Some decent tautog are still showing themselves in Rhode Island, while the cod seem to be staging up nicely for the upcoming winter season. Holdover bass action is intensifying throughout our tidal rivers, while pre-ice freshwater fishing is peaking for all species.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Captain Mike, of the Frances Fleet in Narragansett, told me that things have been tough on the blackfish grounds after the snowstorm. The water temps have dropped a bit and the fish seem to have moved a bit deeper. They are still finding a few and will likely be able to dial them in good when they settle down on new pieces of structure. On a more positive note, the cod fishing has really taken a turn for the better. There has been steady action of cod, sea bass, scup and ling; with many of the cod coming in the low teen range.
Captain Kelly, from C-Devil II Sportfishing in Narragansett, told me that the tautog action has remained very good whenever the weather has allowed. They have been able to find limits rather easily, with fish to 12-pounds. They are still finding nice numbers of sea bass, scup and cod around the island; which are helping anglers keeping their freezers full for the winter. They still have a few blackfish trips open between now and the closer, so head to the website if you’re looking for one more shot!
Captain Wade, of Booked Off Charters, told me that they are still fishing every day that the weather allows. Tautog action is still going strong, with a good number of fish over 10-pounds last week (many of which were released!) The cod action also remains consistent and Wade plans on fishing well after the new year, if the fishing and weather remain good!
Pre-ice freshwater action has been strong for bass and perch in most of the lakes and ponds across the state, while pre-ice pike action is picking up at Stump, Echo and Wordens. Trout action has been strong in the TMA’s of the Wood River.
Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Rhode Island.
Fishing Report For Connecticut
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown told me that the end of the tautog season has created a bit of a transition to holdover bass fishing for saltwater anglers. All the larger tidal rivers are holding some solid numbers of bass, and they are starting to move upriver to their winter haunts. Pre-ice pike fishing has been good on the Connecticut River, with some nice fish coming from the Haddam to Middletown area; while the Salmon and Farmington River TMA’s are flowing and fishing nicely. It’s starting to get awfully cold, especially in the northwest hills and some small pond ice reports should start trickling in soon. Andrew has the shop fully stocked with everything you need for the upcoming ice season!
Josh, at Three Belles Outfitters in Niantic, claims the holdover striped bass bite has been good over the past week, with mostly schoolies filling out the catch, but some keepers have been caught here and there. Skim ice is setting up on smaller ponds and river coves, but there are still plenty of great open water options. The Farmington River has been producing some nice trout, and panfishing has been lights out in the CT. River coves. Largemouth and smallmouth are still chewing. Slow and low techniques are the best way to get bit. A bladebait will catch just about any species through the cold months. Pike fishing has been hit or miss, even with live baits.
Black Hall Outfitters reports that the trout fishing in the local TMA’s has been the best bet locally, along with some nice Atlantic Salmon catches in the Shetucket. Calico and yellow perch pre-ice action has been very good with small jigs and small soft plastics. The holdover striped bass action remains strong, despite some colder temperatures. The fish are right on schedule, as they move into their winter haunts and the action remains best on jig/soft plastics combos on the warmer/sunnier days. The shop will be holding a sale right up through New Years Eve, with 20% off everything, so be sure to check it out!
Heather from, Black Hawk Sportfishing reports that they were able to put together some strong trips after the holiday, despite some tricky conditions. Scup action has remained strong from the first drop to the last, and they have found some nice sea bass and cod whenever they were able to get their offerings past the scup! They have moved the boat to Noank and they will from Noank Shipyard for the remainder of their season. They will sail any time the weather gives them a window, so be sure to check their website or Facebook page for an updated schedule!
Max, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, reports that there are still some sporadic bass showing up in the Norwalk area, but most of the local bass anglers have transitioned to the Housatonic. Reports have been good from the mouth of the river up to the usual winter hangouts, with strong numbers of school fish and some better bass showing up after dark. No herring reports have been coming in just yet, but with the falling temps we probably aren’t too far away!
Upcountry Sportfishing reports that the action remains steady in the Farmington despite the drop in temps. The drop in temps has resulted in some better winter caddis and midge hatches, with the caddis more prevalent in the mornings and the other bugs showing up in the afternoons. The afternoons have been more productive recently, especially on the sunnier days, with the best action coming on subsurface nymphs and streamers. The best nymphs have been Junk Flies, Stones, Caddis Larva and Midges; while all types/color of streamers have produced at one time or another if they are fished deep and slow. Colder water typically means slower retrieves/swinging presentations, but be sure to experiment with multiple retrieves, as we haven’t gotten to full winter patterns just yet.
Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Connecticut.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
Rhode Island’s blackfish season will remain open through December and action will remain strong for those trying to sneak one more trip in before the Connecticut season closes. There are plenty of cod opportunities for Rhode Island anglers and holdover striped bass for those in CT. Freshwater action is picking up, with late fall trout ramping up in the streams and good pike/bass action in most of our lakes and ponds. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Despite the cold weather, the nights have been very good for larger bass in the 15-30lbs range off hazard ave in Narragansett. There have been big schools of herring moving close to shore. I’m mostly an idiot but have have been landing decent fish. Yolo