Westport Outfitters

• The heat is still on but we are finding stripers and bluefish on the deeper reefs and even some in shallow water during the day. Having said that, our best action this past week still came in either low light or no light conditions (i.e. you have to be up early to get into them inshore). Most of the bass have been below keeper size but we have had reports of bigger fish being taken in and around Norwalk. Some reports of Bonito are also coming in from the area and the action is just beginning, with several claims that fish have been taken, but no confirming photos that we have seen…If they are here, try the incoming tide around structure that bait could be trapped in like the north side of Cockenoe. White 4 inch Sluggos or Deadly Dicks in various colors should do the trick.
• With the fish holding in deeper cooler waters, tube and worming has been the most effective method of fishing for larger stripers lately, but fresh bunker is also producing some decent fish to 35 inches(we have the freshest around). Bluefish are being taken in all different sizes up to 12 lbs. this past week. Fluke fishing is a little slow and the porgy action is starting to heat up with more keepers in the mix. If fluke is your preference, come check out the new squid we just started carrying, if you don’t hook up, you can go home and have some calamari! Some fluke bombs trailed with a strip or full sand eel has been the set up of choice. Although slowing down a bit, south of Copps still has been the hot spot locally.
• Fly and light tackle fisherman should target the night tides on the outgoing tide near outflows and estuaries for a shot at some bigger bass or from 4 A.M. to first light. Grays Creek, Mill Pond, Southport Beach have all still been producing, but think twice about getting there after the sun peaks through. Also be sure to get the bite guard out so you are not restocking your fly boxes nightly. Poppers and bangers can be very productive during the evening as well as blue/white deceivers imitation snapper blues in the 4-6 inch range. Rattletraps are a good bet as well for the light tackle and the go to Yozuri Crystal minnows and Stillwater Poppers, we have all the sizes to match the bait size in stock! Silver sides are making their presence know as the sand eels dissipate, so try to match this bait as well.
• With each passing day the snapper fishing continues to improve. This year Westport Outfitters will once again be the key sponsor/supporter for the Annual Snapper Tourney held at Calf Pasture Beach. It will be held on September 15th, so keep your eyes peeled for entry forms or log onto the City of Norwalk’s Park and Recreation webpage for more information. Get the kids out fishing today!
• MONTAUK REPORT: From the decks of the "TEASER" located in Montauk, NY, our good friend Cpatain Dean reports that the offshore fishing is still excellent, with a good amount of Yellowfins and albacore, and a surprising amount of Wahoo (that usually signal their presence by biting off your lure) and Blue Marlin. There are also lots of Mahi Mahi. The Teaser fished the West Atlantis Thursday overnight into Friday and had 13 Yellowfin up to 100# and 5 gaffer Mahi's. Now we just need the weather to stop blowing offshore so we can get back out and into these fish.
• The shark fishing is staying the same, a couple or three blue sharks a trip, with an occasional Mako thrown in. Star Island is holding their Mako & Thresher Mania Tournament this Friday and Saturday.
• Inshore the fishing is improving as well, especially with the Fluke. There have been plenty of Fluke being caught all week with some really nice fish in the 7-9 pound range.
• Striped bass fishing had been consistently good but as the year goes on it only gets better. Live porgies seem to be the bait of choice.