Andrew Nichols 5.7 pound sea sass. Photo/Rivers End Tackle.


River’s End tackle in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, sent this report for the week of August 17, 2012:

Striped Bass: Rumors that the local striped bass population were on vacation this week was pretty well supported by reports. School bass still dominate the catches we’ve been hearing about. Schoolies have been at Bartletts,Watch Hill and Cornfield Point. Action at the Race has been slower while the Sluiceway, Southwest and Gulls have had a few larger bass. Tube and worming has been producing small to medium-sized bass in the Fishers Island area.

Adult bunker are still in the mouth of the Connecticut River. Reports of smaller baitfish and squid are coming in from the shoreline from the Connecticut River to Watch Hill.

Bluefish: Some of the better action we’ve been hearing about is taking place right in the mouth of the Connecticut River, particularly in the evenings. Best action has been on bunker chunks, but we’re hearing about topwater action increasing. A lot of reports of smaller blues on the surface near Hatchetts, Harkness,Black Point and Bartletts.

The WICC Bluefish Contest is scheduled for the weekend of August 24-25. We have applications now and will be a weigh in station.

Snapper Blues: Really good reports coming in from the mouth of the River. The DEP Piers, Saybrook Point, Blackhall River and the Causeway have been good.

Fluke: An increasing trend for the last 2 weeks mainly from the Waterford area. The best reports in the area were from the depths of Black Point. Block Island still has the most consistent action for a limit of RI keepers.

Our Fluke Contest started May 15. There’s some changes. It’s a 3 shop contest: River’s End, Hillyers and the Fish Connection. Top prize will be $1000 and you can enter or weigh in at any of the shops. This year we will award 5 places. We will also weigh in fluke for Fishin’ Factory III in Middletown.
Last week’s winner was Derryl Moss with a 12.40-pound doormat.

Porgies: Actually got a few reports of the numbers being down this week. Going from great to good is still very worthwhile. Hatchetts and Bartletts are the most popular, Cranes and Cornfield are more relaxed, but just as good.

Blue Crabs: Reports coming in have been good to very good. More crabs are being scooped on pilings, which seemed to get off to a late start this season. Good reports are coming in from the piers, marinas and coves in the Lower Connecticut River as far north as Essex.

Bonito & False Albacore: A couple of random accidental catches of bonito were heard this week from the Race. They’re around, but more elusive or just normal.

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