Connecticut Fishing Report: Trophy Striped Bass, Fluke & Post-Spawn Largemouth Bass Update
Striped bass fishing is in full swing throughout eastern Connecticut, with consistent reports of bass over 20 pounds being caught from the Connecticut River eastward. Anglers are finding quality fish at many of the area's premier striped bass locations, including Plum Gut, Hatchett Reef, Black Point, Bartletts Reef, The Race, Fishers Island, and Watch Hill.
While the lower Connecticut River continues to produce fish, the section from the river mouth north has slowed somewhat since the recent rainfall. Despite the slowdown, there are still opportunities for anglers willing to adapt their approach and focus on moving water and bait concentrations.
Trophy Striped Bass at The Race
The Race continues to be one of the most productive striped bass fisheries in the Northeast.
Two recent trips fishing the final two hours of the flood tide produced more than 20 striped bass over slot size, including multiple fish exceeding 40 inches. The most productive technique was jigging a FishLab Mack Attack-style swimbait in the 6½-inch, 5½-ounce size.
The presentation was simple:
- Drop the bait to the bottom
- Reel up two cranks
- Alternate between fast and slow jigging motions
- Pause near the bottom where most strikes occurred
Many bites felt like subtle bumps, making it important to set the hook whenever contact is detected.
Three-way bucktailing also produced quality fish during both trips. Anglers looking to replicate this pattern should check out JB Tackle's Custom Striped Bass Three-Way Drift Rigs along with their selection of striped bass lures and tackle.
Topwater Striper Action Increasing
Several customers have reported exciting topwater blitzes throughout the week. Early-season striped bass feeds can be brief and unpredictable, with bass pushing bait to the surface before disappearing quickly.
This pattern mirrors what many anglers experienced last season. Early blitzes were often short-lived, evolving into more consistent surface feeds during the first week of June. Historically, the best topwater action begins near the end of a tide cycle and extends into the first stages of slack tide.
Productive striped bass lures this week include:
- Three-way bucktails (chartreuse and white)
- Tsunami Flutter spoons
- Doc Topwater Lures
- Doc-style topwater plugs
- Joe Baggs Skippers
- Yuri Mag Pencil Stickbait Lures
- Shimano Splash Walk
- Nessie Glide Bait
- Berkley Chop Glide Bait
Anglers targeting surface-feeding fish around structure are also finding success with glide baits like the Berkley PowerBait Nessie Swimbait and other large-profile glide baits and swimbaits.
For anglers preparing for the upcoming June striper bite, JB Tackle's collection of topwater striped bass lures offers many of the proven options currently producing fish.
Connecticut Fluke Fishing Report
Fluke fishing continues to improve gradually across local waters.
More keeper fluke have been reported this week, although most catches still include several short fish mixed in. The majority of keeper fish are being caught in relatively shallow water, which is an encouraging sign for this point in the season.
Historically, strong numbers of short fluke early in the season often indicate a healthy fishery and improving opportunities as water temperatures continue to rise throughout June.
Anglers targeting summer flounder can browse JB Tackle's complete selection of fluke fishing tackle and gear, including bucktails, teasers, and Berkley Gulp soft baits.
Freshwater Fishing Report
Post-Spawn Largemouth Bass Patterns
Largemouth bass across Connecticut are now firmly in the post-spawn phase.
Fish are being found around:
- Boat docks
- Submerged timber
- Shade lines
- Lily pad fields
- Weed edges
Schools of bass fry remain visible throughout many lakes and ponds, with protective parent fish often holding nearby. Anglers using forward-facing sonar have been able to identify these groups and target larger fish positioned close to the fry.
Water temperatures are now averaging 70 degrees and climbing.
As summer patterns develop, anglers should focus on:
- Deep weed lines
- Submerged trees
- Rock piles
- Transitional cover near spawning areas
Many bass continue to follow glide baits and swimbaits out of cover without immediately committing to the strike. Larger Texas-rigged worms and soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom should become increasingly effective as water temperatures continue to rise.
Best Freshwater Lures This Week
- Glide baits and swimbaits
- Hollow-body frogs
- Topwater plugs
- Texas-rigged worms
- Wacky-rigged worms
Matching local alewife forage remains one of the best strategies, as large schools of baitfish continue to be present throughout many Connecticut lakes.
Upcoming Event at JB Tackle
On Saturday, June 6, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the Penn Tour Van will be at JB Tackle for the Pure Fishing Sales Event.
Visitors can enjoy:
- Free shirts and hats
- Product samples
- Free Berkley X9 braided line fill with the purchase of a Penn inshore reel
- Exclusive in-store specials
- Discounts on select rods and reels
- Special pricing on unused demo rods
This event will also serve as JB Tackle's Memorial Day Sale rain date.
If you're heading out fishing that weekend, be sure to stop by the shop before or after your trip. For directions, hours, or additional information, visit the JB Tackle store in Niantic.
Bottom Line
The striped bass bite remains the headline story across Connecticut, with trophy fish being caught consistently at The Race, Plum Gut, Fishers Island, and surrounding structure. Topwater activity is beginning to increase and should continue improving as we move into June. Fluke fishing is showing positive signs, while freshwater anglers are enjoying productive post-spawn largemouth bass action around cover, weeds, and baitfish concentrations throughout the state.
For the latest tackle, fishing reports, and local fishing information, browse JB Tackle's Connecticut fishing reports and striped bass fishing collection.