Rhode Island Fishing Report – December 17, 2015

Cod and sea bass reports remain strong around Block Island, while holdover striped bass anglers continue to cash in on the warm weather in Connecticut.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

Captain Russ, of The Seven B’s in Narragansett, closed out a strong tautog season earlier this week, with easy boat limits of fish to 10-pounds. With the season now closed, the fleet will start to focus on cod. Over the past few weeks, Russ has seen increasing numbers of quality cod being caught on the tautog trips, and all indications are that a strong cod season is in store. Cod trips will sail on Wednesdays, as well as Friday through Sunday, weather permitting.

Captain Frank, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, reported that the tautog season closed with a bang. Full boat limits of tautog to 12-pounds were reached through the weekend. The final trip on Tuesday not only saw limits of tautog, but also saw nearly 100 cod boated. The increasing numbers of cod are an indication that we have a very promising winter ahead of us. The trips that actually targeted cod this week didn’t always get full boat limits, but saw plenty of quality keeper fish. Pool fish each day ranged from the upper teens to the mid-20 pound class. Keeper sea bass and scup to 3-pounds remain in the mix. The cod grounds are full of herring and butterfish, and Frank forecasts another great week of cod fishing leading up to the holiday. Cod trips will sail on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and weekends at 6 AM.

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reported that cod and sea bass are now garnering the bulk of the saltwater attention, as tautog has closed. Reports from Block Island have been strong for cod, sea bass and scup. Many of the trout stocked lakes and ponds are fishing very well, and the largemouth bass bite has been strong just about everywhere. Strong trout catches were reported Lincoln Woods, as well as the Blackstone River this week.

Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, noted that it is a shame tautog season finally came to an end. The unseasonably warm weather kept more anglers on the water and kept the fish further inshore than any recent December. The good news is that the cod and sea bass fishery remains strong, and the weather leading up to Christmas continues to look unseasonably mild. Closer to home there are reports of a few schoolie striped bass in the salt ponds, as well as in their usual winter haunts throughout the Providence River.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, reports that there is an increased level of December fishing attention due to the lack of cold weather. Good reports of holdover striped bass are coming in from all three of the big tidal rivers. 6-9 inch soft plastics are producing good numbers of bass, as well as a few decent keeper bass. The cod and black sea bass bite south of Block Island is also gaining a lot of attention. Anglers are buying up bait and jigs like crazy, and making the run out to the island. Reports from recreational anglers as well as the head boats have been equally successful whenever the weather has allowed. The pike bite in the Connecticut River is also very good, with the best results coming from the Haddam area this week. The Salmon River and Farmington River TMA’s are also seeing increased pressure, but are producing great results for fly-fishermen.

At Rivers End in Old Saybrook, Joe reported that a lot of anglers took to the water last weekend to target holdover striped bass. The Connecticut River around Essex is holding some fairly decent schools of bass, while the Blackhall River is also said to be fishing pretty good. The lower stretches of the Connecticut River are still holding large schools of bunker, so it is not unrealistic to think that some larger bass may still be hanging around as well.

Down at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk anglers have been taking to the rivers and tributaries in search of striped bass and herring, and most are reporting good results for both. Atlantic herring have finally made a full scale appearance throughout western Connecticut. Anglers fishing sabiki rigs of all sizes are finding plenty of herring in the sound, as well as in the rivers and harbors. With the herring numbers finally on the rise, shore anglers seem to be having just as much success as those fishing from the boat. The Housatonic River striped bass bite has been on fire this week as well. Anglers are reporting large schools of bass throughout the river, a few of which are also accessible from shore. The bulk of the fish are small schoolies, but anglers fishing after dark are finding a nice mix of keepers to around 20-pounds. 6-9 inch soft plastics, SP minnows and Yo-Zuri Mag Darters seem to be the 3 best producers of holdover fish. Freshwater anglers are still finding quality smallmouth and trout in the Saugatuck Reservoir, while the Norwalk River TMA’s are full of trout activity as well.

Torrey, at Upcountry Sportfishing in Pine Meadow, reported that fishing along the Farmington River has been way above average over the past few weeks. Total flow in the Riverton area was around 234 cfs earlier this week, which is a very nice medium level for fishing and wading. Nymphs, steamers and dries have all been working well this week, with quite a few 16-18 inch fish coming on all presentations. With surface temps on the rise once again this weekend, fishing throughout the Farmington should be just about as good as it gets for mid-December.

Best bets for the weekend

Minus a few days of colder temperatures and some tough winds this weekend, the weather leading up to Christmas seems to be holding strong in this mild and comfortable trend. Cod and black sea bass trips should continue to produce well in Rhode Island, while holdover striped bass should keep anglers busy in Connecticut. Freshwater fishing for bass, trout and pike has also been greatly helped by the warming trend, and there is no sign that will change from now until the new year.