Connecticut Fishing Report
Matt, at Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook told me that he’s finding improving holdover action daily, as we work our way into April. The herring runs are becoming more of a factory and things should really intensity if we get a prolonged warmer/settled weather trend. There hasn’t been much word from the local tog grounds, with only a few scant reports from the Western Sound, but we’re knocking on the door of that bite as well. The freshwater action has also been steady, with the sunny days giving up the best fish, but a steady pick on most days. Slowly pitched jigs, jerkbaits, and Keitech paddletails have been the top producers for largemouth bass. The trout fishing has been excellent for fly and spin anglers, with blue winged olive flies being a notable top producer for the fly-fishermen.
Heather from the Blackhawk in Niantic was happy to finally have the boat back in town! They have a few last-minute things to get ready for the season, and then they’ll be ready to go. The schedule and trips will be posted soon, so be sure to keep an eye on the website. As in past years, new trips will be posted on Monday evenings at 8 p.m., so you’ll soon be able to get your tickets for the early-May trips. They’re looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
Daniels Bait, Tackle and Charters in New London reports that it’s starting to feel more like spring the last few days and it appears that we may get more spring-like weather next week. The warmer temperatures have been key to a strong calico bass bite in shallow, inland pools where the bluegill and perch are also spawning. While they certainly hoped a tanker would dump yearling trout in our own river by accident like last week, you can still cash in on the early season action at a couple hot spots that are receiving some attention as of late. Black Rock State Park in Watertown, CT, and the Natchaug River in Eastford has been producing some nice catches on light line under 8 pounds, on meal worms and PowerBait with and without bobbers. The sunny weather has made searching for holdover striped bass a bit more tolerable than fishing in the rain, and Norwich Harbor has seen just a few 20 inchers pulled out, but not the monsters we’re accustomed to. The tautog bite is moving, just make sure to mark your piles and structure, as the storms have shifted some submerged structure, which is getting caught up in props and line. But as they say: if you aren’t getting snagged, then you’re not in the right place for tautog. Tautog fishing should only pick up from here, even with the short season, we’re not too far away from some optimal temperatures on the structure in the lower Thames.
Captain Mike Roy at Reel Cast Charters kicked off their season last weekend. They started the year off targeting holdover stripers in the rivers. These fish are usually chasing herring and matching five-to-seven-inch Lunker City Fin-S fish on jig heads is an effective way to fool them. They found some early success and anticipate some great improvements this week, with the rivers cleaning up coupled with some warmer daytime temperatures. Captain Mike and his team are looking forward to another great year and dates around prime tides are already booking fast. Give him a call today to book your spot.
Captain Chris of Elser Guide Service is gearing up for another strong saltwater season, but in the meantime, he’s still cashing in on same awesome trout fishing. He was happy to report that the recent warm spell has brought about some mayfly activity, so it’s not hard to find some top-notch trout fishing. The other good news this week is that the stripers aren’t just chasing the herring up the Housatonic, he’s been able to find some holdover fish feeding along the beaches in the Milford and Stratford areas. The quality of these bass is a bit better than usual for this time to year and should only improve as the river herring start to come through in better numbers.
Max at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reported that it was basically status quo in the area, but that isn’t a bad thing. The resident striped bass have spread out nicely, which has provided consistent fishing across the board. The harbor, and the local rivers have fish throughout and both bait and artificials have worked well. The most popular bait has been sandworms, but chunks are taking a few fish as well. For anglers throwing lures, soft plastics are usually most popular, but smaller swimming plugs and jerkbaits account for plenty of action too. Customers have started to target blackfish, but reports have still been quiet. A slight rise in water temperatures and some increased angling pressure this week should result in some strong, early season reports. They have plenty of tog tackle in stock and will take orders for green crabs for anyone who’s looking to get out early season. Trout fishing is good too, and they expect an increase in interest from customers heading out for the put-and-take opener this coming Saturday. The Mianus, Mill, Norwalk and Saugatuck Rivers have all been fishing well despite their swollen water levels. Traditional baits like Rapalas, Rooster Tails, small spoons, shiners, and worms are all taking their share of fish and the fish is loaded up with trout tackle and bait.
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Connecticut Fishing Forecast
A couple warm days saw some of the first encouraging blackfish reports of the season, and while reports have been on the quiet side, a steady warm-up next week should make you consider getting out there after some tog if you have the means. Holdover striped bass action has been excellent across the state all season, and the first good push of river herring has brought some of the bigger fish out and kicked up activity levels. Bass can be found throughout the river runs and are also being caught in good numbers on the beaches along the mouth of the tidal rivers, so basically anywhere a bass could intercept a river herring, you’re likely to find one. We’re still a few weeks away from the true peak “spring run”, but there are certainly fish to be had at the moment. The shad diehards are predicting an early year and word is starting to trickle in of a few being caught here and there, so we aren’t too far off from that spring run blowing open as well. Unfortunately, the trout streams are taking another round of rain before the “put and take” opener, but those that know where to look should find strong fishing, and flows should settle down nicely after this weekend.