Tom Migdalski finds big bluefish in the seam of currents over ledges and dropoffs. Photo by Cindy Lawyer.

Tom Migdalski ranks as one of the best Long Island Sound bluefish anglers in Connecticut and spends most of his free time fishing on the Sound.

He’s written three books on hotspots in Connecticut, the north shore of Long Island, the north side of Fishers Island and New York City waters. His third book, Fishing with Diamond and Bucktail Jigs, will be published this year.

In addition, Migdalski has written numerous articles for many outdoor magazines, including this one. A New Haven native, he spends much of his time on the New England waters where he gathers background material for his books and articles.

A FISHING LIFESTYLE
"I began fishing for bluefish by sitting on a dock or jetty and catching snapper blues," he said, speaking of juveniles about 6 to 9 inches long.

"The waning weeks of summer have always been special for me," Migdalski added. "Days become shorter, and crickets chirp long into the night. The first crisp northwest winds break the stifling humidity and hint at what’s to come. That’s when you know it’s snapper time.

"Most of the kids used a bobber, tiny hook and small shrimp or minnow cast a short distance into the brine. With eyes riveted, we watched for that red and white float to vanish beneath the surface.

"Or we zipped out bright one-ounce Kastmasters and were delighted by the metallic green flashes of fish attacking our fleeing lures."

Migdalski started out with a 16-foot aluminum boat. As his income grew, so did the size of his boat. Snapper bluefish gave way to chopper bluefish that, pound for pound, are considered the strongest inshore fish in the Northeast.

EATING MACHINES
Bluefish are voracious, consuming up to twice their weight in baitfish every day. Being the only member of the Pomatomidae family, Pomatomus saltatrix has a reputation for being the hardest fighter of any fish its size.

Saltatrix means "leaper." A bluefish may bulldog into the depths, burn a drag across a sand flat or jump clear of the surface. It can shake its head hard enough to throw a 6-ounce lead jig back at the angler.

Nicknamed "choppers" and "marine piranhas," bluefish often feed in large pods that gorge on schools of bait. When in a feeding frenzy, these voracious choppers will bite anything in their path, including floating soda cans and their own young. On several occasions, they have even attacked hapless swimmers.

HOW TO CATCH THE BIG ONES
Depending on their size, bluefish are known by several names, including tailors, harbors, snappers, racers and alligators. Late in the summer and throughout the fall, prior to their southern migration, bluefish go on an incredible feeding spree.