Striper fishing is still good, and the nighttime bite has been the most productive. Live-lining bunker, eels and scup continues to produce some solid fish. The mouths of the tidal rivers, most notably the Connecticut River, have been packed with bunker. New Haven Harbor has also been loaded with bunker. Hickory shad are been found in the Black Hall River and lower Connecticut River, they are a bait that stripers can not ignore. Other productive spots have been Milford Harbor, Cornfield Point, Hatchetts, Bartletts and Clinton reefs. Also, some big bass have been caught at the mouth of the Connecticut River at night this past week on live bunker and bunker chunks. Pictured is Michael Poitras with a solid bass he caught on a live eel.
Shark fishing is going strong with some good reports of threshers and makos 20-35 miles off Montauk. Some anglers are doing well chumming bunker that they’ve netted. Good fish have been caught on various baits such as mackerel, bunker and whole squid. Pictured is Kevin Mace and crew at Ted’s Bait&Tackle with a 70″ and 105-pound mako!
Scup (Porgy) fishing is just getting better by the day. Anglers are finding good schools of fish from both boat and shore. Bobby J’s Bait & Tackle reported a lot of fish in the 12 to 15 inch range and even some up to 18″. Get in on the action while its hot, these fish are delicious! Fluke fishing has been reported as fair. The better fish are still being found in deeper water. Good reports of larger fish have come from Black Point again this week. Not to say you won’t get some decent fish at the usual spots but you’ll be sorting through a lot of shorts. Black sea bass action is still hot. The fish are plentiful are keeping anglers busy all over. However, the keeper to shorts ratio is unfavorable. Still a fun time nonetheless. Blackfish season is also open but very few reports have come in. We are also receiving great reports for blue crabs in our tidal rivers and creeks. The best time to go out for these tasty critters is when the tide is changing. Just a reminder: All traps must be attended at all times! We received a report of a Diamondback Terrapin that was stuck in a crab trap with no one around. Please do not leave your devices unattended.
Bass fishing is still going strong. Flippin’ into the weeds is where you’ll find lunkers during the day. A hot lure as of late has been the Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver. Some fish are moving to their midsummer homes, which is a bit deeper. Dragging tubes on humps will put you on some nice bass as well. Panfish action is still red hot across the state with some amazing reports of slab crappie up to 16″ and jumbo yellow perch! Fishing with worms and shiners in the shallows has been very productive. Some anglers are finding that vertical jigging in weed beds off of docks and boats has been their best bet. It also helps to scratch that itch any of you ice fisherman may currently have. Pictured is Michael Jasensky with a 14″ crappie he jigged up on Candlewood lake.
Carp fishing is in full swing and anglers are getting in some great sessions just about everywhere. Good reports are coming from lake Zoar, Squantz and the Housatonic. The best reports however, have come from the Connecticut River coves with some fish just over the 30-pound mark. Fishing hair rigs baited with corn and boilies are your ticket to a trophy carp. Larger fish are being caught at night of course and pre-baiting is key. Pictured is R.J. Haney with a 32.6-pound chunk out of the Connecticut River.
Kyle Quine
Fishing CT
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fishingct/
