Open Water Options:

Herring and Holdover Stripers

But Ice is On The Way!

Hopefully everyone reading this had a wonderful time with family and friends over the last few days. I’m sure some of you have time off of work and new fishing toys that you’re itching to try out. If you don’t mind the cold, there are a number of options available for those looking for one last fish of 2012 or first tight line of 2013!

Rhode Island Fishing Report

Cod fishing has been nonexistent for over a week and a half now thanks to poor sailing conditions. Frances Fleet, Island Current and Seven B’s haven’t left the docks since at least December 15, so they’ll be trying like heck to hit the cod grounds this weekend to see what’s happening. When a good weather window presents itself, there should be some fresh cod waiting, just be sure to call ahead to find out if they’ll be sailing the day you plan to go.

Shore fishing for holdover striped bass is another option. The Providence River in downtown Providence is probably the most consistent place for this type of fishing. The bass will be small for the most part, but they’re there. Captain Thom at Quaker Lane Outfitters has been selling Zoom Super Flukes and Cocahoe Minnows so he knows some anglers are braving the cold and trying. The soft-plastics baits are typically fished on 3/8 to 1-ounce jig heads and slowly bounced along bottom after dark.

For a freshwater opportunity, Dave at River and Riptide reported that trout are being pretty cooperative right now. He said that the Wood River is fishing very well and is currently at a great level. The trout are being extra skittish thanks to freakishly clear water, so keep that in mind while approaching the banks. Dave landed several healthy rainbow and brown trout last Sunday using small orange egg patterns. Over 6,000 of them were stocked this fall into Meadowbrook Pond, Barber’s Pond, Carbuncle Pond, Spring Grove Pond, Onley Pond, Silver Spring Pond, Beaver River, Wyoming Pond, Wood River, Upper Pawtuxet River, Blackstone River, Round Top Ponds, and Stafford Pond.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Holdover striped bass fishing in the lower Housatonic River was again the most consistent fishing opportunity in Connecticut waters this past week. Jason from Bobby J’s Bait and Tackle fished from shore in Shelton with two friends on Friday night from midnight to 6 a.m. They landed over a 100 bass on Daiwa SP Minnows, including five keepers up to 34-inches. Jason said it was the best night of winter striper fishing he’s ever experienced.

Jigging for sea herring is on fire in western Long Island Sound harbors and tidal rivers. Rich at Fisherman’s World said the docks along the Maritime Aquarium in the Norwalk River are a good bet during the high-outgoing tide. I took his advice on Wednesday and jigged up 54 fresh herring up to 13-inches using a Sabiki rig and a 1-ounce bank sinker. I had good luck by casting my rig upstream along a current seam, letting it hit bottom, then slowly reeling it in.

Another option is fishing for Atlantic salmon in the Naugatuck or Shetucket Rivers. Over 1500 salmon up to 21-pounds were stocked into the two waterways this fall. OTW contributor Chris Elser has landed a number of salmon up to 12 pounds in the Beacon Falls section of the Naugatuck by swinging small, natural-colored streamer patterns. With some decent polarized glasses and a little sun, you can probably spot some of the salmon facing upstream in the tails of pools. To learn more about CT’s salmon regulations, click here: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=4173&Q=511870.

Ice fishermen are still holding their breath for several inches of hard stuff to walk on. After last year, who could blame them? It remains to be seen what effect the latest bout of wet weather had on the ice that was forming in the northwest hills this week. There could be a chance at some small, shallow bodies of water in the higher elevations being ice-fished this weekend, but without checking it yourself, ice reports should be taken with a grain of salt this early in the season. Think cold and we’ll see what the next week brings.

Fishing Forecast for Connecticut and Rhode Island

Between its holdover striped bass and schools of sea herring, southwestern Connecticut has some great fishing right now. The Housatonic River striper bite is probably your most consistent bet for this weekend. Daiwa SP Minnows in the Shelton stretch of the river are working extremely well. On the docks in several harbors and tidal rivers, try bouncing a Sabiki rig on bottom for fresh herring that can be pickled or used as bait for a number of target species. Good luck and have a safe and happy New Year!