CTFishTalk.com: Stripers in the CTR, in a small boat - Connecticut River Fishing ( CT River Fishing ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

therieldeal · Joined: 20 Oct 2010 Posts: 245 Location: Thompson, CT

Hello all,

So… I’m dying to catch some stripers and/or pike… also dying to take my little bass boat out on some bigger water. I’m thinking the CT River is going to be the only place for me to do this. My boat is only 11 ½ feet long, 5 foot beam, with a 5 hp outboard. I’m also not the most experienced boater out there, but I have all the appropriate gear and I have my boater card etc.

Any suggestions for a slow moving section of the CTR with a launch nearby, hopefully someplace that’s not too busy? I’ve never fished the river before, so I’m not looking for a spot burn just trying to find an access point. It doesn’t need to be a great launch, my boat is small enough that I can push it off the trailer by hand, and it floats in a few inches of water.

Thanks
_________________
PB's:
LMB - 4 pounds - Stump Pond, Thompson
Carp - 11 pounds - W. Thompson Lake, Thompson

Still searching for some toothy critters big enough to be worth weighing...

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

Do you have a trolling motor? Haddam Meadows and Salmon Cove are both free boat launches. Because of this, Haddam can get jammed up on weekends. During the week, though, it's a great place to launch. Just downriver are a couple of quieter waters where you could easily fish; the old powerplant canal and Salmon Cove. Take a look at a map. Just make sure that you won't have to head back upriver against the outgoing tide or a strong north wind! Very Happy

_________________
Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

therieldeal · Joined: 20 Oct 2010 Posts: 245 Location: Thompson, CT

Thanks for the tips as always - I will scope it out on google maps! I think this will be worth taking a week day off for to avoid the crowds. Any idea how fast the water is usually moving during a strong outgoing tide, just in case? The only experience I have with tides in a channel are watching the current rip through the cape cod canal – hopefully it’s nothing like that! I’m going to take my girlfriend and her iphone out in the boat sometime soon, to see how fast it will actually go.

I do have an olddd trolling motor that my grandfather gave me (phleuger brand - all metal, even the prop), but I need to pick up a new battery for it. The one he gave me was almost dry, I refilled with distilled water and cycled it a couple times but it still barely holds a charge Sad

. Do you recommend trolling anything in particular? I’ve heard about trolling the “tube and worm” for stripers, but I’ll need to put some rod holders in.
_________________
PB's:
LMB - 4 pounds - Stump Pond, Thompson
Carp - 11 pounds - W. Thompson Lake, Thompson

Still searching for some toothy critters big enough to be worth weighing...

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

My experience with striper fishing is extremely limited. I'd throw big plugs or swimbaits. At the very least, you'd hook into some northern pike.
_________________
Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

hoppy · Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 393 Location: congamuck

As you said if your not the most experienced boater then id say get your boat on some smaller lakes for more experience before hitting the river. The river is not to be played with especially if your venturing north of Hartford. The river can be a fantastic fishery. Striper running is on the tail end now so if your going to go out, be carefull, pay close attention to your depth under power and while drifting. Sluggos, big plugs and swimmers will all do the trick.

pikePERSUADER1 · Joined: 07 Dec 2010 Posts: 521

try fishing the coves first, wethersfield, keeney

Fishin'Fireman · Joined: 15 May 2012 Posts: 122 Location: Simsbury