Saltwater
The striped bass bite has calmed down a little and reports are all over. There are still fish hanging in the mouth of the CT and some quality fish can be found. Reports on the reefs are getting better each day and Long Sand Shoal has produced a few fish over 40″ as well. Anglers trolling for bass with surgical tube rigs have put fish in the boat but the larger bass seem to only want bunker. Three way rigging live bunker has been the most productive method for those big girls it seems. The Race has been holding some good bass but its also packed with large blues that want whatever you’re offering. Bluefish reports from the lower CT, Stratford, Gulf beach and Silver Sands/Charles Island area have been good. The Gators are out in deeper waters, though. Fluke fishing remains tough locally so you really need to put in your time to find some quality fish. Glow jigs tipped with squid have been producing in about 35-45′ of water. Deeper water seems to be where the larger fish are coming from. Black Point should be picking up soon. Its the same story for now, though. Got to sort through a ton of shorts to get a few keepers. Long Sand Shoal gave up a few good fish so don’t overlook the mouth of the river at flood tide as an option. Scup action is picking up and the local reefs are producing some decent fish.
The Otter
Capt. Bruce said things picked up a bit the last few days with only two slow days this week. Most of our other trips limited out on bass or close to it. The largest bass was boated this morning at 48 inches. But we had several others in the 41 to 45 inches. Fluke fishing this week is still not hot locally.
Freshwater
The top water bite for bass has been amazing lately. This is a very fun way to fish, especially for explosive smallmouth. Good largemouth reports came in from Candlewood, Ball pond, Pachaug pond, Bantam and Coventry. Smallmouth reports were solid from Candlewood, Squantz, Bantam, Highland and the CT river. Crappie have still been cruising around in the weeds while they’re eating juvenile bluegill. Try using jigs with luminous purple/blue to mimic that. If all else fails, small shiners will produce. Walleye fishing has been decent at Squantz and the Saugatuck reservoir. Live bait all the way at these two destinations and first light seems to be when the larger fish are making mistakes. Do not miss out on that magic hour. There has been more 20″+ browns coming from the Farmington lately. Fishing those last few hours of daylight seems to be the time when you’ll have a chance at a “biggun”.
UpCountry Sportfishing
Torrey said the sulfurs are hatching in all areas, upstream all the way up to the dam in Riverton now, and down through Unionville and even below that. Make sure to have matching patterns in nymphs (Pheasant Tails in #16-18 normally work great), emergers, duns & spinners. There are still lots of Tan Caddis around too.