Slowly but surely, we are starting to see our usual early June patterns, as more large stripers and keeper fluke are settling in every day.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, told me that the striped bass fishing has been solid in the river and has been getting the attention of most anglers. The bunker is starting to settle in nicely around the Essex area and some bass to 25-pounds have been harassing them around daybreak. The reefs are still a bit behind, but there are quite a few big bass patrolling the sound, and Andrew heard of a 48-pounder that was caught while trolling this week. Fluke fishing has been tough locally, but if you put some time in you can find a few keepers around Fishers and off the Rhode Island beaches. Sea bass reports are quiet and the best porgy action remains on the New York side.
Lou, at Hillyers Tackle in Waterford, told me that the striped bass fishing has started to pick up in some portions of the sound, with some solid reports coming from Plum Gut and The Race. Those looking for light tackle action should be able to find some at the outflow and up in the rivers. Bluefish have started to move into the bay in pretty good numbers, including some larger ones around the 5-pound mark. There have been a few keeper scup reported from the Jordan Cove area but the best action has been in NY; while fluke reports are slowly but steadily improving locally.
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-Go’s; while more and more larger fish are entering the mix each day. Shad and bunker are showing up in good numbers, which has resulted in many more big fish. With the new moon approaching, things should really start to pick up.
Joe, at Rivers End Tackle in Old Saybrook, reports that the best striped bass catches are still coming from the Connscticut River flats, from the mouth to Essex. Plum Gut and The Race are picking up, so we should start to see some better fish on the reefs soon. A few bluefish are hanging out around the mouth of the river, with better catches from Niantic and Plum. Fluke reports are so/so locally, but big fish are still around Block and Montauk. Scup are still over in Peconic Bay and sea bass reports are finally starting to get going in the deep water around the central sound.
Heather, from the Black Hawk in Niantic, reports that it was a week of excellent porgy fishing. Nice weather, full boat limits, and a nice combo of weakfish, fluke, and a few bluefish. The weekend weather made things tough but Capt. Matt put in the overtime and everybody left with a bag full of fillets. Some people got their limits, some people struggled. Sunday was even tougher but we were able to produce a decent catch of jumbo porgies, a bunch of weakfish, and even a few fluke. Wednesday was much better, it started off with a slow pick of jumbo porgies with a few flurries of fish here and there. We stuck it out until the change of the tide and after a quick move the fish were flying in over the rails. Almost everyone had their limit of some nice big jumbo porgies and those that didn’t were not far off. We had two night striped bass trips last week.
Captain TJ, at Rock and Roll Charters, is having multi-species success; keeper stripers, limits of sea bass and some better porgies are all plentiful. The versatility of the sound fishing gives you plenty of options and TJ still has some openings for June!
Black Hall Outfitters in Old Lyme and Westbrook Lymetold me that team members Scott Schneider and Jack Tibbins have been into some solid striped bass this week with sizes getting larger. Live bunker and eels have been their go-to’s. Chris also mentioned that their 4th annual Fluke Fest will be June 23-24, so make sure to stop by one of their 2 locations and sign up!
Max, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, told me they are still seeing bass to 45-pounds locally and many more in the 25- to 35-pound range. There is a good deal of bunker to the west, but it is filtering in locally, and reports are strong from Fairfield to middle ground. Fresh blues showed up in good numbers this week and are all over the bunker schools at dawn and dusk.
Matt, at Cos Cob Charters, was able to get off the dock every day this week and continued to hammer some big bass. He got fish on both the troll and chunk, with the biggest going 50 inches and 46 pounds! Another big body of fish should move in with new moon…now is the time to get out.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Captain Matt, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, reported a slightly slower week on the fluke trips but still had some nice consistent catches. Saturday’s trip had quick drifts for most of the day, which made things difficult at times, but the morning saw some good action. High hook took home 5 keepers and the biggest fish tipped the scales at 10 pounds. The wind and tide made it hard to sail for a few days and churned up the water, but the water is already cleaning up and the fishing should pick right back up any day now.
Captain Russ, of The Seven B’s in Narragansett, reported that the fluke fishing remains steady and continues to improve, with some legitimate doormats coming over the rails over the past week. Saturday’s pool fish was just under 10 pounds, and fish topping the 5-pound mark are becoming common. The results got even better on Sunday’s trip, with regular customer Mike landing a 12.5-pound behemoth doormat. The water was a bit dirty for Tuesday’s trip, but they still managed some nice fish, so the upcoming week should be a strong one. They are now fishing for fluke 7 days a week and for squid on the weekends. Private charters will begin running on the Jeannie B in a week or two.
Captain Brian, of Big Game Sportfishing in Wakefield, reported that the striped bass fishing in Narragansett Bay continues to improve with two fish over 40 pounds last week. School striped bass to small keepers are all over the bay, much to the delight of the light-tackle and fly anglers. The fluke fishing is improving along the local beaches; despite a ton of short fish, many anglers are finding good limits. The fluke fishing is still better around Block, where fish to 9 pounds were taken last week and fish around 5 pounds have been common.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence
, told me that the striped bass fishing is very good throughout the area, with some red hot fishing in the East Bay. Billy Silvia managed a commercial limit of solid fish by 10 AM on Tuesday and a number of other anglers have reported similar results. The Providence River bite also remains strong with good catches of keeper bass on bunker imitating plugs after dark. Captain Rene Letourneau chimed in from the Newport area, reporting that there are loads of bass to the low 30-inch class for anglers fishing the fly or light tackle.
Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, has been hearing of a number of large fluke at the wind mills around the island, with the majority falling in the 5- to 8-pound range. Locally, things have improved with plenty of keepers off Misquamicut and outside of the breachways this week. The Watch Hill reefs woke up this week; sand eels are all over the place and small bass can be found eating on the surface most times of day. Those 3-waying eels underneath the topwater activity are managing some better fish. 15-25 pound fish are showing up with more regularity and a few pushing 40 have been in the mix.
Connecticut Fishing Forecast
A tough March and early April set us back a bit, and I think we are starting to see that everything remains a week or two behind. The good news is, we are approaching the new moon and that should coincide with the arrival of good striped bass on the eastern sound reefs and around Fishers. The fluke fishing also seems to be a bit behind, but the arrival of keepers (even if it isn’t many) at Fishers and off the Rhode Island beaches is a sign that we are very close. For the weekend, big bass can be found in good numbers to the far east and west; everywhere in between is also holding some cows, you just may have to work a little harder. If you work a bit you can find a limit of keeper fluke locally, and if you can steam to Block or Montauk, you will probably be reward with some doormats!
Old Saybrook and Old Lyme last week seemed to have a lot of shad but that’s about it. Probably some other baitfish in the mix but no sight of striped bass or bluefish.