Connecticut Fishing Report – May 5, 2016

More striped bass, and more importantly, keeper striped bass have moved into Rhode Island and Connecticut waters. Unfortunately, tautog has closed in Connecticut, but winter flounder continues to pick up the slack.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, reports that the Connecticut River is at its peak for striped bass fishing throughout the state. The entire river is loaded with schoolies, which have been easy to find for anglers dunking sandworms. The northern stretches of the river are seeing some much fatter fish up to the 40-inch class that are hot on the tail of river herring. Large danny plugs, sebile-type swimmers and pencil poppers are producing the best results around the herring runs. Andrew also mentioned that winter flounder fishing has been strong in Niantic Bay and at Bluff Point for shore and boat anglers.

Hillyers in Waterford reports that anglers are starting to come in to pick up black sea bass gear, as the season has started early, but reports have been quiet thus far. Unfortunately, tautog is now closed, but flounder fishing is picking up the slack. Anglers are still managing limits of decent flounder in the river, and those that chum heavily are seeing more success. There are still some schoolie bass in the river, throughout the Thames and a few out front, while decent concentrations of small bluefish remain around the Millstone outflow.

At Rivers End in Old Saybrook, Joe reports that the lower Connecticut River is now loaded with school striped bass, with sandworms, chunks and small soft plastics all producing. Black sea bass and scup both had early season openers and anglers are just starting to take advantage. Next week looks to be vastly warmer than this one, and the first quality reports for both species are expected. Freshwater anglers are still reporting very good flow conditions and trout fishing in the Salmon River, Hammonasset River and Farmington River.

Jeremy, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, reports that the first push of quality fish have entered the sound to the west of the shop. Bass in the 20- to 30-pound class, with a few around 40, have been taking chunks in the waters west of Stamford. In the Norwalk area, schoolies can be found inside the tribs, as well as around the beaches and the islands. Small swimming and topwater plugs, jigs and soft plastics have worked best for the smaller fish. Flounder fishing has been just as strong in the west as out east, with good reports from Calf Pasture Beach and around the harbor channels. Freshwater action has been very steady at the Saugatuck Reservoir. Anglers are reporting great catches of largemouth and smallmouth bass on artificials and bait; while shiners fished close to bottom are still producing some walleye.

Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, was able to find some great light-tackle bass action this week, despite the less than ideal conditions. The fish are becoming more active around the river mouths and can often be seen crashing peanuts on the surface. This increase in activity has resulted in great topwater action with small poppers and unweighted soft plastics. Just inside the rivers has been more productive than out front, but that bite should start to transition a bit with the much warmer temperatures of next week.

The Farmington is currently an excellent & clear total flow of 255cfs in the permanent Catch & Release area (157cfs from the dam in Riverton, 98cfs from the Still River). Sun & clouds with a predicted high of 79 today (Monday), and averaging in the 60’s to low 70’s after that. The entire river outside the permanent C&R section has been stocked multiple times over the past 6 weeks. Also hatching in the afternoons are #18 Mahogany Duns (aka Paraleps/Blue Quills), #16-18 Blue Wing Olives (Baetis), and Black Midges #22-32. Fishing is definitely picking up again with the mild weather, Hendrickson hatch, and frequent stocking by the state. It’s been good all up & down the river, from the dam in Riverton all the way down to Unionville. Don’t limit yourself to only the more popular sections of the river, as there is literally excellent fishing all over it.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

Captain Frank, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, was out after cod multiple times last week and reports that the fish have spread out quite a bit, but he is still seeing above average results for early May. During the last few seasons cod fishing was almost non-existent in late April and early May, but each trip this week saw a decent pick of sporadic keepers. Saturday’s trip saw fish from the mid- to upper teens, and plenty of small keepers and shorts. Each trip has also seen quite a few keeper pollock in the mix. The fleet will continue to sail for cod until May 13th, when they will transition to fluke trips. Around that May 13th mark, the fleet will also start sailing at night for squid. Early signs for both species are good, and it’s lining up to be a good season for both.

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reports that striped bass fishing has improved once again in the Providence area. Anglers have had great action for short and keeper bass up to about 35 inches, with a few heavier 20- to 30-pound fish in the mix. The Providence River at the Hurricane Barrier has been steady and the Seekonk River also remains a hot spot. Squid fishing has picked up in Newport and should continue to improve, as reports from Massachusetts have been excellent. There have been some decent tautog catches in the bay, while scup reports have still been quiet throughout inshore waters. Freshwater largemouth fishing remains great throughout the state, with a couple monsters and a steady pick of 3- to 4-pounders caught this week.

At The Saltwater Edge in Middletown the guys reported that the bay is alive with life. Decent keeper-class striped bass can be found feeding on adult and juvenile bunker throughout the area. Out front, at the West Wall and around the South County beaches, schoolie action has continued to intensify. Tons of menhaden have been reported in the upper bay and Westport. We’re all just waiting for bigger fish to find them. Tautog fishing has been relatively slow out front, but the warmer waters of the bay are holding decent numbers of keeper fish. Squid anglers are also gearing up for a strong season, with catches in the Newport area increasing daily.

At Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, Mike reports that the Pawcatuck remains a hot bed for local striped bass anglers. A nice push of peanut bunker have moved into the river and joined forces with the adults to provide a large mass of bait for the bass. Quality keepers in the 35- to 38-inch class were reported with some regularity this week, while schoolie catches have improved on the beaches. Tautog fishing has been slow in South County, but should improve next week as the water inches its way closer to the 50 degree mark. Squid have moved in pretty thick around Point Judith, and should be seen further south very soon. A big push of squid also means that some good keeper fluke fishing is right around the corner.

Connecticut Fishing Forecast

This week’s weather has seemed more like late fall than early May, and that has kept water temperatures at a less than ideal number. Tautog, scup and sea bass action may have been affected by these temps, but the striped bass don’t seem to mind. More fish, and more keeper fish, have been entering our waters each day. The Providence and Pawcatuck Rivers are providing Rhode Island anglers with a great shot at keeper fish, while Connecticut anglers can find heavy bass throughout the entirety of the Connecticut River. While waiting for sea bass and scup to turn on, bottom fishermen should try their luck with winter flounder, as that bite remains one of the better ones in recent years.