Western Sound Noreast R. Calouri 6/13/09

Action in the Western Sound and Western Connecticut regions is just red hot. Striped bass in the 30 lb plus fish are the norm, Bluefish have diminished in size as compared to the last 10 days. Porgies are showing in the shallow water shoals and fluke are present at all of the Points.

At Mr. Sea Charters out of Stamford, Phil Caruso reported that there is no shortage of bass and bluefish in his region and that is what he is targeting right now. Bunker baits are working best and depths of 40-58 feet of water are proving to be the optimum condition for good results. Caruso has been working Stamford waters, as well as Captains Island and this week he had Derris Manus out and they caught an 18-pound bass along with several 6-pound bluefish.

Eric Johnson of Westport Outfitters in Norwalk said that he has not seen the fishing this good in the Western Sound in his entire tenure working this area. The bait situation remains strong with bunker plentiful in most of the harbors and estuaries. In tight, the sand eels are all over the place with silver sides mixed in. This will mean good things for the fluke season which will kick off on June 15.

Jon Nowicki fished Fairfield Island for a total of 12 bass and two bluefish and one giant sea robin. The biggest striper was 27 inches, with all the fish taken on sand eel patterns. George Discala Jr. caught a huge 26-pound fish, and fellow Westport Striped Bass Club member Ben also took a fat bass at 27 pounds.

At Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, Nick Massaro was bubbling over with news of some terrific striped bass action that was taking place in the area of Norwalk Island and the harbors. Anthony Neave did not have to travel far for a trophy fish when he caught a 36-inch, 22-pound bass while dunking bunker chunks right in Norwalk Harbor. Jason Foucher was fishing with his brother Steve at Norwalk Island with bunker chunks. The angling duo both struck paydirt with Jason catching a 35-pound bass, while Steven was the low man with a 25-pound fish. Teddy Zakhar ventured just a little south and fished the Cows in Stamford where he had luck with a 33-pound striper that just inhaled his bunker chunks, while Jan Berman found the mother lode in Mamaroneck. Berman also fished with bunker and caught four bass, with the smallest fish 20 pounds, and the heaviest fish weighing a hefty 40 pounds. Berman did have to wade through the throng of bluefish, but that fight was fun too. Porgy season is now open in Western Connecticut and anglers looking for these little feisty fish can find them in 40 feet of water at Buoy 28C. Sandworms and squid are working best to help pull in limits of fish.

Chris Fulton of Stratford B&T in Stratford had a variety pack of news starting with Ron Golias taking second place in the Stratford Boat Owners Club’s flounder tournament. Golias caught a 2.43-pound flounder on a sandworm while fishing in Milford Harbor and that fish stood up for the second place trophy. Porgies have also made their presence know in the area and Tracy Banks found them in plentiful numbers in Clinton, where he limited out while using sandworms as bait. The fish are big too with Tracy’s heaviest fish weighing 4.02 pounds. Will Kuko hammered the bass and bluefish while working the Middleground area with bunker chunks. Kuko had non-stop action with both species until his arms were too tired to reel in any more fish. Erika Nieves scored one for the female anglers when she hauled in a 37-inch bass that was caught at the West Haven sandbar.