Old Lyme Fishing Charters Charters
Old Lyme fishing charters work the lower Connecticut River, tidal marshes, and nearshore Long Island Sound for striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and sea bass.
Top Rated Charters in Old Lyme
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Old Lyme, CT Fishing Guide
Old Lyme, Connecticut, sits right where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound, and that confluence shapes the local fishery. Most trips here are half- or full-day charters targeting inshore and nearshore waters, with a few captains offering seasonal night trips for big stripers. The lower river is a maze of channels, tidal creeks, and marsh edges that fish well spring through fall, while the open Sound provides access to reefs, rock piles, and sandy shoals within a short run from the dock. Common launch points include the public ramps on Ferry Road, private marina slips along Shore Road, and nearby ramps in Old Saybrook when a Sound departure makes more sense.
In spring, stripers push up into the river chasing herring, and light tackle casting or fly fishing can be hot. As water warms, the bite shifts toward trolling tube-and-worm rigs, casting topwaters, or drifting live eels near current breaks. Summer opens up opportunities for fluke and sea bass on nearshore structure, with runs typically under 8 miles to hit productive reefs like Black Point or Bartlett Reef. Fall brings another strong striped bass run, plus aggressive bluefish tearing through bait schools in the Sound.
Techniques here lean heavily on light and medium spinning gear, live bait drifting, diamond jigging, and trolling umbrella rigs or bunker spoons in deeper channels. The protected lower river can fish well even when the Sound is choppy, and when weather cooperates, captains will run east or west along the Connecticut coast to chase fish on specific tides. In winter, most boats are on the hard, but a few diehards still fish the river for holdover stripers when ice isn’t an issue.
Nearby options include the Niantic River to the east for summer weakfish and the Thames River for stripers in early spring. Old Lyme offers a versatile mix—backwater structure for finesse fishing and easy access to open-water reefs when the bite is on.
Fishing Seasons in Old Lyme
Spring (March–May)
As river temperatures climb into the 50s, striped bass move upriver following spawning runs of river herring. The fishing here is often best on the outgoing tide when bait gets flushed from the marshes. Light tackle anglers work soft plastics, swimbaits, and flies along drop-offs, while some captains drift live bunker in deeper channels. This is prime time for bigger fish before summer boat traffic picks up. Weakfish sometimes make a surprise showing in late May along the Niantic River, just a short run away.
Summer (June–August)
Fluke and black sea bass become the main draw offshore, with trips running to local reefs and rock piles like Six Mile Reef and Bartlett Reef. Striped bass shift to deeper water and respond well to nighttime live eel drifts or trolling bunker spoons along rips. Bluefish arrive in force, smashing topwaters on calm mornings. Most charters offer both river and Sound trips depending on wind direction, with the Sound often calmer in the early morning before seabreezes pick up.
Fall (September–November)
This is the season for fast-moving blitzes as migrating stripers and bluefish hammer bait schools off Old Lyme’s coastline. The best action often happens under diving birds, where casting metals or soft plastics produces fish almost every cast. The lower Connecticut River also sees a push of bass chasing peanut bunker upriver. Many charters focus on half-day trips to stay on top of moving schools, adjusting daily for tide and wind.
Winter (December–February)
While most charter boats are stored for the season, a handful of captains fish the lower river for holdover striped bass. These fish hold in deeper holes and respond to slow-rolled soft plastics, jigged bucktails, and occasionally live bait when available. Cold weather means fewer crowds, but ice at the ramps can be an issue. Trips are weather-dependent, and winds on the Sound generally keep boats close to the river.
Gamefish in Old Lyme
- Striped Bass – 20–50+ lbs. Caught spring and fall in the lower river and nearshore reefs by trolling, live bait drifting, or casting lures.
- Bluefish – 4–15 lbs. Found summer and fall in the Sound and river mouth, often under birds, hitting topwaters and metals.
- Summer Flounder (Fluke) – 2–8 lbs. Drifting sandy bottoms near reefs in summer with bucktails and squid strips.
- Black Sea Bass – 1–5 lbs. Taken on jigs and bait over rocky structure and reefs in summer and early fall.
- Weakfish – 2–6 lbs. Occasional catches in late spring in nearby Niantic River using soft plastics and small jigs.
- Scup (Porgy) – 1–3 lbs. Common summer bottom fish over rocky and shell bottom on baited rigs.
- Atlantic Bonito – 3–8 lbs. Late summer nearshore pelagic, hitting fast-retrieved metals when water clarity is high.
Old Lyme Fishing FAQs
What are the main departure points for fishing charters in Old Lyme?
Most charters depart from Ferry Road public ramp, private slips along Shore Road, or nearby Old Saybrook marinas. The choice depends on tide, target species, and whether the trip is river- or Sound-focused.
What trip lengths are common for Old Lyme fishing charters?
Half-day trips of 4–5 hours are common for inshore and river fishing, while full-day trips target multiple reefs or combine inshore and nearshore waters. Night trips for stripers typically run 4–6 hours.Half-day trips of 4–5 hours are common for inshore and river fishing, while full-day trips target multiple reefs or combine inshore and nearshore waters. Night trips for stripers typically run 4–6 hours.
Is fishing gear included on Old Lyme charters?
Yes, most captains provide all rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Fly fishing gear may need to be requested in advance, as not all boats carry it.
Do I need a fishing license for a charter in Old Lyme?
No, passengers on licensed Connecticut charter boats are covered under the vessel’s license. Shore and private boat anglers do need a valid state fishing license.
When is the best time to fish Old Lyme?
May–June and September–October are peak months for striped bass, with summer better for fluke, sea bass, and bluefish. Winter fishing is limited but possible for holdover stripers.
What fishing techniques work best here?
Light tackle casting, live bait drifting, trolling, and jigging all produce. The method depends on season, species, and whether the trip is in the river or Sound.
What species can I expect to catch?
Striped bass, bluefish, fluke, sea bass, and scup are the main targets. Weakfish and bonito show seasonally in nearby waters.
How many people can join a charter?
Most Old Lyme boats carry 4–6 anglers comfortably, though larger vessels can accommodate bigger groups for bottom fishing.
Are there specialty trips available?
Yes, some captains offer night striped bass trips, fly fishing charters, or targeted bottom fishing for sea bass and scup during peak season.