Connecticut Fishing Report
Heather, from Blackhawk Sportfishing reported a great week of fishing! The sea bass opener required some picking through shorts to find keepers, but there were plenty to be had. The fishing slowly intensified as the week went on, and that trend should only continue! The porgy fishing has been excellent, with full coolers and happy customers all around the boat. The after-work special trips continue to see great bluefishing and some quality striped bass. They’ve added a few more of these Friday after-work trips, so be sure to check the website for a reservation. The private charters are starting to sell out quickly as well, so be sure to contact Heather asap if you’re interested in a charter!
Mike Roy of Reel Cast Charters told me that the striped bass and bluefishing remains steady. Action has been good in and around the river on topwater plugs, soft plastics and live bunker. A good push of cow bass has moved into the area, but those bigger fish require a little more effort to locate. The water temperatures are starting to rise quickly, so the fish should be spreading to the nearby reefs and anglers should have more areas to choose from when they try to locate a few of those cows.
Joe, at Diorios Guide Service told me that the fishing has remained so good in the river he hasn’t had to leave yet. There are plenty of fish from 32-35-inches, and enough over 40-inches to keep things interesting. He’s still finding fish in the river and is also finding them spreading out onto the adjacent reefs. They are still getting quite a few on topwater offerings and when that bite has shut down, they are finding them on live bunker. When they get really picky look to a small soft plastic, but regardless of what you’re throwing, you will probably find a few. The bluefish have been coming and going in waves, but most days are seeing a good pile of 5-8-pound choppers!
When I spoke with Captain Chris Elser, he told me that he was amid a midday blitz of 32-35-inch bass and bluefish to 12-pounds feeding on bunker. It’s a bit of rare occurrence for the middle of the day, but no one is complaining! He also told me that the sea bass action has really started to pick up in his neck of the woods, with plenty of fish and a better keeper to short ratio. Water temperatures have been cooler for July 1st than he has seen in years, but this recent heatwave should get things back on schedule.
Fisherman’s World in Norwalk says the western sound continues to produce a reliable big striped bass bite. Fresh cut bunker chunks fished around dark has been the top producer, while live lining around the bunker schools or trolling big offerings has been producing by day. Gator bluefish pushing upwards of 15-pounds remain easy to find around the mid-sound area, and they’re willing to eat just about anything. Inshore anglers have reported more bunker close to shore this week, so the bass action hasn’t been confined to just the deeper water. The sea bass fishing has been great on the deeper structure around 32A and 28C, with Shimano Flat Fall jigs or Gulp-tipped bucktails being the go-to producers. Bucktails and Gulp have also continued to produce a solid fluke bite, while the porgy bite remains excellent from both shore and boat.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
The Frances Fleet in Point Judith has seen some solid black sea bass action since the season opened with many limit catches and fish to 5-pounds. As has been the case most of the season, the fluke fishing has been up and down, but most trips are seeing some nice keepers to 8-pounds or so, along with some limit catches. They are currently running both full and half-day trips for fluke and sea bass, check their website for further details and availability.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that some big striped bass continue to be caught in the Providence River on fresh pogie chunks, but the talk of the area has been the excellent tuna bite around Block. There are still a good pile of football bluefin in the area hitting daisy chains, spreader bars, and topwater plugs. The bottom fishing has improved in the area as well, with a strong start to the black sea bass season and a few bigger fluke, including a 15-pound beast caught by Greg Vespe.
Jay, at Pamela May Charters in Narragansett, said that the topwater action has improved off Point Judith light to Beavertail light, and around the center wall. Quality bluefish and stripers are willingly taking Ron-Z’s, topwater plugs and large flies. Some larger stripers should be leaving the bay soon after this latest heatwave, so the inshore Newport reefs should start fishing well. As always, the Block Island bass bite is the best bet, with fish to 50-pounds taking eels around Southwest Ledge last weekend. The fluke action has picked up locally, but you still need to weed through tons of 15-inch fish to land a keeper. The sea bass opener has helped to fill the coolers, along with an abundance of big scup. The bluefin bite has been lights out close to home, with double-digit numbers on the troll and jigging over the past week.
Dustin, at RI Kayak Fishing Adventures, reports that the bass and bluefish bite has heated up for him, with slot-sized fish being caught with some regularity throughout Narragansett and Buzzards Bay. The fluking has been a bit of a grind, but it seems to be improving, with better numbers of keeper fish this week. The largemouth bass are in full post-spawn mode and some nice fish are being caught in slightly deeper water. Dustin still has some availability in July but the schedule is filling quick, so be sure to book soon!
Nick at Big Bear Hunting and Fishing reports a good largemouth bite for anglers fishing after dark. Customers have reported good catches on mouse patterns, jitterbugs, and bigger topwater jerkbaits. The fly fishing for trout has been tough, but some anglers are reporting decent action right at dark on the Wood River. Saltwater anglers are finding some keeper fluke in the bay, and your best bet is to keep short drifting on them once you find them. The sea bass opener was strong and big fish can be found in most of the traditional haunts.
Connecticut Forecast
As we enter July, the weather and the fishing certainly seems more summer-like. A recent heatwave has brought water temperatures closer to their seasonal norms and the fishing has benefitted. Striped bass fishing remains rock steady at Block Island, while the usual inshore reefs and rips are starting to see a good push of quality fish. Some better fluke seem to be showing in the summer haunts as well, but there is still a bit of inconsistency from tide to tide. If you’re struggling with fluke, you should be able to find plenty of keeper sea bass and/or scup across both CT and RI. Offshore anglers should be able to find bluefin without traveling too far, or some bigeye and makos at the canyons. The blue crab action has been strong in all the local tidal estuaries for those looking for a fun activity without traveling too far.
