Captain Morgan Connecticut Fishing Reports

• That “second” full moon of May known as the blue moon kicked off a feeding spree as stripers consumed mouthfuls of wetland related hatches swept away by ebbing tides. Congregating at tidal river entrances and draining estuary creeks scattered throughout wetlands, bass tore into worm hatches and lure/fly imitations. Anglers fortunate enough to take advantage of this rare occurrence had periods of intense fishing.
• Although water temperatures along the shoreline remain in 59- to 60-degree range, linesiders continue to pour into the Sound. There has been a marked increase in keeper to release ratios with more 28-inch-plus fish being caught from shore. Varieties of live, chunk, and frozen baits are prompting strikes with several new and innovative lures gaining in popularity.
• Trollers are connecting at The Six and Southwest while drifters are scoring at Cornfield, Charles, Faulkner's, and scattered reefs from Sachems Head to East Haven. Bass from 25 to 30 pounds are now discovering food sources on these reefs and are making the rounds. Schools of harbor blues have been driving bunker in tight, however recent stormy nights have neutralized some attempts to gather bait. Overall, there has been an increase of menhaden in the rivers indicating another strong year if a long-overdue hurricane season doesn't scatter them. Unfortunately, there are no niños/niñas to minimize the chances of that happening.
• Connecticut anglers are beginning to catch more keeper fluke while drifting The Shoal, Cinder Bottom, Mud Bottom, and The Trough. More fish in the 22- to 24-inch range are being caught close to shore and in channels during flood tide. Hook'm rigs, Doormat fluke rigs, and Case Flukes are a must. Porgy/scup season is now open after a lackluster start due primarily to stormy weather. The unchanged Connecticut daily regs per angler remain at 25 fish, 101/2-inch minimum size limit.
• Hatchery trucks rolled out recently for another trout stocking bringing many anglers to Connecticut waters. Water levels were low and in need of rain causing fish to seek out deep holes. However, fishermen were determined to hook into those elusive breeders while others were content with smaller, more cooperative fish. (by Captain Morgan on TheDay.com)