Connecticut Post: Good Bluefish news

• Bluefish — "It's like the 60s, there is so much bait around," is how one veteran angler put it when discussing the fishing late this week. Large schools of medium to large choppers feeding on baby bunker are available off just about any area beach. Another shop owner described the blues action as "wall-to-wall." Poppers of any color and shape are all that is needed to get into the bluefish these days. Fly guys are taking fish on top with a variety of popper flies, but gurglers work well. August was a generally slow month for fishing, but now the excitement is starting to build for what is looking like a very active fall push of fish.
• Striped bass — With the daytime striper action virtually nil, night anglers are finding a whole different ball game. Using olive Bombers and black and white Bombers, wading fishermen are doing well off Pennfield Reef, in Ash Creek and at the Milford beaches.
• Fluke — It's always a mistake to assume that the fluke have gone away in late August. Reports are that the toothed flatties have made a significant comeback off Fairfield beach and in the mouth of Bridgeport Harbor. Mark Sabia bagged his limit this week, although he was reluctant to say exactly where.
• Porgies — Clam chummers are still doing well off Pennfield Reef, out back of Charles Island in Milford and at can 22 near Sunken Island in Southport using squid and clams on the bottom.
• Blue crabs — No sign of a let-up in the blue crab scene. The Mill
• River in Fairfield, Indian River in Milford and other accessible estuaries are yielding good catches. Hard shell crabs must be 5 inches from shell point to point, Soft shell must be 3 inches point to point.
• Snapper blues — Plenty of baby blues are hanging around the jetties and breakwaters and harbor docks like Milford's Town dock at the end of High Street. Shiners on tiny hooks are the best choice, but inch-long silver or silver and gold Castmasters are taking their share of snappers.
• FRESHWATER
• Largemouth bass — Areas to try according the Department of Environmental Protection include Lake Housatonic, Lake Wonoscopomuc, Lower Moodus Reservoir, Red Cedar, Winchester (6.3-pound bass), Candlewood, Silver and Quonnipaug lakes and Squantz Pond.
• Smallmouth bass — Catches reported from Saugatuck Reservoir, Lake Housatonic, Highland Lake, Candlewood Lake (smallies are challenging anglers here, but a 5.5-pound beauty is among the recent catches). Although it is cooling off, some good late summer smallie action can still be found on the Housatonic River.
• Trout — Stream flows continue to be low in a number of areas throughout the state. Flows are especially low in northeastern CT. A number of rivers & streams in northwestern part of the state, including the Housatonic River, are also well below typical levels. Fly anglers should include terrestrial fly patterns in their arsenal. Some good trout reports came from the West Branch and main stem of the Farmington Rivers, and the Housatonic River. Note: Thermal refuge areas on the Housatonic, Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers will reopen to fishing on Saturday. (Charles Walsh)