Plenty of activity off Rhode Island, with the striper fishing improving more anglers are getting out. Fluke, squid, and scup have all been producing as well.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Captain Frank, of the Frances Fleet in Narragansett, had some positive reports to send over this week, with both fluke and squid firing up. The squid season kicked off with a bang on Sunday as Captain Greg had squid coming over the rails faster than the anglers could keep up. Captain Mike headed out for fluke mid-week and reported a decent day for early season. They took the ride to the island and sound some fish that were willing to bite, although the water was still on the cool side. Things are improving by the day and the weekend looks very good weather-wise. Be sure to check in with the office for scheduling and reservations for the fluke trips and squid trips!
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 school 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 reports that the fishing for schoolie striped bass remains strong in the area, with fish coming from the rivers and around the breachways. Tautog fishermen that are putting their time in are finding some fish on the reefs and rockpiles, and they have made their way into relatively shallow water. Block and Montauk are producing some nice fluke catches, so we shouldn’t be too far away from some better inshore fishing; look for Fishers to pick up shortly. Squid reports are hit or miss, but it appears that if you hit on the right night you can be handsomely rewarded.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that the tautog fishing remains very strong in Rhode Island, with fish to 9.5-pounds coming in from BJ Silvia. The fish have moved to relatively shallow water and are hitting green crabs on jigs. Dave also mentioned that squid fishing has been productive on occasion, and the mackerel have come in thick in Newport and around the Cape. Scup fishing has been relatively consistent, but mainly south of the bridges.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, told me that the river is still a bit dirty but is cleaning up enough to be productive. Anglers fishing sandworms in the central portions of the river are finding very steady catches of schoolie to low 30-inch class of bass. The mouth of the river is also producing well in the usual haunts, and anglers casting soft plastics around the breakwalls are starting to see good numbers of small bass. The herring runs are putting up some bass to 40-inches or so, with nighttime being the best bet. As the water cleans this week, Andrew expects the topwater action around the runs to really pick up. Shad fishing has been consistent in the Windsor area and the stretch from Rocky Hill to Cromwell started to fire up this week. Not much word from the fluke guys, it seems they haven’t really hit Fishers Island Sound yet, but with temps rising we shouldn’t be far off now. Andrew is once again hosting his annual Fluke tournament with a sea bass kicker. The tournament runs all season and usually cashes in a nice prize pool, and you can enter at FF3, Rivers End or Hillyers!
Chris, at Black Hall Outfitters told me that fluke fishing has seen a small uptick this week, but guys are still traveling to find them. Nantucket Flukies in ¼ ounce seems to be the ticket this week. Spearing, squid strips and Gulp have been the best bait options. Striped bass schoolie fever is in full effect, with a bunch of fish around the river mouths. Topwater action has picked up on small poppers and Rebel Jumpin Minnows. Weakfish are being caught with a bit more regularity and should be moving towards the beaches. Pink 7-inch Big Occhi lures seem to be a top choice for tiderunners, so be sure to stock up.
Josh, from Three Belles Outfitters in Niantic, reports that the cold/rainy weather has kept things quiet, but there are still plenty of schoolies to be had. Up river, the worm dunkers continue to catch bass that are hot on the tail of shad and herring. The Housatonic has been up and down, but some bigger fish are being taken around the herring runs after dark. The western sound is producing some better fresh bass and the first solid scup of the season. Pike fishing has been consistent across the state, with good reports from Lilly and the river; while largemouth bass fishing should pick up soon when the fish move off their spawning beds.
Joe, at Rivers End in Old Saybrook, told me that the Connecticut River conditions continue to improve, with levels dropping and clarity improving. Plenty of schoolie bass are being taken in the lower river and many are full of sea lice! Boat guys are scoring well on soft plastics and small poppers, while shore anglers continue to catch on blood and sandworms. There have been a few keeper class fish on the reefs coming from anglers trolling around 6-mile and the shoal. Fluke reports have been scarce outside of the anglers traveling to Block or Montauk. There are some big porgies in Peconic Bay, but they haven’t quite made their way to our side of the sound just yet.
Black Hawk Sportfishing reported that the jumbo scup have been cooperating and are providing some excellent spring fishing. More and more bait are showing up and there have been some striped bass and weakfish following the schools. Squid reports are getting more consistent and they anticipate making their first squid trip this Friday night. Space is limited so be sure to make a reservation. Heather reported that they will be adding more trips soon, including nighttime bluefish and additional squid trips. Be sure to check the website or with the office for updated schedules and reservations!
Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, reports that the striped bass bite has steadily improved and he has taken part in some great topwater bites on the more overcast days. There are good numbers of fish and they are readily biting, which has resulted in some good action for the fly anglers as well. The bulk of the fish are schoolies, but more and more keepers are in the mix each day.
Max, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, said that the fluke fishing has picked up across the sound, especially in the Smithtown Bay area. 10 to 15 feet over sandy bottom seems to be the best bet. Scup action is starting to blow up as well across the sound and a few are popping up closer to home. The western sound striped bass bite has picked up, with good numbers of 30-pound class fish taking Mojos and bunker spoons. The bigger fish have been on the NY side, but there has been a decent pick of smaller fish on the Connecticut side as well.
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.
Best bets for the weekend
Striped bass action is getting very steady throughout the region with some quality fish up in the herring runs and plentiful schoolie action just about everywhere you’d expect. Fluke action is picking up across the pond, and the upcoming warm up should help push them our way. The same can be said for the scup; which are just starting to filter in. Tautog action has been very good in Rhode Island and anglers should look to cash in before the early season ends. Freshwater pike action has been steady across both states, and the same can be said for trout after recent re-stockings.