Stripers bite on topwater through the blow, hushed reports of albies remain in the Sound, and anglers prepare for the tautog season opener on Monday.
Matt, at Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook told me that things have been tougher over the past few days, with the high winds from Ian making things a bit more difficult across the Sound. There are still reports have false albacore in the usual spots, but reports have been quieter since the weather blew through. Matt reported that they seem to be particularly active during the hour or two before and after the tide changes. Silver, electric chicken, pink, shrimp, and olive colored epoxy jigs have been working well, along with the usual soft plastics. If you’re looking for a break from the albies, the striped bass remain plentiful, with a good number of fish to 40-inches taking Docs, Mullys, and live bait offerings. The striped bass bite has transitioned from just a low-light game to basically any time of day, as long as you hit the tide right and find them. The fall tautog season is kicking off on Monday the 10 th , and most bottom fishermen are getting their gear ready for the opener.
Heather from Black Hawk Sportfishing reports that they have been limited occasionally due to the winds, but when they have made it out, they’ve seen great numbers of sea bass and porgies. As is usually the case in the fall, you have to pick your days, but whenever they’ve been able to hit the grounds, the clients haven’t been disappointed. They still have some dates available for private charters during the week, so be sure to contact them if you’d like to set something up. Just a reminder, they will post new trips every Monday night at 8 PM on their website, so be sure to check that out before they fill up.
Captain Mike Roy at Reel Cast Charters reports that things are starting to feel like the fall run on his trips over the past week or so. They have seen fantastic striper fishing, with all different sizes of bass busting bait on the surface. They are taking fish on both artificial lures and live bait, but the ratio is starting to trend back towards the artificials and topwaters! There is still a nice mix of bluefish over 10-pounds in the mix, along with some false albacore spread out throughout the area. Sea bass fishing has been improving daily for anglers looking for some table fare, and Mike will also start focusing on tautog after the opener next week.
Joe, at Diorio Guide Service told me that the fall run is in full swing for him and his clients! He’s having no problem finding bass in the 30-40-inch range on live bait offerings, along with topwater plugs and large soft plastics. The false albacore bite has been hit or miss, some days it’s easy to find them and feed them, and some days they’re sporadic or they’re very finicky. The fish seem to be a bit more spread out than they were prior to the storm, but they could still be found in most of the usual haunts. Tautog season will be opening on October 10 th , and Joe still has some dates available for anglers looking to find some tog or do a combo tog/albie trip!
Fisherman’s World in Norwalk reports that the fall run fishing is in full swing out west. There have been some strong blitzes in the area on most days, including some big bass and bluefish that pushed schools of tinker mackerel inshore during broad daylight. Action similar to this has been hot and heavy and seems to be popping up just about every day, along with the usual school bass and small bluefish feeding on peanut bunker. Local surfcasters are also reporting some good striped bass results during the overnight shifts. The false albacore have broken up and spread out, but you still have a good shot at running across them on any given day. Sea bass action is good and getting better, with fish coming from just about any depth, and the kickoff to the tautog season is right around the corner, and the shop will be fully stocked with all your fall tautog needs! Freshwater anglers are reporting some excellent bass action on shiners at the Saugatuck Reservoir, with some better trout and walleye trips likely to start trickling in over the coming weeks.
The remnants of Hurricane Ian and it looks like we’re in store for a much-needed stretch of better weather across New England.
False albacore reports were quieting down a bit before the blow, but there is certainly a chance that the recent winds have blown in another push of fish. There is no shortage of striped bass and bluefish across Connecticut waters, so you should have no problem finding some light tackle action, even if the false albacore aren’t cooperating. Sea bass action has been getting better across the state, with good reports coming from multiple depths, but most bottom fishermen are gearing up for the fall tautog opener, which is right around the corner!
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