen, and general sense of peace and serenity I've gained from this past-time, my life has been greatly enriched. I don’t know that time spent on the water makes for a good president, but I’m sure it doesn’t hurt.

One of the reasons I joined CSA, was to give myself a louder voice to certain issues that effect us all as fishermen.  As an organization we can often carry more weight than the individual.  My first experience with the CSA was in 2018 at DEEP headquarters during the amendment 7 hearings.  I sat in a room full of acquaintances, who were there to stand up for what they believed in, rather than complain online.  I didn't realize it at the time, but the majority of the people I knew were club members.  Since then, we have helped make great strides in other issues effecting fisheries and access.  "To promote, protect, and preserve the surfcasting tradition in its many forms,” is our mission statement.  I believe in conservation and sustainability, but at the same time, believe in anglers rights.  It's often a fine line between the two.  I also often have strong opinions on what promoting the sport should constitute.  But they are just that, opinions.  And fortunately for the rest of the world no vote holds greater value than the next.  Our current board and executive members are dedicated, and have done a great job keeping the club moving forward, and will continue to do so.  But at some point, it's up to the next generation to step up and keep it alive.  The fishery has changed, technology has changed, and the way anglers enter the sport and learn has changed.  But the importance of fishing clubs has not.  We are the ones who generally host our winter shows, seminars, tournaments, and other various events that make this community what it is.  It's an honor to be considered for the position, and with that, I am throwing my hat in the ring to be president of the Connecticut Surfcasters Association.

Steve Hasselbacher

Wednesday Evening at Stony Creek Brewery – Singles Night!

Single and happy?  Just ask Peter Jennings, the proprietor of The Saltwater Edge, Middletown, Rhodes Island, and a member of American Saltwater Guides Association, who will be speaking at our Wednesday night meeting about adjusting your gear, encouraging anglers to swap out the back hooks on their plugs to reduce damage on fish.  Peter invites everyone attending to bring your plugs and swap out the rear hooks.  Peter will have all the tools, split rings necessary to convert your plug. And as a bonus CSA member Elliot Thomas will supply some of his own tied flags.  There is suggested a small cash donation for the provided flags. 

Peter will also give a presentation of the science behind dating back almost three decades indicating that double trebles do damage.  Peter will prove how every angler can have an immediate impact on their angling footprint.  More can be found at https://www.saltwaterguidesassociation.com/gear-choices/  See you this Wednesday evening starting at 7 pm, Stony Creek Brewer, 5 Indian Neck Ave., Branford, CT 06405.

Renew Your Fishing License - portal.ct.gov › ctoutdoorlicenses

CSA NEWS FLASH!!!
 

CSA neon green knit caps and a selection of CSA bill caps

will be available at the May meeting.

Club Contests

Striper a Month 2025

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 2024 through April 2025. 
 

Jim Munson

Liam Rosati
 

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 the next club meeting.
 

We have a Spring Cow

Devon LaCroix caught the Spring Cow, a 41in 28 lb. bass on a Wizard custom Banshee that he built. It was taken on 4/25/25.  

CSA West Haven Weakfish Outing Thursday night May 8th.  Billy D.
 

George Baldwin with a weakfish caught on a fly
 

Thursday night the club will be picking up the parking fee at West Haven for all CSA Club members.  We want to make it affordable for our members to come and fish this historical and memorable area.  Car pooling is encouraged.  Let's meet in the parking lot around 7:00 pm.  I will be there to help and advise along with George Baldwin and other experienced  sandbarers!  High tide is 9:36 pm.  First off this is my favorite tide.  One reason was a night 20 years ago to be exact, a club member and myself found a herd of 30 plus inch Weakfish.  The lure that was responsible for the catches was the Mag Darter 5".  Orange / gold & Sardine ( my favorite).

The West Haven sand bar has been an annual club outing attended by many over the years.  It's a place where newbies learned to fish and usually a place to wet your feet before heading out in the real suds!!   Many nice Weakfish have been landed since then.  There were lean times, when 1 or no fish were caught and they were small.
 
Lightweight tackle fits the bill.  Rods rated 3/8 oz - 2oz.  Medium reels 4-5K and Surf bags with colorful paddle tails, zoom flukes, SPminnows , Mag darters and the bucktail.  The latter was food of the day in early times dressed with a gaudy colored rubber jelly worm.  For me I've been coming here since the early 60's when we would catch winter flounder ( flatfish) using handlines w/yellow sinkers & baited Carlisle hooks w/sand worm pieces.

The crowds can dictate how the bite will be.  Fish throughout the spit walking north from.the beach entrance.  Wading out helps reach distance drop offs.  Water isn't too clear but a NW wind is a favorite.  On shore wind will produce dirtier water with some weed.  Those nights a single hook offering off the bottom will help.
 

Going Single!

As you've been reading the e mail and social media that CSA is sponsoring "Singles Night,” the night of our club meeting on May 7th.

Please bring your multi hook plugs and questions concerning "Affects on action" with you.  Aside from replacing extra hooks with flags and worm weights or bent hook tips, I would like to tell you what my lure modifications were this past plug building season.

All my lure designs now with thorough testing have a single belly hook. The one noticeable difference you'll see is a larger single belly hook than previously with 2 belly hooks. This as you know makes for a faster, cleaner and safer catch and release.  Plus upping the hook size puts a stronger hook on the lure and also one with a larger gap ( space between the tip & shank).  This should help for a better hook set and hold.

Testing involved changing weighting and placement location(s).  I hope when you look for a new lure, you’ll take into account it's design for helping the future of the fisherie.

As always, I'm available for any of your lure questions. 

Safe catch and releases, Billy D

Fish Pictures

Pete Gleason and his daughter were out togging in Buzzards Bay

May Skies  by Mike Simko.
 

A unique event may, just maybe, be visible on the night of Saturday, May 10 through the dark morning hours of Sunday, May 11.  That is the best estimate of when Soviet spacecraft Kosmos 482 will fall reentering the atmosphere. 

In March 1972 the Soviets launched a pair of heat-resistant spacecrafts – bound for Venus -to measure the Venusian atmosphere.  One of the crafts launched out of Earth orbit successfully making it to Venus.  However, the other spacecraft malfunctioned never making it out of Earth orbit.  Both spacecraft were made of 1,000 lbs. of pure titanium to survive the horrific, incredibly hot Venusian atmosphere; thickly concentrated with sulfuric acid, surface temperatures averaging close to 900°F, and surface atmospheric pressure at about 1,350 psi (roughly 92 times the pressure at sea level on Earth).  Now, after orbiting the Earth for 53 years it’s predicted to fall to Earth with a molten titanium glow.  Interestingly, telescopes tracking orbiting satellites show Kosmos 482 with an exposed parachute that was meant to slow the descent through the Venusian atmosphere.  For 53 years Kosmos 482 has been trailing a heat-resistant parachute.   Even with a parachute attached experts highly doubt the parachute’s ability to work – and slow the craft down as it reenters – after so many years.

What is known for sure is that Kosmos 482 will reenter anywhere between latitude 52 degrees north (Amsterdam, Netherlands; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) - Madison is 41.2 degrees north – and 52 degrees south (the Falkland Islands).

So, this Saturday night into Sunday early morning, look skyward and maybe,  just maybe, you may witness 1,000 lbs. of glowing molten titanium.

Dark skies everyone, and tight lines.

Please remember to support our sponsors.

Editor’s note:  SUDS is generally better when more members contribute.  Do your part and write something up.  And remember, adding pictures can make a difference.  
Mike M.

Our next meeting

will be

May 6

7:00 PM at the 

Stoney Creek Brewery

in Branford


<;)))))))<  >(((((((;>



Have fun!

SUDS April 2025

April 2025
 

"The purpose of this organization shall be to promote, protect and preserve the surfcasting tradition, in its many forms, along our coasts...
CSA Bylaws, Article II.  Purposes

Fish!
[intransitive] go fishing to spend time fishing for pleasure, Let's go fishing this weekend.
 

Contents:

President’s Letter
An Announcement
Meeting Notes
CSA Swag 
Club Contests
June Cuttyhunk
Fish Pictures
First Fish!
Spring Fishing
April Skies
 

A Letter from our President

 BYLAWS

Connecticut Surfcasters Association, Inc.
…

Article II. Purpose

The purposes of this organization shall be to promote, protect and preserve the surfcasting tradition, in its many forms, along our coasts; to serve as a forum for communication, socialization and recreation among individuals sharing an interest in surfcasting; to serve as a vehicle for interacting with other organizations having a similar interest in the tradition and sport of surfcasting; to develop a supportive and informational network for persons interested in surfcasting; and, to provide information and education in surfcasting.

________________

Greetings everyone,

 Occasionally it is good to refer back to the documents that allow our association to exist, to prosper.  Over thirty years ago three surfcaster friends, Frank Capone, Mitch Corah, and Steve Pynn founded Connecticut Surfcasters Association while on a surfcasting trip to Cuttyhunk Island.  To their credit they drafted common sense bylaws providing that annually, each May, there are elections for open board of directors' positions.  By laws require a minimum of 7 and up to 13 directors max, unless changed by the board.  Each director's term continues year to year unless a vacancy occurs, resignation or removal.  It is the directors, by majority vote that shape the associations "Communication, socialization and recreation," i.e., general membership meetings and outings, trips, etc.

This May there are four director seats available.  Many thanks to Nate Kahle's recent service as a board member at-large and our club's raffle chairperson.  Nate is stepping down from e-board duties.  He has agree to remain raffle chairperson though indicates he would like to pass on the raffle responsibilities.  NOTE liaison, committee positions such as membership, raffle, need not be a director.  Yes, the directors may designate committee persons, however, the position does not require e-board status.  The current directors are me, Pres., Charlie Gargano, V.P., Jim Savage, Treasurer, at at-large members Bill & Deb Goeben, George Baldwin, Pat Abate, Bill "Billy D" Delizio, Mike Mullen, and Steve Hasselbacher.  That leaves us with four available seats.  Not all seats need to be filled.  But members who have shown interest are Dave Nguyen, Bill Fox, Joe Esposito, and Jim Munson.  The e-board appoints its officers - president, vice president, a secretary and a treasurer.  This year's elections look to the general membership to advise the e-board that Steve Hasselbacher be appointed president, while yours truly resume secretary responsibilities.

Surely, I have omitted a name or three that may want consideration for a board seat.  And if not this year then next year, or the year after.  Take into consideration that consistent, regular e-board meeting attendance is strongly encouraged.  However, as president I have assumed one last duty to seriously look into possible remote e-board meeting attendance by means and methods akin to the formal and reliable means our Connecticut judicial/court system conducts most court hearings, and another NGO where I am the board chairman.  I will do my best, and with the majority vote of our e-board, perhaps get reliable remote access to those not so local to our current Branford House Community Center meeting venue. 

Here's my Formal Announcement

Greetings CSA members,

During May’s meeting at the Stony Creek Brewery in Branford our club will hold our annual elections, and it has been suggested to me by several members, that I run for Club President this year.

At first I was apprehensive. When I think of a club president, I think of someone who has been a long time member, with a great understanding of the clubs inner workings and service structure, who is well spoken, with a fancy wardrobe.  That is not me.  I am a relatively new member, having only joined 4 years ago, and being a board member for the last 2 and some change.  I am however, a very dedicated and passionate angler.  Member Jim Munson once wrote "I find that my resentments are saltwater soluble,” which resonated very deeply with me.  From the relationships I've developed, places I've seen, and general sense of peace and serenity I've gained from this past-time, my life has been greatly enriched. I don’t know that time spent on the water makes for a good president, but I’m sure it doesn’t hurt.

One of the reasons I joined CSA, was to give myself a louder voice to certain issues that effect us all as fishermen.  As an organization we can often carry more weight than the individual.  My first experience with the CSA was in 2018 at DEEP headquarters during the amendment 7 hearings.  I sat in a room full of acquaintances, who were there to stand up for what they believed in, rather than complain online.  I didn't realize it at the time, but the majority of the people I knew were club members.  Since then, we have helped make great strides in other issues effecting fisheries and access.  "To promote, protect, and preserve the surfcasting tradition in its many forms,” is our mission statement.  I believe in conservation and sustainability, but at the same time, believe in anglers rights.  It's often a fine line between the two.  I also often have strong opinions on what promoting the sport should constitute.  But they are just that, opinions.  And fortunately for the rest of the world no vote holds greater value than the next.  Our current board and executive members are dedicated, and have done a great job keeping the club moving forward, and will continue to do so.  But at some point, it's up to the next generation to step up and keep it alive.  The fishery has changed, technology has changed, and the way anglers enter the sport and learn has changed.  But the importance of fishing clubs has not.  We are the ones who generally host our winter shows, seminars, tournaments, and other various events that make this community what it is.  It's an honor to be considered for the position, and with that, I am throwing my hat in the ring to be president of the Connecticut Surfcasters Association.

Steve Hasselbacher

April 2nd Membership Meeting
 

On Wednesday, April 2nd 2025, Toby Lapinski, former editor of The Fisherman magazine will be presenting at the Connecticut Surfcasters Association monthly meeting.

Toby is, without a doubt , one of the most knowledgeable surfcasters on the east coast.  Not just for schoolies, soft plastics are big fish lures too!  Toby will break down his approach to targeting striped bass of 20, 30, and even 40-plus pounds in the surf on soft plastics.  He'll cover the baits he likes to use and why, how to rig them, and how he fishes them along the open surf.

The meeting will be held at the Madison Memorial Town Hall at 8 Meeting House Lane, Madison, CT promptly at 7:00 pm and will end before 9:00pm (or shortly thereafter). There will be a short business meeting and a raffle featuring surf fishing lures, equipment and maybe a rod or reel (hint: bring some money, the raffles always have some great items).
See you there!

George

Renew Your Fishing License - portal.ct.gov › ctoutdoorlicenses

CSA NEWS FLASH!!!
 

CSA neon green knit caps and a selection of CSA bill caps

will be available at the April meeting.

Club Contests

Striper a Month 2025

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 2024 through March 2025. 
 

Jim Munson
Liam Rosati
 

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 the next club meeting.
 

We are still looking for a Spring Cow

A Spring Cow is the first 40” bass caught on/after first day of spring.

Years ago the BOD agreed to add language “Below saltwater demarcation line.”  And so, we can assume, as we are a surfcasting club, all Spring Cow entries must be from below the saltwater demarcation line and we agreed that would be the first bridge on any of Connecticut’s rivers.

June Cuttyhunk Trip - June 19, 20 & 21 - There’s still room for YOU!

Mary Howard enjoying Cuttyhunk

We are confirmed for Pete's Place Rentals for a committed 12 heads from Thursday June 19 through Sunday June 22.  We have accommodations at Pete's Place Upstairs and Pete's Place Downstairs http://petesplacerentals.com.  Both sleep 9 singles, or, if couples, up to 11.  To round out the committed 12 heads we have our pick of the other smaller rentals such as Boat Shop, Horseplay or The Loft.  The price is $120 per head per night.  It's a far cry from past years, even the last couple of years.  But Cutty has become a June wedding destination spot. Accommodations such as Lehner House gets primo rental during June.  Here's the bottom line, no exceptions allowed.  The club is committed to 12 paid spots regardless if we fill them or not. June 19-22 is just 3 months away.  PLAN YOUR WORK/FAMILY OBLIGATIONS NOW.   Once committed by paying $180 deposit by the May general membership meeting, that's May 7, your space will be saved.  The remaining $180 balance due must be paid by the June 4 general membership meeting at the Madison Beach Surf Club.  The first twelve $180 paid deposits will be the 12 going to Cutty.  There will be no return of deposits!  Be forewarned.  So, if you can pay now, meaning you know for a fact you can commit now for a mid-June four-day trip then great.  If you need to wait until the May 7 meeting then by all means do so.  However, there is no guarantee that there will still be an available spot.  Of course, full prepayment is always accepted.  Depending on the sign-ups, committed paid-in-full numbers by the June 4 meeting, we may consider a waiting list.  We may have some flexibility, and that's a big maybe, since by April - May most available Pete's Place rentals are spoken for by other anglers.  So, PLAN NOW.  Be it your first time or your umpteenth time, a Cuttyhunk stay in mid-June is magnificent.  Every beach rosebush is in bloom, native brush and reintroduced native sassafras trees in flower.

Fish Pictures

Joe Esposito had a good day top mid 30s bottom near 40"

Devon LaCroix with his 38” bass

Madison Catches her First Fish! 

Here we see Madison, who is Mary Howard’s niece,
with one of the first fish she ever caught surfcasting

Actually, it was the second, because the first one flipped off the hook before I could get a picture of it.  For years Madison had been hearing about us going fishing and catching fish and having fun and she really started to get a bug about it.  She and one of her girlfriends came down from Boston to try some fishing last year, but try as they might she and her friend went home with a skunk.  She heard we were catching again and kind of invited herself down for another try.  We where happy to have her and fortunately, she came on a day with good weather and favorable time for tides.  It took a little doing to get her back into casting lures and trying retrieves that might work and it must have been frustrating for her because both Mary and I were catching fish.  Well, finally after getting a few bumps Madison hooked up with a couple of fish in short order and she was thrilled.  Now, we’re looking forward to later in the spring when we can try our luck fishing in the Sound and trying to catch something just big enough to eat.   Then she’ll really be happy! 

Mike M.

Spring Fishing    by Mike Mullen
 

One of my first springtime stripers

I used to try to catch a fish during every month of the year, but then I grew a brain.  It’s just too cold to go fishing most of the time in January and February, so I usually just wait at least until the first day of March or whenever it starts to warm up in March.  Generally, I don’t catch anything my first few times out.  But I don’t care.  I just want to be there when they show up.  Sometimes the fiddler crabs are out before the fish come.  But I think it’s generally the case that the fish are biting just before the ospreys get here. 

No matter what, I usually start by using white plastic with a 3/8 oz. jig head.  I know everyone has their favorites and if they work, go with them.  My favorite is the 5 inch ZOOM Salty Super Fluke in white pearl.  I also like using the white painted jig heads. The hooks are made with rather thin wire, but that’s not much of a problem with the smaller fish.  If the fish were bigger I’d like the HEADLOCK with 6/0 - 3/8 oz. Mustad jig.  They have thicker wire.

I really like fishing with both spinning gear and a fly rod for schoolies and later for bigger fish as well, in certain places.  You can see in the picture I have a green over white Lefty’s Deceiver, which I usually start out with.  It’s just like using white plastic, they seen to be very similar offerings and both work very well.  As the season starts I may catch one or two fish a day or just get skunked, but then things can pick up and I can get one after another.  Years ago I would just see how many I could catch on a fly until I wore it out.  I learned to add epoxy to the heads of the flys to make them last longer so I could catch more fish on the same fly.  It got to be a little ridiculous, the numbers I would reach.  To make it a little easier to live with myself, I started limiting how many fish I could catch before I would have to put the fly rod down and try the spinner or I’d make myself change locations or something just so I wouldn’t let things get too out of hand.  Now, I catch five and make a change and I do put a reasonable limit on how many I catch in an outing.
 

Top a Lefty’s Deceiver and the my own Stream Mummy Clouser

As the season progresses, I make sure to look out for a local baitfish that the schoolies love to scarf on, stream minnows.  They spend the winter hold up in the contributing creeks along our local tidal rivers.  They live in quite large schools and can be seen near the culverts on the roadways that pass along the marshlands.  I used to walk a lot and I would stop by some local creeks on my walks to see how they were managing during the winter.  I could often see them through the ice if it wasn’t too thick.  Toward the end of March I’d take extra care to check on them because as the water warms up, it finally gets warm enough for those mummies to head out into the larger river.  That actually happened just last week.  One day I was on my way out to fish, I checked the creek and just like that, they were gone.  When I got to the river  I spoke to another fisherman (who really should just go out and get a job) and when I mention the mummies being gone he said he had been fishing white plastic and couldn’t get a bite and then he put on black plastic and it was just one-after-another.

Well, when I got to a spot I like to fish, I put on the small clouser with the black top, brown or green middle, with a little copper crystal/flash and just a tiny off-white belly, that looks something like a stream mummy and I cast out.  They were on it immediately.   And so it went, I’d catch a few, I’d switch, I’d catch a few, switch.  It’s a good life, this fishing.  

Here is a collection of lures and flies that like to use for schoolies in the springtime.
I also bring a measuring tape.
 

April Skies  by Mike Simko

This month's full moon is known as the "Pink Moon," not because of its color, but because of the timing.  So many of our monthly moon-names came about through popularization by the Farmers' Almanac, a publication that dates to 1792.  And the Almanac's popularized names are rooted in Indigenous North American traditions.  This month's "Pink Moon" refers to the seasonal bloom of moss pink, or creeping phlox, one of the earliest wildflowers to appear in the spring.

The April full moon also happens to be a micromoon, the opposite of a supermoon.  The moon's elliptical orbit around Earth varies greatly.  Though the orbit averages about 240,000 miles, the closest approach 225,600 miles, farthest 252,100.  This month's full moon is at the extreme end at 255,000 miles.  A micromoon should appear visibly smaller then what you may recall of a prior supermoon.  Also, compare your local high tides on the day of and the day after the April full moon.  You should see tides nowhere near supermoon tides.  Couple that with the earth being mid annual orbit around the sun tides swings will be fairly modest.  What we had just a couple of years ago with a super moon right around January 1, and the earth's closest approach to the sun, known as perihelion, each year around January 3rd, THEN you have monster tide swings.  And if the wind and weather accommodate you can witness extreme tides, perhaps once in a lifetime tides.  I'll look ahead and advise in a future Suds

Dark skies, tight lines.

Please remember to support our sponsors.

Editor’s note:  SUDS is generally better when more members contribute.  Do your part and write something up.  And remember, adding pictures can make a difference.  
Mike M.

Our next meeting

will be

April 2

7:00 PM at

the Old Town Hall

in Madison


<;)))))))<  >(((((((;>



See you there!

Spring Cow 2025

Greetings Surfcasters,

As of 5:01 this morning it has been spring!  To go with that, the Connecticut Surfcasters Association will be on the look-out for the next striped bass measuring 40 inches or more to be our “Spring Cow!”

Members have reporters a couple of good bass measuring up to 40 inches, but years ago it was agreed that the Spring Cow contest would begin on the first day of spring.

————

From my notes:

From March 2016,  CSA Contests

We are still looking for a Spring Cow.

A Spring Cow is the first 40” bass caught on/after first day of spring?

In February the BOD agreed to add language “Below saltwater demarcation line.”  And so, we can assume, as we are a surfcasting club, all contest entries must be from below the saltwater demarcation line and we agreed that would be the first bridge on any of Connecticut’s rivers.

————

So, there we have it.  The first member to log in with a bass 40” or better wins.  Good luck!

Mike M.  

March 2025 SUDS

March 2025

"The purpose of this organization shall be to promote, protect and preserve the surfcasting tradition, in its many forms, along our coasts...

CSA Bylaws, Article II. Purposes

Fish!

[intransitive] go fishing to spend time fishing for pleasure, Let's go fishing this weekend.

Contents:

President’s Letter

Meeting Notes

CSA Swag

Club Contests

June Cuttyhunk

Fly to Spin

Getting Ready

Rod Repair

March Skies

A Letter from our President

Greetings Surfcasters,

So much of what our executive board does is looking to the future. We must plan ahead. Nailing down guest speakers, meeting venues, trips and outing accommodations, even next year's 2026 Demo Day are planned far in advance. The eboard just confirmed that our May 7 general membership meeting will be held at Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Avenue, Branford. We will be upstairs in the second-floor events room area. www.stonycreekbeer.com. Special guest, traveling south from Middletown, Rhode Island is Peter Jenkins, the proprietor of The Saltwater Edge. Plan on showing up early, have dinner then head upstairs to Peter's presentation about changing over your trebles to single hooks. More about the May meeting in future Suds.

Overnight outings require months to finalize. Cuttyhunk is an easy example with our club's accommodation being planned, and reserved, a year in advance. Committing to Jersey Shore's Island Beach Motor Lodge for our usual Thanksgiving holiday trip gets firmed up by mid-summer. In the mix this year is serious consideration for overnight trips to Maine coast or Plum Island Beach, north shore Massachusetts or maybe both!

If you have an idea about a future event AND are also willing to participate in making your idea have legs then reach out to any eboard member.

Tight lines everyone,

Mike S.

March Membership Meeting

Montauk Surfcaster Guide Bill Wetzel

On Wednesday, March 5th 2025, famed Montauk/Long Island surf fishing guide Bill Wetzel will be presenting at the Connecticut Surfcasters’ Association monthly meeting. Bill will be talking about Understanding Surf Conditions and Choosing Presentations. The meeting is open and free of charge to the public, you do not have to be a member to attend.

The meeting will be held at the Madison Memorial Town Hall at 8 Meeting House Lane, Madison, CT promptly at 7:00 pm and will end before 9:00pm (or shortly thereafter). There will be a short business meeting and a raffle featuring surf fishing lures, equipment and maybe a rod or reel (hint: bring some money, the raffles always have some great items).

Bill has presented for us a few times in the past, and always gives a great talk. He’s a professional who is out there almost every night and is an expert on fishing different weather and surf conditions, as well as choosing what lures to use and how to work them depending on those conditions.

See you there!

George

CSA NEWS FLASH!!!

CSA neon green knit caps and a selection of CSA bill caps

will be available at the March meeting.

Club Contests

Striper a Month 2025

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 2024 through February 2025.

Jim Munson

Liam Rosati

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 the next club meeting.

June Cuttyhunk Trip

Mary Howard enjoying Cuttyhunk

We are confirmed for Pete's Place Rentals for a committed 12 heads from Thursday June 19 through Sunday June 22. We have accommodations at Pete's Place Upstairs and Pete's Place Downstairs http://petesplacerentals.com. Both sleep 9 singles, or, if couples, up to 11. To round out the committed 12 heads we have our pick of the other smaller rentals such as Boat Shop, Horseplay or The Loft. The price is $120 per head per night. It's a far cry from past years, even the last couple of years. But Cutty has become a June wedding destination spot. Accommodations such as Lehner House gets primo rental during June. Here's the bottom line, no exceptions allowed. The club is committed to 12 paid spots regardless if we fill them or not. June 19-22 is just 3 months away. PLAN YOR WORK/FAMILY OBLIGATIONS NOW. Once committed by paying $180 deposit by the May general membership meeting, that's May 7, your space will be saved. The remaining $180 balance due must be paid by the June 4 general membership meeting at the Madison Beach Surf Club. The first twelve $180 paid deposits will be the 12 going to Cutty. There will be no return of deposits! Be forewarned. So, if you can pay now, meaning you know for a fact you can commit now for a mid-June four-day trip then great. If you need to wait until the May 7 meeting then by all means do so. However, there is no guarantee that there will still be an available spot. Of course, full prepayment is always accepted. Depending on the sign-ups, committed paid-in-full numbers by the June 4 meeting, we may consider a waiting list. We may have some flexibility, and that's a big maybe, since by April - May most available Pete's Place rentals are spoken for by other anglers. So, PLAN NOW. Be it your first time or your umpteenth time, a Cuttyhunk stay in mid-June is magnificent. Every beach rosebush is in bloom, native brush and reintroduced native sassafras trees in flower.

How the Fly Fishing Made me Better with the Spin Rod

by Dave Nguyen

The first time I tried fly fishing for stripers, I brought a spin rod with me just in case. I leaned my spin rod on the piping plover barrier rope and waded out with my fly rod in hand. With a stiff wind in my face, I flailed around helplessly, barely able to shoot the fly line 10' past my rod tip. I looked back longingly towards the shore where my spin rod was and thought to myself "f*ck this fly rod.” I flung one more pathetic cast out, and somehow I hooked into a micro schoolie. After that moment, my spinning rods sat in my barn collecting dust for the next 2 seasons.

Fast forward to the 2024 season, I had high hopes and expectations. I had just broken the high hook fly rod division club record with a 46" bass in 2023, and I had my sights set on a 50". I was very quickly humbled. The spring run, typically the more productive season on the fly for me, was very disappointing. Early summer yielded very few bass as well. At the same time, my fly fishing partner moved to Maine with his girlfriend and her boat, and my motivation with the fly rod waned significantly. "F*ck this fly rod" I found myself saying once again.

So I blew the dust of my spin rod and plug bag and headed back into the surf. One of the main things I took from fly fishing is that the fish aren't always at the end of your cast. In fact, they are often right at your feet. The 46" bass hit with only about 15' of fly line out. So with that knowledge, I've learned to reel my plugs all the way into the leader. Even if your cast doesn't land exactly where you want it, fish that plug all the way in, dropping your rod tip as it gets closer. If you've ever been or seen musky and pike fishing, a popular method is the figure 8 retrieve. As the plug gets close to the boat, rather than lifting it out for another cast, pike and musky fisherman drag the plug in a figure 8 pattern by the boat, and that usually will entice an aggressive take. I don't figure 8 the plug by my rock but I will drop my rod tip and fish the plug all the way to the leader, and I have taken bass ridiculously close to the rock I'm standing on.

Another way fly fishing has influenced my spin rodding is by opening up the range of where I cast. What I mean by this is if you picture a clock, casting straight out would be 12 o'clock, to the left 9 o'clock and to the right 3 o'clock etc. Before fly fishing, I would find myself on a rock casting straight out at 12 over and over. Sometimes I would cast between 10 and 2 o'clock. But with fly fishing, since you can't cast very far, casting around in a full circle is a way to cover more water. I have found that when fishing a boulder field, the fish are staging behind those big boulders waiting for an easy meal. My 44" high hook from last season came on a cast in the 8 o'clock direction. I was standing far out on a rock and I wanted to fish between the other boulders beside me. So not only could the fish be close, they could even be behind you!

A nice bass caught on a B-2 on Cuttyhunk!

And finally, I think the biggest and most valuable lesson I took from fly fishing was applied to fishing the needlefish. As many of you know, the needlefish is a big fish catching plug. If you look back at the high hooks from years past, you will see Mike Mullen's High Hook needles at the top of the list year after year. I was never proficient at using needles before fly fishing. Typically I would cast one out, it would sink to the bottom and get snagged, and I would curse at the heavens and tie on a new leader and different plug. The needlefish is not a plug that "talks" back to you. With darters, bottles, Finnish Minnow type lures and other swimming plugs, you can feel the plug working through your rod tip. But needles don't "feel" like anything. Flies also don't "feel" like anything. With fly fishing, you have to be tight to your fly in order to feel a bite. By working the fly line through your hands, you are imparting the "action" on the fly and you can "feel" what that fly is doing in the water. The same is true for needlefish plugs. You have to be tight to the plug in order to "feel" it, and you are imparting the "action" on the plug with your rod lifts. I like a slow retrieve with a lift of the rod every 6-8 turns of the handle. You can play around with what works for you but the most important thing is to stay tight to the plug. Losing that connection to the needlefish can result in losing that plug to a rock. And in case you're wondering, yes, that 44" high hook from last season came on a needle, one of Billy D's.

So for those of you who have been thinking about getting into fly fishing for stripers, I say do it. It's a humbling and frustrating endeavor, but I think it could provide insights for even the most seasoned spin rodders.

Getting Ready for Fishing from Bill Fox

I scored these otter tales on Facebook marketplace for $45 after reading John skinners book this winter. I have some bucktails on order. I still need to change out my hooks and split rings on my plugs as well my current read by John Skinner, Striper pursuits. Just started.

STILL TIME TO CHECK YOUR GEAR by Billy D

With spring coming within a couple months, there's still time to get your fishing rods in order. Get a good look at them. Check the rod's blank for serious nicks and scrapes. If you have doubts on its integrity bring it to a knowledgeable rod builder for an assessment. How are the guide inserts/frames, tip top insert, reel seat and your rod's butt and foregrip?

Check the guide "rings" for cracks. Maybe this was the reason for your mysterious break offs? I use a short piece of braid fishing line then insert through ring and grab line on both sides and run the line around the ring. If the ring is compromised you will feel the braid line snag. Go back and check again to verify. Using a magnifying devise, you should see the fault if it wasn't seen with your eyes. It doesn't take much of a crack or chip to snag the braid. Upon finding a fault the only way to fix this is having the entire guide replaced. A simple guide replacement will bring back the rod's integrity and end those costly break offs of your favorite lure.

Take a look at the reel seat. Check the locking nut, reel foot hoods and overall condition. This is the only secure connection of your reel to rod. Does the reel foot fit into the reel seat hood far enough for a secure hold? I’d recommend a minimum of 1/4" of insertion of the front foot. Some of the "Newly" built rods come with a smaller size reel seat, so it's imperative to get the reel to fit secure. If you purchase a newly built rod, I highly recommend you bring the reel you intend to use on it and see how it fits, prior to leaving the shop. If the rod you have now is suspect on the fit, the existing reel seat can be replaced.

Last part of the rod is the butt grip assembly. Is the butt cap worn and revealing the blank? Is the cork dried and flaking off? Is the shrink wrap ripped or loose? Your only contact to the rod is the reel seat and butt grip. Does it fit comfortably in your hand while casting? Is the rear butt section too thin? Do you have to squeeze the bottom hand to securely hold the rod during casting from spinning? All these deficiencies can be corrected on your rod.

If you have any concerns or problems with your rod, please feel free to contact myself, Billy D. I will gladly advise you on any repairs if needed. You can also bring your rods to a meeting to have me look at them.

I hope everyone will be ready for a great season . Having your equipment ready to go is the best start.

March Skies by Mike Simko

Most months I get Skies inspiration from printed materials or subscribed newsletters. This month's Skies is edited, condensed from an article in my EarthSky daily newsletter subscription. I thought members would enjoy the change of pace. Enjoy. V Mike Simko

Wild fish can recognize unique humans with visual cues

Wild fish use visual cues to identify human divers

Scientists who study animal behavior just noticed something curious about wild fish. These researchers – at a Mediterranean Sea research station with the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior – said on February 19, 2025, that the fish followed divers that carried food used in their experiments as rewards. Do the fish recognize the divers with food, the researchers wondered? They devised an experiment to find out. And they discovered that wild fish do recognize divers, based on visual cues from their dive gear.

Testing fish in the wild

Researchers conducted their experiments in the summer of 2024. The study site was in open water, 13 to 26 feet (4 to 8 meters) deep, in the Mediterranean Sea near Corsica, France.

The scientists studied two fish species, saddled sea bream and black sea bream.

The fish were willing volunteers who could come and go as they pleased.

There were two parts to the experiment: First, scientists trained the fish to follow a diver to get a food reward. Second, they wanted to determine if the fish could distinguish between two divers and follow the diver they associated with food.

Training wild fish to follow a diver with food

Before the food training, none of the fish would follow the divers. But that would soon change.

Katinka Soller was the fish trainer. She spent 12 days training the fish to follow her.

Soller began by feeding the fish pieces of shrimp. Then she swam about 150/160 feet and fed the fish that followed her.

She repeated this exercise each day, and the fish started associating her with food. Soller said:

Once I entered the water, it was a matter of seconds before I would see them swimming towards me, seemingly coming out of nowhere.

At the beginning of the training, Soller wore a bright red vest and other conspicuous accessories with her standard diving gear. But as the training progressed, she gradually shed those accessories. Towards the end of the training, she was only swimming with standard dive gear and not providing food at the starting point. The fish continued to follow her.

A second diver joins the experiment

In the second part of the experiment, Tomasek joined Soller. He wore different dive gear from Soller, with different colors. For five days, they repeated what Soller had done but each diver swam in different directions. Soller fed the fish, but Tomasek did not. On the first day, equal numbers of fish followed each diver. Soller said:

You could see them struggling to decide who to chase. On the second day, more fish followed Soller. And that number increased over the course of the five-day experiment.

A twist on that last experiment

Now, what would happen if both divers wore identical diving gear, making them indistinguishable? The fish, it turns out, were unable to tell them apart.

This, the researchers said, was strong evidence that the fish used visual cues from the diving gear to identify the divers. Tomasek explained:

Almost all fish have color vision, so it is not surprising that the sea bream learned to associate the correct diver based on patches of color on the body.

Soller added that humans do the same thing underwater:

Faces are distorted by diving masks, so we usually rely on differences between wetsuits, fins, or other parts of the gear to recognize each other.

Bottom line: Wild fish can recognize divers based on visual cues from their dive gear. But they cannot tell apart divers that are dressed in identical dive gear.

Please remember to support our sponsors.

Editor’s note: SUDS is generally better when more members contribute. Do your part and write something up. And remember, adding pictures can make a difference.

Mike M.

February 2025 SUDS

"The purpose of this organization shall be to promote, protect and preserve the surfcasting tradition, in its many forms, along our coasts...

CSA Bylaws, Article II. Purposes

Fish!

[intransitive] go fishing to spend time fishing for pleasure, Let's go fishing this weekend.

Contents:

President’s Letter

Club Contests

Winter Fishing Activities

Fishy Reads

A Letter from our President

Greetings Surfcasters,

CSA is getting back in the monthly meetings groove anticipating at the next several general membership meetings three excellent speakers. This Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7:00 PM CSA is excited to welcome Fran McGrath speaking about the Housatonic River. Many members fish the mouth of the Housy, accessing through the Audubon Coastal Center, Milford Point. Fran will cover this area along with the miles upstream to the Derby Dam. Great fishing. My son and I have pulled from the Derby Dam area sea-run trout, salmon and stripers into the upper 30-inch range. But between the dam and the mouth are miles of very fishable water.

The March 5th meeting features N.Y.S. licensed guide, Montauk’s own Bill Wetzel speaking on matching the right lure, technique for various conditions. Bill has visited our club a few times over the past few years. He is always unpredictably enjoyable. Be prepared for possibly a few cusswords and venturing off topic in the most entertaining way.

Then for our April 2nd meeting Toby Lapinski will redux his recent Demo Day topic on soft plastics. Toby will be presenting why soft plastics aren’t just for schoolies. He knows his equipment as well as anyone in the industry he being the former The Fisherman, New England Edition editor, now Editor in Chief of Fishing Tackle Retailer, a national retail tackle publication.

IMPORTANT REMINDER – the February meeting IS NOT in our usual Madison, Conn. location but at CSA member Doug Well’s tackle shop business, The Surfcaster, located at 97 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, 06484. Look for The Surfcaster lawn sign at the beginning of the driveway located immediately at the edge of a very prominent Shell gas station. Consider arriving at least half an hour before the 7 o’clock start time. Doug promises great browsing opportunities.

Tight lines everyone,

Mike S.

Club Contests

Striper a Month 2025

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 2024 through January 2025.

Joe Esposito

Mike Mullen

Jim Munson

Dave Nguyen

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 the next club meeting.

Some Winter Fishing Related Activities by Mike Mullen

I did ask if anyone would like to share what they are doing that may be related to fishing during the cold times we’re in and nobody, not one of you lazy you know what’s bothered. Hey, what’s new.

I’ve been busy. I don’t really have time for any of this newsletter nonsense either, but at least I’m not a deadbeat like most of you readers. Work? Let the other guy do it. That seems to be your M-O. I, on the other hand, have actually been busy with fishing related activities. To start with I was actually out catching fish at the beginning of the month, while most of you were probably still soaking your heads from all your holiday fun. Then there were the fishing shows to get ready for and go to, where I try and sell the lures I make. Actually, I was happily surprised that, even with the low catch rates of fish last season, the shows were kind of busy and sales were good. Fishermen are optimistic and love to talk about the sport. It was good to see everyone.

Then in the middle of everything I got a call from my daughter asking me to come down to Key West and help her out because her husband was recovering from some emergency surgery. She needed help with her kids and just keeping the house going. Luckily, I didn’t have to change any diapers. I was mostly involved with keeping the house picked up and doing shopping and cooking. I also managed to get out fishing for a couple of hours each day, trying my best to fool the barracudas from shore. As I said earlier, I had follows and one whack, but no hook-ups. It was just nice to get out on the water in a warm place.

Now that I’m back in the cold I’ve been out in the workshop most days working on lures and trying to stay warm. Spring is coming.

Fishy Reads by Mike Mullen

A Handbook of Salt-Water Fishing by O.H.P. Rodman was published in 1940. I found it at last weeks fly fishing show in South Winsor, CT. I have other books by Rodman. He was a very active fisherman up and down both coasts and all over as far as I can tell. He spent a lot of time surfcasting. To quote from the dedication, you will be pleased to know, “You will find few real anglers in jail.” I guess that’s because we’re just too busy fishing.

The book covers a lot of different fish, talking about their habitats and what you need to fish for them and basically, how to do it. What I like are the similarities in how to go about fishing and and the differences in the tackle from years ago.

I like picking up old books I find at different shows. This one cost me a dollar and I’m quite sure I’ll get a lot of enjoyment reading it over the long winter months.

Please remember to support our sponsors.

Editor’s note: SUDS is generally better when more members contribute. Do your part and write something up. And remember, adding pictures can make a difference.

Mike M.

Our next meeting

will be

February 5th

7:00 PM at

The Surfcaster

Come early and look

around the store