Tautog action has been red hot whenever the weather has allowed fishermen to get out, and there remains no shortage of bass and bluefish.
Connecticut Fishing Report
At Hillyers in Waterford, John reports that the fall tautog season has shown no signs of slowing down. Quality keepers have been coming from all the local rockpiles in 8-25 feet of water. Look for some more big fish to move into the shallows this weekend as the water starts to cool off quicker. The black sea bass bite is also still going strong. Anglers are reporting good catches on clams and worms, but are also getting plenty of keepers on crabs that are intended for tautog. There are still some scup around, and most are on the larger side. Look to Hatchets or Bartlett’s reef for the best scup catches. Big bass and blues are still around, but they are on the move. The most consistent spots seem to be The Race, Plum Gut and Bartletts. The false albacore bite has certainly been spotty, but enough are being caught to warrant giving them some attention this weekend.
At Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, Andrew reports that most local angling attention has been focused on tautog. Just about everyone is trying, and some anglers are making out better than others. There are certainly plenty of quality keepers around, including a 12.3 that was weighed in this week. Many anglers are reporting too many shorts, but that is usually caused by staying in the same spot for too long. The Clinton Walls and Hens and Chickens are producing well, but the more common spots are starting to get picked through. There is still a great deal of big bass in the river, with anglers catching on large swimmers, spooks and fresh chunks. Blue crab hunters were also still reporting good numbers in the river at the early part of this week.
Captain TJ of Rock and Roll Charters reported another strong week of local striped bass fishing, right up until the weather took a turn for the worse. Despite the rough weather of the weekend; optimal tides still produced some good bass. The water temps are dropping, but not enough to cause these fish to leave just yet. The bluefishing is also consistent, with plenty of fish of varying sizes. Tautog fishing started off strong in the shallows, and also should only improve as the fish move back out to deeper structure.
Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, was pleased to report that the rough conditions of last weekend didn’t drive all of the bass and bluefish out just yet. Mike connected with some quality keeper bass both in the sound and inside the tidal rivers, along with some gator blues that are terrorizing the bunker schools. Mike also started making his first tautog trips of the season, which all resulted in good numbers of keeper fish.
Jeremy, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, reports that it’s all about the blackfish bite in the western sound. Anglers are finding good fish in 10-30 feet of water, but it seems to be trending to better action on the shallower side. An 11-pounder was taken recently in shallow water, and the fish are hitting both jigs and traditional rigs. There seems to be more striped bass in the rivers recently, and anglers are reporting good catches after dark.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
The Frances Fleet in Narragansett was able to work around the weather a bit last week and earlier this week, with most trips resulting in moderate success. Before last weekend’s blow, the fleet made multiple cod trips and most anglers went home with 3 to 4 nice market cod. Black sea bass is now open in federal waters once again, and there has been no shortage of nice bass on the cod grounds. The cod grounds have come to life with the arrival of sea herring, resulting in all types of species. Tautog trips have also been pretty strong this week. Most trips have seen at least a few limits, and high hook has been in the 8- to 10-pound class each time. Cod/sea bass trips will continue to sail on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and weekends at 6 AM; while tautog drips will run daily at 6 AM as well.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reports that a number of his customers found continued success locally, despite a tough weather week. The Seekonk River has started to quiet, but it is still holding a few nice schools of bass and blues. The menhaden are still thick around the channel, and the bass and blues haven’t been far behind. The Block Island bass bite has been hit or miss, but the squid fishing has been tremendous. With the squid in this thick, it is only a matter of time before some big traveling striped bass find them. The South County hotspots and the eastern Connecticut surf are producing some nice bass for surfcasters; while the Cape Cod Canal is still holding some smaller keepers. The tautog fishing has been strong all over, including inside of most tidal rivers; which is a beneficial to those looking to avoid the rough seas.
At The Saltwater Edge in Middletown, reports have been on the slow side due to the weather, but most people who have been out after tautog are having success. The shallow rockpiles around the mouth of the bay and across the Narragansett shoreline are good starting points. There are still some bigger bass being caught at the ledge, but the fish have been on the move so the fishing is up and down. Shore anglers are having fun chasing big schools of bluefish along the Rhode Island beaches, while cod anglers are scoring their target species and sea bass at the East Grounds and Coxes.
Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, reports that the tautog fishing has been very strong. The weather hasn’t always cooperated, but those who have made it out are finding quick limits. Sea bass fishing is also very good locally, and in Federal waters. The striped bass and bluefish that have been feeding on small bait along the reefs and beaches have really not started to thin, as most anglers have reported good results. More fish of both species have moved inside the Pawcatuck River this week, and are taking notice of the large bunker schools. It appears that the false albacore have not yet vacated either. The numbers have been down, but anglers are still finding some at Watch Hill and around Fishers.
Connecticut Fishing Forecast
We’ve hit the peak season for the shallow water tautog enthusiasts. Big tog are all over the shallow structure and if you can dodge the weather you should be rewarded with a limit. The fish being in the shallows also provides an opportunity to fish some sheltered spots that can keep you away from the rough seas. We probably have a good week or two of solid striped bass action out front as well, so be sure to have your bass gear on board!