Rivers End Tackle FishinG Report, 7-31-10

[Saltwater Fishing]

FISHING REPORT ---- July 30, 2010
STRIPED BASS ---- Tomorrow is August and the bassing is reflecting it. Daytime fishing is slow once the sun hits the water. There's some small to medium bass hitting tube and worm at Hatchetts ,Bartletts and Seaside. Some of the same action around Westbrook also. Don't expect jumbos but the action is the best game around if you're not on the night shift. There is some bunker around and the blues are on it faster than bass. The bulk of the bunker that were to the west are dribbling east as far as Clinton. Drifting eels after dark is still producing some better bass on Long Sand Shoal and Hatchetts but not consistently. Some schoolies are still showing up with the blues at daybreak on Bartletts.

BLUEFISH ---- The Gut has been hot this week with good action deep on jigs and occasionally on the surface with plugs. Outer Southwest Reef is also good with diamond jigs.There's been an evening bite along Great Island with small blues thrashing small bait. Its tough to get a lure in unmolested.
Snappers are having one of their better years.
The WICC Bluefish Contest is scheduled for August 28 and 29.

FLUKE ---- The good news is that whatever action there is, is close to home. Reports from the south shore of Rhode Island and along Block has been slow and small. You can still get your share of small fluke on Long Sand Shoal, Soundview, Two Tree Channel and the mouth of the Connecticut River. Chance of keepers is better, now only 1 in 20. We're still weighing in a few doormats every week and haven't heard of any in less than 60' of water. They are out there. The handful of sucessfull flukers are finding patterns around some change in bottom generally well south of a reef.
Bob Ventres is leading our Fluke Contest with an 11.1 pounder.

PORGIES ---- The action still continues with good size and improving numbers. Hatchetts and Bartletts are doing good to very good. Southwest, Cranes and most other rockpiles are good.

BLUE CRABS ----- Good to very good in the Connecticut River and its tributaries. The DEP Piers and Causeway are good for trappers, scoopers are doing fair on the marina pilings and the Old Lyme DEP Pier.