Nor'east 5/29-6/4/06

1. Fishing for bass heated up during the week in eastern Connecticut, especially in the rivers, but cooled off a bit for the weekend. Bluefish numbers remained the same, with harbor sized fish in the bays, coves and river mouths. Larger blues exist in the Race. Fluke fishing picked up in eastern sections but slowed down near New Haven, with a few keepers and plenty of shorts in the Niantic area. Porgy season opened during the week. Diligent anglers achieved limits of scup, but finding them this early in the season proved challenging for them
2. With bunker, squid, herring and butterfish in peak numbers, the striped bass appeared pregnant and the bluefish were nauseous feasting on the seafood buffet. While live bait fishing makes sense under these conditions, casting Houdini Shad or Sluggos in the mouth of the Connecticut River proved equaling rewarding for monster bass, where several trophy quality stripers came over the rails. Out in the Race, the night bite offered better results, despite water temperatures in the mid fifty-degree range
3. Captain Bruce Millar of the Otter charter boat, 860-859-1234, counted four striped bass over 40 inches weighing between 29 and 32 pounds on trolled tubes Sunday evening, which could be an indication that, “Things are starting to happen.” After poking around Hatchett Reef, Race Rock, the back side of Fishers Island and Sugar Reef near Watch Hill Point, he finally located the fish near Gull Island. Prior to the weekend, most fish measured between 33 and 35 inches, but they appeared healthy with fat bellies. Bass fishing followed its traditional pattern this year with the Race exhibiting the hottest early bite. But the true cow bass may still be on route from the Chesapeake Bay. The table has been set for them with plenty of bait and water temperatures near fifty eight degrees in extreme eastern sections.
4. Captain Bruce was not surprised to hear of the 50-inch, 40-pound bass near the mouth of the Connecticut River. The presence of shad, herring and alewives attracts the cow bass to shallow water. Their next move could be to round Cornfield Point and to head towards the reefs for the summer. Last season saw many bass over 50 inches and three over 50 pounds aboard the Otter. Should larger baits such as bunker, porgies and herring provide a richer diet for these fish this season, conditions could be conducive for a run at a record fish. With live eels likely falling on the endangered list next season, he is working on new artificial eel bait with Uncle Josh Lures and Sea Bait, which he should have the opportunity to use in the coming weeks
5. Joey of Dee’s Bait and Tackle admitted that, “The bottom kind of fell out this week and fluking took a nose dive.” One intrepid angler named Billy and his buddy took advantage of the recently opened season for porgies. They had to try five or six locations before stumbling on fish near the whistling buoy at Kimberly Reef, where they bailed sixty scup. Closer to home, harbor-sized blues tightened lines in the New Haven Harbor and striped bass surfaced from time to time in the Quinnipiac River. Rumors of cow bass in the fifty-pound range exist at Southwest Ledge, which is plausible for this time of year. The only mention of fluke was east of Niantic and particularly near Point Judith. In a week and a half, Joey looks forward to attempting a limit of blackfish, scup and fluke, as things can only improve from here.
6. Captain Morgan of Captain Morgan’s Bait and Tackle knew of, “An awful lot of bass feeding incessantly right up to and through the weekend.” Fat bass grazed on a cornucopia of bait on the reefs, while the junior stripers fed in the tidal areas. Everything from their traditional diet of squid, bunker and butterfish filled their bellies, as well as lobster, crabs and small fluke. While plenty of stripers up to the low forty-inch range fattened up, few trophy quality fish over forty pounds made their way into the Madison and Guilford area.
7. The explosion of bait did attract aggressive harbor-sized bluefish, which allowed little rest for anglers targeting stripers. Sea bass also have crept into the Sound, but they remain in deep water. Fluking continues to be a case of plentiful shorts and a few mini-doormats. Overall, persistent anglers will find success, even if a front or a weak tide quiets the fishing on a particular day.
8. Al of Mackeys Bait and Tackle described the week as, “Lumpy, not much happening.” While winter flounder finished the season strong, there were few fluke but plenty of wind and rain. The party boats did find bass in the 32 to 35 inch range and bluefish up to 6 pounds
9. Pat of Rivers End Tackle characterized the fishing during the week as a cycle. It started off excellent in the Connecticut River. One sharpie used various lures to land six bass weighing between 30 and 40 pounds! “With the flooding in the river, it’s going to be off for a few days.” In fact, that type of fishing could be over for the year as the fish move out to the reefs. The Race has switched over to a night bite. With all of the squid on the Watch Hill reefs, medium sized bass up to 40 inches put the reefs on the board. While the Branford area teams with the bluefish, they are yet to overwhelm the Old Saybrook area. While fluke poked their noses into the Connecticut River before the recent rains, Black Point is the best bet for those willing to prospect for a few keepers among the shorts.
10. Carl of Ted’s Bait and Tackle spoke of, “A lot of stripers caught in the river, some keepers, on bloodworms and sandworms at the DEP dock.” Bluefish also bent rods under the railroad bridge. While the stripers continued biting through Saturday, on Sunday, “The rain scared the fish away.” Captain Jimbo of the Ernit charter boat limited out on bass all week using light tackle casting methods with Houdini Shad and Sluggos near the lighthouse. Bass ambushing herring from the break walls also fall for drifted live eels on the incoming tide. The porgy bite came to life inside of Cornfield Point on clam strips.
11. The Old Troll charter boat splashed onto the porgy scene this week, and will add blackfish on the 15th of June. Fluke enthusiasts continued to sharpen their hooks and save their gas money, with only a few reports to speak of. River-run striped bass stole the show in the fog. When the Connecticut River turned murky, the catfish pinched-hit for stripers, to the delight of junior anglers. Look for bunker beyond the breakwaters and in the Clinton Harbor.
12. CJ of Hillyers Tackle thought that the Millstone discharge, Bartlett Reef and the Race is, “Good for bass and blues.” The stripers ranged from schoolies up to 35 pounds. The blues ranged from harbor-sized at Millstone up to 8 pounds in the Race. Reports of short fluke and a few keepers came in from Black Point and Millstone. South of Fishers Island near Isabella Beach, “It’s picking up.”
13. Captain Brad Glas of the Hel-Cat II charter boat, 860-535-2066, will sail their banker’s hours schedule this weekend from 9 AM to 3PM for bass and bluefish. Anglers landing the fish of the week will have a chance at a free trip!