Connecticut DEEP Fishing Report

BLUEFISH fishing remains good to excellent in the Race, Sluiceway, and Plum Gut. Other spots include the reefs off Watch Hill, Ram Island Reef in Fishers Island Sound, humps south of Wilderness Point off Fishers Island, Millstone outflow, Bartlett Reef, Black Point, Pigeon Rip (area north of Plum Island), Hatchett Reef, Long Sand Shoal, Southwest Reef, Sixmile Reef, Falkner Island area, the reefs off Guilford and Branford, New Haven Harbor (Sandy Point), Charles Island area to Milford Point, Buoy 20 off Stratford, Stratford Shoal/Middle Ground, Penfield Reef, around the Norwalk Islands, and the reefs off Stamford.

STRIPED BASS fishing has picked up and can be found at the same areas mentioned for bluefish. The only problem is trying to get a hook bait or lure past those toothy critters.

SCUP fishing is prime time for trophy “hub caps”. Clam baits have been working well for those “panfish of the sea”.

Also, BLACK SEA BASS have been an added bonus on the scup grounds. Bucket mouths to about 4 lbs have been reported.

LITTLE TUNNY have been crashing the rips in eastern LIS from the Race (between Race Lighthouse and western Fishers Island) over to Little Gull Island and of course Montauk Point, NY for anglers willing to travel. Other inshore tuna spots include Bartlett Reef over to Black Point.

Surface water temperatures in Long Island Sound (LIS) are in the mid 60’s to 70°F. Check out the following web sites for more detailed water temperatures and marine boating conditions:

http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/stationstat.html

http://marine.rutgers.edu/mrs/sat_data/?nothumbs=1

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/

http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/AN/330.html

Regulation Reminder:

The TAUTOG recreational fishing season is closed from September 1st through Sept. 30 inclusive.

For regulation updates and fishing/crabbing information, please check out our web site at: www.ct.gov/deep/fishing or pick up the 2011 Angler’s Guide. The guide contains all current marine fishing regulations and more.

For finding shore fishing and crabbing locations, please refer to the Connecticut Coastal Access Guide which can be found online at www.lisrc.uconn.edu/coastalaccess/index.asp

To find locations where to launch your boat, kayak or canoe, see the 2011 Connecticut Boater’s Guide or go online to www.ct.gov/dep/boating