Bass are much scarcer inshore, however some hefty specimens are still hanging around the Connecticut reefs. Groundfishing is also holding steady across New England, as most species are now in season.
Connecticut Fishing Report
The guys at Hillyers Bait and Tackle in Waterford reported that a good majority of local bass fishermen are making that run to Block Island, but those fishing locally are finding some quality bass around Fishers Island. Inshore bluefishing has been on the slow side this season, and the best catches remain in deep water on diamond jigs. There are plenty of fluke in the eastern sound; unfortunately most of them are on the small size. Anglers fishing larger baits on the deep portions of Black Point and Bartletts Reef have had the most success with keeper flatfish. Scup and sea bass are plentiful on the eastern sound reefs; but look for smaller, less pressured areas for more keepers.
Mary-Lou of the Mijoy 747 in Waterford, is coloring August blue, as the bluefish are showing up in better numbers everyday this week. Bait has been producing better numbers of blues this week and a few nice fluke, but jig fishermen are getting a nice mix of small keeper stripers and bluefish. The scup bite remains a good one, and is setting up nicely for a strong September and October, when the party charter bag limits are increased.
Captain Bruce, of The Otter Sportfishing, saw another improvement in action this week, with more and more large bass coming over the rails. 40-plus-inch bass were hitting Otter tubes and spoons in great numbers, including a 49-inch beauty that was taken by 13-year-old Jake Willis, who proved to be high hook for the week.
Andrew, at Fishin’ Factory III in Middletown, reported that the bass fishing in the eastern sound has been much of the same this week. Anglers who put in a good deal of time and were willing to bounce around took some good bass, but consistency remains hard to come by. Bunker is prevalent in the lower river and fresh chunks have accounted for a few good bass after dark, and large blues by day. Crabbing has improved over the past ten days, and 12 to 15 blue crabs can be had in short time at the DEP docks and in the Oyster River.
Fishing in western Long Island Sound is a bit better than usual for the last week of July, as water temperatures have been slow to rise this season. At Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, word is that bunker schools are still common in the area and a few good bass are still following, including a 43-pound fish caught by 9-year-old Austin Getner, which is certainly a fish he won’t soon forget. Some decent bluefish were caught on fresh chunks at Calf Pasture, and there are still some keeper fluke hanging around Buoy 26 and the islands.
Fishing Forecast
Big bass can be had with some patience and persistence. Snapper bluefish have arrived and so have blue crabs, both of which provide a great time with little travel or expense.