Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to join Mike Roy, one of our Pro Staff fishing guides, on one of his striped bass trips with a client. Mike runs his operation out of the Connecticut side of Long Island Sound and specializes in targeting trophy striped bass using lures and live bait. On this day, we launched from a ramp in Stonington, CT, for a short ride to the boulder fields in the area.
Table of Contents
- Prime Striper Structure Along the Connecticut Coast
- Topwater Striped Bass Fishing at First Light
- Scouting for Big Bass with Live Bait
- When Artificial Lures Outfish Live Bait
Prime Striper Structure Along the Connecticut Coast
As the glaciers retreated thousands of years ago, they left behind massive areas of fractured bedrock and deposited piles of rocky till. These areas along the coast are magnets for stripers, offering prime foraging areas and current breaks, particularly as water temperatures rise through summer. These are the types of areas anglers target when searching for striped bass.
Topwater Striped Bass Fishing at First Light
The best topwater striped bass fishing occurs during the low-light hours along the boulder fields and points stretching from Connecticut to Maine. We loaded the boat and launched at 4:30 a.m. In August, the sun rises around 5:30 a.m., and Mike wanted to make sure we had the first shot at the big girls in case anyone else had the same idea.
Navigating the intricate maze of reefs, spits, and islands, punctuated by century-old lighthouses, is an unforgettable part of the fishing experience.
Stripers feed around the clock and can be caught a number of different ways, from fly fishing to conventional casting, but none are more exhilarating than throwing artificial lures like large walk-the-dog topwaters. With the latest electronics and trolling motor technology, Mike was able to snake the boat in and around the boulders and directly into their kitchen.
Once hooked up, stout tackle is a must if you want a realistic shot at muscling these big bass away from the boulders. Mike and his client had more than one striper wrap them up, but thankfully, we were able to pry them free each time. G. Loomis IMX-PRO Blue 844S rods paired with Shimano Saragosa 5000 and 6000 size reels spooled with 65-pound PowerPro braid were the key to catching stripers in these boulder-strewn areas. The rods have a soft enough tip to effectively work a Current Sniper Splash Walk topwater while still providing enough backbone to turn fish away from the cover of the boulders.
The Saragosa has all the drag needed for serious striper fishing, but most importantly, the spool size is large enough to handle heavier 65-pound braid while still allowing for long casts.
Scouting for Big Bass with Live Bait
It was an action-packed morning, with several quality bass released. After completing the morning charter, Mike dropped off his client at the dock. I hopped into the boat, and we headed straight back out to scout another area.
This time, we used live bait. Using our electronics and trolling motor, we quickly located large pods of adult menhaden, also known as bunker or pogies, holding in deeper water. With a classic one-and-done toss of the cast net, Mike filled the livewell, and we set off to fish live bait along the nearest reef.
When Artificial Lures Outfish Live Bait
Although we were now fishing a completely different location, we still targeted the same type of structure: glacial, boulder-strewn points in water depths ranging from 3 to 10 feet. On this particular day, for some inexplicable reason, the striped bass appeared more interested in topwater lures than live bait. What can a guy do? Just keep casting and cranking!
The Connecticut coast is simply breathtaking during the summer. The weather is generally stable, the boat traffic is manageable, and most importantly, the stripers are always eager to feed!
