The big bass are no longer confined to western Long Island Sound, and it seems the keeper fluke are also starting to make their way into our waters.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Captain Matt, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, had a strong week on the fluke grounds, including a perfect day on Wednesday. The weather was perfect and they saw their first double-digit fish of the year come over the rails. The fishing seems to have improved greatly over the past few days; many limits were caught, with a few fish in the 6- to 8-pound range and many in the 4- to 5-pound range.
Captain Russ, of The Seven B’s in Narragansett, reported some quality fluke fishing at the beginning of this week, despite some less than ideal drift conditions at times. Monday’s trip saw a load of good fish, with most anglers managing at least 3 keepers and some getting a limit. The biggest fish of the trip was 7 pounds and there were quite a few in the 3- to 4-pound range. The night squid trips have also been very successful and they will continue to sail for them on weekends. Fluke fishing is now 7 days a week and private charters will be starting up on the Jeannie B in a week or two.
Captain Brian, of Big Game Sportfishing in Wakefield, reported that the fluke bite really turned on earlier this week, with a handful of good fish to 8 pounds on Monday morning. There was plenty of 19-to 26-inch fish, along with a bunch of shorts, so action was strong. Striped bass fishing is really starting to heat up in Narragansett Bay, with some larger bass feeding on the bunker schools. Fish to 40 pounds have been coming on fresh bunker and Captain Brian managed 4 fish over 35 pounds on two trips late last week.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that the Providence River striped bass bite is really picking up, with anglers catching on worms, clams, chunk bait and a few on plugs. Striped bass numbers are strong across the state and the average size is climbing quickly. The fluke bite is much improved around the Bay and also off of the South County beaches.
Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, told me that there are a good number of striped bass feeding on sand eels off the local beaches. Fish are also starting to fill in on the Watch Hill reefs, but the sizes aren’t great just yet. Fluke fishing has been pretty good off of the beaches, but the action is still a bit up and down. Water temperatures climbed over the 50 degree mark and are still climbing, so we should see the bottom fishing really start to pick up in the next week or two.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, reported that the fluke fishing has been picking up south of Fishers and off the Rhode Island beaches. There are some big fish in the mix, but they are still moving around, so the fishing may be good one day then a bit slower the next. Anglers dunking sandworms are still catching some solid keeper striped bass in the upper stretch of the CT River, and the lower river and adjacent reefs are starting to see some bigger bass. Some bunker has started to settle into the lower river, so it shouldn’t take long before more large bass are on their tail.
Lou, at Hillyers Tackle in Waterford, reported better fishing for most species this week, as we get closer to the summer season. Fluke to 7-pounds or so have been reported locally, with some decent fishing around Millstone and Fishers. School striped bass are pretty common in the river and bay, and there are some quality striped bass in the Thames and Connecticut Rivers. Some big bluefish have started to show up around the power plant; while the scup and sea bass are still a week or two off.
Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, told me that the local striped bass fishing has remained very consistent. Schoolies are plentiful and are hitting topwater plugs and Slug-Gos, while more and more larger fish are entering the mix each day. The bluefish have started to move in as well, and are happy to cut a Slug-Go in half. The big bass should be settling in over the next few weeks.
Joe, at Rivers End Tackle in Old Saybrook, reported that the schoolie action remains red hot in the lower river, with anglers catching on sandworms and soft plastics. A few schools of bunker have started to filter in and there have been some bigger bass on their tail. The bluefish are starting to show up and there seems to be more and more of them in the mix each day. There have been a few decent fluke reports locally, but for the most part the better fishing has been in New York.
Captain TJ, at Rock and Roll Charters, reports that the bass fishing has been strong over the past week, with good numbers of fish of all sizes. Keepers have far outnumbered shorts this week and most trips have seen at least one fish over 40-inches. TJ was able to cover some ground in search of sea bass and found some fast action with a good mix of keepers and shorts. TJ is looking for an experienced mate to work mid-May through November this year, give him a call if you’re interested.
Black Hall Outfitters in Old Lyme and Westbrook told me that the large stripers are finally in! Fish to 35 pounds are being reported on a regular basis, with artificials and live bait both producing. Some of the best fish have been reported from the Essex area of the CT River, including a 43-pounder. The fluking has started to improve locally with fish to 4 pounds on small bucktails and GULP mullets; while south of Fishers and Block, there have been some bigger fish to 11 pounds reported. Those looking for sea bass have been heading west, and some good catches have come from the south of the Thimbles and Six Mile Reef.
Max, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, told me that good numbers of big bass are widespread out west. Fish from 20 to 40 pounds are being reported from Norwalk to NYC. Bunker spoon and Mojo rigs have been top producers, but the chunk bite is really starting to pick up. The 28C area is producing well, with a 38-pounder taken last week by “Mojo” Mike. The waters around the islands are also fishing well, with fish to 40 inches taking all sorts of artificial lures. The fluke fishing remains better on the north shore, but it is starting to pick up locally. Sea bass are also starting to move onto the deeper local reefs and are eating jigs and squid.
Matt, at Cos Cob Charters, was able to get off the dock all three days of the holiday weekend and told me the bite is on. He had steady action of bass to 35 pounds on the troll and with fresh chunks. The fishing continues to improve each day and Matt still has some open dates in the upcoming weeks.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
The big striped bass that have been roaming around the western sound seem to have made their way east. There are still plenty of big fish out west, but there are also some quality fish throughout eastern Long Island Sound and up through Rhode Island to the bay. More keeper fluke seem to be heading our way as well, with some better catches off the Rhode Island beaches and Fishers Island. The sea bass bite is picking up to the west and it should only be a few more days until they are all over the place.