Connecticut Fishing Report
Matt, this Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook told me he spent some time this week working some of the remaining green vegetation on the inland sections of the CT river. He got some good catches of walleye, perch and largemouth on slow trolling Kastmasters, line spinners, small paddle tails and hair machines. Haven’t spent much time targeting striped bass, but tailings reports are very good in the Housatonic and also decent for anglers working light rigs in the smaller tributaries in eastern CT. Winter trout fishing has also been good, with good reports from across the state, especially in the Salmon River and Farmington Trout Management Areas (TMAs).
Heather from Black Hawk Sport Fishing reports that when they went out this week, the fishing was excellent. They have had some great groups of anglers who ended up with coolers full of jumbo bass, walleye and some nice cod. Their travels will continue to be entirely time-based, and they will sail as much as they can. Be sure to check their website for times and tickets. New trips will be posted every Monday night at 20:00 for trips lasting approximately 3 weeks.
Captain Mike Roy a Reel Cast Charters reported that they are done with their season but were still finding plenty of bass that were eager to chew in the lower CT river last week. Anglers looking to get out for some light striped bass action should find no shortage of fish. Mike wanted to thank all of his customers for another great season and wish everyone a Happy Holidays!
Daniel’s Bait, Tackle and Charters in new london reports:
“We are enjoying the tail end of the tog season, with several outstanding fish caught before the end of regulation in increasingly deeper water. The striper run has concluded with many of the recent catches going on to be traced back they’ll be making their way up and down the rivers, chasing schools of trapped or separated fish. Slot-sized schoolie stripers are being caught on topwater lures cast to the deck where they’re looking to ambush prey. As As water temperatures continue to drop, anglers will find success trolling for bass during the winter in Norwich Harbor where bass will hit soft plastic paddle tails that are slowly presented on the bottom.”
The world of fishermen in Norwalk reports that most local anglers are now heading to the Housatonic for remaining flags or to Saugatuck Reservoir for freshwater fishing. The Housatonic has been putting up good numbers of smallmouth bass from schoolies to 20-pound class fish, with most of the bigger fish showing up after dark. Anglers fishing during the day are finding plenty of school-class fish on slow-fished paddle tails. The reservoir is doing some stellar fishing, with plenty of smallmouth, trout and shiners coming on lures and lures. We’ll see what happens after the storm, but the water has been low so moving around the reservoir has been pretty easy. Flows have been good in the local trout streams, and hopefully the rain won’t affect it too much as the trout fishing has been solid.
Connecticut Fishing Forecast
Connecticut Fishermen can continue to take advantage of the abundance of striped bass. The Connecticut bite has been a consistent producer for years, and this year looks to be no different. The Housatonic’s hot bed is that, with good reports from shore anglers and boats. If you don’t want to head to the Housatonic, something good has happened school action in the lower CT River, Thames River and most small estuaries in the Eastern Sound. Freshwater fishermen are still taking the advantage of Atlantic salmon in the Shetucket and Naugatuck rivers, along with some recent fall trout. fishermen to fish many of the state’s lakes and ponds are finding a strong pre-ice bite for smallmouth, largemouth and mouth. The upcoming rain should keep things open for at least a few more days, but hard water enthusiasts should probably start getting their gear ready as it’s cold for Christmas.