CTFishTalk.com: Connecticut River - South Windsor 04/02 - Connecticut River Reports ( CT River Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

All of the recent talk about stripers in the Connecticut River made me want to check out the boat launch ramp at the end of Vibert Road in South Windsor. I didn't have much time, today, but I went, anyway. I've always loved the sign at the head of the road down to the ramp:

Yeap, you have to be really careful to not drive into the river! Rolling Eyes

As usual, the ramp was a muddy mess:

Although it was a sunny day, the north wind was blowing down the river at a steady 15 to 20 miles per hour:

I launched in El Habañero at 9:15 am. I had two set-ups with me, and trolled a Natural Shiner patterned soft plastic Sebile Magic Swimmer and a Silver Rapala Shallow Shad Rap SSR7 across the Connecticut to the channel between the west bank and the island that sits in front of the mouth of the Farmington River. I didn't get any hits on my way across. It was nice to get into the channel and out of the worst of the wind:

I paddled and trolled up to where the clear water flowing from the Farmington meets the murky water flowing from the Connecticut without any hits:

I stopped to throw the Magic Swimmer at a laydown on the shore near where the two flows of water meet. I had the hook weighted, so that I could work it close to the bottom:

As I slowly retrieved it, I idly mused that I was waiting for the thump-thump of the strike about which flippy (aka Jim) always talks, when I felt a single thump. I set the hook and horsed the fish to the surface. I saw that it was a two pound smallie before it shook itself free. Sonofab'!@# Mad

After I pouted for several minutes, I paddled up into the Farmington. I continued to throw the Magic Swimmer as I approached Hobbiton:

When I felt another thump, I set the hook like I wanted to rip the fish's lips off Wink

and boated a nice two pound, 16 inch smallie:

Whoo hoo!

I went about 100 yards up the Farmington before I had to turn around and head back to the ramp. I trolled the Magic Swimmer and a white four inch curlytail grub on a 1/8 ounce shakeyhead jighead as I paddled around the north end of the island and into the main channel of the Connecticut. The wind whipped up whitecaps as I paddled downriver. Halfway back to the ramp, I swapped out the grub for a Silver Rapala Clackin' Rap, but didn't get any hits before I got off of the water at 1:00 pm. I love river smallies! Very Happy

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perfect hook set · Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 1069 Location: Danbury

Please no more reports!

Jk you are working the river hard!
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PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

I think that the clear water of the Farmington helped get my two strikes, today. Murky water sucks! I really like the Sebile Magic Swimmer, because the hook is buried in the soft plastic body of the lure, so it's almost snag free. And with the weighted offset shank EWG hook, I was able to keep the lure close to the bottom, despite the current.
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SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi Phil,

Ooooh! ...Was windy today! -> Had more hangers fall out of the trees in the yard.
Must have been chilly for you as I see you had your icefishing regalia on! Laughing

Can't blame you! -> Looking forward to warmer Wx and especially no wind.
Good show on catching the Smallie Thumbs Up

SeaDog1

DirtyDawg10 · Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 2238 Location: Granby, CT

Good report, Phil! That is a nice looking lure.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Stephen - I heard more than one big crack and crunch as large branches broke off and fell from the wind whipped trees.

Derek - It looks like a dying fish when fished slowly and swims when fished quickly. Before today, though, I had caught only a big chain pickerel with it. Getting two strikes from smallies on it was really nice. They were both near the bottom, probably three to five feet down.
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pikePERSUADER1 · Joined: 07 Dec 2010 Posts: 521

Nice, river smallies are alot of fun, one of the best fighting fish there is! I had one jump about 7 feet out of the water before throwing the hook on sunday! Maybe i should head up that way soon! Phil, are gas motors prohibited on that part too?

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

No, Dan, I'm not aware of any restrictions on gasoline powered motors on those sections of the Connecticut and Farmington.
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fishfinder · Joined: 19 Jun 2011 Posts: 1672 Location: Naugatuck, Ct.

Nice smallie Phil! Man I wish I could get out as much as you!!
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JustinSolak · Joined: 17 Jul 2011 Posts: 245 Location: East Hartford, CT

nice smallie. it was windy as a son of a gun today. and nice hat
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Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

Nice smallie Phil

SAP284 · Joined: 07 Jun 2011 Posts: 655 Location: Central, CT

I am getting smallie fever. I can't wait to finally take my boat out this weekend for the first time..
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Steve

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Just remember to check your Angler's Guide before you head out, Steve. Many bodies of water are closed to fishing, right now.
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hila2006 · Joined: 22 Jul 2011 Posts: 582 Location: Ellington

Nice job as always Phil, I agree with the river smallies thing. We've done a few tournies in the upper Ct river near Hindsdale NH, they hit like a damn freight train, lot's of fun.

Passinthru Outdoors · Joined: 22 Feb 2011 Posts: 142

Way to go Phil. Great report with great pics. Nothing like some river smallies. Thanks or sharing.
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