Bluff Point State Park - Groton, Connecticut

    A lot of the places I've mentioned in the past were in Rhode Island. But, now I'm going to tell you about some places here in Connecticut that are also good for fishing. One such place that comes to mind is Bluff Point State Park in Groton,CT, which sits on the Poquonock River and empties into Long Island Sound. There are NO parking fees for this state park.

Photo Credit #1  - Jeff Hall

Photo Credit #2  - Jeff Hall

Swimming is allowed here. If you don't fish, you can just enjoy a nice quiet paddle experience with no noisy boats or jet skis to harass you.

    * Directions: 

    Coming from I-95 North:  Take exit 88.  Turn right onto SR 117 South.  Turn right at the end onto Route 1 South.  Take a left at the first light onto Depot Road.  Park entrance is at the end of the road.

 

    Coming from I-95 South:  Take exit 88.  Turn left onto SR 117 South.  Turn right at the end onto Route 1 South.  Take a left at the first light onto Depot Road.  Park entrance is at the end of the road.

    

    According to Connecticut's State Parks page, there is a "boat launch area" to put your kayak, or kayaks in. The beauty of this particular spot makes it a real gem for quick & easy access to the saltwater because there's no deep sand to drag your kayak through, or steep ramps to lug your kayak up at low tide. And, anyone who's familiar with this launch spot will tell you, you need to get here early for a decent place to park, because it is well known to the locals in the area.

Photo Credit #3 - Jeff Hall

This photo was taken in late September of 2017. As you can see, the area designated for boat launch access, fills up in a hurry with people parking 2 rows of vehicles in the center of the parking area, as well as the outer edges.

Photo Credit #4 - Jeff Hall

You can see the breaks along the water's edge where you can put in. If it's low tide, I would suggest that you NOT park past the grassy edge line, because the water from high tide comes right up to the edge.

    This state park also features trails for hiking & mountain biking, as well as saltwater fishing from shore, kayak, or boat. Shell Fishing* is allowed here too. 

    

    * Note: A permit is required for shell fishing. Permits are issued by the Town of Groton. Groton Town Offices are located on the corner of Route 1 and Depot Road.

Telephone: (860) 441-6600. 

    Fishing can done all along the shore or from your boat or kayak. There was a bridge at one point linking Bluff Point Parking Area to the Groton Airport, but the bridge has long since been removed. I have seen some people fishing near the break on the rocky outcropping. There is a short footpath to get there - which is where I took the photos 3 & 4 to show you the views of the parking area.

Photo Credit #5 - Jeff Hall

This info board was taken near the Bluff Point area. Each number on the map tells of the area and some of the former historical sites on the sprawling 800+ acre preserve.

Photo Credit #6 - Jeff Hall

The close-up photo above was taken at an info board showing you the hiking/mountain biking trails. It even shows you the break in the land between the park and the Groton Airport (to the right of the park).

Below are some other photos of Long Island Sound that I took while at Bluff Point itself.

Photo Credit #7 - Jeff Hall

Some men fishing off of the large boulders at the end of Bluff Point at low tide. This area is a known hot spot for Striped Bass, Tautog, Flounder, and Bluefish. The darker areas on the boulders show the water mark of high tide, giving these guys a chance to catch something within that narrow window of opportunity.

Photo Credit #8 - Jeff Hall

While this photo may seem scenic, the island is actually owned by Dean Kamen, the owner of Segway personal transportation vehicles. I took this photo from a mile away from Bluff Point's lookout area using a small monocular scope. 

For a really good laugh about this island, go here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Dumpling_Island

Photo Credit #9 - Jeff Hall

A green tower sits atop a small rocky structure known as Seaflower Reef. In the background is Fisher's Island,NY.

    As usual, keep those lines wet & tight! - J

Camp Cronin Fishing Area - Narragansett, Rhode Island

    During the salt show every Spring, I get questions about "Where's your favorite fishing area and/or spot?", and one of my responses is, "...the Camp Cronin Fishing Area located in Narragansett, RI.".

    When I was a kid, my Dad used to take me fishing in Rhode Island a lot, usually in Westerly,RI next to an old lighthouse that was manned by the Coast Guard. But in recent years, the Coast Guard made the lighthouse unmanned, and sold the property to a private owner - who then cut off access to the point (a locally known hot spot for striped bass and bluefish). I heard rumors that the owner didn't want anybody out there carving up their catch, and leaving the remains everywhere for seagulls to eat & crap everywhere.

    When I tried to find out more information about "Camp Cronin" itself, to give you, the reader some type of background on this hot spot, I came to many "dead ends". There is literally no information containing the words "Camp Cronin", whether it was a former military encampment, installation, base, etc.. So, I did some research on past military forts of World War II, and I came across this web page on NorthAmericanForts.com , about "Fort Nathaniel Greene (2) aka Battery 211".

This is what I found out:

Fort Nathaniel Greene (2)* 
(The Point Judith Fishermen's Memorial)
(1934 - 1948/present), Point Judith
Originally named Point Judith Reservation until 1941. Fort Greene is divided into three separate sections. The East Reservation has Battery Hamilton / 108 (1943 - 1948). The RI National Guard still uses this parcel as a training area.

The West Reservation has Battery 109 (1944). The present is named "The Fishermen's Memorial State Park" which uses this parcel as a campground, as well as most of the former southern parcel. The park office incorporates a former battery command - fire-control tower/silo (Photo 1). The South Reservation* has Battery 211* (1945 - 1948) at the water's edge, and an unnamed four-gun 155mm battery on Panama mounts - two are mostly buried under the beach, the other two were washed away from Hurricane Sandy. "The Point Judith Fishermen's Memorial" is located at Battery 211* (which is buried under the Fishermen's Memorial itself). Three fire-control stations were once located near here at the present Camp Cronin Recreation Area, disguised to resemble typical New England style beach houses. One still remains.
(Not to be confused with Fort Greene (1) in Newport)

Fort Greene Fire Watch Tower

Fort Greene Fire Watch Tower is now part of the Main Office for the "Fisherman's Memorial State Park"

Fort Greene Fire Control Building - the building is in an advanced state of decay, and the property is currently owned by the city of Providence,RI.

To learn more about Fort Greene [2], click the link.

Photo #'s 1, 2, & 3 Credits: John Stanton & Bill Thayer

Photo #4 Credit: Chris Zeeman

Photo #5 Credit: Chris Zeeman

For more info, Click here: Battery 109

    *Author's Note: I made some changes to this article here to clear up some confusion. "The Point Judith Fishermen's Memorial" is located here, and is NOT to be confused with the "The Fishermen's Memorial State Park", which is now a campground for RVs & Motorhomes located a few miles away. Click the link for a dark secret about RI's participation in World War II!

    Anyway, I've always enjoyed searching for new places to launch my kayak, and get out on the open water. And, this place doesn't disappoint! I will extend some caution though, I would classify this particular spot as an "advanced/experienced-only" launch spot. Most people wouldn't venture out past the break on the East wall. I would leave that up to the more advanced kayak anglers in our group. Trust me, you REALLY have to keep your eye on the tidal currents by the Red Buoy Marker on your left coming out of the East wall! Between the currents coming at you from the East, South, and North (out of the Harbor of Refuge) and the big sport fishing boats leaving Point Judith Harbor, you will have your hands full as you try to navigate your kayak to your favorite hunting grounds East of Point Judith Lighthouse.

Camp Cronin in it's earlier years. In this photo, the Pt. Judith Fisherman's Memorial didn't exist.

Photo #6 Credit: KayakAccess.info

Photo #7 Credit: YankeeMagazine.com

Visitors walk along the top of the East wall at sunset.

Photo #8 Credit: HiveMiner.com

The sun sets behind the info board at the Camp Cronin Fishing Area.

Photo #9 Credit: NewEngland.com

Photo #10 Credit: NewEngland.com

Beachgoers take in the midday sunshine behind the East wall at the Point Judith Back Beach at Camp Cronin. This stretch of deep sand will require your kayak's cart be equipped with beach tires (aka balloon tires). It will make your trek across the sand a lot easier.

Photo #11 Credit: HiveMiner.com

A commercial fishing vessel makes its way back to Point Judith Harbor, via cutting through the Harbor of Refuge at high tide, to unload its daily catch. Those of us that choose to fish the East break wall, may have to dress appropriately, for the incoming high tide could cause you to go home soggy. 

Photo #12 Credit: HiveMiner.com

RISAA Kayak Committee members Anthony & Stephanie Caruolo prepping their gear for an afternoon launch. Both Anthony & Stephanie caught several fluke by staying inside the channel next to the green tower at the other break's end.

Photo #13 Credit: Mona Rodriguez

RISAA Kayak Committee members Jeff Hall (left) and Gino DeFeudis (right) discuss their options on where to fish.

Photo #14 Credit: Mona Rodriguez

Jeff & Gino launching (in the slack tide) during the high tide.

Photo #15 Credit: Mona Rodriguez 

Jeff sets up his Hook 5 fishfinder, while Gino checks all the hatches making sure everything is secure.

Photo #16 Credit: Mona Rodriguez

While these photos above were taken in August, on a relatively calm and perfect day, it's hard to believe that anything could wrong. But in 2012, one of the state's most destructive hurricane's, "Hurricane Sandy" (aka Superstorm Sandy) slammed into the Rhode Island coast with such force that it literally decimated the parking area, the fisherman's memorial, and the barrier wall protecting the Harbor of Refuge. The RIDEM (Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Management) applied for federal grants to aid in rebuilding the parking area, the memorial, and the East wall/coastline.

The waves from the hurricane were so destructive that it picked up large boulders, some as big as a small compact car, and strewn them all over the parking area. Here, local residents survey the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

Photo #17 Credit: RIstripedbass.blogspot.com

During the rebuilding process, a drone cam captures the construction crews carefully arranging the large stones into a better built wall, making sure the coastline is better protected from future disasters.

Photo #18 Credit: DredgingToday.com

The Point Judith Fisherman's Memorial now sits next the Overlook, where this photo was taken, and to the left of the parking area. The "overlook" is actually the remains of the Radio Room that was built in 1944. Rather than demolishing it, the state of RI chose to "bury it" under a mound of dirt. The entrances in the front & back of the structure were blocked off with huge stones to prohibit entry into the structure, but a few brave souls managed to wriggle their way in and spray graffiti on the walls.

Photo #19 Credit: FlickrHiveMind.net

Photo #20 Credit: John Stanton

This is the rear entrance of the radio room, which faces the shore, but is blocked off with large boulders to prevent entry into the structure.

Photo #21 Credit: Jeff Hall

Before Hurricane Sandy came, this structure was one of two battery gun emplacements that protected Point Judith from enemy attacks.

Photo #22 Credit: John Stanton

Both this photo, and the one above, were taken before Hurricane Sandy. A combination of rising sea levels and stronger storms, have worked together to erode the large concrete plates around the turret tower base, and wash them out to sea. Slowly erasing Rhode Island's participation in World War II's history.

Photo #23 Credit: Chris Zeeman

This photo was taken recently in January 2017. 

Photo #24 Credit: Jeff Hall

This is the second turret base that sits to the right of the radio room. It sits a little further back than the other base.

Photo #25 Credit: Chris Zeeman

Today, this is the new and improved Camp Cronin Fishing Area parking lot. The two white cars on the far left, is where you would put in the kayaks - provided you have a kayak cart that handle deep sand. The large rocks at this entry point are wide enough to get your kayak through and down to the shoreline on the inside of the East barrier wall.

Photo #26 Credit: Jeff Hall via Google Maps

The stretch of sand that leads down to the protected area to launch is roughly 200 feet long (longer if it's low tide). If you don't have flotation tires, you are going to regret it, as dragging a fully loaded kayak will feel like you're dragging it without tires. There is no way to drive down to launch. It's not a well used launch point, because of the distance & the deep sand involved. When night falls, the action heats up for both surfcasters and kayak fishermen when the fish change direction. This will be a hot spot for years to come as it leads out to the open waters with views of Block Island a short distance away.

Photo #27 Credit: Jeff Hall via Google Maps

As usual, keep those lines wet & tight! - J

*Author's Note: I would like to thank all those involved with the making of this article. Without your photos, this article would've been a lot shorter. Don't forget to click the links and visit the photographer's pages as well.

Photo #28 Credit: Yelp.com

Photo #29 Credit: Elevation.Maplogs.com

Photo #30 Credit: MichaelBlanchette.com

Adding an External Transducer Arm on your Kayak

    Back in September of 2009, I bought my first kayak, a Hobie Mirage Outback. It was stock with 4 molded in rod holders, a large tank well area behind the seat, and a huge storage area up front.
    Before I even purchased a kayak, the only "research" I did, was watching an episode of "Hank Parker Outdoors" where he fished out a Hobie Outback on a small backcountry pond. Hank noted that it was fairly inexpensive, but once get past the initial cost of buying one, that you could literally go anyplace you wanted and launch anywhere because it was so small.

    Fast forward to the present, I had bought a Hook 5 DSI Sonar/GPS/Fishfinder unit last year, then spent the winter months installing it, and finally got a chance to use this Spring. I was immediately impressed with the color features, since my last unit was a Eagle Cuda 350 S/Map (black/white Sonar/GPS), which was very basic compared to today's newer fish seeking units.
    Anyway, I finally got a unit that had the DSI feature. DSI, aka "Down Scan Imaging", allows for a better 3D view of the ocean floor. So, during the Spring cinder worm emergence in Newport, I was constantly switching from screen to screen wondering why the Down Scan Imaging feature wasn't working properly. I finally found a screen that I could read, but I was still irked at the DSI issue.
    The next day on Facebook, I had asked a fellow Hobie owner (and good friend), why the DSI feature wasn't working properly. He said in order for that feature to work, the transducer unit has to be in the water.
    I mentioned that my Hobie doesn't have that fancy transducer plate in the bottom of the hull. He said it could be mounted externally on an arm.
 
    I stopped in at Three Belles Outfitters in Niantic,CT to ask Shawn Pagano (Repairs Manager) about an external transducer mount for my older Hobie. He showed me the accessories that Yak Attack now makes for kayaks that don't an transducer plate.

    So, here's what I picked up:

    ( 1 ) Yak Attack Switchblade Transducer Arm

Photo #1 Credit: Jeff Hall

    ( 1 ) Yak Attack Gear Track - Top Loading #GTTL 109 

Photo #2 Credit: Jeff Hall

    I will admit that I thought the directions for the installation were pretty vague, but the illustration on the instruction pamphlet gives you an idea on what it's supposed to look like.

Photo #3 Credit: Jeff Hall

    Before I start anything, I wanted to make an "plate" for the gear track to give it a better grip on the kayak's surface. I have lots of scrap plate aluminum from the beat up road signs that I bought at a local flea market. I cut a small piece of plate making it a quarter inch bigger than the gear track.

One of many road signs that I got at a local flea market for $10 each.

Photo #4 Credit: Jeff Hall

I used a high speed drill with a grinding disc to take off the sharp edges on this backing plate I made. 

Photo #5 Credit: Jeff Hall

    While the above photo already shows the plate with the holes in it, the next photo will show you how I drilled all the holes perfectly with each one aligned properly.

In the photo above, I used an adjustable locking clamp to hold the gear track on top of the backing plate. Then, I drilled all three holes into the plate so everything is aligned up.

Photo Credit #6: Jeff Hall

    I chose a spot on the left, just in front of the left rod holder, to place my gear track. I wore a pair of mechanical gloves and held the gear track in place while I drilled the holes for the bolts. After the first hole was drilled, I put a bolt in place to hold it steady. I did the same for the other two holes.

Photo #7 Credit: Jeff Hall

    

Before I mount the gear track, I placed a small O-ring on each bolt before attaching the backing plate. The bolts are placed thru the track and the O-rings are on the bottom of the track. When the bolts are placed into holes, the O-rings will provide a waterproof barrier between the outer hull and the hull's interior.

Photo #8 Credit: Jeff Hall

* Note for Hobie owners: When you go to attach the backing plate, be very careful you don't get the rudder line caught on the plate. This part will be tricky.

If you don't own a Hobie, then you won't have to worry about this part.

Photos #9 & #10 Credit: Jeff Hall

In the photo above, I installed the arm lock onto the track and tightened the knob at the bottom. Next, I inserted the arm into the arm lock and adjusted the tightness of the lock. The arm is snug, but not too tight that I can't move the arm up and out of the way. The grooves on the arm allow it to be locked onto the arm lock to prevent it from slipping out.

Photo#11 Credit: Jeff Hall 

Starting at the base of the arm, I connected the transducer to the arm, and secured the cable to the front of the arm using the black cable ties provided. I used an extra cable tie (white) to keep the cable tight against the arm.

Photos #12 & 13 Credit: Jeff Hall

I found a good spot on my Hobie for the location of the Hook 5 by mounting it in the left storage tray, in front of the cup holder, but also 2" behind the rudder raise T-handle. I drilled a hole using a 1" diameter spade bit (save the shavings) so I can get the plug ends through. You may have to use a round file to slightly enlarge the hole's opening because the cable ends are over-sized. 

I fed the Blue cable in first, and then pushed the Blue plug back out. I used a piece of velcro to wrap up the excess blue cable. Going in through the center hatch of the Hobie, I fed the Red plug through the hole's opening, and left the remainder of the Red cable's wire in the hull, as it is powered by a small 12 volt battery inside the hull. Next, I adjusted the cable manager and proceeded to drill the holes for the RAM Mount base. Then, I tightened up the 4 bolts with the nuts provided. 

* Note: I used a RAM Mount "Cable Manager" to allow the cables to get in & out of the hull. The cable manager is roughly a 1/2" thick puck with a hole cut on one edge to allow the 1.25" diameter "Extreme Duty" RAM ball mount to be mounted on top of the cables. The holes for the ball mount's base will align with pre-drilled holes on the cable manager.

Photo #14 Credit: Jeff Hall

When finished, this is what the transducer arm looks like.

From the front, I wanted the arm to hang as far as it will go. The installation manual gives you the option of omitting one of the arms to make it smaller. But, I chose to keep the arm long, because I fish in saltwater. It still folds up and out of the way when beaching it, as well as transporting.

The Hobie sits on top of my second kayak, a 2013 Feelfree Moken 14. This angle shows you how far down the arm will actually reach. With this new method, I can now get the correct water temperature, and best of all, use the 3D qualities of the Down Scan Imaging system.

Photos #15 & #16 Credit: Jeff Hall

Hope this helps you in your decision to add a transducer arm for your fish finder whether it's a Sit-On-Top kayak, or a sit-inside kayak, it's time to unlock those secrets down below!

As usual, keep those lines wet & tight! - J