Connecticut Fishing Report- August 10, 2023

Connecticut Fishing Report

Matt, at Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook told me that things have remained pretty much status quo, with the exception of even more small bait entering the areas. The influx of small bait has lead to quite a few big school bass blitzes all over the area. Big striped bass are still begin fooled by the same offerings; live eels, GT eels, needlefish plugs, and live bunker if you can find some. A lot of the bunker remains outside of the river and along the adjacent shorelines, but it’s also starting to push back into the river mouths. Because of this you are apt to find big bass in the river mouths, outside the river, and on the reefs and rips throughout the eastern sound. There are still giant blue fish around, particularly at the race and the gut where top waters are working, even at midday with high sun. Sea bass fishing has been good in 50-feet of water and deeper on Daiwa SK jigs in blue, pink, or gold. The fluke fishing has been inconsistent, but they’re available if you focus on good structure.  

 

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Heather from Black Hawk Sportfishing reported another solid week of fishing aboard the Black Hawk! It’s like they’re on repeat, with loads of porgies and a good mix of big sea bass to help fill up the coolers. Their Saturday afternoon family trip was successful, with many young anglers spending the afternoon with their families reeling in some nice porgies. They have a few more of these trips on the schedule, so be sure to join them before it’s too late. The bass and bluefish trips were once again excellent, with huge blues coming over the rails all night. They look forward to seeing everyone soon! 

• Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain in Connecticut!

When I checked in with Captain Mike Roy, at Reel Cast Charters he said that the fishing has been good, with consistent striper action, including big schools of big residential bass that are willing to eat live baits. They are also starting to encounter a few blitzes, especially on the cooler mornings. The bluefishing was good on the reefs around the full moon, and he has also started to hear of some better bottom fishing reports for black sea bass and fluke. Captain Mike and his team still have openings for summer fishing, so be sure to call in to book a spot before it’s too late. 

 

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Captain Chris, at Elser Guide Service is still finding excellent striped bass and bluefish action while trolling the tube and worm. He is also finding the occasional light tackle bite on the Duratech 13-inch eels on a 1-ounce jighead. Fish are planted in place during daylight hours in their safety zones, but they can be coaxed into attacking a trolled tube, Duratech Eel, or live bunker at any time during the day. Most of the bass are in the 20- to 35-pound range and the bluefish tend to be on the very large side. Chris is anticipating finding some Spanish Mackerel in the next week or so, which will be a welcomed sight for his fly and light tackle clients. Sea bassing has improved a bit out west, but the bite remains inconsistent. 

Joe, at Diorio Guide Service, reports that they did a nice mix of stripers, bluefish, and tuna this week. Striped bass and bluefish action has been great, whether it’s fishing locally around New London or out around Block Island. The rocky points and reefs are holding loads of bait, and thus are holding plenty of stripers. Most of the bass are coming on live eels or the Joe Baggs Patriot Fish, but they are also starting to get some better fish rising on topwater plugs. The tuna grounds have also been fruitful with plenty of bluefin and yellowfin on streaker jigs and occasionally on topwater. It’s shaping up to be a killer fall run once again and Joe still has some dates available. Be sure to reach out before it’s too late. 

Tyler, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reported that things haven’t changed a whole lot over the past week, but there have been more opportunities to catch local bluefish and striped bass. Bottom fishing has shined with strong sea bass and scup reports. Sea bass have been taking bucktails tipped with Gulp or squid in 30-feet of water or deeper. Scup can be found on just about any rockpile, and the anglers that are anchoring up and chumming with clams are doing best. The fluke bite has been decent for those that are trying, with the best flatfish action still coming from 30- to 60-feet of water. Fishing for bass and bluefish is still good but you have to target deep water and live bait is now outfishing artificials for the most part. Anglers headed out to 11B and fishing 60- to 90-feet of water with Diamond Jigs and live bunker were scoring fish to up around the 30-pound mark. There are plenty of bluefish to be had, both inshore, and out on the deeper structure.  The sea bass bite has been steady in depths over thirty feet on bucktails and jigs. Freshwater anglers fishing the Saugatuck Reservoir reported an improved bite this week for bass and walleye, specifically at low light hours on live shiners. 

• Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain in Connecticut!

Connecticut Fishing Forecast

The big striped bass action is still going strong in Connecticut, and the striped bass continue to hunker down into their summer patterns. The water is finally cleaning up around the tidal rivers, so you can find bass in the river mouths once again, as well as on the local reefs and rips. With the fish holding tight to the bottom on the inshore reefs your best bet is a 3-wayed live baits, jig, or soft plastic. The bunker schools can be found around the river mouths, and you can occasionally get some big bass to hit a topwater plug around these bunker schools. Fluke fishing has been challenging, as consistency has been lacking from day to day. That being said, some big flat fish are being taken most days. Sea bass fishing has been going strong since it reopened, with the best results coming from 60- to 80-feet of water. Scup action is red hot, and don’t forget about summer tautog, which provides another strong bottom fishing option this month. Blue crab reports have improved in the estuaries, and will continue to do so as the water cleans up. Flows are starting to clean up in the TMAs, while the lakes and ponds continue to produce a nice mix of bass and panfish.