Penfield Reef Help

[MJM]

I'm heading down to Westport, CT this weekend and seeking some advice on the area. I've fished Compo and Old Mill with some limited success, and have heard so many great things about Penfield Reef and fished it twice. However, the 2 times that I've been out there, I've caught nothing except the doughnut. Has anybody fished the Reef recently? Are there any particulars that one must know of to fish it?

Any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated.

[mfreliech]

Try an hour each side of low tide in the rocks at the tip of the reef. I've had my best results there. There's usually a cut in the reef about midway out that flows water through the reef. Try both sides of the cut when the rest of the reef is still above water. Nighttime seems better but it can get a bit unnerving at the tip when the reef begins to flood. Play it safe out there.

MikeF

[JGH]

I've never fished Penfield Reef, so take this with a huge grain of salt. But based on the reports I've seen (including here on RT), Penfield is one of those mythical places that is reputed to hold lots of fish, but where few people actually catch them. I've heard of more "donuts" there than just about any well-known spot I can think of.

[Parker21]

You're timing is perfect. High this weekend will be around 5:00 AM; fish the outgoing tide and wade out as the tide drops. As for Penfield being a "mythical place" that produces doughnuts. I fished it last Saturday and yesterday; Saturday was 9 Stripers 17" to 30" and yesterday was 10 stripers 22" to 32".

This was from a boat, but the fish are there and you should score wading. The stripers have moved in during the past 10 days as bait has taken up residence on the reef.

Good Luck

[MJM]

Mike,

Do you like Penfields? Or, would you rather fish somewhere else in the area?

[mfreliech]

MJM,

I do like Pennfield. When all most other spots die down in mid-summer, Pennfield still produces fish. My experience has been bluefish by day and bass by night. I've also seen fluke caught on the fly. When its slow there, I've even done some sight fishing for sea robins on the west side flat. I rarely leave with a skunk.

Things have been looking good in the area lately. Lots of bunker, bluefish and some big bass. 38-incher caught at Mill Pond and a 46-incher caught at Calf Pasture last week.

I may get in trouble for posting this but since parking is close to none I'll do it anyway. Try Holly Pond. It sits between Darien and Stamford. There's a dam which floods over the top at high tide. Fish it on both the in and out tides. Check with local fly shops for the best access. I'm not sure how diligent Stamford and Darien are at checking parking stickers. I know for sure you can fish the north end at high tide by parking at the restaurant there. Coastal towns in Fairfield Co. sure are a bitch when it comes to beach access.

I'd join you but I'm leaving for 1-1/2 weeks on the Cape.

Tight Lines,

MikeF

[MJM]

Thanks, guys. I'll give Penfield a shot during the early am hours on Sat. and Sun.