Connecticut Fishing Report
Matt, at Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook reports that backwater stripers are an option now, though the local holdovers have been a bit more scarce than the past couple of years, especially in the smaller tributaries to the east, where they seem to be concentrated to very tight areas. Small paddletails fished low and slow or flukes on a snap-snap-pause cadence usually work for them. Water temps are creeping towards 50, but not there yet so still some time before I’d go for topwater. The shop is now carrying crabs, as well as sandworms and fresh squid for early season tautog anglers. Tautog reports have been quiet, but word from the Western Sound is that anglers are starting to catch a bit better out there, as the water temps have slowly risen. Freshwater anglers are starting to report better largemouth bass action, as some fresh vegetation is starting to pop up. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and small diving plugs have been getting the job done. Trout action has also been solid on lipped swimmers, spinners, worms, etc. Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook will be having our Summer Kick-Off weekend on May 1-4 with storewide sales, promos, door prizes and raffles (some brands are excluded from the sale). It’s our biggest event of the year!
Heather from Black Hawk Sportfishing in Niantic provided the following early season report; “We are counting down the days! We’re booking charters, getting the boat ready, and making sure all of our gear is ready to go! We can’t wait to get out there! Be sure to email the office soon if you’d like to get your top choice for a date for a private charter- some prime dates are filling up already. We’ll be back home in Niantic soon! Did you see our Trivia Tuesday contest? Congrats to Todd O, who had the right answers and whose name was selected at random from those with correct answers. Stay tuned, we’ll have another contest this week. Every week in April we’ll have a “Trivia Tuesday” with a chance to win great Black Hawk prizes. Check it out! We can’t wait to see everyone soon!”
Captain Chris, of Elser Guide Service is still getting the boat ready and geared up for the upcoming saltwater season. In the meantime, he has been taking advantage of some strong freshwater fishing across western CT. The fly hatches have been starting slow due to this cold weather, so most of Chris’s success has come on stone fly nymphs and streamers. The true opening day of trout season is this Saturday the 12th in which the only change is that people can now keep fish to bring home in designated waters outside of TMAs. Chris noted that the state has stocked some very large brook trout in our streams for the upcoming weekend, with some over 20 inches!
Captain Mike Roy at Reel Cast Charters said they’d been hard at work getting the boats ready to fish for the season and they were going to start running trips this weekend, if the weather allows. Early season charters can expect light tackle fishing, mostly with small soft plastics on jig heads. A five and three quarter-inch Fin-S fished on one quarter to half ounce heads is par for the course this time of year. Prime dates for the season ahead are already booking fast so give Captain Mike and his team a call to reserve you spot now.
Anthony, at Game on Lures provided the following report for the week; “This push of cold weather and rain has definitely made things a little uncomfortable this past week. With nights dipping back down into the 20s it made the bite a little tougher but there is still some good action to be had on all fronts. The freshwater bite has slowed a bit, but you can still get on a solid bass bite by just slowing down your presentation. Hairjigs, Jigs, Jerkbaits and small paddle tails have been producing the best on these cold post frontal days. Panfish action has stayed consistent with the best action coming on small plastics on a jighead. With water levels finally coming down in the river that bite should really kick off soon as well! Some of the best news from the past week has been the plentiful arrival of the herring in the rivers and creeks! The holdover bass have been fired up and feeding heavy on them the past week or so that bite should only get better. I expect things to get really fun soon as more herring start trickling further west and we start seeing the arrival of the first of the year schoolies. Large plastics fished belly rigged or on a jighead have been producing the better days. The Game On 10″ DuraTech eel rigged with a weightless 9/0 Grappler Hook is a great option to imitate these fleeing herring. I’m hoping this cold weather didn’t push things back, but some nice weather looks to be on the way so hopefully we start seeing some fresh fish sooner than later!”
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Tyler, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reports that this week’s weather has kept reports on the quieter side, and pretty similar to last week. The striped bass bite has been decent, but the activity levels should certainly start to pick-up if we can string together a few warm days in a row. Bait, fished on bottom, is still the best bet for getting the local schoolies to bite, although small soft plastics and occasionally small swimming plugs will work too when used in the right time and place. Customers fishing in Norwalk Harbor, in the river, at Calf Pasture and Sherwood Island all said they’re catching schoolies on bait. There are some better fish to be had too, mostly around places where herring runs typically occur. They are seeing some herring, but it’s been a little spotty and they are waiting on a bigger push or migratory bait to bring some better numbers of bigger fish with them. Customers heading to the Housatonic are having better luck with bigger bass, especially at night. Local blackfish reports have been slow to start, but they are hearing from a few folks making the ride to the break walls who are getting some fish. Trout fishing has been very good and the store is stuffed with gear in anticipation of the “catch and keep” opener on the 12th. The Mianus, Saugatuck and Aspetuck Rivers have been fishing especially well. The Saugatuck Reservoir reopens on the 12th as well. Hungry trout have been falling to lures, small jigs, bait and flies. The shop is loaded up with everything you need for spring trout fishing if that’s how you want to kick off your season.
Connecticut Fishing Forecast
More cold weather has kept tautog reports relatively quiet across the state, although Western Sound anglers are starting to report better catches in the usual early-season haunts. A steady warm-up (hopefully) next week should make you consider getting out there after some tog if you have the means. Holdover striped bass action has been steady 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. The best bass fishing has been from the Housatonic and points west. The Eastern Sound tribs have been tougher, as the bass seem to be concentrated in small areas. They’re there, they just require a little more searching at times. 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 starting to get after it in the Connecticut River, and with the water cleaning up, I’d expect some early reports this week. The TMAs are flowing nicely and are fishing great for anglers who have been taking advantage. The rain will make things a bit more raw for the “put and take” opening day this weekend, but the fishing should be strong either way!
Won’t be long