The 6 Biggest Fish Caught In and Near Long Island Sound
The Long Island Sound is a body of water that lies between Long Island, NY and the state of CT. It is one of the most important commercial and recreational fishing areas in the world, with a huge variety of fish species available to catch.
The water in Long Island Sound is both fresh and salty since it is an estuary. The Atlantic Ocean supplies its saltwater needs, while the Thames, the Housatonic, and the Connecticut supply 90% of its freshwater.
There are over 600 miles of shoreline around the Sound due to its many bays and inlets. At its broadest point, the Sound is 21 miles wide and over 110 miles long.
While most people think of the ocean when they imagine fishing, you’re just as likely to catch a huge fish in Long Island Sound as you are in the Atlantic or Pacific oceans. Some of the biggest fish ever caught have been pulled out of this body of water!
Read on to learn about seven of the biggest fish that have been caught in or near Long Island Sound.
1. Cobia – 5 Foot Long: The Rare Find
A new Connecticut state record was set when John Bertolasio, of Chicopee, Massachusetts, caught a rare cobia in Long Island Sound. The 56-inch fish was caught while Bertolasio was fishing with a dead eel on Long Sand Shoal off the coast of Old Saybrook and Westbrook.
The cobia, which is normally found in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and not north of Virginia, put up an hour-and-a-half struggle before it was finally caught. Bertolasio initially mistook the brown fins of the cobia for a shark, but state officials confirmed it to be a record-breaking cobia catch. Unfortunately, the fish snapped Bertolasio’s rod as it dove down into the water after being landed.
2. Striped Bass – 81.88 Pounds: The World Record
Excitement spread through the fishing community on Long Island Sound when news of a potential world-record catch of a striped bass surfaced..
North Branford, CT resident Greg Myerson reportedly caught the fish, which weighed in at 81.88 pounds, using live eel as bait off a boat. If confirmed, the catch would break the current record of 78 pounds 8 ounces, set in 1982 by Al McReynolds while fishing in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The location of the catch is said to be off the shore between Milford and East Haven CT, according to a map published by the AGoFishn blog. Myerson reportedly brought the striped bass to Jack’s Shoreline Bait & Tackle in Westbrook, where the news sparked excitement among local anglers. It is potentially the new world record for catching the biggest fish in Long Island Sound.
3. Spanish Mackerel – 20.75 inches: The Salt-water Find
Evan Kamoen, a resident of Killingworth, CT has set a new state record for the longest catch-and-release Spanish mackerel in Long Island Sound. The fish measured 20.75 inches and was caught in Niantic. Kamoen caught the fish as part of the state’s Trophy Fish Award Program, which was created to recognize anglers who prefer to release their catch.
4. Cownose Ray – 57.75 inches: The longest catch-and-release
West Haven CT resident Al Zuppe has established two new state records for the longest catch-and-release fish in the Long Island Sound area. Both of these records are to fish that were caught in the sound and then released. Let’s talk about the first one here. The first record was for a Cownose Ray that was taken at Sandy Point Beach and measured 57.75 inches. It was the longest fish ever recorded there.
5. Weakfish – 33.75 inches: The Monster Catch
The second record that was set by Al Zuppe as well, was for a Weakfish that was taken near the West Haven Breakwall in New Haven Harbor and measured 33.75 inches. The fish were captured by Zuppe as part of the state’s Trophy Fish Award Program as well.
6. Scup – 19 inches: Another longest catch-and-release
Jennifer Zuppe, another resident of West Haven, has established a new record for the longest catch-and-release Scup (Porgy) in Long Island Sound. Zuppe caught and released the fish after it had been measured for its incredible length.
This particular fish was captured along the New Haven Breakwall and measured 19 and 7/8 inches in length. The fish was captured by Zuppe as part of the state’s Trophy Fish Award Program, which was designed to reward anglers who do not keep the fish they catch and instead choose to release them.
Catch-and-release fish are just measured, as opposed to weighed, unlike fish in other categories of the program.
A Final Word
Long Island Sound is a paradise for fishing enthusiasts, and it’s no wonder why. The Sound boasts a wide variety of fish species, from bluefish to striped bass to fluke.
Whether you’re an experienced angler or a beginner, the Long Island Sound and its surroundings have something for everyone. So, if you’re looking for an exciting fishing adventure, grab your fishing gear and set sail on Celtic Quest for an amazing Long Island journey.