While the last two weekends were blow-outs, this one looks to be a bit more settled, despite another drop in temperatures. For those hanging on for a few more saltwater trips, the tautog bite should be another strong one this weekend, and surfcasters looking to squeeze in one more trip will still have some bass to play with. As we transition to the colder weeks ahead, don’t forget about all the excellent freshwater options that are improving every day.
Connecticut Fishing Report
According to Hillyers Bait and Tackle in Waterford, the only thing standing between most anglers and a limit of blackfish has been the weather. Anglers who took advantage of breaks in the weather are reporting great action on the shallow eastern sound reefs, with fish up to 12 pounds. Striped bass action has slowed on the local reefs, but there are still some keeper fish hanging around. Surfcasters fishing Harkness and points east to Westerly have seen some good action of bass up to about 35 inches. Schoolie striped bass action has been good around the mouth of the Thames River, and is also starting to pick up steam in the Niantic River. Black sea bass action has been very good, and while scup fishing has slowed, a few anglers reported good catches this week, so it may not be done just yet.
Andrew at Fishin’ Factory 3 in Middletown was able to spend some time on the water early this week and reported solid blackfish action on the reefs east of the Connecticut River. Action has slowed a bit since last week, and keepers are getting overshadowed by big numbers are shorts, but limits are still greatly attainable. Similar results have been reported west of the river from Cornfield Point to the Clinton Reefs. The big blow over the weekend seems to have pushed the false albacore out for good, and while the bunker and bass in the river have greatly thinned out, they are not gone completely. A few keeper bass can be found prowling the mouth of the river and its adjacent reefs but it is on the downswing. Meanwhile in the Thames River, the school bass action seems to be intensifying as the week rolls on. In the upper stretches of the river, the rain has helped the northern pike bite, and that bite will continue to improve as we approach Thanksgiving.
Captain TJ of Rock and Roll Charters was able to sneak in a few trips around the weather over the last week and is continuing to report decent striped bass action. While bass numbers have been decent, bluefish numbers have been great, and have been keeping his customers busy. Blackfishing has garnered the most attention lately, and the bite has been hot and heavy in 20 feet of water or less, and on the deeper Long Island Sound reefs the black sea bass bite just won’t die.
At Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, Rich reported that a motherlode of school bass moved into the area prior to the weekend weather and were feeding on peanut bunker tight to the area’s beaches. The weather kept the reports to a minimum over the weekend, but early word this week is that some of these fish are still around. A mixed bag of all different class fish are still biting in the lower Housatonic River, and are providing another good option for fall run striper anglers. The diamond jigging for large bluefish has been steady at 11B, despite a lack of big bluefish inshore. Blackfishing has continued to be solid, and despite a lot of short fish there are still plenty of big girls around, including an 11.2-pound fish taken locally by Pelagic Beast Charters. At the Saugatuck Reservoir, anglers are starting to find success with a fall walleye bite, with some solid fish taking live shiners in the early morning hours. The local trout streams are also flowing and fishing very well.
Upcountry Sportfishing in Pine Meadow reported that the Farmington is up to a medium, clear and fishable flow despite the weekend rain. Smaller streamers have been the top choice for trout anglers looking for numbers, while larger streamers and Wooly Buggers have been producing some larger fish. The late afternoon hours are now producing best, which coincides with the warmest water temperatures of the day. Anglers fishing the cooler, morning hours should slow down presentations to match the lethargy of the trout during these hours.
Fishing Forecast
Finding a break in the weather has been the biggest obstacle facing anglers in Connecticut this fall. Those who have braved the conditions are still being rewarded with great tautog and sea bass action as well as striped bass, which are continuing to keep surfcasters happy.