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Connecticut Fishing Report- October 24, 2024 – On The Water

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Connecticut Fishing Report- October 24, 2024 – On The Water


Connecticut Fishing Report

Matt at Black Hall Outfitters in Westbrook reports that blackfish action has been very good, and the early-season bite is going strong. Most of the fishing is done shallow early in the season, so try areas between 10 and 20 feet with light jigs in the 5/8- to 1-ounce range. You can find these fish almost anywhere there’s current and submerged rock structure. The week saw continued bait balls and blitzes become the norm on most days. Bay anchovies, silversides, and peanut bunker seem to be fueling the fall run of striped bass. The cloudy and windy days present a chance at all-day blitzes and/or topwater action. This time of year, smaller baits tend to perform better than larger presentations in most scenarios. Four- to five-inch topwater poppers and spooks, as well as 5- to 7-inch soft-plastic flukes, Mag Darters, SP Minnows, and paddletails of all varieties, are fall run staples. Sea bass fishing has been excellent and porgies are also still chewing well.  

Heather from the Blackhawk in Niantic provided the following report: “Early last week, we once again had a fantastic bluefish trip, with gator blues all day long.  Our combo trips early in the week showed more blackfish, which was nice to see, along with loads of porgies and a good number of sea bass.  If you know anything about the Black Hawk, you know we’re honest—we’ll tell you when it’s good, and when it’s bad.  Well, to be honest, Saturday was bad.  We spent some extra time and went to several different spots, but it was definitely not one of our better days.  Saturday night, on the other hand, was a spectacular night bass trip, with an easy boat limit of slot-sized fish, and plenty more released unharmed. Our weekday trips will have crabs available now, so if you’d like to target some blackfish with the porgies and sea bass, come join us! As always, new tickets for each week will be posted online on Monday night at 8 p.m. throughout the season.  We’ve started posting our November Block Island blackfish/bottom fishing combo trips, so check out the website.” 

Captain Mike Roy at Reel Cast Charters reported that fall fishing is turning on in a big way. There is absolutely tons of bait, ranging from small rain bait to adult bunker. There has been an extra push of bass feeding on bunker this week, so the overall quality of fish has increased. Stripers are taking topwater, plastics, spoons and live bait. Mike is also seeing lots of bluefish gorging on sand eels. Captain Mike and his crew also had a nice start to the fall blackfish season, with limits on most trips, including some easy limits of fish to 11 pounds on Sunday. With all the recent warm weather, water temperatures have been dropping slowly, so the blackfishing should remain red hot, and the bass should hang around for a while. Captain Mike and his team have openings over the next two weeks for prime fall run fishing. Give him a call to book your spot today! 

Captain Matt of Stonington Stripers reported a stronger light-tackle striped bass bite for his clients this week. Another mass of anchovies has fired up some solid topwater blitzes, along with some bigger fish hanging down deeper, and also gorging on anchovies. With the continued warm temperatures, the bass should be hanging around for a bit longer for sure. Matt has also made some tautog trips when he has had a chance and told me that the fishing has been strong in his area, especially around the Stonington breakwater and all around Fishers.  

Anthony from Game On Lures told me that there continues to be tons of small bait throughout the sound. Week by week it seems to be either anchovies or peanut bunker dominating the area. He hasn’t seen any full-sized bunker recently, which is a bit concerning, but word is that a few big schools are still moving around through the area. Striper fishing has been up and down from day to day, with some anglers having luck running into massive active feeds, while most are having to work for some bites. Six-inch X-Walks and 7-inch Duratech jerkbaits have been getting a majority of the bites recently. Larger bass are still active on all the reefs, but the season is winding down fast. Live bait and the 13-inch Duratech eel have been the ticket for these fish. Blackfish, it seems, have been the main focus of most guys this fall, with the albie run being so weak, while the tog bite is as strong as ever—some giant fish are being caught close to home. This is some of the better blackfishing Anthony has seen in quite a while! The Carbon Black 7-foot Heavy (1/2-2oz) paired with a 1-ounce Rock Bottom jig has been the ticket for successfully targeting these fish—from the kayak, specifically. 

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Anthony from Game On Lures with a hefty 14-pound tautog he caught on the kayak in shallow water this week.

When I talked to Captain Chris of Elser Guide Service he told me that the best option in his area has still been targeting bonito, using ¾-ounce pink and white Exo jigs. Some days have been lights out, some days solid, some days slower, but you can generally find them most days. And while false albacore numbers haven’t been impressive, the Western Sound remains one of the few areas where anglers are seeing at least a few schools each trip. They are generally up and down quickly, and we seem to be in a transition period, but this warm weather should keep them around for a little longer at least. The striped bass and blues have been blitzing one day and the next day they are gone. The albies and bonito are holding territory and currently the best option for daytime light tackle and fly fishing. Water temps are 61-63, when temps drop into the mid to high 50s, we will see consistent blitzing from bass and albies and remaining bonito and blues. 

Connecticut Fishing Forecast

While anglers are still targeting bluefish, sea bass, and scup, it seems that most anglers are focusing their attention on blackfish or striped bass. The majority of reports have consisted of anglers targeting, and generally succeeding for blackfish, while mentioning seeing some striped bass as well. The blackfishing has been best in shallow water, for anglers pitching light jigs. As mentioned earlier, it’s time to start thinking about finding some smaller rockpiles that haven’t been hit too hard by the fleets. Fall run fishing for stripers is said to still be in full swing, with many anglers reporting waves of migratory fish on the move and feeding heavily on anchovies. The hardtail renaissance in the Western Sound continued, with reports of bonito and false albacore, however the numbers are starting to thin a bit. Flows are generally low and slow, but trout results have been solid, following some recent fall stocking, although we’re getting to the point where we can really use some rain.  





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Connecticut

Ten people displaced after Bridgeport fire

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Ten people displaced after Bridgeport fire


Ten people are displaced after a fire broke out at the 400 block of Washington Avenue in Bridgeport.

At around 5:30 p.m., the Bridgeport Fire Department responded to a fire alarm.

Upon arrival, firefighters located heavy smoke conditions after the fire was extinguished in one unit by the sprinkler system.

Nine units were affected, displacing ten people.

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There were no reported injuries.

The American Red Cross is working to help those who were displaced.



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CT Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 3, 2026

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CT Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Jan. 3, 2026


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The Connecticut Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

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Those who want to play in Connecticut can enter the CT Lotto, Lucky for Life and Cash 5 games as well as play the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. There are also two drawings a day for the Play 3 with Wild Ball and Play 4 with Wild Ball games.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule. Here’s a look at Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

18-21-40-53-60, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

01-02-28-30-43, Lucky Ball: 07

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Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

12-13-16-20-32

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play3 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Day: 5-3-3, WB: 7

Night: 1-8-1, WB: 9

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Check Play3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play4 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing

Day: 3-5-9-4, WB: 4

Night: 7-0-2-6, WB: 4

Check Play4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Connecticut Lottery prizes up to $599 can be easily claimed at any authorized CT Lottery Retailer without additional forms or documentation or by mail. For prizes between $600 and $5,000, winners have the option to claim by mail or in person at any CT Lottery High-Tier Claim Center or CT Lottery Headquarters. For prizes between $5,001 and $49,999, winnings must be claimed in person at the Connecticut Lottery headquarters or by mail. All prizes over $50,000 must be claimed in person at CT Lottery Headquarters. Winners are required to bring a government-issued photo ID and their Social Security card.

CT Lottery Claims Dept.

15 Sterling Drive

Wallingford, CT 06492

For additional details, including locations of High-Tier Claim Centers, visit the Connecticut Lottery’s claim information page.

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When are the Connecticut Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. daily.
  • Lotto: 10:38 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Cash 5: 10:29 p.m. daily.
  • Play3 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
  • Play3 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
  • Play4 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
  • Play4 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Connecticut editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Connecticut leaders react to capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

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Connecticut leaders react to capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro


CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — The United States military carried out “large scale” strike inside Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday morning, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, according to President Donald Trump.

Leaders in Connecticut are responding to the military action.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) shared the following statement.

“If we’re starting another endless war, with no clear national security strategy or need, count me out. Maduro is a cruel criminal dictator, but President Trump has never sought approval from Congress for war as the Constitution requires – and our military deserves. We’ve seen several Administrations lead us into conflicts without objectives or timelines and with disastrous consequences. President Trump has also articulated no clear end game to prevent further chaos, violence, and bloodshed in Venezuela. The American people deserve—and Congress should demand—facts and clarity.”

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Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called the strike the start of an “illegal war” between the U.S. and Venezuela.

“President Trump thinks he is above the law. He steals from taxpayers. He thumbs his nose at the law. And now, he is starting an illegal war with Venezuela that Americans didn’t ask for and has nothing to do with our security. How does going to war in South America help regular Americans who are struggling? How does this do anything about drugs entering the U.S. when Venezuela produces no fentanyl? What is the actual security threat to the United States? And what happens next in Venezuela? He cannot answer these questions – and that’s why there was no briefing to Congress to explain this action, and no briefing scheduled. And Maduro’s illegitimate election does not give the president the power to invade without congressional approval, nor does it create a national security justification. That contention is laughable. This is about satisfying Trump’s vanity, making good on the long standing neocon grudge against Maduro, enriching Trump’s oil industry backers, and distracting voters from Epstein and rising costs.”

Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said the Trump administration acted without congressional approval.

“Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, but I have seen no evidence that his presidency poses a threat that would justify military action without Congressional authorization, nor have I heard a strategy for the day after and how we will prevent Venezuela from descending into chaos. Secretary Rubio repeatedly denied to Congress that the Administration intended to force regime change in Venezuela. The Administration must immediately brief Congress on its plan to ensure stability in the region and its legal justification for this decision.”

State Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding (R-Conn.) shared that he hopes Maduro is brought to justice, calling him an “integral culprit” in the “narcotic ring” in the United States.

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“President Maduro has been an integral culprit in fostering the narcotic ring in our country which has killed far too many Americans. I hope he is brought to justice and we can continue to address the substance abuse crisis that our state and country continues to face.

The Chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party Ben Proto shared the following statement.

President Trump promised to stop the flow of drugs into the US that have been killing millions of Americans. Nicolas Maduro, who declared himself President, while getting about 30% of the vote in the last so called free election in Venezuela, was given multiple warnings to stop the flow of drugs from his country into America, was offered help by the Trump administration in stopping the flow, but he continued to, not only allow the flow of drugs, but condone it and profit from it. Presidents have long used their constitutional authority to intervene in other countries when those countries posed a danger to America and Americans. President Trump did just that. Unfortunately Democrats, particularly Jim Himes, Chris Murphy and Dick Blumenthal are more interested in playing politics than in protecting Americans. Nearly 1,000 Connecticut residents died from drug overdoses in 2024 and we have seen an increase in overdoses in 2025. If only Democrats cared as much about Americans as they do about a drug lord running another country who profits from the death of Americans.

Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) demanded that Congress must be briefed before further action.

As information about U.S military strikes in Venezuela unfold, I have more questions than answers. Nicolas Maduro is a brutal dictator who caused so much harm to his people. However, as Americans we must seriously weigh the consequences of attacking a sovereign nation and committing to “run Venezuela.” Congress must be briefed immediately, before this situation continues to escalate. I will comment further as credible information becomes available to Members of Congress.

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Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) shared the following statement, claiming that there could be “severe repercussions for American interests.”

“President Trump’s unilateral decision to attempt a regime change operation in Venezuela by using military force to capture Nicolas Maduro and declaring, ‘we will run the country’, threatens global order and is a fundamental violation of the Constitution, which gives Congress the responsibility of authorizing major military actions that could have severe repercussions for American interests.

“America’s unprecedented global strength and prosperity was built on this principle of restraining military force through democratic bodies like Congress. President Trump has shredded this principle, and along with it has destroyed American credibility and emboldened our adversaries to act with similar aggression. This new foreign policy that President Trump and his advisors have used to justify this act of war, including invoking the 200-year-old Monroe Doctrine as a justification for America to do whatever it pleases in the Western Hemisphere, is the exact same reasoning that China would use to justify invading Taiwan, and which Russia has used to assault Ukraine.

“President Trump has also now threatened Cuba with similar language, and is preparing a giant corrupt giveaway to oil companies by claiming that the United States will acquire Venezuela’s oil. This is corruption of the highest order. Maduro was an authoritarian who stayed in power despite the will of the people, but that does not justify the United States in starting a war to benefit some of the world’s wealthiest corporations.

“President Trump did all of this without the consent of Congress, and without providing any details or day-after plans. The full consequences of this act of war will not be known for some time, and they may require putting American boots on the ground in Venezuela, as the President has said he was prepared to do. The American people do not want to be dragged into another endless conflict distracting from the rising cost of living and the affordability crisis. Whatever happens next, the responsibility will be squarely with President Trump and his contempt for the Constitution and for Congress.”

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Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) echoed the statements of his fellow Democrats.

“This is yet another authoritarian power grab by Donald Trump. As he indicated in his address, it’s clear it’s about the oil!!! And securing that oil!!! And securing it with the use of our brave men and women in the United States military!!! The Constitution entrusts Congress, not the President, with the power to declare war for a reason. It’s Congress’s responsibility to decide whether the nation goes to war or not! That’s why I’m joining with others in calling on the President to immediately brief Congress—and for Congress to assert its authority under the Constitution and the War Powers Act—to let this President know he does not have the authority to unilaterally commit our country to yet another endless war.

This is a developing story. Stay with News 8 for updates.



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