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Saltwater & Coast

Long Island Sound Fishing Guide

Connecticut

Reefs and river mouths that hold stripers and bluefish all season and fall albies.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Long Island Sound for striped bass, bluefish and false albacore. The best months overall are May to Jun, Sep to Nov. In October, striped bass, bluefish and false albacore are in season, and Clouser Minnow, Lefty's Deceiver and EP Baitfish are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles; the closest is Mackey's Bait and Tackle Shop in East Lyme, 2 mi away. Montauk is 24 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

May to Jun, Sep to Nov

In October

Striped Bass, Bluefish, False Albacore

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Long Island Sound Species

Striped Bass

Prime Now
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F
M
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Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Bluefish

Prime Now
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F
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A
M
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Best: May to Oct

False Albacore

Prime Now
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Best: Sep to Nov

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

9 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Lefty's Deceiver #3/0-2

    Fly

    Streamer · Bluefish, Striped Bass

    Shop This Fly

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Striped Bass

    Shop This Fly

  • EP Baitfish #2/0-2

    Fly

    Streamer · False Albacore

    Shop This Fly

  • Surf Candy #1-4

    Fly

    Streamer · False Albacore

    Shop This Fly

  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Bluefish, Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Metal Jig 1/2 to 3 oz

    Lure

    Jig · False Albacore, Bluefish

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Bucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Cut Mullet Chunk or strip

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Bluefish

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Striped Bass

Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.

Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.

Bluefish

Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate line, wire or 40 lb bite tippet.

Spin / Cast 7 to 9 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 20 lb braid with a wire leader.

False Albacore

Fly 9 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, intermediate line, 15 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader, small epoxy baitfish flies.

Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium spinning rod, 4000 reel, 20 lb braid, small metal jigs.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Long Island Sound

Jigs

Spro Bucktail Jigs

Durable hair jigs for stripers, fluke, and anything that eats baitfish.

Check Price

Metal Jigs

Deadly Dick Deadly Dick Metal Jig

A small, heavy casting jig for fast-moving albies and mackerel.

Check Price

Flies

Saltwater Baitfish Fly Assortment

Clousers and Deceivers in sizes for stripers, snook, and reds.

Check Price

Reels

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel

A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.

Check Price

Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 10 wt Fly Rod

Backbone for big flies, heavy wind, and fish that run into the backing.

Check Price

Rods

Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod

A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.

Check Price

Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

Check Price

Topwater

Heddon Zara Spook

The walk-the-dog topwater that works in fresh and salt.

Check Price

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Long Island Sound

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · New York · 24 mi

Montauk

The tip of Long Island, a legendary fall blitz destination for stripers, blues, and albies.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore

Rivers & Streams · Rhode Island · 29 mi

Wood River

One of Rhode Island's top trout streams, with wild brookies and stocked trout.

Brook Trout · Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout

Saltwater & Coast · Rhode Island · 34 mi

Block Island

An island known for trophy striped bass and fall albies.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore

Saltwater & Coast · Rhode Island · 47 mi

Narragansett Bay

A large bay with spring schoolie stripers, summer blues, and fluke.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · Flounder

Rivers & Streams · Connecticut · 59 mi

Farmington River

A cold tailwater with a catch-and-release trout management area and wild brown trout.

Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout

Lakes & Reservoirs · Connecticut · 67 mi

Candlewood Lake

Connecticut's largest lake, a rocky tournament destination for smallmouth bass.

Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass