It’s that time of year again when charter captains are trying to book trips and many New England states are holding their cards, with regard to fishing regs, making it impossible for these businesses to do their work! This happens every year and it really doesn’t make any sense at all. With fluke seasons traditionally beginning during the first week of May, it has not been uncommon for New England states to release their regs with less than a week before the season officially opens, try booking trips under those conditions!
Connecticut has bucked the trend and we, along with every Connecticut charter captain, applaud them for being proactive! Word on the street is that there was some friction between Connecticut and New York regarding Long Island Sound fluke regulations, Connecticut wanted a smaller minimum size while New York favored a longer season, but a deal was eventually struck and ASMFC quickly approved the compromise. Which leaves Connecticut with a weird break in the season where on Thursday, August 1 your minimum size is 19 inches, on Friday, August 2, your minimum size jumps to 19.5 inches. Here are all the new 2024 regulations we have so far for Connecticut waters.
Fluke:
Open May 1 to August 1 with a minimum size of 19 inches and August 2 through October 15 with a minimum size of 19.5 inches.
3 Fish per angler, per day
(Enhanced opportunity shore sites minimum size: 17 inches)
Scup/Porgy:
Open May 1 to December 31.
30 fish per angler, per day.
Boat minimum size: 11 inches
Shore minimum size: 9.5 inches
Party/Charter Bonus Season:
September 1 through October 31: 40 fish per paying customer, minimum size 11 inches.
Black Sea Bass:
Open May 18 to June 23 and July 8 to November 28
5 fish per angler, per day.
Minimum size 16 inches (excluding tail tendril)
Sea bass fishing will be closed June 24 through July 7.
