The rivers have cleaned and the spring bass run is in full swing; while bottom anglers are finding blackfish and scup; while patiently awaiting for the fluke action to blow open.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, told me that the river has come way down, and the schoolie striped bass bite has blown up! Basically, wherever anglers have been looking for fish, they have been finding them. Cromwell and Middletown have been producing very well, and the lower stretches of the river have been producing just as well. 30-34-inch fish can be had along with the schoolies on sandworms, while the anglers fishing the herring runs are finding some better fish after dark. A few fluke anglers have tried Fishers and found only shorts, but the reports from Montauk have been very good; so, we aren’t too far away now!
Chris, at Black Hall Outfitters told me that the fluke action hasn’t quite gotten going in local waters, but we aren’t far way. The warmer waters from the northern parts of Long Island Sound are producing well on double bucktail jigs tipped with Gulp or spearing. Scup have showed up in droves especially to the west. You can make quick work with a sabiki rig or a 3 hook hi/lo rig this time of the year. Large striped bass are filtering into the sound and are taking bunker chunks or big soft plastics. Large Tsunami shads fished around the bunker schools seems to be a go-to tactic over the past few days.
Josh from Three Belles Outfitters in Niantic says striped bass reports are coming in from all directions. Big new moon tides have pushed schoolies into just about everywhere hitting plugs, plastics, and sandworms. Bigger fish are patrolling the herring runs, and that bite should only improve with water temps in the 60’s. More bunker have shown up locally and that should kick things into gear. The Connecticut River conditions have improved dramatically over the last two weeks. The main river is still cold and a bit silty, but the coves and tributaries are clear and fishing well. Spinnerbaits seem to be the thing to throw, with multiple kayak anglers getting some really nice largemouth bass and pike over the past couple days. Pike are in the pre-summer period now and will feed heavily for the next few weeks. Depending on the body of water, largemouth and smallmouth bass may be on spawning beds already. Please try to handle caught fish with care and quickly release them in the same area you caught them from.
Joe, at Rivers End in Old Saybrook, has been hearing some excellent fluke reports from the hardcore guys that have been hitting Montauk and Block. Shorts are still outnumbering keepers, but there are some quality fish to be had. The lower CT River has been good for stripers, despite poor water clarity. Soft plastics have been working well on the flats, and sandworms have been working everywhere. The guys throwing worms have been catching lots of catfish as well. There was good schoolie action off Guilford early in the week, but they seem to have moved on. Bunker have been showing sporadically off Westbrook this week. Trout action has been solid in the rivers and lakes this week—despite the runoff issues.
Black Hawk Sportfishing reported that the 2019 season started off on a high note with some good, early-season porgy fishing. There seems to be a good mass of scup in the area and it’s improving every day. There is a good deal of short fluke in the mix, and it shouldn’t be long before we start seeing keepers. Heather from the office reports that they’ll be adding more trips soon, including some night bluefish trips and squid trips, so stay tuned. They’ll be posted on their website and are sure to fill up quickly, so keep watching our site and Facebook for updates.
Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, reports that the striped bass bite continues to steadily improve, as the climbing water temps and herring numbers producing more bass activity. Keeper fish are starting to become more common and they are readily hitting topwater plugs.
Joe, from Diorio Guide Service, told me that he hasn’t dusted the boat off yet, but he’s been having some very good success chasing schoolies and small keepers from the shore. Most of the fish have been on the small side, but there are enough keepers to go around. Spooks, dannys, weightless sluggos and paddle tails are all taking good fish. The Farmington River shad bite has slowed a bit, but fish are still being caught; while spots to the north seem to be picking up. Joe made a fluke trip to Montauk over the weekend and was happy to report a very nice pick of fish to 23-inches. We’re not too far off now!
Rhode Island Fishing Report
After some good reports of fluke and squid coming from the commercial fleet, Captain Frank, of the Frances Fleet in Narragansett, is happy to report that they finally started sailing for fluke this week. The fluke trips are now happening daily at 7 a.m. if the weather allows, and the squid trips will kick off this Friday night. They are still taking reservations for the 2019 season, so be sure to call the office to book your trip.
Captain Wade, of Booked Off Charters, told me that large schools of mackerel are showing up in Block Island Sound and into Rhode Island. The schoolie striped bass action has been very solid, and the bigger fish should be showing up soon, and taking notice of all that bait. The squid reports are finally improving, and the fluke should be right behind them. The boat will be in the water this week, and the charters will be firing up soon. Be sure to check in with Wade for scheduling and reservations!
Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly said that the striper fishing continues to improve in his area, with fish up to 35 inches being taken in the Pawcatuck. The kayak fishermen have been doing well working the herring runs, but shore anglers are cashing in as well on soft plastics and spooks. There are still plenty of herring, while more and more adult bunker are moving in every day. When the larger migratory fish show up, there will be no shortage of bait for them. Tautog fishing is picking up, with fish being caught on the reefs and rockpiles in 15-20 feet deep. A few fluke were caught off Block and around the beaches, so we aren’t too far away from that season blowing open!
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that first scup reports have been coming in from the South Shore and along the bridges. Schoolie bass action has been great in the upper bay according to Capt. Rene Letourneau, who has been having no problem finding them on light tackle and flies. Tautog fishing continues to improve throughout Narragansett Bay and on the South Shore rockpiles. Squid anglers are doing well for the most part, but it has been weather and tidal dependent. Mackerel are very abundant around Newport and should provide some excellent forage for the incoming bass. Fluke reports are relatively quiet, but the commercial fleets are finding them. We are probably only a few degrees away from some great fluke fishing in the area.
Connecticut Fishing Forecast
The spring run striped bass action seems to be right on schedule, and the weather and water conditions are finally starting to cooperate. Fresh fish are being taken throughout Rhode Island and CT; while the herring runs are producing better fish on a relatively consistent basis. Fluke action is picking up big time around Montauk and Block, so we are likely only a few degrees away from that blowing open. In the meantime, scup action started off with a bang and is providing some great action for bottom bouncers. And don’t forget about Rhode Island tautog! Flows remain great in the trout streams and action is pretty good as well; while pike and largemouth action has remained consistent enough to provide an outlet for freshwater anglers.