False albacore teased us with a false arrival last week, as numbers are still scant, but great topwater bass and bluefish action is picking up the slack.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
The Frances Fleet in Narragansett reported that the seas calmed nicely last weekend and they were able to get out after sea bass, and they also made an overnight tuna trip. The water was still dirty from the swell caused by the hurricane but Captain Mike still found some pretty good fishing on Saturday. High hooks took limits of sea bass, with the biggest coming in right around 5 pounds. There was also a pile of good scup in the mix for those who wanted to fill buckets. Sunday was more of the same, maybe even slightly better as the water cleaned, so results should remain strong this weekend. The tuna trip was a bit of a struggle because of the dirty water, but they were still able to manage a very strong mahi bite, which helps make the trip worth it. As the water cleans the tuna action should improve, and they plan on sailing once again on Saturday.
Captain Russ, of The Seven B’s in Snug Harbor, reported that things have picked up nicely after the residual effects of the storm have moved through. Sea bass and scup action has been excellent, and the bluefish numbers have improved a bit as well. Sea bass to 5 pounds are common and the dinner-plate scup are keeping the anglers busy. The fluke action has slowed so it is predominately a sea bass and scup game now, but the action makes up for the lack of fluke. Trips will keep running from Wednesday through Sunday 7-4.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that anglers have finally found some nice false albacore action from shore in boat around Newport, while the bite around Point Judith is happening but it is not quite strong yet. Sea bass action is decent on the local wrecks, while Block Island continues to produce some serious knot heads. A good slug of big bluefish have been just south of Prudence Island, while bass action has been best in the Seekonk. Scup action is strong all over the local rockpiles and tautog action is working into form nicely, with the shallow reefs holding more fish each day.
Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly reported that the storm helped to push in an abundance of bait, therefore really helping out the inshore fishing. Striped bass and bluefish are now tight to the beaches and they are keeping surf anglers busy. As the conditions continue to improve, there have been reports of topwater action on the reefs, as well as some decent bass reports by the eel drifters. False albacore are in the same areas but they remain very scarce, so you need some luck on your side. Things should start rapidly improving in that fishery as the water cleans up. Sea bass fishing remains very consistent and there are no shortage of scup on all the reefs and rockpiles.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, was able to find some nice bass tight to shore this week, but told me results have been different from day to day. Big metal lips and pencils have been producing fish to 30 pounds, but at times you must weed through the schoolies. Small bluefish are all over the local reefs and around the gut, while some bigger fish are showing up locally at the shoal and inside the river. Albies popped up in most of the usual early season haunts last week, but the dirty water from the storm has slowed their roll. It’s lining up for a strong run starting very soon, but it hasn’t happened yet. Scup are all over the place and some big sea bass are still in the mix if you fish the lesser known spots. Blue crabbing is excellent, and should remain that way until the water really starts to cool substantially.
Lou, at Hillyers in Waterford, said that the fluking is close to dead in local waters, but sea bass action remains pretty good. Limits can be had, but you may have to hit a couple spots to fill the cooler. The bluefish have finally arrived and they did so in huge numbers. Small blues are all over the bay, the reefs and inside the river. Small bass are usually in the mix and some larger ones have been showing from the river, east to the Thames, but results vary day to day.
Rivers End in Old Saybrook reports that things have picked up for striped bass anglers, with loads of small fish all over the sound. Larger fish are being taken on the reefs, but with the warm weather we seem to be in the summer patterns where the larger bass are feeding after dark. Small bluefish are mixed in with the bass in most places, and the snapper bite remains very good in the river. Scup action is strong at Hatchets and around Madison, as well as New Haven Harbor for the western anglers. Bones and albies remain scattered but that should be changing in the coming days.
The guys at Black Hall Outfitters told me that albies are close but they remain so thin that it has been very difficult to hook up. There certainly isn’t a lack of bait, so hopefully things will improve vastly as the water cleans and the temps creep down. In the interim, school bass have been blitzing in most of the local rips and a good number of blues have been mixed in, so light tackle enthusiasts have had plenty to play with. In freshwater news, the state started the fall stocking programs and the rivers are dropping, so the trout action should be picking up by the weekend.
Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, is starting to see some fall patterns take stage, with great topwater and light tackle action lately. Blitzes are firing up all over the eastern sound and usually include different classes of bass and small blues. Large bass haven’t quite hit their fall patterns, as his best catches have been after dark in slightly deeper water. That being said, he had some really consistent action of heavy bass this week, so things are looking promising.
Captain TJ, at Rock and Roll Charters, reports that the fall run is quickly approaching, and several spots that have been quiet are lighting up with bait and activity this week. Many customers have been able to spend some time tossing plugs at topwater bass and blues; which always equals a good time. Scup action is red hot and coolers have been easy to fill; while sea bass action has remained pretty steady as well.
Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reported that they have started to see some fall-like fishing despite the warm days out west. Striper action has picked up around the mouth of the Housatonic, but it remains a night time game. That said, fish to 30 pounds are in the mix once again. Fluke are still around out their way, but most of the catches have come from 60-80 feet of water on the New York side. Port Jefferson has seen some nice slugs of false albacore this week, so everyone’s hoping the work their way north very soon. A few reports popped up around the Westport area, so we should be right on the edge of a good run. As is the case in most locations, the bait is not the issue; small bait is all over the place. Scup are all over the local hard bottom; while those looking for sea bass have been finding them on deep structure. Bluefish remain on the small side, but the numbers are decent. Those fishing chunks at night are scoring some larger ones, and it should improve as the water cools.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
The false albacore teased us last week, as they showed themselves but did not stick around in numbers that are worth chasing. The bait is in place and the weather is settling; if I was a betting man, I’d bet that were seeing steady catches by the next time I write this. Luckily, the striped bass and bluefish are picking up the slack, as we are seeing some better blitzes of both species than we have in a few years. If you want to go out hunting albies you may score, and if you don’t chances are you will fall into some really nice bass and bluefish action. Scup and sea bass are holding down the fort for the bottom anglers, so you still have time to fill some coolers!