Fishing CT Report - January 15, 2015

The holdover schoolie striper action remains consistent in Connecticut’s tidal rivers. Just more of the same, schoolies all day and all night. They are providing fun and keeping anglers busy if they can keep ice out of their guides long enough. Smaller soft plastics are doing the job again this week. If you want to catch fish from shore, you really need to put in your time. The Connecticut River and lower Thames gave up some schoolies. The Housatonic was productive as always, lots of schoolies with some keepers mixed in. But it seems a lot of anglers have made the shift to ice fishing since we had a good freeze for most of the state.

The hard-water craze is in full swing. Anglers are finding safe ice across the state. Excellent reports came in from all over. Good largemouth came from Dooley’s pond, Burr pond, Ball pond, Winchester and Wethersfield cove. A lot of anglers also hit up their local small bass ponds to find some easy lunkers. A few smallmouth came from coves on Candlewood and lake Housatonic. Most of these bass came on shiners under tip ups, but a few fish we taken on jigs. Swedish pimples, frosty spoons and jiggin raps are solid choices for bass. The panfish action has been amazing. Anglers reported countless slob yellow perch, slab crappie and bluegill so big they had foreheads! Solid pan fish action came from Lillinonah, Zoar, lake Housatonic, Tyler pond, Dog pond, Candlewood and coves along the CT river. When it comes to jiggin, you really can’t beat what Clam Outdoors has to offer, make sure to tip your jigs with some Maki soft plastics too.

Some great northerns came from Winchester, Bantam, Lillinonah, Zoar and Pachaug pond. Large baits, dead or alive are key when targeting pike through the ice. Remember, big fish like big baits and when it comes to pike, the bigger the better! Walleye have been just as hungry as the pike and some BIG females have been chewing lately. Solid eyes were pulled from Squantz, Gardner and Mashapaug lake. Try targeting rocky structure that drops off into deeper water and also weed lines when searching for walleye through the ice. These fish can be weary of certain presentations so try using shiners under tip ups on long and light leaders with circle hooks. These fish also can’t resist a small jig tipped with bait that is suitable for pan fish.The ice season has just gotten underway and first ice has proven to be excellent for many species. Reports have been great and we have a lot more hard water fishing to do. Be safe and tight lines!

Kyle Quine
Fishing CT