6-Hour Bass & Crappie Trip - Candlewood Lake
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and crappie speciesSixhour lake fishing experience accommodates two guests maximumAll necessary fishing equipment provided by professional guide
When you're looking for a solid day of fishing in Connecticut, Terry Baksay Fishing Enterprises delivers exactly what serious anglers want. This 6-hour trip takes you to two of the state's most productive waters - Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah - where largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and crappie are waiting to test your skills. You'll fish with a seasoned captain who knows these lakes like the back of his hand, and all your tackle is provided so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat.
Your day starts early when you meet Terry at the launch in Danbury. These Connecticut lakes offer some of the best multi-species fishing in the region, and with 6 hours on the water, there's plenty of time to work different structures and techniques. Candlewood Lake stretches over 5,400 acres with deep drop-offs, submerged timber, and rocky points that hold bass year-round. Lake Lilinonah brings a different character with its riverine sections and varied bottom structure that crappie love. The trip accommodates just 2 guests, so you're getting personalized attention and won't be fighting for rod space. Terry provides all necessary fishing gear, but make sure you grab your Connecticut fishing license beforehand - it's required and strictly enforced on these waters.
The beauty of this trip lies in the variety of fishing methods you'll use throughout the day. For largemouth bass, expect to work everything from shallow water spinnerbaits around cover to deep-diving crankbaits along the ledges. Smallmouth fishing often involves finesse techniques like drop-shotting and tube jigs around rocky areas and points. When targeting crappie, you'll likely switch to lighter tackle with small jigs, minnows, or specialized crappie rigs worked around submerged structure. Terry knows exactly where to find each species based on the season, weather conditions, and recent patterns. The provided gear is tournament-quality stuff - no discount store combos here. You'll fish with proper bass rods, spinning setups for finesse work, and everything rigged and ready to go. The boat is equipped with modern electronics to locate fish and structure, plus all safety equipment required by Connecticut regulations.
Largemouth bass are the main attraction on Candlewood Lake, with fish regularly topping 4-5 pounds and occasional giants pushing 6-7 pounds. These bass relate heavily to the lake's abundant timber and weed edges, especially during spring and fall when they're most aggressive. Summer finds them deeper along drop-offs and points, but they'll still come up to feed during low-light periods. What makes largemouth fishing here special is the variety of techniques that work - you might catch one on a topwater bait at dawn, then pick up another on a deep-running crankbait an hour later.
Smallmouth bass in these Connecticut waters are scrappy fighters that love rocky structure and current areas. Lake Lilinonah's smallmouth typically run 2-4 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. They're most active during cooler months and overcast conditions, making them perfect targets for this type of guided trip. Smallmouth have excellent eyesight and can be finicky, so having an experienced guide who knows their seasonal patterns makes all the difference in your success rate.
Crappie fishing adds another dimension to the trip, especially during their spring spawning period and again in fall when they school up. Both lakes hold solid populations of crappie that average 10-12 inches, with occasional slabs reaching 14-15 inches. These panfish are excellent eating and provide steady action when bass fishing slows down. Crappie location changes dramatically with the seasons - spring finds them shallow in protected coves, while summer and fall fishing focuses on deeper structure and suspended fish.
This 6-hour fishing trip with Terry Baksay Fishing Enterprises gives you the best shot at catching Connecticut's top gamefish species. With expert local knowledge, quality tackle provided, and access to two productive lakes, you're set up for success whether you're an experienced angler or still learning the ropes. The small group size means personalized instruction and more time with fish on your line instead of waiting your turn. Remember to purchase your Connecticut fishing license before the trip, dress for changing weather conditions, and bring plenty of water and snacks to keep your energy up during those 6 hours on the water. Book your spot now and get ready to experience why Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah are considered some of New England's premier bass and panfish destinations.
Your ride for this Danbury fishing adventure is a well-equipped motorboat designed to get you on the productive waters of Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah. This boat comfortably handles 2 anglers and comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day targeting bass and crappie. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating fish, while the GPS keeps you navigating confidently between hot spots. An ice box keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh throughout the 6-hour trip. The boat's size makes it perfect for casting in tight spots where big largemouth and smallmouth bass like to hide, plus it's stable enough for a relaxed day on the water. All your fishing gear is included, so just grab your license and get ready to land some quality fish on these productive Connecticut lakes.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are perfect for anglers wanting steady action and great table fare. These schooling fish run 7-12 inches and are most active at dawn and dusk when they move shallow to feed. You'll find both black and white crappie around brush piles, fallen trees, and deeper structure in our lakes. Spring spawning season is prime time when water hits 62-68°F and they move into shallow covers. What guests love most is the consistent action once you locate a school, plus they're absolutely delicious - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The key here is using small jigs or live minnows with light tackle. My go-to spot is working the submerged creek channels with a small spinner or jig head. Once you find them, stay put - where there's one crappie, there's usually a dozen more waiting.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are pound-for-pound the hardest fighters in these waters. These bronze-colored scrapper average 2-4 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. They prefer the rocky points, drop-offs, and clearer water areas of both lakes. Best fishing happens during spring and fall when they're active in open water, though summer finds them deeper in cooler spots. What sets them apart is their acrobatic fight - expect jumps, runs, and serious head shaking. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild flesh. During summer heat, focus on deeper structure with vertical presentations. My local secret: target the rocky shorelines early morning with a weightless soft plastic. Cast tight to the rocks and let it sink slowly - smallmouth can't resist that wounded baitfish action.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the stars of Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah, averaging 12-24 inches and putting up a serious fight. These green-bodied fighters love hanging around sunken timber, weed beds, and shallow muddy areas where they ambush prey. Spring through early fall offers the best action when water temps warm up. What makes them special? That massive mouth that extends past their eyes, plus they're attracted to red-colored lures. Guests love the aggressive strikes and hard runs - these fish don't give up easy. They're also solid eating if you keep a few. My local trick: work the deeper drop-offs near the dam early morning with a Carolina rig and plastic worm. The bass stack up there waiting for baitfish, and you'll often hook into some real tanks.
Connecticut