Thames this Weekend

[JayW]

With warm temperatures this weekend, it looks like I will be heading down with some of my friends to Norwich. Anyone else that would like to meet us or follow us down is welcome to come. I can only fit 3 other people in my truck so if you would like to go then tell us and we can meet up somewhere.

[noresman]

Sounds like it could be fun. What day and time are you going? I have never caught a striper and don't have any ocean fishing gear but if they're schoolie class fish my bass rods should be fine. What do you use for tackle? Jig heads, plugs, shallow running or deep?

[JayW]

It looks like either Saturay or Sunday or both days :) depending on how well we do. Yes bass rods will work perfectly. I use a 6.5 ft Lightning Rod with a pfuleuger reel. I use a 1/2 ounce jig head with chartruse sluggos. Works great. Most of the time the schoolies are so sick that you unintentionally snag fish. Its a lot of fun

[noresman]

If you go Saturday what time are you heading down. I have to be back in the afternoon.

[fisher16]

I have to work this weekend but maybe Monday I'll take a ride down there. I'm pretty sure that the Thames will be crazy this weekend alot of people some know what their doing others who don't. With that in mind make sure you are legal and have a Ct Fishing license. Check out this post by Double Header on the CTF board. Its a heads up and sometimes a wake up call for the ones who think they may get away with it. Good luck if your going and take some pictures to post in your reports. Reports without pictures are like ####. Use your minds to finish the sentence. :D

http://www.ctfisherman.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/ubb/get_topic/f/23/t/002908.html

[JayW]

Noresman Id imagine we would be heading down around 930-10 maybe earlier. The drive only takes about 1hr 10 minutes. I will keep you updated tomorrow night after I get back from the regional science fair around 7 oclock.

[noresman]

I don't have a ct. license as of yet and after reading fisher16's post I think I'll stay north of the border where I'm legal. Maybe go up to where the millers river dumps into the ct and try for walleye and smallmouth or go to the swift and see if I can find a salmon or laker that came over the spillway in the high water

[WhiteFeather]

Where do you put a boat in when fishing the Thames?

[JayW]

There is a public launch right by the marina in Norwich Harbor.

[Chris]

yup

[YOTE BUSTER]

Jay r you fishing from shore or a boat.y are you leaving so late.and where are you leaving from.Iwas going to go to the ct. river maybe not now never been to the thames .

[JayW]

The Thames is about an hours drive (55 minutes) from Springfield MA. The Thames is a winter holdover spot for mostly schoolie sized stripers. From what Ive heard, its better to fish it in the really late fall or early spring. I believe the fish migrate down river when the waters warm up. Im not sure though. I have had some good success from shore there but it can be either hit or miss all day from shore. From boat you will have a better shot since sometimes the big school (estimates range around 20,000 schoolie stripers in the harbor) move just out of casting distance. If you need any mroe information please feel free to ask and I will try to answer to the best of my knowledge.