Connecticut Fishing Report- Sept. 7, 2023
Connecticut Fishing Report
Matt, that Black Hall Dealers He told me at Westbrook that things still felt a bit more steady like the fall, with more birds and more gliding fish on the small bait. There are still plenty of large bunker schools feeding some blitz against the larger fish. Big bass are also used on GTs, large surface water jacks, and big spoons. There are cache peanuts, silversides, and small butterflyfish all over Eastern Sound to feed these school blitz attacks, and they’ll soon be feeding the false albacore/bonito attacks. Reports of false primogeniture/bonito have improved a bit from Rhode Island, so it won’t be long before we start seeing them on the CT. Let’s all hope they hang out a little longer than last year. Bluefish of all sizes are also still plentiful, with attacks from large fish throughout the strait, and impressive snapper action in the tributaries. The pace of fishing has slowed by chance, but sea bass activity has picked up in slightly shallower waters, at 40-50 feet for example. Scoop fishing is still as strong as ever, so there’s plenty of bottom fishing to keep the fort until the full fall attacks roll in.
Heather Who Blackhawk sport fishing I mentioned that summer is winding down, but fishing is getting better! Bottom fishing was excellent, with borders of purgi filling the coolers, and some nice bass too. The bass and blues trips continue to get the massive blues coming through the bars, with a little sweet bass in the mix. They are looking forward to fishing, and still have a few private charter dates available! As you can see in their Facebook video, the Blackhawk is taking a sunset cruise on Saturday, September 2nd. All proceeds from this trip will go to help efforts in Hawaii after the devastating wildfires. Please join in on this journey if you can! Their September trips are posted on our website, so get your tickets soon for some great fall fishing.
When I checked in with Captain Mike Roy, V.I Realcast chartersHe told me he and his crew were still taking advantage of the summer bite, when there were still plenty of big fish around. There is also no shortage of big blue fish that will eat diamond jigs on the reef. They have begun scheduling fall trips. Despite the bad weather, the fall race is ready to go! Small butterfish, silversides, hideaways, tinker fish, and cuttlefish are found in the area. All this lure feeds in some great surface water action and should keep the hard baits at bay when they come up. Captain Mike and his crew still have opportunities to run in the fall, so call them to reserve a spot ASAP!
Captain Chris, in Another guide service A big stretch of weather, he told me, led to some great pulsations of bass, blues, and Spanish mackerel in the central/western sound. Bass and bluefish range in size from 18 to 35 inches, and bluefish still pay 12 pounds. It all comes through with a light tackle/fly, so there’s no shortage of smiles out there! Game On Exo’s 1 ounce tackle fit the hole well, and some larger fish still fell in love with the X-Walk. This surface water activity will improve by the day, with the rest of the hard creatures not being left behind. Chris will be there all week waiting for these hardcore guys, and you should do the same, we’re not too far away now!
Joe, V Diorio Guide Service, I went on to find a great mix of stripes and bluefish, along with the slow improvement of albacore and false bonito. Whether fishing locally around New London or around Block Island, striped bass and bluefish were great action. Rock points and reefs have large amounts of bait and therefore a lot of lines. Most of the bass fish come from live eels or Joe Bugs Patriots, but they’re also starting to get some better fish rising up on the surface water plugs. Each flight this week has seen better numbers of pseudalbacore, and the recent bulge should help push them closer to home. It’s become a killer fall again and Joe still has a few dates available. Make sure to get in touch before it’s too late.
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Tyler, V Fisherman’s World in Norwalk I mentioned that the stellar blue hunt has continued, and that things are shaping up for an incredible fall course. Large schools of large blue fish are found in most local parts of the deep water structure. Diamond jigs operating atop this structure were the safest bet for finding alligators, but they also hit parachute platforms, and will occasionally hit overhead water plugs during periods of low light. There are still some bass you can get as well, and they can usually be eaten using the same techniques as bluefish. Live baits are also a great strategy for bass and blues, and there is no shortage of shelters at local ports for snags or nets. The sea bass bite seems to be up a bit this week, another sign of fall fishing. The largest bass is found in the deep structure around 11B, but most of the deep structure in the area holds the fish, as long as you don’t mind culling it by some shorts. Weakfish also appeared late in the season, with a number of fishermen reporting accidental catches while fishing for sea bass over the past few days. Scoop fishing is very hot and is the most reliable bottom fishing method. He never let you down! Freshwater anglers fishing the reservoir primarily target largemouths, but trout and walleye activity should start to pick up as temperatures drop.
Hunting forecasts in Connecticut
Connecticut anglers can continue to find large bass in their usual spots in late summer, but there are increasing numbers of topwater blitz appearing daily. Reports of false primogeniture have been sporadic throughout the CT but based on how many fish are showing up in the east it’s probably not too far away. Flocks of giant little baits keep growing, so there will be plenty of food to keep the silly fish. Meanwhile, there should be no shortage of bass planned to play with. Big bass continue to become more energetic and can often be tricked out by the overhead water plug. It is also still common on coral reefs. So, you should be able to find them one way or another. Great bluefish are also still present in good numbers, and the best reports come from The Race/Plum Gut to the east, and from the deep-water coral reefs of the Western Sound. Serendipitously fishing started, as the season ended, but sea bass have rebounded and scoop fishing is as reliable as ever. The tidal estuaries are as clean as they have been all year round and produce large catches of blue crab and blue snapper.
