J & B Fishing Report for Week of June 11th, 2026: Trophy Striped Bass, Fluke & Offshore Tuna
Inshore Fishing Report
Striped bass fishing across eastern Connecticut continues to be exceptional, with no signs of slowing down. The biggest bass of the season have arrived, and many anglers are reporting personal-best catches and some of the highest fish counts they've ever experienced on a single trip.
The biggest challenge this week has been the wind. Anglers who have been able to work around the weather and find fishable conditions have been rewarded with outstanding striped bass action throughout the region.
Trophy Striped Bass Bite Continues
Large striped bass are feeding aggressively throughout eastern Long Island Sound and Rhode Island waters. Productive fishing continues from the Connecticut River eastward, including many of the area's most consistent spring striper hotspots:
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Plum Gut
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Hatchett Reef
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Black Point
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Bartletts Reef
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The Race
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Fishers Island
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Watch Hill
For anglers targeting trophy fish, The Race, Plum Gut, Fishers Island, and Watch Hill continue to produce some of the largest striped bass being caught this season.
Best Striped Bass Lures This Week
Jigging large paddle tails remains one of the most productive techniques for catching quality bass. The Fish Lab Mack Attack remains a top producer, especially when worked close to the bottom around reefs, current seams, and structure.
Other highly productive striped bass lures this week include:
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Doc plugs
Topwater action continues to improve, particularly during slack tide at The Race. As water temperatures rise and baitfish become more concentrated, anglers are seeing longer-lasting surface feeds and more opportunities to target bass on topwater plugs.
Bunker remain one of the primary forage sources throughout the area, and larger-profile presentations continue to produce some of the biggest fish of the season.
Connecticut Fluke Fishing Report
Fluke fishing continues to improve throughout local waters, with more keeper-sized fish being reported each week.
Niantic Bay and the Two Tree Channel have produced some encouraging catches, with anglers reporting a mix of keeper fluke and smaller fish. While the fishery is still in the early stages of the season, the increasing number of keepers being caught is a positive sign for the weeks ahead.
There have been few reports regarding porgy and black sea bass fishing so far, but as water temperatures continue to rise, anglers should expect both fisheries to begin producing more consistently very soon.
Offshore Fishing Report
Offshore conditions continue to improve as warmer water pushes westward from the Veatch Canyon and Atlantis Canyon areas.
Several offshore boats have already reported successful trips targeting smaller yellowfin tuna, while other crews continue to monitor changing water conditions and temperature breaks as the season develops.
Closer to home, there have also been reports of bluefin tuna being caught near Suffolk and Tuna Ridge, providing additional excitement for offshore anglers preparing for the first major tuna push of the season.
With favorable weather windows beginning to appear, many fishermen are preparing for their first canyon trips of the year. JB Tackle has been busy helping anglers replace topshots, inspect tackle, and prepare offshore setups.
Now is the time to:
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Check reels and drag systems
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Organize terminal tackle
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Prepare tuna trolling and jigging gear
Being prepared before the next weather window opens could make the difference when the offshore bite begins to heat up.
JB Tackle Events
Thank You From the Penn Tour Van Event
Thank you to everyone who attended our recent Penn Tour Van Event. It was a fantastic day at the shop, and we appreciate everyone who stopped by to take advantage of special offers, product demonstrations, and giveaways.
A special thank you goes out to Connor and Drake from Pure Fishing for helping make the event such a success.
2026 Tri-State Canyon Shootout
The 2026 Tri-State Canyon Shootout will take place from July 20 through July 23, 2026, and will once again be hosted by JB Tackle.
Whether you're fishing in the tournament, attending in person, or watching the live-stream weigh-ins, the Shootout is one of the premier offshore fishing events in the Northeast.
Anglers can expect exciting catches, competitive action, and one of the best atmospheres in offshore fishing.
Stay tuned to JB Tackle for tournament updates, weigh-in coverage, and the latest offshore fishing reports.
Bottom Line
Connecticut striped bass fishing remains outstanding, with trophy fish being caught from The Race and Plum Gut to Fishers Island and Watch Hill. Topwater action continues to improve as bunker become the dominant forage source. Fluke fishing is showing positive signs in Niantic Bay and Two Tree Channel, while offshore anglers are beginning to see promising yellowfin and bluefin tuna activity as the first canyon weather windows of the season develop.