CTFishTalk.com: Pequonnock River - Connecticut River Reports ( CT River Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

With the time I still had Thursday afternoon, I decided to take a ride to areas of the Pequonnock in Bridgeport and Trumbull.

Seeing it was overcast out I threw a size 7 bleeding pearl Rapala Original Floater instead of the brighter firetiger color. Also gave a 1/16oz white maribu a few tries in slower moving water with sandy bottom.

All areas I hit never showed any signs of life.

Today was one of those post frontal February days with cooler temps, overcast skies, NW winds, and high pressure.

AlexF · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 136

do you usually have good luck with rapalas in the river, i've never tried it

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

Yes I have Alex. Any Rapala imitating a small minnow and dives shallow is what I hit them with, other than Rooster Tails.

Last year I was catching many at a certain pool in Trumbull with a 6cm silver Rapala Husky Jerk.

The freshwater areas in Bridgeport below Bunnells Pond hold fish that get swept down the dam when water is high.

FRANK458 · Joined: 03 Feb 2012 Posts: 18

isn't that water partly salty? Where exactly near the bmw dealer?

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

The freshwater/saltwater line is the North Ave bridge. The rest of the way up is all fresh.

AlexF · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 136

i'll have to try my little husky jerk in the river then, by the way Frank is my brother, we are twins

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

Lures such as Husky Jerk and X-Rap are also good lures to cast upstream and then do a constant jerking retrieve back. That's when you're fishing a stretch of water that is deeper enough. Otherwise, steady retrieve.

AlexF · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 136

how often do you catch fish in the winter on the pequonnock river? It seems like my luck always runs out there come july, I never tried it during the fall, does the fishing pick back up as the weather cools down? Thanks!

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

One thing all fishermen must know about trout Alex is they are a cold water fish.

Hot summers kill lots of bigger trout if they can't get deep enough to the water temps they prefer in lakes and ponds and the river they're in gets too warm.

Once late September and early October roll around and water temps cool down, they become more active again.

During the winter, rivers that get stocked have more luck with drifting worms, mealies, live grubs, slugs, etc or letting them sit on the bottom of a deeper pool.

When you start getting your first warm spells of late February early March, areas that are open to fishing year round start seeing action.

Once you start seeing heat arriving in June, trout head for deeper waters.

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

I found out from a buddy last year, who used to be a DEEP volunteer, said that the Pequonnock usually isn't on the list of fall stockings, unless there's still enough leftovers to put in. So I only get lucky if they do a fall stocking or if any made it through the summer and weren't pressured.

AlexF · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 136

thanks

fishfinder · Joined: 19 Jun 2011 Posts: 1672 Location: Naugatuck, Ct.

I just picked up some white Maribus today and then come home to read your article, Coincidence? LOL
_________________
There's a fine line between fishing....

and standing on the shore like an idiot!

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

Other than trout, I've hit lots of panfish and some bass with those ultra light white maribus Fishfinder. White is a good imitation of a white grub or small minnow while brown and orange are good imitations of crayfish.

Jigging with small maribus from bridges, boats, and the ice is fun too.