Rivers End Tackle, Old Saybrook

• STRIPED BASS- The bunker schools seem to be increasing around the mouth of the Connecticut River and thats making daytime live bait fishing easier. It doesn't seem that theres more large bass around but that they just can't pass up that bunker. Some jumbos are coming from Hatchetts, Black Point, Southwest Reef and Long Sand Shoal shortly after daybreak. These larger bass are probably some of the summer reef residents, give them a shot at coming back next summer.The number of school bass along the shoreline has been pretty good for the past few weeks with some surface action. Drifting in the Race has been a bit better but not hot over the last week. Bait casters at the mouth of the River have picked up a few nice bass on chunks from Saybrook Point.
• BLUEFISH- The Connecticut River has increased its bluefish population over the last week as the supply of baitfish has gone up. Both shore and boat fishermen have been scoring mostly on bait. Theres also been a healthy run of choppers along the shoreline and local reefs. The Race and Plum Gut have been good as has Southwest Reef and Cornfield Point. The WICC Bluefish Contest starts next weekend with a better distribution of bunker for Eastern Long Island Sound.
• SNAPPERS- As long as the tide is flowing well theres been good snappering at the DEP Piers, Saybrook Point and the Causeway.
• FLUKE- Its been slowing down for the last week in the River and the shallower waters adjacent to it. Some good catches have still been coming from Block Island and Gardiners. The deep waters off Black Point are still worthwhile, theres still some of the best of jumbo fishing to come.
• PORGIES- Theres still a lot of porgies out there with not too much pressure on them. The smaller reefs such as Cranes and Cornfield have been good for those trying.
• BONITO- Theres been a bunch of sighting and a better catches at Jordan Cove, Watch Hill, Plum Gut and Weekapaug. Try for fluke off the Rhode Island South Shore and you'll probably run into bonito, be unprepared for them and your chances of seeing them will increase.
• BLUE CRABS- Good reports coming from the Oyster River, DEP Piers, and North Cove. (Pat Abate)