5.0(2 Reviews)AM Half-day Trip - Danbury, CT
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Halfday morning fishing on Candlewood Lake and Lake LilinonahTarget bass and crappie with all equipment providedSmall group experience for up to two guests
Looking for some serious bass action without burning a whole day? Terry Baksay's morning half-day trips on Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah are exactly what you need. These Connecticut gems are loaded with chunky largemouth bass, feisty smallmouth, and schools of crappie that'll keep your rod bent all morning long. With all your tackle, rods, and bait covered, you just need to grab your fishing license and get ready for some top-rated bass fishing just a stone's throw from New York City.
Terry knows these lakes like the back of his hand, and he's got a knack for putting you on fish while keeping you away from the weekend warrior circus. Candlewood Lake stretches over 5,400 acres with plenty of structure, drop-offs, and weed beds where bass love to hang out. Lake Lilinonah adds even more variety with its deeper sections and rocky points that hold both largemouth and smallmouth bass. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped boat that gets you to the honey holes fast, and Terry's got enough local knowledge to adjust the game plan based on what the fish are doing that day. The morning bite is usually money - bass are active, the water's calm, and you've got the best spots to yourself before the crowds show up.
Don't worry about bringing a thing - Terry's got you covered with quality rods, reels, and a tackle box full of proven producers. Depending on the season and conditions, you might be throwing soft plastics around downed timber, working crankbaits over submerged points, or pitching jigs into thick cover where the big ones hide. These lakes respond well to classic bass techniques like Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, and topwater action during the right conditions. Terry switches up the approach based on water temperature, weather patterns, and where he's been marking fish. For crappie, you'll likely be using lighter tackle with small jigs or live minnows around brush piles and structure. The beauty of having an experienced guide is that he reads the water and adjusts tactics so you're always fishing the most productive methods.
"Terry was a fun and patient host. My wofe and I are novices and he did great to instruct us and we caught a couple of great bass that day. He knew all the great spots around the lake and kept us away from the high traffic areas where the wake from motor boats was just awful. We had a great day and not too far from NYC." - Michael
Largemouth Bass are the crown jewel of these waters, and Candlewood Lake consistently produces some beautiful fish. These green machines love the lake's abundant structure - from submerged trees and rock piles to weed lines and shallow flats. Spring and fall are prime time when they're aggressive and feeding heavily, but summer mornings can be fantastic if you hit the right spots early. Largemouth here commonly run 2-4 pounds with plenty of opportunities for something bigger. They're ambush predators that slam your bait hard and put up a hell of a fight with their aerial acrobatics and bulldogging runs.
Smallmouth Bass bring a different kind of excitement to these lakes, especially around Lake Lilinonah's rocky structure and deeper drop-offs. Pound for pound, smallies are the toughest fighters you'll find in fresh water - they jump higher, fight longer, and never give up easy. They prefer cooler water and rocky bottom, making them perfect targets during the morning hours when water temps are down. These bronze fighters typically run 1-3 pounds but make up for size with pure attitude. When you hook into a good smallmouth, get ready for multiple jumps and line-screaming runs that'll test your drag and your reflexes.
Crappie fishing adds variety to your trip and puts some serious bend in lighter tackle. Both lakes hold healthy populations of these tasty panfish, which school up around submerged brush, fallen trees, and deeper structure. Spring is absolutely money for crappie when they move shallow to spawn, but they're catchable year-round if you know where to look. Terry targets them with small jigs, live minnows, and tiny soft plastics worked slowly through their hangouts. Crappie might not have the flash of bass, but they're excellent eating and provide steady action when the bass bite slows down. Plus, they're perfect for building confidence if you're new to fishing or bringing kids along.
This AM half-day trip is perfect for anglers who want quality fishing without the full-day commitment. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the ropes or an experienced angler wanting to explore new water with a local expert, Terry's got the knowledge and equipment to make it happen. With Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah producing consistent bass and crappie action, morning trips that avoid the boat traffic, and all gear included, this is hands-down one of the best fishing values in the Danbury area. Just remember to bring your Connecticut fishing license and get ready for some serious fun on two of the state's premier bass lakes.
You'll be cruising Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah in a well-equipped motorboat that's perfect for chasing bass and crappie. This boat comes loaded with everything you need - a fish finder to spot where they're hiding, GPS to navigate these waters like a pro, and an ice box to keep your catch fresh. With room for two anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the shorelines and deeper structures without getting in each other's way. The engine gives you the power to hit multiple spots during your half-day on the water, whether you're working the shallows or heading out to the deeper drops. All your gear is included, so just bring your license and get ready to see what these Connecticut lakes have to offer.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are schooling fish that run 7-12 inches and about a half-pound to a pound. Both black and white crappie call our lakes home, and they're famous for having some of the best-tasting white meat around. You'll typically find them suspended over deeper water near cover like fallen trees or brush piles, usually 10-20 feet down. Spring spawning season is money time when they move shallow, but dawn and dusk fishing works year-round. What guests love about crappie is the steady action once you locate a school, plus they're perfect for kids learning to fish. Here's my go-to tip for these lakes - use a small jig under a bobber and work it slow around the old creek channels. When you catch one, mark the spot because his buddies are close by.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the bread and butter of our lakes here. These green fighters average 12-24 inches and pack serious attitude when hooked. You'll find them hanging around submerged logs, weed beds, and rocky points in 5-15 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime time when they're actively feeding in the shallows, but summer mornings work great too. What makes largemouth special is that explosive strike and the way they jump trying to throw your hook. They're also excellent eating if you want to keep a few. My local trick for Candlewood and Lilinonah - focus on the north-facing coves early morning where the water stays cooler. Throw a Texas-rigged plastic worm along the drop-offs and hang on tight.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are pound-for-pound the strongest fighters in our lakes. These bronze-backed beauties typically run 12-18 inches and prefer the rockier, clearer areas of Candlewood and Lilinonah. Look for them around rocky points, boulder fields, and drop-offs in 8-25 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're aggressive, but early morning and evening always produce. What sets smallmouth apart is their incredible fight - they'll jump, run, and test your drag like nothing else. They're also great table fare with firm, flaky meat. My local secret for these waters is to focus on the rocky humps and underwater points with a tube jig or small crankbait. Work it slow along the bottom and be ready for that distinctive thump when they hit.
5.0 out of 5.0Terry was a fun and patient host. My wofe and I are novices and he did great to instruct us and we caught a couple of great bass t...
Connecticut