Located just southwest of the Norwalk Islands off South Norwalk, Connecticut, Greens Ledge (N 41 2. 638 /W 73 26. 029) is a popular spot for western Sound anglers. Greens Ledge is hotbed for many species, but bait fishers love it because this area is paved with bottom fish, which are easy to locate, and the area is also easy to anchor up on. In addition, you have the Great Reef right next door to the east and Buds Reef just a hop, skip, and jump south. The bottom depth at the Greens Ledge varies considerably from east to west, with the west dropping into water depth that ranges between 15 to 40 feet, while the east side of the drop-off ranges from 50 to 70 feet. These depths do fluctuate with high and low tide. The entire ledge is chock full of boulders and large rocks, which provide refuge for many species of fish, and many crevices for them to hide in when big gamesters such as striped bass and monster bluefish come strolling along looking for an easy meal.
The action begins by mid-May with striped bass setting up on the drop-offs and feeding on bunker that filters into the Sound. Jigging tactics will get the job done for the bass. You could also give the flutter spoon jigging technique a shot at the larger profile of the spoons mimicking a bunker profile. You could also come across bluefish toward the end of May and the beginning of June. Jumbo and medium size porgies also move onto the ledge by early June, and both the scup and the sea bass spend the remainder of the season among the rockpiles. October and November are great months to fish here as many keeper blackfish from 16 inches to 8 pounds fill coolers. Green and white crabs cut in half and placed on Gamakatsu 3/0 Octopus hooks on a single hook rig is most effective for the tog, while an assortment of artificial lures or regular bottom rigs baited with clams or squid strips will do the job with both the porgies and sea bass.
Lastly, anchoring is paramount in this area for any sort of bottom fishing, as drifting will keep your rigs and lures snagged constantly. Make sure you have enough scope to keep the anchor from dragging and an extra anchor and rope in case you lose the first one. Remember, safety comes first. Greens Ledge is one of those reliable spots that produces fish all season long and holds a wide variety species; there’s something there for everyone!
