The Fishing Line 5/21/09

Overview: Big time bass have been taken in all four sections of Connecticut . Bluefish have started to show in the west but nothing near the Long Island side. Flounder anglers have a glimmer of hope in the far east near the Thames River.

Western LIS: Mix of schoolies and keepers. Greenwich Cove & Hempstead were very productive. Above average Bluefish for the time of year.

Bridgeport to Stratford: Derby Dam is hot with mostly sub-legal bass with some mid-30 thrown in. Short Beach has reports of some bass to 40 inches. Bunker schools are steady in places like Seaside but look to rivers first for snag and drop sized bait. No weakfish. Westport reports some flounder. No sign of weakfish yet, but flounder were reported near Westport. Bluefish have been responding to tins only in the West Haven Beach area. Odds are until a big push of bunker come through its metal only for bait.

New Haven to Madison: Bigger stripers & less schoolies. Best bets for the week: Branford Reef, Thompson’s Ledge and the Quinnipiac River. Bluefish & occassional breeder weakfish spotted, no flounder. Best Baits: bunker chunks and sandworms during the day for the best results.

CT River and the Race: Reports of swirls but no bits. Anglers switching to shad bodies & diving plugs vs top-water lures for bass. Most action has been reported in the lower parts of the CT River. Try the Railroad Bridge and work your way south. Bluefish are also in the river but avoid using plastics if you spot a school.

Niantic Bay & Thames River: The CT and Thames River is producing a lot of keeper bass this week. Areas like Millstone are great with diving plugs and shad bodies. Bunker have been reported to be heavy in the Thames River near Norwich. Flounder season is still on in the east as many anglers are limiting out while drifting sandworms of the bottom.