Connecticut and Rhode Island Fishing Report 3-28-13

Cod Bite Back On, Prespawn Pike Chewing

The best fishing news this week came in the form of a superb cod bite off Rhode Island. All the local head boat captains agreed that we are in the midst of the best codfish action of the year so far. Other worthy angling options include freshly stocked trout in catch-and-release areas, holdover stripers in tidal rivers, and ice-out bass in lakes and ponds. Regardless of what it feels like outside, spring is here and we’re inching our way to much better fishing in the near future.

Rhode Island

Evidence of a good cod bite began shaping up last Saturday when Frances Fleet’s Captain Mike and a light group of anglers braved windy conditions and came home with a near boat-limit of keepers. The weather was much better the following day and the action was the best anyone had seen all year. What lacked in size was made up in overall numbers. Most of the cod that came over the rail were in the six to eight pound range, but everyone left smiling with a full cooler full of fillets. Captain Andy of the Seven B’s said they experienced a full boat limit on Sunday as well and claimed double-headers were the norm in the afternoon. He described the fast and furious action as “drop your line, hook two at a time, get them in the boat, and do it all over again.” Captain Chris from the Island Current also had nothing but good things to say about Sunday. It made little difference if you were fishing jigs or bait, the cod were going to eat it. The Island Current seemed to find a little better size in 130-feet of water, as Mr. Choi landed cod of 27 pounds and 23 pounds respectively.

Unfortunately, high winds kept head boats at bay for Monday and Tuesday, but the cod were waiting right where they left them on Wednesday. Captain Matt of the Frances Fleet said it was an all out codfish blitz on the grounds and that nearly 400 keepers were boated by 9 AM!  Captain Chris of the Island Current reported another full boat limit of cod coughing up herring and the boat was back to the dock early. He said lots of fresh skimmer clams and chum kept the aggressive cod chewing most of the outing. Chris likes the weather window for the next several days and is even contemplating adding an Easter Sunday sail if this epic cod bite keeps up. Get out there now if you’ve been waiting to do so!

On the mainland, local herring runs are starting to fill up and it seems the resident striped bass are taking notice. Howard of Galilee Bait and Tackle took his kayak out near one such run on Tuesday and caught seven stripers up to 18-pounds using Daiwa SP Minnows and a 24/7 Lures Fish Stick. He was pleasantly surprised to find the bass smacking the latter offering, a pencil popper, with the current water. Howard said the bass are beginning to move around more, chasing herring on the shallow (read warmer) mud flats.

In freshwater, while trout-designated waters are closed until April 13, some anglers are capitalizing on ice-out largemouth bass and the occasional northern pike. Steve McKenna at Quaker Lane Outfitters reported several customers purchasing live shiners, heading to ponds that don’t see stocking trucks, and dunking the bait under a float or fishing it right on bottom.

Connecticut

And the stocking trucks keep on coming… The latest update from CT DEEP reported that several Trout Management Areas (TMA) have now been stocked across the state, including the Coppermine Brook, Pequabuck River, Mill River (Hamden),

Mill River (Fairfield), Willimantic River, Moosup River, Salmon River, Saugatuck River (fly only), Yantic River, Hammonasset River, Hockanum River, and the West Branch Farmington River. The trout shouldn’t be too picky or spread out yet, so find a pod of them and almost anything will do the trick. You can locate exactly where the stocking trucks visit by using these maps provided by the Inland Fisheries Division: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2696&q=467456&deepNav_GID=1632

Ice-out bass, pike and perch are other freshwater options. Dave at The Valley Angler said anglers can take advantage of a decent bass bite in Candlewood Lake until March 31 when it closes for a few weeks. He suggested using a hair jig for smallmouth suspended 10-feet down relatively close to shorelines. Andrew at Fishin’ Factory III said the Connecticut River pike bite in the Haddam stretch is pretty hit or miss; hot one day, cold the next. If you go, try big baits under a bobber or right on bottom. A better bet in the Connecticut River according to Andrew is the solid white perch bite in Hamburg Cove. He said it’s mostly a boat game because you want to stay right on top of the school, which is easier done with electronics. The perch can be easily caught once found with small curly tail grubs on little jig heads.

For those who like a little salt in their diet, holdover striped bass are slowly but surely getting more active in our tidal rivers. Jason of Bobby J’s Bait and Tackle hit the lower Housatonic River on Tuesday night with a buddy and they landed a handful of fish up 19-pounds. He says a 9-inch Slug-Go on a ½-ounce jig head with a slow retrieve has been the ticket lately, especially where it drops off near the riverbank. The other side of the state has a little life in the striper department as well. Cheyenne of The Fish Connection said friends of his recently ran into holdover bass in the Norwich Harbor, as well as up in the Yantic and Shetucket Rivers, using soft-plastic baits on jig heads from the kayak.

Lastly, show season is over and one with, but there are still a few informative seminars in the mix. This Saturday at Rivers End in Old Saybrook, Pat Abate and “Q” Kresser will be sharing their extensive knowledge of this world-class spring striped bass fishery. It won’t be long until the river is loaded with stripers and this talk will help cut your learning curve big time.

Fishing Forecast for the Weekend

One word: COD! Many of us have been waiting all winter and now into the spring for a stupid-good cod bite and this is it. You know it’s time to book a freezer-filling trip when all the head boat captains say the same exact thing, “it’s on fire!” Hopefully the hot action keeps on chugging along right through the weekend.