Conn Post 10/28/05

1. The recent storms have raised havoc on the state's freshwater fisheries. Rivers remain swollen and very difficult to fish. Many of the lakes and ponds are also flooded, making boat launching and shore fishing somewhat difficult. Conversely, fishing in Long Island Sound is generally good.
2. Bluefish have been cooperating in most of the larger harbors and off the area beaches. Anglers casting poppers, swimming plugs and metal lures are picking up plenty of three-to-six-pound bluefish. On light tackle, these smaller bluefish can be quite a challenge. Calf Pasture Beach, the mouth of the Saugatuck River, Compo Beach, Frost Point, inside Penfield Reef, Black Rock Harbor, Bridgeport Harbor, Short Beach, Gulf Beach and the West Haven sandbar are worth visiting this weekend.
3. Blackfish are showing up in increasing numbers as the water cools. Hermit crab bellies, split green crabs or Japanese crabs are the preferred blackfish baits. Another key to catching blackfish is to use a low-stretch fishing line. Many skilled tog hunters prefer braided nylon lines or the new fluorocarbon lines. When a blackfish takes the bait, it often dives into rock crevices. Stretchable monofilament lines allow the fish to pull off this maneuver and escape. Low stretch lines give you better control over the hooked blackfish.
4. Black sea bass and porgy are also mixed in with the blackfish. They will take the same baits, as well as sandworms. Remember, porgy season closes at the end of the month. Look for all three fish off Copps Rocks, Greens Ledge, Pecks Ledge, the Norwalk Oyster beds, Cockenoe Reef, Penfield Light, Middleground, the breakwater at the mouth of the Housatonic River, Charles Island, the New Haven Harbor breakwaters, Townsend Ledge and the Branford Beacon.
5. Flooding has caused several problems around the state. Those affecting anglers are: The state park road to the Mashapaug Lake boat launch ramp is closed until storm damage can be repaired. Due to flood control emergencies, the scheduled drawdowns of Lake Lillinonah and Lake Zoar were postponed one week. Lake Lillinonah is now scheduled to be drawn down five feet this week. The drawdown of Lake Zoar should begin today with refilling scheduled to begin on November 6. Another three-foot drawdown of Highland Lake is scheduled to begin on Tuesday. Winter drawdowns of Gardner Lake, Pachaug Pond, Lower Bolton Lake, Glasgo Pond and Bashan Lake are scheduled to begin this weekend.
6. Because of the rain and cold, largemouth bass fishing around the state is slow. Anglers are finding that trout, crappie and yellow perch are making up for the bass lethargy. The better trout reports have been coming from Highland Lake, Candlewood Lake, East Twin Lake, Mt Tom Pond, West Hill Pond, Tyler Pond, Black Pond, Squantz Pond and Colebrook Reservoir.
7. Crappie and yellow perch are very cooperative in Lake Lillinonah, Lake Zoar, West Twin Lake, Highland Lake, Pachaug Pond and Mamanasco Lake. Both fish are easy to catch because they school up during the fall season. Tiny tube lures, marabou jigs, live pinhead minnows and tiny jigging spoons are hot lures for these fish. Look for the crappie schools near hard structures like boat docks, bridge abutments, stonewalls and fallen trees. Yellow perch would rather hide near weed beds, riprap banks and long tapered points. [by FRANK McKANE JR. ]