Fishing CT Report – August 13, 2015

SALTWATER

Striped bass fishing remains consistent with great reports coming in this week. Some good bass were pulled off of local reefs while better fish came from the harbors and mouth of the river after dark. Drifting eels at night is a productive way to find the big girls. Solid bluefish action can be had at the mouth of the CT. Fish can be seen chasing bunker around. The causeway and DEEP dock have been producing good blues while dunking chunks. Bartletts, The Race, Plum Gut and most harbors have been doing well. Find the bait in the harbors and there is sure to be big bass and blues close behind. Fluke fishing remains fair to good, shorts are common. But if you put in your time in deeper water, you’ll find better quality fish. Some solid fish were pulled from Black Point and the backside of Fishers Island. Scup fishing remains hot on the local reefs and any bit of rocky shoreline really. Sea bass action is hot, but those hump-heads are being found in deeper water in the 80’+ range and on structure. Structure is key so reefs and wrecks are where it’s at. Crabbing is improving with reports coming from the most harbors. The DEEP dock Old Lyme, Lieutenant River and coves on the lower CT have been productive areas.

Middlebank II: Although we held onto hope for a final push of summer flounder, that never materialized, our lines were kept tight with an ever increasing number of scup! When the deep water stopped given up fluke we moved our attention to 20-30′. It was here that large amounts of peanut bunker, spearing and yearling scup could be found and although we did find a hand full of keeper fluke on the drift, it seemed impossible to not have our rigs pecked clean. A simple adjustment in hook size solved the problem; PORGIES! Once we offered clams and smaller pieces of squid to them it was obvious that it was time to make the switch over. As a side note, we have started diamond jigging on the afternoon trips for bass and blues. This past Sat trip was very good with many blues to 8lbs and smaller bass mixed in. – Capt Tim Griffith

The Otter: This past week the Otter saw some excellent striped bass up to 50 inches! Trolling Otter tubes and tails over rocky shorelines and humps has produced some great fish. Evening trips seemed to yield the better quality fish. Some good midsummer fluke were taken this week as well on Otter tails. Fluke fishing hasn’t been stellar this year but some doormats can be found right now in deeper water around structure.

FRESHWATER

Bass fishing is good and anglers have been finding success in flipping jigs in the weeds. The topwater bite has been excellent on many places from sundown to sunup. Great largemouth reports came from Candlewood, Ball Pond, Moodus, Pachaug, Long Meadow, Waramaug, Bantam and Lakeville. Smallmouth action is just as good on Candlewood, Lillinonah, Bantam and the CT River. The fishing can be tough during the day. A lot of anglers are getting in on the topwater action in the evenings and it’s hard to beat a smallie on topwater. Decent walleye action was reported at Squantz and the Saugatuck Reservoir. Live bait in low-light conditions was the most productive method. Pike fishing is fair with some good fish reported from Lillinonah, Bantam and the CT River.
Some good trout reports came from Candlewood, Ball pond and Highland Lake. You have to be looking deep though. Some excellent browns came from Candlewood on alewives fished in 30-40′ of water. River fishing is good too and the Farmington has been giving up some awesome browns as always.

UpCountry Sportfishing: Grady said the Farmington is running at 320cfs and clear through the catch & release area. The days are hot so the best fishing is typically early mornings and evenings. Morning hatches (Needhami & Summer/Winter Caddis) are still going strong, evening hatches are later & sparser. Tricos are hatching in early to mid AM in Collinsville. Isonychia are coming off in the C&R section after 5pm. Blue Wing Olives #20-24 and cream colored Summer Stenos #20 are hatching in the from late afternoon through later evening.