Tautog and sea bass fishing remains very consistent for those that are still getting after it, while the Rhode Island cod season is shaping up to be a strong one. Freshwater anglers are finding solid trout action in most of our smaller rivers and streams, while the bite for most other freshwater gamefish is in its usual pre-winter hot period.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Captain Russ, of The Seven B’s in Narragansett, provided a report from last weekend that consisted of another very strong tautog trip. Limits or near-limits were reached by everyone on board, with the largest fish weighing in at just short of 9 pounds. Keeper cod numbers continue to increase on each trip, and a steady pick of solid black sea bass remains in play. The boat sailed this morning, and will continue to sail at 6 AM from Wednesday through Sunday. Be sure to check the in with them for weather updates and holiday schedules.
Mike, at Cardinal Bait and Tackle in Westerly, offered a report this week that consisted of some quality tautog fishing close to home. The local reefs and rockpiles are still holding good numbers of keeper fish in depths of 30-50 feet. The striped bass and bluefish bite has slowed down, but it is not quite over yet; as anglers have been finding some solid schools of small bass and blues along the beaches. Large schools of peanut bunker and herring have been cruising the beaches, and are keeping the last of the bass and bluefish around. Reports from cod anglers fishing around Block Island have been steadily improving as well, and it’s shaping up to be a good winter cod season if the weather permits. The cod grounds are also still holding plenty of sea bass, so bottom fishing trips have been lucrative.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, reported that the die-hard blackfish anglers are still finding a strong bite around the south side of Fisher’s Island. The bigger fish have moved into deep water, but there are still plenty of fish to be had relatively close to home. Depths of 80-100 feet in the same general locations are also still holding plenty of keeper sea bass. The striped bass and bluefish bite in the lower Connecticut River has died out, and anglers are starting to see good pods of bass settling in upriver, in their winter holdover spots. The western sound is still holding some large schools of small bass and big bluefish, but the eastern sound bite seems to have slowed to a crawl. The northern pike bite has really intensified from Haddam to Hartford, and fish up to 42 inches were reported from some of the coves and backwaters. Large, brightly colored crankbaits and spinnerbaits have accounted for a good number of pike, as well as the always reliable large dead and live baits. This bite should remain strong as long as the coves aren’t frozen, and a warm holiday forecast should really help the activity level.
Joe, at Rivers End in Old Saybrook reported that the winter striped bass anglers are starting to find better numbers of fish in the usual late season spots. The Connecticut River around Essex, as well as the Thames River from New London to Norwich are good places to start. Anglers who haven’t put their boat away for the season are still finding limits of blackfish throughout the eastern sound, but most are now fishing in greater than 50 feet of water. The shop will be having their annual Black Friday sale this Friday and Saturday, with just about everything in the store discounted around 20%. The shop will open up at 6 AM, so get down early to score some great Christmas gifts at great prices.
Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, spent most of the week targeting blackfish in various areas throughout Long Island Sound. Mike reported good results at most local locations, with good numbers of keepers in the 3-6 pound range. Western sound trips have also been providing a good shot at small keeper striped bass on topwater plugs. This upcoming weekend will be Mike’s last on the water for the season, so be sure to check in on his availability if you’re looking to make one more quality saltwater trip.
Ian, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reports that some local blackfish anglers have not put the gear away just yet, and many are still finding fish as shallow at 20 feet. While the shallow western sound rockpiles are still holding fish, the best results have been coming from 30 to 60 feet of water. The late season diamond jig bite has also started to take off out west, as anglers have found big bluefish and small keeper bass around 11B, the OB and Can 13. Anglers that have transitioned to freshwater have reported nice flows and good trout catches in the Norwalk and Saugatuck Rivers, while anglers fishing the Saugatuck Reservoir have seen an increase in walleye and smallmouth bass action.
Best bets for the weekend
Recent, bitter nighttime temperatures have a lot of anglers packing away the saltwater gear and getting ready for the winter, but mother nature may be providing one last great shot with near-record warm temperatures forecasted for Thursday and Friday. If your boat hasn’t been packed away for the winter, look to take advantage of the weather and find some late season tautog, which are still abundant across both Connecticut and Rhode Island. The Rhode Island cod bite is starting to kick into gear, and this weekend should provide a good chance at finding some fish before the temperatures get bitterly low. Freshwater opportunities will also be plentiful this weekend, with optimal flows in most of our trout streams, and the pre-winter pike, walleye and bass bite intensifying in most of our rivers and lakes.
mike cardinal is appreciated as a very reliable reporter and fine example of a tackle shop owner.
i hope he continues to contribute to OTW in 2016.