Fishing CT Report – June 11, 2015

SALTWATER

Well we have had a lot of ups and downs lately with the weather. It sure has made for some rough fishing but there are always anglers who will find a way to get on fish. The striped bass bite continues to be hot here in CT. The mouth of the CT river has been producing great sized fish on larger top water offerings at first and last light. Just remember, there is a right lure for each situation – Know your Bottle Plugs. Many anglers have found success in live lining bunker. There is a plethora of these bait fish in the river as well as most harbors. The bass and blues are on them too! A few reports came in from Plum Gut and just outside of the river at Long Sand Shoal. The DEEP dock in Old Lyme has been a great place to snag bunker and of course for the bluefish and some decent bass. The blues aren’t gators, but harbor blues are still a ton of fun on light tackle. Try dunking chunks in the river or harbors for some bluefish action. A few fluke came from Long Sand Shoal and the backside of the Norwalk Islands. The bite is picking up steadily day to day. Blue crabs are starting show up as well.

Pelagic Beast Charters:

Captain Jason Spina said the bass and blues have been moving into Norwalk pretty steadily over the last week. The average striper is around 20lbs with a few 40’s here and there. Fluke fishing has turned on at the north side as the water temperatures rise. They’ve had their boat limits of keeper fluke for the last week or two on almost every trip out. White mister twisters on a jig head with a couple of spearing have been producing fluke. The bass and blues have been hitting chunks but live lining has been more productive, especially for larger fish. The porgies have moved into Smith town fairly heavy with jumbo porgies over 3lbs. The best bite has been on sand worms in about 45-50 feet of water. Most of the larger fluke have been in about 25 feet of water. The bass are on the schools of bunker, water depth isn’t a concern, as long as the bait is there the bass will follow.

FRESHWATER

The weather has been a little wacky and a cold front can quickly destroy any pattern that you thought you might have had. But as I said before, where theres a will, theres a way. Good largemouth action was reported from Candlewood, Bantam, Waramaug, Pachaug pond, Ball pond and Highland lake. Smallies were reported from Candlewood (4lb 6oz lunker), Squantz, Bantam, Colebrook and Lillinonah. The spawn is wrapping up, that combined with the recent weather has put fish in a funk in many places. Some fish might move way off their beds and hang by tree stumps. A spinner bait could get those fish to bite. But some fish might move just a few feet from their beds and remain almost inactive. That’s when a finesse worm should do the trick, try mixing it up. The pike bite seems a tad slow this week but the walleye are still chewing on Squantz, Saugatuck reservoir and Saltonstall. Great crappie reports have been good from Saltonstall, Candlewood, Hatch and Lillinonah. Micro soft plastics and small shiners do the trick.

Upcountry Sportfishing:

The Farmington has good flows that were increased slightly by rain Tuesday. Torrey said there is no major change in the hatches. Subsurface action is good and productive presentations are Caddis Pupa & larva in olive/green & tan (sz14-18), Hare’s Ear soft hackles (sz12-16), Golden Stoneflies (sz6-12, Pheasant Tails (sz14-20), March Brown Nymphs (sz10-14), Fox Squirrel Nymph (sz10-14) Prince Nymph (sz12-18). The fishing has been excellent along the river so get out there and wet a line!