Connecticut Fishing Report – May 10, 2018

Striped bass continue to migrate into our waters in good numbers, with anglers across Connecticut and Rhode Island reporting good catches.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, reports that not much happened during the first week of fluke season, even across the pond in NY, as water temperatures are still a little cold. The squid have shown up in good numbers in Newport, Narragansett and Montauk, so we should start seeing them outside of Fishers soon. The Connecticut River is muddied up pretty bad, but guys are still catching schoolies to small keeper-sized bass on worms. Anglers fishing after dark are also finding some better bass in the herring runs, while the same can be said for the herring runs in the Housatonic. The mouth of both rivers are also producing healthy numbers of school bass, and the numbers will continue to multiply over the next few weeks. The white perch bite is starting to materialize between Essex and Middletown, and trout anglers are reporting good catches in the Salmon and Farmington Rivers.

Lou, at Hillyers Tackle in Waterford, told me that the eastern part of the state is starting to show signs of life, with some good bass catches from multiple areas. There are loads of schoolies at the DEEP dock, with a few keepers mixed in and it’s more of the same in the Niantic River. He also just had his first report of some keeper bass out front from the Pleasure Beach area. Keeper fluke were hard to find this week, even for those running to Peconic Bay; while flounder fishing seems to have taken a step forward at Bluff Point.

Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, had a strong week of light tackle striped bass fishing, as the numbers are increasing and the activity levels are picking up. The fish are starting to key in on bigger bait, so large soft plastics, topwaters and swimming plugs are all producing. Numbers and sizes should continue to increase this week, so check with Mike to book a trip soon!

At Rivers End Tackle in Old Saybrook, Q reported that the school bass action at the mouth of the river has been very steady this week, and a few keepers have been in the mix the last couple of days. A number of these fish have been covered in sea lice, so there are definitely some new arrivals in the area. There herring runs upriver are loaded up and it shouldn’t be long before some of the bigger fresh bass get on their tail.

Chris, at Black Hall Outfitters in Old Lyme, reports that striped bass have invaded CT water, with schoolie to 20-pound fish showing up throughout the region. Bright colored Soft plastics on ½-ounce jigheads and small to medium size swimmers such as the Daiwa SP are producing. Chris also mentioned that the grand opening for BHO 2 is quickly approaching! The grand opening will be Saturday May 19 11 am at 362 Boston Post Road in Westbrook. Seminars, vendors, demos and giveaways will all be part of the fun.

Max, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, told me that there are bass all over the area, with fish ranging from 20 to 40 inches showing up in the back bays, around the Saugatuck and around the islands. Some sporadic schools of bunker are starting to filter into the area, but there are loads of bunker just to the west. Anglers fishing to the west of Cos Cob are getting fresh bass to 30 pounds on Mojo rigs, bunker spoons and chunks. The Housatonic has a good slug of fish from the mouth to the dam, and anglers fishing the herring runs are still picking off bass to 25 pounds. There are some big porgies being taken at Port Jefferson, while the local flounder fishing is finally starting to reward those who put some time in chumming.

Matt, at Cos Cob Charters, ran a few trips this week and picked up some nice bass on the troll. The fish are still pretty spread out so he had to cover some ground, but they are out there. Most of the life is still to the west of Cos Cob and are being taken on chartreuse mojos and smaller spoons. Porgies are biting well in 15-20 feet of water, while the fluke bite is still lagging behind a bit. Matt is running a new boat for 2018, a 28’ Custom Terry Jason, and will be running open boat bass trips every night he is not chartered, along with east end fluke/sea bass/scup trips.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

Captain Frank, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, reported that they were able to get out on the cod grounds a few times last week and found some fish to put a nice capper on the season. They are now setting their sights on the fluke season, which they plan on kicking off this upcoming Saturday. They are starting to get reports of some fluke showing up off Block Island, and the squid are filling in nicely around Rhode Island. The more squid we see, the better the fluke fishing usually is, and so far things are shaping up well. They plan on sailing daily from 7 AM to 4 PM for fluke, and starting Memorial Day weekend they will run half-day trips on weekends until June 17. These trips will run from 8 AM to 12 PM and then again from 1 PM to 5 PM.

At The Seven B’s in Narragansett, the crew has been spending some of their down time getting the boats ready for the arrival of fluke season. They will begin sailing for fluke as soon as the fish start showing up and the bite gets going, which looks like it should be sometime in the upcoming week. Be sure to check with the office for updated sailing schedules.

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that the last few days have been very solid for those targeting squid. The bite could be spotty at times, but most guys are filling coolers. Keeper striped bass have been filtering into the area well, and have been reported as far north as the Providence River. Bunker schools are starting to show in the east bay and upper bay and some better bass have started to key in on them. Scup are being taken at Colt State Park and more keeper tautog are showing up in the bay and along the Narragansett coast. Largemouth bass fishing has been strong across the state and some quality golden trout are still being taken in many of the state’s trout parks.

Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, said that school striped bass and a few quality keepers are now being taken in good numbers along the local shoreline. The first reports of adult bunker in the area have started to come in, and there are a few bass on them in the Pawcatuck. Mike anticipates having fresh bunker at the shop on and off for the next few weeks.

Connecticut Fishing Forecast

The spring run is really kicking into gear, with good striped bass catches coming from the herring runs, the Rhode Island coast, and among the bunker schools to the west. Numbers will continue to increase this weekend and it shouldn’t be long before the truly hefty fish show. It’s still a bit early for fluke fishing locally, but it appears the flounder fishing has started to trend in the right direction. Freshwater largemouth bass and trout action is as consistent as ever and should remain solid through the weekend.