For many seasons October 10th has been an unofficial holiday for anglers residing in Connecticut. Poll a group of salty Nutmeg State bottom fishermen and you’re likely to find the fall blackfish opener leading the list of favorite holidays, even ahead of Thanksgiving and Christmas! With neighboring Rhode Island’s season having been open for months now, Connecticut hotspots have been off limits and the fish have had plenty of time to populate these reefs and get comfortable. This is why the first few days of the Connecticut season are so coveted by hardcore toggers, it’s a rare opportunity to fish for unpressured fish. The current regulations dictate that the season will be open from October 10 through November 28 with a limit of three fish at a length of 16 inches or greater.
Watch Your Regs
For those heading out on opening day, be advised that tog season in New York waters won’t open until October 11th, take care to make sure that you don’t cross state lines on opening day! The New York limits are the same as those in Connecticut. For those of you crossing into or out of Connecticut waters from Rhode Island make sure that your limits follow both states regulations, Rhode Island has new rules this year, through October 14th, anglers in Rhode Island waters may possess three fish per day with a minimum length of 16 inches but ONLY ONE of those fish may measure 21 inches or greater. And the bag limit in Rhody will be increased to five fish per angler as of October 15; additionally, there is a 10 fish limit per vessel in Rhode Island waters.
