Connecticut Fishing Report
Matt, at Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook told me that the fall run mayhem has continued to pop off throughout Connecticut. There has been no shortage of bluefish/striped bass blitzes throughout the sound, and they can mostly be had on small topwater plugs. When those aren’t working, you can generally fool them on small soft plastics or tins. The false albacore have also filtered back in from Stonington to Westbrook and have generally been willing to chew. Most anglers are finding success on 1-ounce epoxies or albie snax in silver, white, and pink. Bottom fishermen are reporting a very good start to the tautog season, with plenty of action across multiple depths. There are a lot of shorts to weed through, but some very nice keepers in the mix. Improved sea bass fishing has also been reported this week on the deeper pieces of structure.
Heather from Black Hawk Sportfishing reported a strong week of fishing for multiple species. The bass and bluefish trip from earlier in the week was lights out and included a full boat limit of quality bluefish. The mixed bottom fishing trips have also been great this week, with no shortage of scup and sea bass. After the beat up the scup and sea bass, they have been switching over to tautog, and finding a nice showing to top off the coolers. The fall fishing means that there are many trip options to choose from, including bass/bluefish, blackfish, porgy/sea bass, or a combo blackfish/sea bass/porgy. There are plenty of choices available, so be sure to check their website for reservations.
When I checked in with captain Mike Roy, at Reel Cast Charters, he told me that the fall run has continued to be in full swing, with big blitzes schoolie to just over slot striped bass. Bigger bass are also still in the area and can be found hugging some of the bigger pieces of structure. False albacore have also remained relatively prevalent throughout the Eastern Sound on most trips. They have also taken advantage of the blackfish opener and have had success filling the coolers with blackfish and some nice black sea bass. Captain Mike and his team still have a few openings for October, so be sure to give them a call to book a spot before it’s too late.
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Dan, at Daniels Bait, Tackle & Charters in New London told me that the local tautog fishing has been going strong, with plenty of fish coming on the wrecks and rockpiles in 15-20 feet of water. Boat limits have been common for most, and shore anglers are getting in on the action as well. As is usually the case early in the year, both jigs and rigs are getting the job done. The porgy bite has slowed down for the shore anglers, but some hubcaps are being caught as tautog by-catch out on the reefs. Striped bass fishing is still steady out front and, in the rivers, while offshore anglers are still reporting yellowfin and bluefin without too long of a ride.
Joe, at Joe Diorio Guide Service told me that the fall run has been nothing short of phenomenal. Stripers and bluefish have been plentiful and can often be found blitzing in the river and along the eastern CT shoreline. Topwaters like the Skipper and The Doc have been getting it done, but when they get finicky, a weightless soft plastic usually works. False albacore are still kicking around in decent numbers and are taking the usual offerings. Blackfishing has been excellent as well, with keeper fish coming from 7-30-feet of water on Joe Baggs lay flat jigs. There’s still plenty of time to take advantage of the fall run, so be sure to contact Joe for a trip while they’re still available.
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Captain Chris, at Elser Guide Service told me that the fall run fishing remains lights out across the Western Sound, and he has been taking advantage. There has been amazing action of big stripers, bluefish, and false albacore, with a mix of all 3 species showing up most days. He is hammering albies on 1-ounce Exo jigs, and the bass and bluefish will generally hit them as well. A lot of the larger bass and bluefish have been taking the Game On 10-inch pink Duratechs on a ¾ ounce jighead, and these duratechs have been holding up well, even to the bluefish. Chris has also been testing out his new “Hammer Time Lures” tube and worm prototypes, and they continue to fool striped bass on the regular.
Jesse at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reports that the start of the tautog season has gone off nicely, with customers reporting very good action. There haven’t been too many giant fish reported from the area just yet, but a good deal of fish in the 6-8-pound range. Anglers targeting blackfish are also finding plenty of sea bass in the mix, especially around the break walls. Consistent sea bass fishing can also be found on the deepwater wrecks in the area, from roughly 30-60-feet of water. Fall run topwater fishing has also been strong, especially for false albacore and bluefish. The local false albacore action has been steady, although they seem to be filtering east over the past few days. The bluefish action has been mayhem throughout the bays, harbors, reefs, and rips. There are less striped bass than bluefish in the area, but still solid fishing on the beaches and around the islands. Freshwater anglers are reporting good bass and walleye fishing in the Reservoir, and strong fall trout fishing should be right around the corner.
Connecticut Fishing Forecast
Connecticut anglers have mainly been focusing on blackfishing since the opener, and results have been good. Weeding through shorts is still a reality, but better numbers of quality keepers are being reported daily. There are still plenty of sea bass and scup in the mix to help top off the coolers. For the light tackle enthusiast, recent reports have indicated that the false albacore have shown up again with a vengeance and you’re liable to find them anywhere from Stonington to Norwalk. There is no shortage of mixed sized striped bass to play with, whether you’re out east, west, or any points in between. Topwater striped bass blitzes are picking up once again for anglers across the area, including surfcasters, while the bigger fish are still prevalent on the reefs, and have started to move back into the Connecticut River. Big bluefish are also still around in solid numbers, with the best reports coming from The Race/Plum Gut area to the east, and all over the Western Sound. Freshwater anglers are reporting good bass and pike reports from the lakes, while the fall trout fishing is starting to perk up.
As I always like to read your Fishing reports I feel they are geared for the fisherman that have Boats and can go after the fish and not the shore bound angler.