Connecticut and Rhode Island Fishing Report 2-21-13

Ice Hanging On, Cod Fishing Slows

Believe it or not, the last weekend of February is upon us and spring is less than 30 days away! That is music to the ears of many anglers, but we’ll have to brave more wintry weather before then, including another round this weekend. For those that don’t mind the elements or know no off season, there are fishing opportunities you can take advantage of right now. Hardwater options are still hanging on, cod fishing off Rhode Island is bound to pick up, holdover stripers are biting in Connecticut, it’s the last weekend for fishing many trout waters for a while, and there is a big surfcasting show worth a road trip.

Rhode Island

Between poor weather and a slow bite when conditions allowed, it was a subpar week for cod fishing. Captain Chris of the Island Current reported that their boats recently switched to a 2 AM sail time out of Snug Harbor to capitalize on a pre-dawn bite, but it didn’t seem to matter much last Friday or Saturday. Friday’s trip featured good readings of bait concentrations under the boat, but the cod never turned on. Chris said a few fish came over the rail at dawn then they headed east to scrape together what they could, including a mix of red hake, white hake, cod and pollock. Saturday was more of the same in terms of a slow pick of fish—nothing really to write home about according to Chris. Then sailing on Sunday was completely out of the question thanks to high winds. The Island Current boats haven’t sailed since, but have their sights set on Friday and Saturday trips before more wind is predicted on Sunday. That could all still change, so be sure to give their office a call ahead of time.

The Frances Fleet also experienced a slow grind on the cod grounds the last couple trips out. Captain Matt reported that they adjusted their sail time to 3 AM, but it was still a slow bite on Friday morning. Captain Mike found fish at every spot he tried just not in the numbers he was hoping for. High hook honors went to Mr. Pak with eight codfish and the pool-winner was around 12 pounds. Quite a few shorts kept anglers busy while they were waiting to fill up the coolers. Another slow day was the result on Saturday. Frances Fleet’s Captain Chris marked fish everywhere he went, but they just seemed to have lockjaw. Only a handful of small cod and a few ling were caught and the water still seemed dirty from the storm the week before.

While it may come as a surprise to some, ice anglers are still venturing out on frozen lakes and ponds in Rhode Island. Neil at Quaker Lane Outfitters said a limited number of bodies of water have solid ice under a sloppy layer of slush and frozen snow, but you should really use a spud bar to know what you’re dealing with as you go. Wilson’s Reservoir is one of the places still seeing ice anglers this late in the winter. There’s enough ice that organizers of the Arthur Pickering Memorial Ice Tourney are moving forward with the event this Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM. Check-in is at the Wilson’s boat ramp in Pascoag starting at 7 AM and there is a $10 donation to participate. Prizes include a 50% cash giveaway, various awards for biggest fish and a raffle at the end of the day. For this event, 100% of the profits are donated to RI Hospice in the name of late Arthur Pickering, a life member of the Victory Sportsman Club.

This will be the last weekend to sneak in some trout fishing in Rhode Island before those waters close on March 1 until the second Saturday of April. Dave at River and Riptide said the Wood River is holding nice trout, but they remain extra spooky in the gin clear water. Try being stealthy and swinging small streamers downstream and across deep pools. Dave also noted that there is a fly tying class at the shop this Saturday. Steve Culton of Connecticut will teach the finer points of tying fuzzy nymphs and wet flies specifically designed for fishing the fabled Farmington River.

Connecticut

Ice fishing remains the most popular angling option in Connecticut at the moment. The biggest lake in the state, Candlewood Lake, had enough ice for the annual Jig and Pig last Saturday at New Fairfield State Park. Dave at the Valley Angler shared the results including a 5.78-pound largemouth that took the bass category, a 1.94-pound slob of a white perch that won the perch category, and no trout were entered in that category, which is not a great sign. Dave said there was about nine inches of ice off the beach in New Fairfield, but there was also open water farther out, so you have to use your head out there. Blaine at Connecticut Outfitters said reports are slowing down, but people are still out on the ice. He knows of a couple of Connecticut River coves like Wrights and Wethersfield that have fishable ice, as well as some classic pike spots in the northwest corner of the state. Blaine also wanted to remind anglers that this will be the last weekend of fishing on a number of water bodies that will close on March 1 until the third Saturday in April.

The winter Housatonic striper bite is another option on for anglers willing to brave the chilly temps and a little ice in the guides. A friend of mine and Housatonic River rat, Leon Sylvester, relayed that there are plenty of fish from the Merritt Parkway on up, with the largest schools holding in 25 to 30-feet of water. The bass are on the lethargic side in the cold water, but still hitting small three to five-inch soft-plastic baits fished slowly. Leon noted that the best bite is during the first or last hour of the tides. Some nicer size fish are in the mix too, as his buddy Joe Eltman caught and released a 29-inch keeper over the weekend.

For something different, there is a free seminar on Saturday at 10 AM at River’s End covering one of the most effective and barebones saltwater lures of all time: the bucktail. Pat Abate and “Q” will go into detail on everything about the bucktail jig from how to mold, tie and fish them for striped bass, bluefish, fluke and more. Not a bad way to kill a couple hours this weekend!

Another cool event worth getting out of the house for is “Surf Day” in New Jersey. I know a lot of guys and gals from Connecticut and Rhode Island will be taking a road trip down for one of the best shows in the Northeast dedicated to surfcasters. There will be all kinds of informative seminars and a full lineup of exhibitors, including On The Water so stop and introduce yourself. Surf Day will be a great way to get the spring fishing juices flowing! Check out this link for more information: http://jerseyshoresurfcasters.com/Surf_Day.html.

Fishing Forecast for the Weekend

If you haven’t hit the ice yet this season, there is still time. A number of lakes and ponds are clinging to the fishable ice they have left, but it will be all gone in just a few weeks. Why not tap into Candlewood Lake for jumbo perch or try your luck in the tournament on Wilson’s Reservoir on Saturday? If ice fishing is not for you, cod fishing aboard a local head boat is another fun option, or dust off the light tackle gear and hit up the Housatonic River for some winter stripers.