On The Water

Best Bets for Connecticut and Rhode Island: Norwalk sounds like a good place to be if you live in Western Connecticut and have a hankering for a bonito chase (who doesn’t?). The fish are thick there and in pursuit of anchovies – a favored bait – so expect them to hang around a while. Far to the east, the false albacore appear to be making their showing in grand fashion, so a trip to the Point Judith area or anywhere along the eastern section of the south shore of Rhode Island seems to be a reasonable choice. The Eastern Long Island Sound area seems to be presenting a mixed bag of bonito and albies, and a smattering of striped bass. If you want to tangle with bluefish, you are in luck – just drive to the coast anywhere between New York City and Providence and toss a plug or spoon into the water.

• There are lots of bluefish in the Mystic / Stonington area, according to what Cheryl at Shaffer’s Marina has heard from anglers. The biggest concentration of bluefish seems to be lingering between the outer breakwater off Stonington Point and Watch Hill Reef. Reports have it that there is a mother lode of bait in that area, so don’t expect the fish to leave anytime soon. Cheryl suggests tossing 2- or 3-ounce diamond jigs or small- to medium-sized surface poppers. Cheryl has heard reports of both bonito and false albacore, but none suggesting they have taken up residence in the area yet.
• It took me two days to connect with Rennie at The Fish Connection in Preston, but the report was worth the effort. He reported bonito in good numbers along Pleasure Beach, Groton Long Point, the Sluiceway and out to Watch Hill Reef. False albacore are just now being reported in the area, and Rennie was pretty sure they will become more abundant over the coming week. The Thames River is still producing lots of fish, but angler reports said the big bunker have disappeared and no one has been able to find them. Unfortunately, the jumbo bluefish disappeared along with them and left behind only lots of smaller specimens that Rennie called “snarbors.” Mixed in with the roving hordes of small blues are lots of school bass, so a mixed bag of species is available in the Thames for the time being. Fluke season is closed in Connecticut, and will be closed soon in Rhode Island and New York as well. Big scup are still coming readily to hook, and Rennie heard of some very good catches of sea bass to 3 pounds in the area just east of Watch Hill Reef and just off Misquamicut Beach. Rennie also wanted to invite folks to visit the shop in Preston on September 22, when they will be hosting an Open House and Customer Appreciation Day. Stop by and say “Hello” to Rennie and the rest of the gang.
• The striped bass are playing at night and during the very early morning hours, according to what Thelmo at Hillyer’s Bait & Tackle has heard from anglers. Anglers after bigger stripers during other parts of the day are finding them a tough quarry, though there are plenty of school bass and bluefish to keep them occupied. Plum Gut and the Sluiceway are the most consistently productive spots for striper action to good-sized fish. Thelmo had heard reports of bonito in the region, but they are not “camped out” anywhere, so the action is very hit-or-miss at the moment. Reports of albies were coming into the shop as well, though most reports of sightings have come from The Race and the Sluiceway. Huge scup are still being taken throughout the region in the likely spots.
• Captain Jerry Morgan at Captain Morgan’s Bait & Tackle in Madison said that the top stories are: the giant scup that are still being taken throughout the region on sandworms and clams; the huge numbers of bluefish – some quite large – that are very active in the early morning hours; and the bonito that are now appearing in good numbers in Eastern Long Island Sound, albeit inconsistently. Striped bass are still around, but the weather has been a bit uncooperative, especially if you’re chasing the bigger fish that are hanging out in deeper waters or on the reefs just off the coast. If school bass are your desire, Captain Morgan has heard good reports of tube-and-worm action during daylight hours. Reports of very small weakfish in the 6- to 9-inch range are coming into the shop pretty regularly now, and they have been plentiful along Sheffield Reef. Many anglers have been mistaking them at first glance for snapper blues due to their small size.
• The rain early in the week is just what was needed, according to John at Valley Angler in Danbury, although the timing would have been better about a month ago. Fishing on Candlewood Lake is tough going at the moment, though anglers jigging along the humps at about 35 feet of water are doing o.k. to smallmouth bass up to 5 pounds, and anglers trolling spinners and spoons are doing o.k. to brown trout. John suggested focusing on the points of land extending into the lake; one angler using that technique landed a 7-pound brownie. John has heard excellent reports of large concentrations of anchovies along the coast, as well as lots of baby bunker. All that bait is drawing in lots of bluefish, which seem to be the star attraction at the present time.
• Eric at Westport Outfitters in Norwalk has gotten numerous reports of excellent bonito fishing in the area. The fish are being reported just about everywhere, with most fish in the 8- to 10-pound range. Middle Passage to Goose Island is where you can find the largest concentration at the moment, but the fish are moving around, so expect them to pop up unexpectedly. Reports Eric has heard estimates of a 20-percent hook-up rate when using Deadly Dicks, Crystal Minnows and anchovy fly patterns. Bluefish are just about anywhere you care to cast, with most in the 3- to 6-pound range. Striped bass are also around, but they are mainly school bass mixed in with the bluefish. Larger stripers are only being taken during the wee hours of the night, when water temperatures finally drop a few degrees. Expect the bigger fish to get more active as the water temperature continues to drop.
• Bonito and a few false albacore were reported at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, according to Bert. Middle Passage to Goose Island is the place where the thickest concentration is to be found. There are lots of bluefish mixed in and around the bonito, and some anglers are getting confused. Big concentrations of bluefish, readily available from shore, have been reported in Norwalk Harbor and at the Maritime Center. Striped bass are being taken at Sheffield Reef and the 11B- and 28C-buoys by bouncing diamond jigs, though these are mostly school bass, according Bert. There are lots of baby bunker around to keep the fish in the area. Big scup are still being taken, with the 11B-Buoy and Sheffield Reef being the two hot spots for big scup. Sand worms and clams are the best bait choices.
• Rhode Island: The fish are moving around a lot in Narragansett Bay, reported Dave at Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown. Since last week, the biggest concentration of larger striped bass has been hanging out in the lower reaches of the bay, while schoolie bass have been fairly common at mid-bay and plentiful in the upper bay near the river mouths. The recent spate of hot weather drove water temperatures up slightly, and the stripers are shuffling around accordingly. The bluefish didn’t seem to care about the heat, however, and they are being found just about anywhere you toss a fly, lure or chunk of bait. Lots of bait has moved in to the mid- and upper bay region, so be prepared for some intense action once the temperature dips a few degrees. Both bonito and false albacore are in Narragansett Bay, but best results will come from seeking them out in the lower bay and along the south shore. Big scup are still being taken regularly throughout the bay area on sand worms and clams.
• Albies, albies and more albies! That’s what Rob at Wildwood Outfitters in Wakefield had to say when I called. He has heard reports of albies and bonito showing up along the beaches all the way from the Narrow River to Watch Hill. The average false albacore is running at about 10 pounds, although reports of the occasional 14-pounder are also trickling into the shop. If you can’t seem to find those two speedsters, Rob suggested adding some wire to your leader and tossing your wares to the numerous bluefish thrashing around the dense schools of baby bunker; they can be found just about everywhere. If striped bass are what you seek, Rob is getting reports that the south shore area from Deep Hole to Moonstone is producing some rather nice specimens. The bigger fish seem to be readily enticed by a 9-inch Swim Shad lure.
• Fluke catches are slowing considerably, according to reports that Steve at The Saltwater Edge in Newport has heard. The fish are deeper and harder to locate now that the season finale is quickly approaching. Steve reported tons and tons of bait in lower Narragansett Bay, however, which is drawing in fish like a magnet. Albies, bluefish and school bass can regularly be taken from shore or boat all along the oceanfront in Newport and along the “walls” at Point Judith. The beaches in Narragansett are also producing fish pretty consistently. Reports of bonito are scarce, but there are plenty of fish to keep you busy. Steve suggests fishing at dusk and into darkness for best results and to improve your odds at catching something of greater size.
• The mouth of the Narrow River is also producing some nice fish, according to Mary at Maridee Bait & Tackle in Narragansett, though the action may have slowed a bit since last week. The Narragansett beaches are fishing exceptionally well, particularly early in the day and just before and after first light. At those times, anglers can do very well to good-sized school bass and occasional keepers with surface plugs in the surf. Anglers have been telling Mary that both bonito and false albacore are around, but they’re moving quickly and not being very consistent at any place except the walls at Point Judith. Mary also reported that fluke catches are slowing considerably; the only action has occurred from boats, with no reports of fluke taken by shorebound anglers recently. Charters out of the shop are doing well to good-sized bass and bluefish, and they have had a couple of good sharking trips in the past week or two, picking up the occasional tuna.
• Block Island is still the place to be if you want to catch fish, though the strong winds over the past weekend and the heavy fog early in the week slowed down the action just a bit. John at Twin Maples Bait & Tackle on Block Island reported that the north end of the island is providing lots of action to school bass and decent-sized bluefish by boat and from shore, on the surface and under. Larger striped bass are still more prevalent on the south side of the island, particularly on the southwest corner. Bonito and false albacore are the big draw at the moment, according to John, who reported that both species are readily found from Southwest Point to the Transfer Station, though a boat is needed to reach them successfully. Shorebound anglers can get into the action with both speedster species by wetting a line in the Coast Guard Channel. On average, the bonito are running 5 to 7 pounds and the albies are 7 to 10 pounds.
• The fishing is “magnificent” in the Charlestown region, according to Captain Don at Captain Don’s Bait & Tackle in Charlestown. Bluefish and striped bass are stacked up everywhere along the beaches, and anglers fishing tube-and-worm rigs are doing unbelievably well – provided they can get below the hordes of bluefish. Surfcasters are having a very good time of it as well, reported Captain Don, and it hasn’t been uncommon for 40-pound stripers to be taken in the surf. The best action seems to be at first light, but savvy anglers are taking nice stripers at midday by fishing below a bluefish blitz, or after it’s occurred. Captain Don suggested that you let your Kastmaster sink below the blues, then work the lure to entice one of the big bass picking up the pieces below the carnage. Other anglers have been doing very well tossing Hab’s “TallyWackers” to pick up nice stripers just after a pack of savage bluefish moves through. Captain Don reported bonito and false albacore in the area, but they are moving around quickly and are inconsistent, even if they appear to be everywhere.