Connecticut Post Mild weather has Bluefish hopping

• Bluefish — Plenty of medium to large choppers around, and the action is picking up thanks to the mild weather. The mouth of the Housatonic produced a huge school of blues this week. Waders and boat anglers were taking the very feisty fish on virtually every cast of the popper or swimmer. Milford Harbor has seen some great bluefish action as well. To the East, the Race, Plum Gut, Thames River, Pigeon Rip, Bartlett Reef, Hatchett Reef, Connecticut River from the Baldwin (I-95) Bridge to the breakwaters, Falkner Island area to the reefs off Branford, and the New Haven Harbor all have seen terrific action.
• Striped bass — The big bass are still hanging out in the deeper, colder water. Some schoolie action was reported in the Housatonic at Smith's Point across from Knapp's Landing restaurant. DEP reports indicate the usual spots, the reefs off Watch Hill, south side of Fishers Island, Ram Island Reef, the Race, the Sluiceway, Plum Gut, Pigeon Rip (just north of Plum Island), Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area and the reefs off Branford are still yielding cow bass.
• Blue crabs — The fantastic crab season is showing no sign of tapering off. Crabs measuring six inches point to point are not uncommon these days. Tackle shops are doing great business selling pole nets.
• Bonito: Eric Johnson at Norwalk Outfitters reports the action that nearly everyone has been into is still hot albeit a bit slower than weeks past. Flase albacore have started to move in and will traditionally push the other speedsters out of town. Have no fear though, L-Jack Jigs and Crystal Minnows will work just fine for the falsies.
• Snapper blues — Plenty of good-sized baby blues are at places like Milford's Town dock and Bond's Dock in Stratford. Small Castmasters or shiners are among the best choices.
• FRESHWATER
• Trout — The DEP's annual fall stocking is under way with 49,000 trout scheduled to go into ponds and rivers before it is over. Water levels in streams and rivers remain unusually low due to the lack of rain.
• Largemouth bass — Fishing is reported as good in many areas. Places to try include Lake Hayward, Upper Moodus Reservoir, Highland, Bashan, Columbia, Waramaug, Crystal and Red Cedar Lakes, Quaddick Reservoir, Pachaug Pond and Bicentennial Pond. Anglers are having to work for their bass at Candlewood Lake, and tough fishing has been reported from Billings Lake and Amos Lake.
• Smallmouth bass — Good fishing reported at Highland Lake, Squantz Pond, Mashapaug Lake, and fair Bashan Lake, Coventry Lake and Candlewood Lake. Anglers can still find good smallie fishing on the Housatonic (especially on warmer days, and this weekend should be warm).
• Northern pike — Fish are showing up in the shallows with the cooler temperatures in Lake Lillinonah, Winchester Lake, Bantam Lake, Hopeville Pond (several 30-inch-plus pike recently caught) and Pachaug Pond. A 17-pound pike was recently caught at Ashland Pond.
• Walleye — Some action reported at Coventry Lake, Lake Saltonstall (a 24-incher among the catches) and Squantz Pond (8.6-pound walleye).
• Black crappie — Anglers at Lake Saltonstall, Saugatuck Reservoir, Silver Lake (Berlin) and Park Pond have been getting them on small shiners.