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Look to eastern Long Island Sound for stripers

STONINGTON, Conn. – Anglers will continue to find trophy striped bass in the waters from Watch Hill, Rhode Island to the mouth of the Connecticut River this season, two experts predict. There will be fewer trophy fish, however, if recent trends continue in eastern Long Island Sound.

Look for the best bites inside and off the mouth of the Thames River, say Don Michaud of King Cove Outfitters in Stonington and Pat Abate of Rivers End Tackle in Old Saybrook. Abate also recommends the Connecticut River for catching stripers, and Michaud predicts that the Mystic River and mouth of the Pawcatuck River – Little Narragansett Bay – will continue to provide plenty of bass.

Menhaden will be the bait of choice again, starting around the first of May, when migratory menhaden appeared last year, the experts agree, and soft plastic shad imitations, like the Storm Wild Eye, probably will be among the most popular artificial lures. Deep-diving plugs and jigs are becoming more popular as tube-and-worm-rig sales slip slightly.

Posted by Tom Meade  at 6:05 AM | Permalink