Connecticut Fishing Report – October 25, 2018

Pictured above: Scott Temple with a fresh fall run 44-inch, 37.5-pound Striped Bass off Branford Point in CT

Tautog to 19-pounds were taken this week by those who braved the winds; while fall striped bass action seems tremendous across the region.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, told me that the blackfish reports have been relatively quiet for the boat crew due to the wind, but shore anglers who have used the northwest winds to their advantage are catching well. It appears we will have a break in the winds after Saturday, so things should really kick into gear next week. The mouth of the river is still producing solid striped bass catches inside the breakwalls and just outside on the adjacent rips. The majority of the fish are schoolies to low 30-inch class, but there are still a few 25-30 pound fish being taken. The water is still warm enough to keep some scup around, and also to keep the false albacore around; with the best catches of hardtails coming from Niantic to New London.

Lou at Hillyers in Waterford reports a very strong local taugot bite for those who have been able to stay in the lee of the winds. There haven’t been too many bruisers to hit the scales just yet, but limits have been common. Scup and sea bass are still around and are often taking crabs intended for blackfish. Loads of smaller striped bass are still in the bay, and false albacore are still roaming the same areas.

Heather, of Blackhawk Sportfishing in Niantic> told me that it was another great week of fishing, with some excellent bluefish catches and some quality sea bass still in the mix. They also had a number of successful private charters last week, where anglers went home with all the bluefish they could want; along with some sea bass and a few keeper stripers. They have just announced a few more night bass trips, including Thursday and Friday night. These will likely be the last bass trips of the season, so be sure to reserve a spot. They will be fishing for the next two weeks, up to October 31, from the dock in Niantic. In November we move the boat over to our winter dock in Stonington, stay tuned for the exact dates and an updated schedule.

Captain TJ, at Rock and Roll Charters, like everyone else this week, lost a few trips due to the wind; but noted that there are still plenty of fish around. They are catching plenty of striped bass, with about half going over 28-inches and some big girls in the mix. Blackfish and scup trips were tough with the wind this week, but reports have been solid for those who have gone and TJ anticipates a good window to get after them in the upcoming week.

Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters told me that bass are on the move and there has been some great action, whenever the weather has allowed. A slight warm-up and decline in wind should really help things out for this upcoming week. Along with the bass, Mike is still seeing some nice schools of bluefish and false albacore in the mix, and he is also starting to schedule blackfish trips. Be sure to get in on the action before it’s too late!

Captain Mike, at Light Bite Charters in Norwalk, told me that the albie action has slowed in his area, but the striped bass fishing is getting better each day. Wind and weather has made things difficult, but there are blitzing fish all over, including the back bays; which are providing a reprieve from the weather.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

Captain Matt, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett was able to put some successful trips together this week, as the weather has cooperated better than it has on the weekends. High hooks on Monday’s trip saw easy limit catches, with nearly half the boat managing a limit. Most other anglers on board were only short by a fish or two. Tuesday’s trip was similar, despite a move to some small pieces of structure. There were many limits around the boat and both Monday and Tuesday’s trips saw fish that eclipsed the 8-pound mark. Wednesday was the best trip of the week and they were able to get a full boat limit before noon! Unfortunately, Saturday’s forecast doesn’t look too good, but it does seem to be improving after that. Be sure to check with the office for an updated schedule.

Captain Russ, of The Seven B’s in Snug Harbor also told me that the fishing was very good this past week, whenever the weather has allowed. Customers are still catching plenty of black sea bass and scup along with a few bluefish and the occasional cod. The sea bass and scup trips will continue run from Wednesday through Sunday from 7 to 4 for another week or two before they start to transition over to tautog fishing. Tautog fishing is starting to heat up and Capt. Russ expects that they will make the switch to targeting them around the beginning of November.

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that those who have been able to get out after blackfish this week have scored some good catches. That included the big story of the week, a 19+ pound fish taken aboard Flippin Out Charters. That fish was truly a fish of a lifetime, and shows how good the fishing should be as we get out of this pattern of brutal wind and weather.

Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly saw a notable drop in the false albacore fishing this week and it seems they have really thinned locally. The striped bass fishing continues to pick up the slack along the beaches however, with plenty of schoolies and some bigger fish to 30-pounds. There are still a few bluefish in the mix, but it is hard to target them specifically. The tautog fishing has been excellent for those who can avoid the winds, with strong reports coming from the shielded water inside Fishers Island Sound.

Connecticut Fishing Forecast

Outside of Saturday, which looks downright miserable, the weather looks like it will be trending in the right direction. Calmer winds and slightly warmer temperatures should really help the tautog fleet get back on the water, and I anticipate some great catches in the coming weeks. While bluefish are thinning and false albacore seem to be confined to the eastern/central sound; the consensus across the region is that blitzing striped bass of all sizes are being caught with consistency. I don’t anticipate this ending in the immediate future and I think we have a few good weeks of fall bass fishing left. Also, be sure to check the CT DEEP and RIDEM stocking updates, as both states have started their fall trout stocking programs.