Noreast.com, Eastern Sound

• The beginning of May earmarks a time of year when we saltwater junkies primarily focus on striped bass. River mouths, rocky shorelines, jetties, reefs, humps, and beaches become littered with surf and boat anglers in search of their first hit from ol’ linesides.
• The first area most anglers will focus on is the water in or near our state’s major river ways. Winter-over schoolies are beginning to become more active, demonstrating the need to feed. You should also take note of their patterns of movement. As the water continues to warm, many of these schoolies will gradually start to spread out and work their way towards Long Island Sound to feed on the abundant baitfish.
• The Connecticut River is a great place to start. This river, as compared to many of the smaller rivers in the state, demonstrates a “reverse” behavior. While smaller rivers holding schoolies will see a southward migration of striped bass, we will observe migratory (from the Hudson and Chesapeake fishery) striped bass moving northward up the Connecticut River in chase of spawning herring. While fishing the Connecticut, the mouth of the River as well as the mouths of the many small streams feeding into the river will consistently hold large schools of varying-sized striped bass with some reaching surprising proportions.
• Working from west to east, the shoreline along Niantic and up the Niantic River will provide steady action for light tackle enthusiasts. George, from J&B Tackle out of Niantic, confirmed medium-to-large schools of adult bunker working the shoreline as well as up into the river. He also mentioned reports of schoolies actively feeding in the Mystic River. We’ll talk further about the Mystic later in this report.
• The rocky Waterford shoreline, not far from the state boat launch, will also play host to the first migratory schoolies. Magonk Point east to Seaside all the way to Harkness State Park is a great place to throw plastics and small swimmers, as well as troll the tube and worm. The key is working the boulder fields and jetties that litter the shoreline.
• Mark from Hillyer’s Bait and Tackle said: “The winter flounder season has been very good. There hasn’t been a lot of big fish, but the numbers are very good and the ones who know what they’re doing can limit out. The two hot spots would be the Niantic River and Jordan Cove.” Mark then focused his attention to the striper activity. “
• Schoolie striped bass can be caught all along the shoreline from Jordan Cove to Harkness to Rocky Neck. Guys using chunk bait and small swimmers are having the most success. Although there hasn’t been a lot of keepers taken, I know there must be some bigger fish around with the large schools of big bunker.” Mark stated this is the earliest he’s seen adult bunker in the area in a very long time. He also mentioned that while the fluke season is open, he has not received any confirmed reports from the loyal fluke armada.
• In New London, the mouth of the Thames River is considered a prime location for anglers in search of feeding fish. I’ve had the opportunity to kayak fish this area twice over the last week. Although there are sporadic baitballs fleeing from small bass, most of the action is still located upriver. Right now, the winter over stripers are in the process of spreading out and have begun their slow journey southward towards Long Island Sound. Again, focus on coves just outside of the river current. There, you will find trapped baitfish and feeding bass.
• As Mark from Hillyers Bait and Tackle stated, the schoolie action has begun to pick up in the Mystic River. I received confirmed reports of anglers catching bass between the bridges and up into the cove. Small Storm lures and swimmers are the way to go.
• Continuing eastward to Stonington, Bill from King Cove Marina and Outfitters said the bite continues to improve along the Connecticut and Rhode Island border. “The Pawcatuck River is holding a lot of schoolies with some bigger fish mixed in. Larger bass are starting to show along Napatree Point and nearby reefs. Fluking is still slow, but a reliable commercial fisherman reported summer flounder in 90 feet of water just outside of Stonington Harbor. The winter flounder bite has been okay, but the better action is definitely better in the Mystic and Niantic Rivers. Also, light tackle anglers are catching schoolies along Sandy Point as well.”
• Bill also wanted to share some encouraging news with regard to the bait activity. “There have been three different reports of large bunker near and around the Mystic River drawbridge. Also, sporadic sightings of squid are filtering into the shop, which has us confident the bigger fish are soon to show.” (by Roland St. Denis)