PM Half-day Trip - Danbury, CT
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Halfday lake fishing targeting bass and crappie speciesAll fishing gear included with 2guest capacity maximumFourhour trips on Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah
Looking for a solid afternoon on the water without burning your whole weekend? Terry Baksay's got you covered with this 4-hour fishing trip that hits two of Connecticut's top bass lakes. You and one buddy will work the productive waters of Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah, chasing largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and crappie. All your tackle's included, so just grab your fishing license and show up ready to cast. This isn't some crowded charter boat – it's just you, your fishing partner, and some seriously good bass water.
Terry knows these lakes like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish fast. Candlewood Lake stretches over 5,420 acres with plenty of structure to work – fallen trees, rocky points, and weed beds that hold bass year-round. When the bite slows down on one lake, you'll hop over to Lake Lilinonah, which offers a completely different fishing experience with its deeper channels and varied bottom structure. The afternoon timing is perfect since bass activity often picks up as the day cools down, especially during summer months. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped boat with all the electronics needed to locate schools of fish and structure that holds them. Don't worry if you're new to bass fishing – Terry breaks down techniques as you go and adjusts the approach based on what the fish are telling you.
All your gear comes with the trip, from rods and reels to a full tackle box of proven lures. Depending on conditions, you might be throwing soft plastics around structure, working topwater baits over shallow flats, or dragging jigs along drop-offs. Terry stocks everything from Texas-rigged worms and creature baits to crankbaits and spinnerbaits that produce on these waters. The boat's equipped with a fish finder and GPS so you can mark productive spots and work them thoroughly. If you've got your own lucky lures, bring them along – local knowledge combined with your favorite tackle often produces the best results. The key is staying versatile since bass behavior changes throughout the afternoon as light conditions shift and water temperature fluctuates.
Largemouth bass are the main attraction here, and both lakes produce some real chunky ones. These fish love the abundant cover – brush piles, fallen timber, and weed edges where they can ambush prey. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but summer evenings can be explosive when bass move shallow to feed. Largemouths in these lakes average 2-4 pounds, with plenty of opportunities for fish pushing 5 pounds or better. They're aggressive fighters that'll test your drag and give you that heart-pumping hookset moment every angler lives for.
Smallmouth bass bring a different kind of fight to the table – pound for pound, they're the scrappiest fish you'll encounter. Lake Lilinonah's rocky structure and deeper water suit smallies perfectly. They tend to school up more than largemouths, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. These bronze-backs average 1-3 pounds but fight like fish twice their size, with acrobatic jumps and bulldogging runs that'll keep your rod bent. Fall is prime time for smallmouth when they feed heavily before winter.
Crappie might not have the flash of bass, but they make up for it in numbers and table fare. Both lakes hold healthy populations of slabs that suspend around structure in 8-15 feet of water. Spring spawning periods produce fast action when crappie move shallow, but they're catchable year-round if you know where to look. These paper-mouths require a lighter touch, but when you dial in a school, you can fill a cooler quickly. They're perfect for keeping kids engaged since the action stays steady once you locate them.
This half-day trip delivers everything you want from a Connecticut fishing experience – top-notch lakes, proven techniques, and the kind of local expertise that puts fish in the boat. Whether you're looking to introduce someone to bass fishing or just want to squeeze in some quality time on the water, Terry's got the setup to make it happen. The 2-person limit keeps things personal and ensures everyone gets plenty of rod time. Remember to grab your Connecticut fishing license before you head out – it's required for anyone 16 and older. Ready to feel that first bass of the day slam your lure? Book your afternoon on Candlewood and Lilinonah now.
Your fishing platform for this Danbury adventure is a well-equipped motorboat designed to get you and one other angler to the best spots on Candlewood Lake and Lake Lilinonah. The boat features a reliable fish finder to help locate those bass and crappie hiding in the depths, plus GPS navigation to efficiently move between productive areas during your 4-hour outing. An onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold while you work the waters. With room for just two guests, you'll have plenty of space to cast, reel, and move around without bumping elbows. The motorboat's design allows for smooth movement across both lakes, whether you're trolling along drop-offs or positioning over structure where the largemouth and smallmouth bass like to hang out.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are the perfect family-friendly target - usually 7-12 inches and half a pound to a pound, but they travel in schools so when you find one, you'll likely find more. Both black and white crappie call our waters home, hiding around brush piles, fallen timber, and structure in 8-15 feet of water. Spring spawning season is prime time when they move shallow, but dawn and dusk fishing works year-round since they're less active during bright daylight. Folks love crappie because they're excellent eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Kids especially enjoy the steady action once you locate a school. Here's a local trick: use a small jig or live minnow under a bobber, and once you catch one, drop your line right back in the same spot. The rest of the school is usually still there waiting.
Micropterus SalmoidesThese green giants with the massive mouths are what most folks think of when they picture bass fishing. Running 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds on average, they love hanging around structure like fallen trees, weed beds, and dock pilings in our lakes. Spring through early fall gives you the best action, especially when water temps hit that sweet spot in the 60s-70s. What makes largemouth so popular is that legendary fight - they'll jump, dive, and give you a real workout on light tackle. Plus they make decent table fare if you keep a few from clean water. My local tip: throw red-colored lures when you can. These fish have a thing for red, and I've seen it make the difference between a slow day and filling the cooler.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth are the scrappy fighters of the bass family - bronze-colored with those distinctive vertical bars and red eyes. They typically run 12-18 inches and 2-4 pounds, but don't let the size fool you - pound for pound, they fight harder than anything else in these lakes. You'll find them around rocky points, drop-offs, and boulder fields, especially in clearer water. Spring and fall are your best bets when they're active in shallows, while summer pushes them deeper where it's cooler. What sets smallmouth apart is that aerial show they put on when hooked - jumping and tail-walking like miniature tarpon. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild fillets. Pro tip for our local waters: early morning with light spinning tackle and small jigs worked slowly along rocky bottom structure. These fish are ambush predators, so be patient and let them take the bait.
Connecticut