by Tom Migdalski, New England Game & Fish Mag Magazine
BARTLETT REEF, WATERFORD
At the east end of the state, the highly productive Jordon Cove launch area [Pleasure Beach] is in Waterford. "It's a great all-purpose spot," Capt. Merkt said, "because you can fish it from shore or boat. It's a hotspot from the rocks at first light for most species through the season, starting with the bass in the early summer and ending with false albacore and Spanish mackerel in the fall." When launching at Jordon Cove, Bartlett Reef is out of the bay and a short run to the southeast.
"If you have a small boat," Capt. Merkt said, "try the north end of the reef where there are assorted rockpiles. They produce excellent bass fishing at this time of year. My favorite time here is the outgoing tide. But be careful of the breaking rocks at low water. If you are new to the spot, you'll need a chart.
"There's also good fishing at the south end around the spindle. Another larger rip is located farther south of the spindle, but you'll need a seaworthy craft to fish there. The entire length of the mile-long rip is good fishing, and working birds will often pinpoint the fish for you," he noted.
NIANTIC RIVER AND BAY
Niantic is one of the most productive fishing regions on Long Island Sound. A good shore place to try for stripers is the mouth of the Niantic River, which separates the towns of Niantic and Waterford. "That's a great spot," Capt. Merkt said. "The big bass go running through there all summer."
You can fish either the east or west bank to the south of Route 156 and the train bridge. Cast into the mouth of the river channel where it meets the bay. Early mornings and evenings are the best times here. Expect heavy boat traffic on weekends, especially during the day.
To access the train bridge fishing area in Niantic, turn north 100 yards west of the Niantic River bridge on Route 156 and follow the signs for the Black Hawk party boat parking. Walk from the parking lot toward the train bridge, where you'll find a concrete walkway that passes beneath it and accesses the beach. Fish the corner of the beach where the river meets Niantic Bay. You can also fish your way down the beach along the north end of Niantic Bay.
MILLSTONE POINT
Millstone Nuclear Power Plant's warmwater outflow holds schoolie bass, bluefish and false albacore throughout the summer. The discharge is a great spot to cast from a boat, as are the rocks surrounding this large peninsula, especially on the east side.
When casting around Millstone Point, follow all posted signs and guards' instructions carefully. And don't attempt to take photos of the plant: That's considered a violation of the Homeland Security Act and you're likely to be boarded and escorted to shore by the Coast Guard.
THE RACE
The Race is one of the best striper hotspots on the East Coast. It's located eight miles southeast of Niantic Bay at the mouth of Long Island Sound. It is commonly accessed from the Jordon Cove or Niantic River launches in Waterford. Big stripers hold in The Race all summer, thanks to the schools of baitfish that congregate there. You'll also likely catch large numbers of hungry bluefish.
This rugged stretch of water is not for the inexperienced boater or small craft operator. Expect choppy riptide conditions even on calm days, which become extremely rough when a stiff breeze opposes the current. Waters 250 feet deep rapidly shallow to 70 feet or less to create a massive rip line. The Race is one of the few spots on the Sound that's best left to the pros. Instead of venturing out yourself, you can hop on one of the many charter or party boats that fish here every day.
HAMMONASSET BEACH, MADISON
At the midpoint of the state's coast, you'll find Hammonasset State Park in Madison a short distance from Interstate Route 95. This beautiful beach offers camping, a picnic area, nature trail and great shoreline striper fishing. It's an excellent place to bring the family for a few hours of fun while you fish.
Try casting off Hammonasset Point, which is only a few minutes from the Meigs Point parking lot. Head toward the mouth of the Hammonasset River where it meets the Sound and look for a large bouldered area. This spot holds fish waiting for forage to be swept out of the river into open water. Be cautious of strong currents and slippery footing when wading this area.
The most popular and productive fishing spot in the park is probably Meigs Point jetty, which is at the east end near a small boat launch. Come prepared with heavy line and extra sinkers or lures. Large rockpiles off the jetty attract and hold bass and bluefish, but it's also easy to lose some tackle in them. Expect strong east-west currents off the jetty when the tide is at peak flow.
NEW HAVEN HARBOR
New Haven Harbor, a triangular, four-mile-long bay, is the second largest commercial port in Connecticut. Three breakwaters mark the harbor's entrance, inside of which the waters are shallow except for a deep, well-marked channel running north through its midline to I-95.
On New Haven Harbor's west side is the West Haven Sandbar, also called "Sandy Point." This is an excellent striper location for anglers without a boat. Bass are attracted to the area because of the confluence of the Quinnipiac, Mill and West rivers, which dump baitfish into the harbor just above the sandbar. New Haven Harbor is known for its schoolies and trophy stripers.
The sandbar juts into mid-harbor from the West Haven beach, and the entire bar is above water at low tide. However, although you can walk almost one-half mile out, be prepared for the flood tide with a pair of chest waders for the return trip. Expect rough, roiled water and loose seaweed with an east wind, which blows across the harbor into your face. The best times to fish the bar are early morning and evening near a high tide with a west wind. The water is very shallow at low tide.
To reach the West Haven Sandbar, take I-95 to Exit 43, head southeast on First Avenue (Route 122), which becomes Beach Street. Park in a special lot across from the restaurant. Signs mark the parking and access areas.
HOUSATONIC RIVER, STRATFORD
In upstate Connecticut, the Housatonic River is known for its excellent trout fishing. Near Long Island Sound, however, the Housatonic turns into a wide, swift tidal river. With its deep channels, rockpiles, sand flats and muddy marshland creeks, the Housatonic River is one of the top schoolie bass locations in western Connecticut.
The most attractive location for both fly-casters and surfcasters is on the Stratford side of the river. Near the mouth you'll find Short Beach, which has excellent access and anglers can walk several hundred yards into the river. At low tide you'll need to be near the main channel for the best action; however, at high tide the fish will forage up to the shore.
MIDDLE GROUND
Off Stratford at the midpoint of Long Island Sound is a large reef called "Middle Ground," also locally known as "Stratford Shoal." Middle Ground is widely regarded as the top all-around fishing spot in the western Sound, and it's one of the best places to find stripers and bluefish each summer. The shoal averages about 17 feet deep at low tide, surrounded by about 70 feet of water except on the north side, where you will cross waters that are 150 feet deep. Only anglers with larger (17 feet or longer) boats should venture here because the sea becomes rough when strong tides and winds converge. Three navigational buoys plus a foghorn and lighthouse mark Middle Ground. Use the launch in Milford. Motor downriver to Stratford Point, and then head south across the Sound for five miles. This spot is clearly marked on local charts.
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