Huntington Herald: Connecticut Fishing Reports

• Rising water temps and the bright rays of the sun have the Stripers moving to deeper waters during the daytime and feeding in the shallows of bays, beaches, harbors and inlets during the early morning and nighttime hours.
• For many fishermen, this time of year breeds frustration. The increased water temperatures bring with it more of the quote end quote "Less desirable" species of fish to our local waters.
• Anglers who covet Striped Bass and Fluke, which are considered by many as the top two prized species of our waters will have to deal with more frequent encounters with the likes of Dogfish, Skates, Sea Robins and multiple species of crabs.
• Bluefish are also a big fan of the warmer waters and each day thousands and thousands of these toothy bait-destroying creatures are pouring in to Long Island Sound and its surrounding tributaries.
• The Housatonic River is still producing Striped Bass from the Dam to the Mouth. Stripers from 18 to 40 inches have been hitting Sandworms, Bunker Chunks, Poppers and Shad Bodies. One unconfirmed report of a 52-inch Striped Bass being caught at Sullivan's Island has yet to be authenticated but a fish that size is definitely possible and by all accounts would have to weigh over 45 pounds.
• Dan Grady of Derby joined a group of his friends Sunday at the Derby Dam and caught a handful of schoolie Stripers on Sandworms and one surprise rainbow trout that also took a sandworm.
• The beaches of Milford, Fairfield, West Haven and Stratford continue to provide plenty of action. Surfcasters are experiencing all the action they can handle with Stripers, Bluefish, Fluke and the occasional weakfish mixed in.
• Captain Jim Sinclair of Housatonic Sport fishing continued to hammer Keeper size Bass in 40-60 feet water off Charles Island this week.
• These fish ranging from 30-40 inches on the average have been taking fresh Bunker Chunks and have been especially fond of the heads.
• Large schools of Menhaden, Sand eels, silversides and small Hickory shad have been reported from Penfield Reef in Fairfield to New Haven Harbor.
• With this much bait locally, anglers need to be observant and "match the hatch". Presenting a bait or lure similar in appearance and size to what the targeted species is actively feeding on will greatly increase your chances for success.
• Fluke fishing has remained strong.
• On the Long Island side, Mt Sinai, Mattituck and Port Jefferson are all giving up their fair share of keepers.
• Locally things seemed to have slowed a bit with just a handful of keepers being brought over the rails in and around New Haven Harbor.
• Some unconfirmed reports of keeper sized Scup and Sea Bass up to 5-pounds have made their way to local tackle shops. These fish seem to be holding in deeper water and becoming more active as the spawning migration of squid in the sound increases.
• For those Anglers who prefer the sweet water, Trout fishing throughout the state continues to be outstanding.
• Locally The Farm Mill and The Naugatuck River continue to produce decent size stocked fish in great numbers.
• For those who are willing to travel for their catches, the Upper Housatonic River and the Farmington River have continued to produce trophy size Browns and Rainbows with many fish over 20 inches. Good reports of Small Mouth Bass and Pike being landed are also coming out of these same bodies of water.
• Squantz Pond, Lake Housatonic and the Saugatuck Reservoir are all great places to target Trout, Small Mouth Bass and the illusive Walleye. (by Leon Sylvester orginally published by Huntington Herald)