6-Hour Bass & Crappie Trip - Danbury, CT
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and crappie species.Fish Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah for six hours.All fishing gear provided for up to two guests.
Looking for some serious action on Connecticut's best fishing waters? This 6-hour guided trip with Terry Baksay Fishing Enterprises puts you right in the sweet spots of Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah. We're talking prime bass country here - both largemouth and smallmouth - plus some of the tastiest crappie you'll find anywhere in the state. I'll handle all the gear, you just need to grab your fishing license and get ready for a day that'll have you planning your next trip before we even get back to the dock.
These two lakes are absolute gems for bass fishing, and I've been working these waters long enough to know where the fish are holding. Candlewood Lake is Connecticut's largest lake, stretching over 5,400 acres with tons of structure and drop-offs that bass love. Lake Lilinonah brings a different vibe - it's got that river-lake feel with current breaks and shallow coves that hold fish year-round. We'll move between spots based on conditions, season, and what the fish are telling us. The boat's equipped with quality fish finders, so we're not just guessing where to drop our lines. With just two anglers max, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of room to work. Don't worry about bringing tackle - I've got everything we need, from finesse rigs for picky smallmouth to moving baits that trigger those aggressive largemouth strikes.
We'll be using a mix of techniques depending on what's working best that day. In the spring and fall, I love throwing spinnerbaits and chatterbaits around the shoreline structure - these lakes have plenty of fallen trees and rocky points where bass set up to ambush baitfish. Summer calls for deeper presentations, so we'll work drop-shot rigs and Carolina rigs along the deeper structure. For crappie, we'll switch to lighter tackle and work jigs or small plastics around brush piles and docks. I keep multiple rod setups ready so we can switch between techniques without missing a beat. The electronics on board help us locate schools of baitfish and mark productive structure, but reading the water and understanding fish behavior is what really puts fish in the boat. I'll walk you through each technique as we use it, so you'll head home with new skills along with great memories.
Largemouth bass are the main attraction here, and these Connecticut waters grow some chunky ones. These fish love the abundant cover - submerged timber, rocky points, and weed edges provide perfect ambush spots. Spring through fall they're active, but late spring and early summer are prime time when they're feeding heavily after the spawn. A 3-4 pound largemouth is a solid fish here, but don't be surprised if we hook into something bigger. They fight hard and love to jump, making every hookup exciting whether it's your first bass or your hundredth.
Smallmouth bass bring a different kind of fight to the table. These bronze backs prefer the rocky areas and deeper structure, and pound-for-pound they're some of the strongest fish you'll tangle with. Smallmouth in these lakes typically run 1-3 pounds, but they fight like they're twice that size. They're most active in cooler water, so early and late in the season can be fantastic. When you hook a smallmouth, get ready for multiple jumps and blistering runs - they don't give up easy.
Crappie are the bonus fish that can really make a day special. These panfish school up around structure, especially in spring when they move shallow to spawn. They're excellent table fare, so if you want to take some home for dinner, crappie are your best bet. They can be finicky, requiring a lighter touch and smaller presentations, but when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. A 10-12 inch crappie is a keeper, and we regularly see fish pushing over a pound in these waters.
This top-rated 6-hour trip gives you serious time to work these productive waters without feeling rushed. Terry Baksay Fishing Enterprises has built a reputation on putting clients on fish while making sure everyone has a great time on the water. The combination of Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah means we've got options no matter what Mother Nature throws at us. All your gear is included, so you can travel light and focus on what matters - catching fish. Just remember to pick up that fishing license beforehand. Ready to experience some of Connecticut's best bass fishing? These spots are booking up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait too long to secure your date.
This well-equipped motorboat puts you right where the fish are biting on Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah. The reliable engine gets you to prime fishing spots quickly, while the fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of bass and crappie hiding in deeper water. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard ice box, and let the GPS navigation system guide you to productive areas around both lakes. Built for serious anglers, this boat handles everything from casting along shoreline structure for largemouth bass to working rocky points for smallmouth. The comfortable setup accommodates two fishermen with plenty of room to move around while fighting fish. Whether you're working topwater lures at dawn or bottom-bouncing for crappie, this boat delivers the performance and features needed for a productive day on Connecticut's premier fishing waters.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are the perfect family fish - usually 7-12 inches and about a pound, but what they lack in size they make up for in numbers and taste. You'll find schools of them suspended around brush piles, fallen trees, and deeper structure in both lakes. Spring spawning season is prime time when they move shallow, but dawn and dusk fishing works year-round. Guests love crappie because they're easier to catch than bass, travel in groups, and have some of the sweetest white meat you'll find. Kids especially get a kick out of the steady action. Here's a local trick: use a small jig under a bobber and work it slow around those submerged Christmas trees we've sunk - the crappie stack up on them thick.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are the scrappiest fighters in our lakes, typically running 18-20 inches with bronze-colored bodies and red eyes. They prefer the rocky areas and clear water sections, often hanging around drop-offs and boulder fields where they can dart out after crayfish. Spring and fall are money seasons when they're in shallower water, but summer finds them deeper where it's cooler. What sets them apart? Pound-for-pound, no fish fights harder - they'll jump, run, and give you everything they've got. The meat's firm and tasty too. Local secret: early morning with a weightless soft plastic around rocky points is deadly. Let it fall naturally - smallmouth can't resist that slow, fluttering action.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the crown jewel of Candlewood and Lilinonah - these green fighters average 12-24 inches and pack serious attitude. They love hiding around submerged structure, thick weeds, and drop-offs where they can ambush prey. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding. What makes them special? That massive mouth opens way past their eyes, and they'll put up one heck of a fight once hooked. The meat's pretty decent eating too if you're keeping a few. Pro tip for our local waters: throw a red lure near fallen trees or weed lines - these bass have a thing for red, and the structure holds them all day long.
Connecticut