Bonito are still biting, while false albacore are just starting to knock on the door. A September heat wave has undoubtedly slowed the patterns of all our predatory fish, but a nice change in weather should be just what the doctor ordered this weekend.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Hillyers in Waterford reports that the increase to a 5-fish sea bass limit has sparked even more interest in the fishery, and the results have been good. Anglers have had good success close to home, with the vast majority focusing on solid structure in 70 feet of water or more. Fluke fishing has required a bit more work, but the local fluke gurus are still managing to get a good bite from Waterford to Old Lyme. Black Point remains a local fluke hotspot, with the largest reported fish of the week (8.5-pounds) coming from that area. Striped bass activity is on the rise as the days continue to get shorter. While no true cows were reported this week, reports of steady action came in from Bartletts, The Race, Harkness and Black Point. Big bluefish are all over the eastern sound, but they have been on the move and require a bit of searching. Local shark enthusiasts were happy to report an excellent thresher bite right off Montauk this week, as those fish have keyed in on the large bunker schools out there.
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, reports that bonito craziness from early last week has subsided a bit, but they can still be found around Watch Hill and Weakapaug. The first couple of albie reports have popped up from the same areas, but that bite has really not started to materialize just yet. Big bluefish can be found on all the usual hotspots throughout the sound, with Cranes Reef, Long Sand Shoal and Wilderness Point being good places to start. The striper bite has been slow around the river, and most anglers are finding much better results to the east. The Watch Hill reefs have given up some bass this week, while napatree is starting to produce for surfcasters. The number of snapper blues in the river is still improving, while this may have been the best blue crab week of the season. Better late than never!
At Rivers End in Old Saybrook, James reported a solid schoolie bite on small bait along the local shorelines, which may be a good indicator of things to come. The local reefs have been spotty, but Watch Hill and Sugar reefs are producing better fish for those making the trip. There has been a decent local fluke bite over the past few days from Old Lyme to Saybrook, with a few anglers finding quality keepers right inside the river. Bluefish action has been great throughout the sound, but the biggest fish seem to be concentrating on the waters just west of Old Saybrook over the past few days. The race is also seeing some great bluefishing for those willing to travel.
Captain TJ, of Rock and Roll Charters in Clinton, had another successful week of putting anglers on fish, and reports that the shorter days are resulting in more striped bass activity. A steady bass bite still requires some searching but 10-20 pound fish have been more and more common each day. A big pile of bluefish is taking up residency right in Clinton, and TJ had gators to 12-pounds very close to home this week. The bottomfishing remains excellent, and with September being one of the best months to fish Long Island Sound, be sure to contact him soon for a trip.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Captain Russ, of The Seven B’s in Narragansett, reports that the local fluke action has slowed a bit this week, but an increased sea bass and scup bite has taken its place. There are still some keeper fluke to be had for many anglers, while just about all anglers managed limits of large sea bass and scup. The last half-day trip will take place on September 11, a private charter will have the boat on the 12th and the 13th will mark the start of the full day multi-species trips. Be sure to check their website for a full sailing schedule, and for a chance to book the Jeanie B for a private charter.
Things are still a bit quiet at The Saltwater Edge in Middletown but spirits are high as strong false albacore reports are beginning to come in just east of Newport. A few small pods have popped up locally and with the abundance of bait in the water, they should inundate the area in no time. Bonito reports remain decent, but the fish have become a bit spooky and require some searching. Multiple anglers reported finding bonito feeding on peanuts at Sakonnet Point, which appears to be fishing the best out of the local hotspots. Big bluefish are still easy to find in the area, while the sea bass and scup fishing also remain very strong. Tautog reports have been good from local spearfishermen, but the rod and reel anglers are yet to really key in on them.
Howard, at Galilee Bait and Tackle in Narragansett, also sent word of some false albacore and bonito being caught around Jamestown, and points east this week. The bonito have been no stranger to South County as anglers are still managing a few at the west wall and around the breachways. False albacore are a different story; besides a few being caught over the weekend around Charlestown, reports have been mainly non-existent. The local surf crowd is still finding some keeper stripers after dark, and no surprise; the bite has been better at Block Island, where anglers are reporting steady action of 20-30 pound fish. Bottomfishing remains solid, as sea bass, scup and tautog reports have all been strong, although fluke reports have taken a step back.
Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, reports that most anglers are having no problem finding big bluefish to tangle with. The past few nights have seen gators over 10-pounds smashing bait right off the fire district beach. With fishing pressure increasing, the bonito action has turned spotty, but those putting the time in have found some fish around Weakapaug and Quonnie. The local reefs are starting to produce better striped bass numbers, but the majority have been schoolies on small bait. Fluke has slowed down, while sea bass and scup remain steady. Block Island remains your best bet at big specimens of all three species.
Best bets for the weekend
The table is set for great fall fishing, with our waters being loaded with bait and our yearly speedy visitors knocking on the door. The September new moon is generally a great time to focus on striped bass fishing and hopefully this heatwave will move out and start to get things moving this weekend. An pre-dawn striped bass mission, followed by a quick hunt for bonito should be a good way to spend the weekend.