captelser@charter.net • 203-216-7907  


September 2025

As anticipated the Bonito action is on fire, shall I say even better than last year which was the best in over 15 years! The bones are located in several easy to get to locations as of the second week of September, and we are already seeing false albacore trickling in and the starts to reach the hot point by the 4 week of September lasting in early November.

I have several weekdays available so please reach out to book a trip! Time of day can be very flexible as these fish will hit all day long, fairly calm conditions are a big plus for locating the blitzes and occasionally lighter feeds.

Colton above with a CT State Record Spanish Mackerel caught last August in the first week! Unfortunately we didn't realize it was a record until after it was bled! It was 27.5" long and that topped the current record easily!

Colton with a sweet Bonito on September 13, 2025, they are here in big numbers. These are such a blast on the fly rod and light spinning tackle.

Massimo caught is personal best striper on our trip this past July, a great day out with his mom and uncle!

Heather above with a 52.5 inch striper taken on a red tube and gulp imitation sandworm trolled up on light tackle with a Lamiglas Tri-Flex conventional and Avet MXL reel!

A 20" survivor strain Farmington River brown trout hooked on a size 12 parachute Hendrickson dry fly!

fdga

My big fly rod fish above was taken July of 2009 on
a 15 inch all black spun deer hair pattern

Colton above with one of many big stripers trolling tubes!

August - Colton holding a few of many Spanish Mackerel we caught during their assault on spearing anywhere from Milford to Fairfield, this was the best showing we have ever season for these tasty and fun fish to catch!

Above Colton and Hunter are holding some excellent table fare, the sea bass fishing starts to kick into gear by the middle of June and will continue to improve throughout the summer and into fall!


Interested in Fly Casting instruction for fresh or salt water? Captain Chris Elser is a certified casting instructor and will be offering lessons and instruction throughout the season. Take advantage of one-on-one personalized instruction at any location that is convenient for you! He has all the tackle and can also incorporate a lesson into a trip out on the Sound.
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Captain Chris Elser has been writing the Western Long Island Sound fishing reports since April of 2006, you will get detailed information on fishing for Stripers, Bluefish, False Albacore and more! Pick up the new isue April of 2025 for the latest info!

Tight Lines!

This false albacore was 6 oz. from being a state record at just over 14lbs. and was caught on Sept. 29, 2009 near Milford, CT. It was my personal best fat albert! Let's hope they stack in tight again!

A vew off the stern with twin 250 HP 4 stroke power to get us to the fishing grounds comfortably and fast!

The new rig is finally home - well new to us anyway!
This boat is well kept 26 foot Regulator that will get us to the fishing grounds safely in any conditions.

Colton with his PB Smallmouth bass caught in Roxbury, CT

Always take the time to take a kid fishing, nothing like getting kids outdoors and away from all of the electronic distractions these days....enjoy the outdoors and please respect your environent!

A gorgeous wild brook trout from a small local stream, we landed over a dozen without even using a hook...just a worm with a knot around it, the ultimate way to not harm them :-)

 

 


Enjoy Some Pics of past catches!

September 12, 2025 - Derek had some fun with Bonito off of Milford, CT and he brought home some tasty filets as well!

October 2024 - Curt, above, with a nice fat albert, they were locked into micro-baits but we solved the puzzle!

Bonito start arriving within a few weeks of the start of August and last year (2024) was the best season for bones in 20 years. Great fun on the fly rod and light tackle!

Colton is the bluefish master, winning 2nd placeand $7,500 in the 40th annual WICC Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth contest in 2022! He missed out on the grand prize of $25,000 by less than 2 ounces!

July - Heather with a chunky 47lb. linesider in some dense fog!

July - CJ with another big mid day striper that could not resist the tube and worm method

Captain Elser with a typical false albacore landed of of Stratford, CT in September and October.

Captain Elser with a larger than average Spanish Mackerel during their assault on our local waters in August and September of 2020.

fdga

Big fly rod bass on an 18 inch eel pattern!

Nice fly rod bass for Colton!

TJ was happy after landing his first albie ever!

Hunter finally got to take the helm while Colton wasn't looking!

On the same day he started out with several 32-34" stripers as well, good start to the fall of 2017 fishing action!

A 40 lb. Striper for Mike near Stratford!

A 10 lb. fluke taken on a live snapper blue near Westport, CT

Above Colton holding dinner for 6!

October - Future "sharpie" or I could almost classify 3 year old Colton as a sharpie already! Proud of my little grand sons!

August - Captain Elser with a 58lb. LI Sound cow bass that inhaled a 2lb. bunker in 10 feet of water!

CaptElser@charter.net

203-216-7907

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