Herring are starting to show up and the striped bass won’t be far behind; while post-opening day trout anglers are cashing in on the good flows and heavy stockings.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Captain Frank, of the Frances Fleet in Narragansett, has spent the week tied to the docks getting the boat ready for the upcoming season. There have been some very encouraging reports from the draggers that have been seeing much more bait off Block Island recently. Which is a good sign for both the upcoming cod fishing and fluke season. The fleet has now switched to a five day/week schedule, which includes Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Sunday at 7 a.m. They are currently waiting on the 2019 fluke regulations to be posted before they pick a start date, but that will likely be in mid-May, and when that happens they will be sailing daily. The tuna schedule has been finalized and they are taking reservations, along with private charter requests. Check in with the office for available dates!
Captain Russ, of The Seven B’s in Snug Harbor reported that Captain Andy got out a few times last week in search of cod, but it remains slow. They were able to manage a couple keeper cod, but the action is still on the slow side. As soon as the fluke arrive in good numbers which is typically around mid-May, they will make the transition over to fluke fishing. Depending on the run this year there may also be some squid trips added to the schedule. Be sure to call ahead to confirm schedule and sailing times before heading down to the dock.
Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, reported that trout fishing was strong for opening day, especially early on during the rain. Sunday was much nicer weather wise and the fish continued to cooperate, with good catches from across the state. Schoolies are still being caught in the river and inside the breachways, but no reports from the West Wall just yet.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that there are starting to be some signs of life in the upper bay; bait is showing up in big numbers and schoolie stripers are showing up right behind him. Schoolies are being caught in good numbers in Barrington, and rumors of a few at the West Wall are starting to trickle in. The trout fishing has been very productive across the state; including some big rainbows and golden trout; while the carp fishing seems to be steadily improving each day. The carp action has picked up and the fish have been of the much larger variety.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, told me that the saltwater guys are starting to talk about some blackfish out in deeper water, and we may have a decent shot at some if the water can continue to warm up. The CT River is at flood stage, which may hurt the striped bass fishing for the time-being, but it should also encourage a nice run of herring and bass up the river; so, we are close. The shad fishing is picking up quite a bit and tends to be positively affected by the spring floods. The Housatonic isn’t quite as flooded and is fishing pretty well for the night crew, with a recent influx of herring bringing some bass up the river. Opening day trout results were solid and should only improve as the pressure starts to wane.
Josh, at Three Belles Outfitters in Niantic, told me that the holdover bass fishing has been tough in the Connecticut with the flooding, but some nice catches have come from the Thames and Housatonic. Small jigs are still producing, but with the influx of herring, fish are starting to take some bigger swimming plugs. The nighttime game remains the best, but some fish can be found on topwaters during the day if you can find some clean water.
Pre-spawn largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing has been very solid. The best presentations are skirted jigs with trailers, jerkbaits, soft plastic cigar style baits, and search baits like spinner/crank/chatterbaits. Yellow perch and calico bass have been active in the local ponds and river coves and provide non-stop action when you find the big schools. Small panfish jigs are the way to go. Calicos up to 18” are being reported from the river coves. Pike fishing has been on the slow side, but they should be emerging from their post-spawn funk and things are trending up. The lakes should fish well any day now, and the river bite should light up when the river drops.
Chris, at Black Hall Outfitters reported that flounder fishing is on the upswing and catches in the shallows are picking up as the water warms up. Blackfish action is picking up as well, with good catches mixed in from throughout the sound. Holdover fishing is strong in the Housatonic and should pick up in the Connecticut as the water starts to recede. While the season opener for trout was a bit wet and flooded for those fishing in rivers, stillwater anglers were treated to excellent fishing and quality fish.
Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters in Old Saybrook, told me that they officially started their season last week, and are fishing light tackle/fly for holdover striped bass. One of his recent trips saw more fish come on the fly than on spinning gear, which is always a good time regardless of size. Some keeper fish are starting to show up here and there, and should start increasing in numbers as the herring push in. Contact Mike to set up a trip before the dates really start filling up!
Max, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, reports that the Housatonic remains very strong for striped bass from the mouth to the dam. The better fish are starting to find their way up north, hot on the tail of the river herring that have moved into the river. Schoolies are also being taken on the beaches, with some keepers to 36-inches being reported from around the islands. Flounder action has been slow and steady, with fish approaching the 2.5-pound mark being reported this week. Trout fishing was good all week in the Mianus, Mill and Norwalk Rivers.
Torrey, at Upcountry Sportfishing in New Hartford, told me that reports from around opening day were all over the place, due to the heavy rain, but most reports were very strong. Several nice holdover/wild fish to 21 inches were taken on Saturday and Sunday. The Riverton Derby produced a lot of big trout, with the top 2 fish weighing in at over 8 pounds. Water temperatures continue to rise and the current hatches include; Blue Wing Olives/Baetis, Early Black Stones, Winter Caddis (early AM), Paraleps/Blue Quills, and Midges. It won’t be long until we see the Hendricksons, which will start downriver and work their way upstream. Nymphs & streamers continue to catch most of the trout, especially the bigger fish. Small to medium streamers such as Woolly Buggers can be lethal on fresh stockers too, make sure to play with colors (Rainbows usually LOVE black FYI).
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
Opening day of trout season is past us, but there are still plenty of quality trout to be caught across both states. River herring have started to show up in better numbers in most of the runs, and before long we should see them throughout the Connecticut River. In the meantime, holdover bass have taken notice of the bait in the Pawcatuck, Thames and Housatonic Rivers. Pre-spawn largemouth and smallmouth bass are chewing well; while the perch and crappie bite is strong in most of the coves. The pike are waking up in the lakes across both states, and a strong bite should pick right up in the Connecticut River as the flows recede.
Have been out on bay and ocean front several times now and my experience matches up with Mr Pickering – there is little to no returning stripers at this time. Online reports indicate the run tried to enter RI area waters but was met by seals and a distinct lack of baitfish along oceanfront and especially in Gansett bay. Oceanfront and bay should be on fire but it is dead dead dead !