Conn Post 10/13/05

1. Those anglers willing to endure the rains and winds this week had to alter their fishing tactics in order to have any success. About the only fish not affected by the weather were largemouth bass, the foul weather-loving walleye and the bluefish living in the middle of Long Island Sound.
2. Some gamefish species are sun-shy and prefer to feed on night or under very dark skies. The walleye is one such fish. This week's ever-cloudy, wet atmosphere sparked the walleye into activity. Several walleye anglers reported taking giant eyes, often weighing over six pounds. Lake Housatonic, Lake Saltonstall, Coventry Lake, Gardner Lake, and Saugatuck Reservoir offer the best walleye opportunities right now.
3. The best bait for walleye is live alewife, especially in Squantz Pond. Tackle shops in that area sell live alewife or you can trap them yourself. But before you start casting alewife, review the state Angler's Guide. Alewife usage is prohibited in the Saugatuck Reservoir and Lake Saltonstall. In these two lakes, large nightcrawlers threaded onto spinner jigs or curly-tailed soft plastic grubs are popular.
4. Reports from the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority showed walleye sharpie Bob Vasileu did some trophy collecting at Lake Saltonstall. Last week he caught two walleyes weighing 6-pounds, 8-ounces and 6-pounds, 6-ounces. Steve Yee also visited the lake for a 7-pound, 14-ounce beauty. Joe Kochis caught a 4-pound, 7-ounce walleye.
5. Anglers should remember the state Department of Environmental Protection changed the walleye size and creel minimums earlier this year. The current size minimum is 18 inches and the daily creel limit is a conservative two fish.
6. Largemouth bass are still biting in spite of the weather. Avoid fishing in reservoir-style lakes, such as Lake Lillinonah, Lake Zoar and Hop Brook Flood Control Impoundment. Instead, you should have good luck in natural ponds or isolated impoundments, such as Highland Lake, East Twin Lake, Pataganset Lake, Ball Pond, Lake Kenosia, Mamanasco Lake, Nells Rock Reservoir, Pierrepont Pond, Saugatuck Reservoir, Beseck Lake, Black Pond, Dooley Pond, Lake Saltonstall, Lake Wintergreen, North Farms Reservoir and Silver Lake.
7. Slow moving baits, like fat-bodied crankbaits, live minnows, "super-size" tube lures and short-armed spinnerbaits, have been the bass lures of choice. Mix your lure colors between very dark and very bright. Black, black with red flake, chartreuse, bubblegum and white are five hot colors.
8. The rain and flooding freshwater has pushed the bluefish and striped bass out of the tidal rivers and harbors. In order to catch either fish, you will need to visit the reefs and breaklines at least a half-mile away from the shore. Should you decide to go boating, exercise caution because of the wind and heavy seas. Those few braving the elements found fair fishing off Millstone Point, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, Southwest Reef, Faulkner Island, the Middleground, Buoy 11B and the Obstruction Buoy.
9. Foul weather is hindering the DEP's fall trout stocking efforts. But Great Hollow Pond, Pequonnock River, Black Pond, Mohawk Pond, Stillwater Pond, Tyler Pond, West Hill Pond and West Side Pond have been stocked and are ready to receive anglers. Also, some decent trout reports have come from Crystal Lake, Highland Lake, East Twin Lake, Mashapaug Lake and Black Rock State Park Pond. by FRANK MCKANE JR.