CTFishTalk.com: DEEP docks 4/29 - Connecticut Saltwater Reports ( CT Saltwater Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

TurtleKiss · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 1200 Location: central CT

RobO invited me and his buddy Ed to try for stripers at the docks yesterday morning. My expectations are always low at this place because in the half dozen times we've been there I've never seen a striper that came remotely close to keeper size (10" is pretty standard.) But whatever...great company & fun times regardless.

Yet again, the striper mission failed miserably, but we caught fish. Collectively, we caught an 8" striper, 2 white perch and 5 fat white catfish. I originally thought they were giant bullhead due to the squarish tails, but after doing some research I learned that the white cats have white chin barbels, grow slightly larger and tolerate salinity a little better. The 2 species can look very similar in appearance if you don't know about the white barbel thing. We used sandworms, bunker chunks and squid. Nothing wanted the squid.

The biggest cat was the one I caught on Rob's bunker setup when he left briefly to get something from his car. Thanks Rob - leaving your rod unattended guarantees results! Here's my (new PB!) white catfish - 4lbs 11oz:

The tail in the previous pic looks forked, but it was only slightly forked...there was actually a cut in the fin. Take note of the white chin barbels:

Different cat...roughly 3 lbs:

The DEEP docks are the hottest spot on the river if you're trying to avoid catching a keeper striper.
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Kira

*~ "Not everything about fishing is noble, reasonable and sane..." -Henry Middleton ~*

hila2006 · Joined: 22 Jul 2011 Posts: 582 Location: Ellington

Does look like a large hornpout(bullhead), thanks for the difference look.

JimiChanga · Joined: 04 Mar 2012 Posts: 195 Location: Meriden

Yes I totally agree with you there TK.
A very nice place to fish if you don't want to catch fish. Years back my wife, my neighbor and I went in fall on the "Harvest Moon" incoming tide at dusk, high tide at 11Pm, sounds like the "perfect time"? Well my neighbor and I fell asleep on the docks for several hours and not a single hit. We were using cut bait sandworms & squid. NOTHING AT ALL!

But like I said a nice place to fish. Wink

JC

anointed130 · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:57 pm Post subject:

It looks cold, what was the temp. Me and my wife went out there a couple times as well, always skunked and always lose alot of tackle, but ditto to everyone elses point, a nice place to fish.

P.S. Nice hat
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"Come after Me, and i will make you to become fishers of men"

Can i be a fisher of fish too?

~Tony~

TurtleKiss · Joined: 09 Mar 2010 Posts: 1200 Location: central CT

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

White cats I've never caught. Are they edible like channels or are they a throw back like bullheads?

JustinSolak · Joined: 17 Jul 2011 Posts: 245 Location: East Hartford, CT

so hard to believe you guys all have such terrible luck down there. we've gone down mid-day sometimes for shyts n gigs dunkin worms and killed it. small schoolies up to low 30 inch "husky schoolies"

and come bluefish season?

there's definitely been some times where a group of three or four of us will land 4 or 5 a piece in a 6 hour session or so.

have a little faith, its not always that bad Very Happy

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...of all the liars among mankind, the fisherman is the most trustworthy.

Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.

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

Looks like a good time. I love it when the Catties save me from not catching any stripers. Were you 1/4ing or 1/2ing the cut bait at that point or were they taking a whole slice of fish? I like using then Tinker Mackerel now.
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There's a fine line between fishing....

and standing on the shore like an idiot!

jimbojonez · Joined: 04 Feb 2012 Posts: 295 Location: Berlin/Kensington

where is it that you would eat a channel cat but throw back a bullhead?? i am confused...

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

Carpfishin860 · Joined: 14 Apr 2012 Posts: 55 Location: East Hartford

Ive seen a few big stripers on the docks over there and heard stories but thats not sayin much cuz ive been down there many times fishing and blue crabbing. But to touch on what Justin was saying late august and september ive hit some pretty big bluefish off that dock on chunks and eels. The chunks would often get big blue crabs chewing on it but the eels didnt.

Fishing Addict · Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 20 Location: Hartford

it seems like all of you know this spot, so I feel stupid asking where is that? but I still can't resist :!!
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Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

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

The DEP headquarters in Old Saybrook.
_________________
There's a fine line between fishing....

and standing on the shore like an idiot!

JustinSolak · Joined: 17 Jul 2011 Posts: 245 Location: East Hartford, CT

um... aren't they in old lyme?

or s there another dep dock in old saybrook...
_________________
...of all the liars among mankind, the fisherman is the most trustworthy.

Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.

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

That's what I said! Laughing

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2705&q=323646&depNav_GID=1711
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