J&B Tackle

Tim at J&B Tackle emailed over their report to say “Striped bass fishing in our area has been incredible; bigger fish are becoming more aggressive as the week progresses. Big fish are being caught from the Connecticut River and to the east, Plum Gut, Hatchett Reef, Black Point, Bartletts Reef, the Race, Fishers Island and Watch Hill. The Plum Gut, Race and Watch Hill areas are the best places to catch your personal best. Topwater action has been good at Watch Hill and is improving during slack tide in The Race. Bunker are becoming more prevalent as the targeted baitfish, which explains the success with flutter spoons. On Tuesday, I had another great trip fishing the 5.5-ounce Soft Mack Attack swimbait. Using the same method: drop to the bottom, reel up two cranks, and alternate between fast and slow jigging; most strikes came on the pause. Be sure to set the hook when you feel any bump, whether you are clearing the bottom or hooking a fish. Most common lures this week continue to be the Soft Mack Attack, three-way bucktails (chartreuse and white), Tsunami heavy flutter spoons (white and silver), Docs, Skippers, Yo-Zuri Mag Pencils and Shimano SplashWalks. Glide baits like the Nessie and Chop Blocks continue to be a great option for topwater fish and around structure. For offshore, some very interesting warm water patterns are beginning to appear to the east. This is definitely good news to go along with the new bluefin regulations announced last week. It's only a matter of time before that first window appears. Time to get fresh topshots and tuna gear ready. For JB Tackle events, we have the Tri-State Canyon Tournament: fish it, visit or watch the live stream weigh-ins. Great location and atmosphere for all to enjoy. JB Tackle is open Monday–Saturday open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.”

Tim at J&B Tackle emailed over their report to say “Striped bass fishing is in full swing in our area. Consistent bass over 20 pounds are being caught from the CT River east including all the local spots: Plum Gut, Hatchett Reef, Black Point, Bartletts Reef, the Race, Fishers Island and Watch Hill. The CT River from the mouth north is still not as productive as it has been since receiving the latest rain. I made two trips to the Race this week fishing the last two hours of the flood tide and catching over 20 bass well over slot size, including a couple over 40 inches. I caught all my bass by jigging, with the majority taken on a Fish Lab 5-½-ounce Soft Mack Attack swim bait. Drop the Mack Attack to the bottom, reel up two cranks, and alternate between fast and slow jigging. Strikes came during the bottom pause of the jig. Be sure to set the hook when you feel any bump, either to clear the bottom or to hook a fish. Three-way bucktailing was the other method that caught fish on my two trips. Several customers have come into the shop reporting a topwater blitz on different days. This is not uncommon at the beginning of the first run as bass will chase bait up and disappear quickly. Last year the topwater action also seemed spotty, until the first week of June when it lasted longer, starting at the end of each tide and extending into the very beginning of slack tide. Most common lures this week were three-way bucktails (chartreuse and white), Tsunami 9-inch heavy flutter spoons (white and silver), Docs, Skippers, Yo-Zuri Mag Pencil and Shimano Splash Walk when the topwater bite lasted. Glide baits like the Nessie and Chop Blocks continue to be a great option for topwater fish and around structure. We have heard of a few more keeper fluke being caught locally this week with a few shorts mixed in. Most are being caught in shallower water. All in all, catching quite a few shorts is a promising sign this early in the season. For freshwater, largemouth bass are post-spawn throughout the state. Fish can be found near docks, submerged trees, and shade lines, as well as patches of lily pads. Schools of bass fry are relating to cover with parental fish close by (observed by forward facing sonar). Water temps are averaging 70 degrees and above. Target subsurface/deep weeds, trees, and rocks. Many fish follow glide/swim baits out of cover. Large Texas rigged curly tail worms slow rolled on the bottom should become effective with the continued heat. Top water lures have been working well in shallow areas. Large schools of alewives are still present in local lakes. Lures that have been working include glide/swimbaits (match the hatch), frogs, top waters, Texas and wacky rigged worms. Saturday June 6, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Penn Tour Van will be at the shop promoting the Pure Fishing Sales Event. The van will give away free shirts, hats, samples and free Berkley X9 line fill with the purchase of a Penn inshore reel. JB Tackle will use this date as our Memorial Day Sales event rain date, offering in-store specials and super sales on leftover rods and reels along with current demo rods that have never been used. Come down before or after fishing to get some great deals. The event continues to grow; as more information becomes available we will post on Instagram and Facebook. JB Tackle is open Monday–Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.”