Connecticut Fishing Report – May 19, 2016

Striped bass continue to filter in; while the bottom species are starting to wake up across Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Connecticut & Rhode Island Report Provided By Will Sirotnak

Connecticut Fishing Report

Hillyers in Waterford reports that schoolie action has been very good throughout the Thames River, where anglers are finding plenty of 20- to 26-inch fish on small chunks and worms. The same can be said for the mouth of the Connecticut, but a few bigger fish are in the mix under the bunker schools. Winter flounder fishing remains strong in the bay and around Harkness, while anglers reported just a bit of a slow down at Bluff Point. Schools of small bluefish are keeping light-tackle enthusiasts busy around Millstone, and those schools should start to grow quickly.

Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, reports that the bigger bass remain in the upper stretches of the river. Bass to 25 pounds are still being taken from Middletown to Massachusetts, but require some moving around at times. Topwater plugs, dannys and Slug-gos are top producers; while anglers dunking worms are getting schoolies and the occasional keeper. A large concentration of school bass is holding strong in the mouth of the river; if you weed through the schoolies and fish large offerings, some decent keepers can be pulled out as well. Fluke is firing up nicely in Rhode Island and Andrew expects some quality reports from Connecticut this weekend. The sea bass die hards are also starting to find nice fish on hard structure over 80 FOW.

At Rivers End in Old Saybrook, James reports that anglers are finding bass throughout the river and that is garnering the attention of most local anglers. He also noted that the lower river is holding large schools of small fish, while the upper river has smaller pods of better fish. That is merely a trend however, as the mouth will put up some quality fish as well if you spend some time hunting.

Captain TJ, of Rock and Roll Charters, made his first weekend trip of the season and reported great sea bass results. Fishing was lock and load at times, and a limit of fish to 22 inches was attainable. TJ still has a few weekday openings in May so contact him soon, as fishing and species diversity will only go up from here.

Rich, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, reports that striped bass action is picking up locally, but the larger fish are still holding to the west. Fish from 20 inches to 20 pounds are being taken around the islands and off the local beaches. In the Rye area, fish to 30-pounds are taking fresh chunks, bunker spoons and umbrella rigs. There is a large concentration of bigger bait to the west, and as it starts to filter throughout the sound we should be seeing some heavy bass in the area. The winter flounder fishing remains consistent throughout the harbor, and early word from the fluke guys is encouraging. Some big scup have been taken in relatively shallow local water, along with keeper sea bass out on the deeper structure. The local hard-bottom seems to be coming alive and strong reports of all species are anticipated this weekend. The Saugatuck Reservoir remains a sure bet for good freshwater action, with large bass, walleye and trout to 5 pounds this week.

The Farmington is currently an excellent & clear total flow of 255cfs in the permanent Catch & Release area (157cfs from the dam in Riverton, 98cfs from the Still River). Sun & clouds with a predicted high of 79 today (Monday), and averaging in the 60’s to low 70’s after that. The entire river outside the permanent C&R section has been stocked multiple times over the past 6 weeks. Also hatching in the afternoons are #18 Mahogany Duns (aka Paraleps/Blue Quills), #16-18 Blue Wing Olives (Baetis), and Black Midges #22-32. Fishing is definitely picking up again with the mild weather, Hendrickson hatch, and frequent stocking by the state. It’s been good all up & down the river, from the dam in Riverton all the way down to Unionville. Don’t limit yourself to only the more popular sections of the river, as there is literally excellent fishing all over it.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

Captain Frank, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, reported a great start to the fluke opener in Rhode Island. In three trips last week, the boat had a great deal of success, including the first limit catch of the season on Friday. Most trips saw anglers taking home 3-5 keepers a piece, with a good deal of short fish action as well. It is still early on in the season, but so far the fluke action has been better than usual for mid-May. Both jigs and bait have been working so be prepared to fish both, with the drift conditions generally dictating the best method.

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reports that striped bass fishing has started to slow down in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers, but things are picking up elsewhere. Some bass to 35 pounds were taken on pogies over the past few days in Mt. Hope Bay and the Tiverton Basin. Scup and tautog fishing has improved along the south shore, and some quality scup are being taken on sea worms and clams. Squid fishing is still strong around Newport, with Yo-Zuri jigs in pink, pink-purple and orange being the top producers. The most recent news is that some bluefish have made their way into the area, as Stephen Estrada found a couple on topwater plugs Wednesday morning. Blues have reportedly been spotted in the lower bay and the lower Providence River.

Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, was out after fluke around Block Island this week, and reported some solid results. They took a good number of keepers over 20 inches, with the biggest going nearly 10 pounds. Locally, a few anglers have reported small fish from along the beaches but it has not taken off just yet. The Pawcatuck River is still loaded with bait, and bass to 25 pounds are being taken on live bunker and fresh chunks. There hasn’t been a whole lot of action on the reefs just yet, but schoolies can be taken around the breachways and salt ponds. Fly anglers are gearing up for the worm hatches that should be kicking off in the ponds any day now.

Rhode Island Report Provided By Salt Water Edge
The main theme this week has been the mid and upper bay has been good all the way up into the rivers. There have been solid fish in the 15-20 pound range with a few fish in the 40lb range. Most of them have been caught on big swim shads, pogie chunks or live pogies. Blue fish have finally showed up in the bay too.

Connecticut Fishing Forecast

It seems we are on the doorstep of all types of saltwater fishing blowing wide open. Schools of large striped bass are close to making their return to southern New England for the summer, and bass fishing is picking up a bit each day. The season on most bottom species is now open in both states, and by this weekend all species should be fishing pretty good in both states.