Hi, I'm new to candlewood lake in danbury: I just bought a boat and I am interested in fishing for large brown trout and smallmouth bass. I am an experienced fisherman but have no...

Smcfarlin Loc: Danbury, ct

I just bought a boat and I am interested in fishing for large brown trout and smallmouth bass. I am an experienced fisherman but have no experience on this lake. Any tips would be appreciated!

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Smcfarlin wrote:

I just bought a boat and I am interested in fishing for large brown trout and smallmouth bass. I am an experienced fisherman but have no experience on this lake. Any tips would be appreciated!

Welcome to the Stage Smcfarlin. I don't fish the big lake very often, but we have a few members in that part of the state who do. Hopefully they will be along with some advice for you. Until then, Good Luck and Tight Lines! Remember, we love pictures.

Smcfarlin Loc: Danbury, ct

Thanks! I do a lot more kayak fishing the small ponds like Ball, Kenosia and Mt. Tom. I love getting dragged around in a circle by a big fish.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Smcfarlin wrote:

Thanks! I do a lot more kayak fishing the small ponds like Ball, Kenosia and Mt. Tom. I love getting dragged around in a circle by a big fish.

Sounds like fun S. The Squantz Cove launch might be better for a yak than Lattin's Landing . Less boat traffic up that way. Good luck, and post pictures of your catch.

Smcfarlin Loc: Danbury, ct

I bought a 20' Bayliner and wanted some spots in candlewood to try for some of the big brown trout I here are in the lake. I had some large fish marks on my garmin under bait in 20' of water over near New Fairfield but didn't have any equipment with me. Should I try snap jigging, drop shot or troll lead core? Any suggestions?

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Smcfarlin wrote:

I bought a 20' Bayliner and wanted some spots in candlewood to try for some of the big brown trout I here are in the lake. I had some large fish marks on my garmin under bait in 20' of water over near New Fairfield but didn't have any equipment with me. Should I try snap jigging, drop shot or troll lead core? Any suggestions?

I'm not a Trout guy by any stretch, but my friends who are usually troll. Both Leadcore and Downriggers. As an alternate to downriggers, planers like Davis Fish Seekers, or Dipsy Divers.

Smcfarlin Loc: Danbury, ct

Tried trolling leadcore and a flutter spoon Sunday over some very impressive fish marks over toward the New Fairfield arm. Not a bite. They were 20 ft down and grouped up. Looked like trout or bass. Maybe I'll try jigging for them today.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Smcfarlin wrote:

Tried trolling leadcore and a flutter spoon Sunday over some very impressive fish marks over toward the New Fairfield arm. Not a bite. They were 20 ft down and grouped up. Looked like trout or bass. Maybe I'll try jigging for them today.

Probably Trout. The Bass should be up shallow somewhere between pre and post spawn. What was the water temperature out there?

Smcfarlin Loc: Danbury, ct

looked like high 60's or low 70's. I couldn't see if there was a thermocline set up yet or not. Just pods of big fish usually around small pods of bait fish. Thought they might be big brownies.

Smcfarlin Loc: Danbury, ct

I'm bringing my trout jigging tackle today and see if I can put one in the boat. Small 1/4 and 3/8 oz jig heads with 3 and 4 inch alewife looking swimbaits - snap jigging like Elias on youtube. He kills them in the finger lakes doing the same thing.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Smcfarlin wrote:

I'm bringing my trout jigging tackle today and see if I can put one in the boat. Small 1/4 and 3/8 oz jig heads with 3 and 4 inch alewife looking swimbaits - snap jigging like Elias on youtube. He kills them in the finger lakes doing the same thing.

More than likely they're Trout. Good luck, and post some pictures if you get any.