False Albacore

Season in Connecticut

Peak months: Sep, Oct.

OTW Sept 2025: the 2023 season ran from the beginning of September through the first week of November; keep light rods ready through the first week or two of November; western fish from West Haven to Westport. OTW July 2025: a breakaway school possible in the far eastern Sound in late August. OTW Oct 2025: best of the season in the eastern Sound. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Close to shore from West Haven to Westport in some years, mid-Sound in others; eastern Sound and Fishers Island Sound (OTW Sept 2025).

Usually past the bar or outside inlets; blitzes come and go fast.

What to look for

Fast surface blitzes on small bait with birds over them.

What to throw

Metal casting jig (diamond, Hopkins or Stingsilver style)1 to 2 oz, 3 to 4 in. Fast steady retrieve for mackerel; let it sink and rip it up for blues; jig near bottom for weakfish.

Epoxy jig3/8 to 1 oz, Small, matched to silversides, bay anchovies and sand eels. Fast steady retrieve through the school.

Silver casting spoon (Clarkspoon or Drone style)1/2 to 1 oz, No. 0 to 1 / 2.5 to 3.5 in. Burn it. Fast, steady, just under the surface.

Topwater popper or walk-the-dog plug1 to 2 oz, 4 to 6 in. Popper: sharp pops with pauses. Walker: rhythmic side-to-side twitches.

Leader

20 lb fluorocarbon on 10 to 20 lb braid, 4000 size reel, 7 to 7.5 ft medium rod.

Common mistakes

• Retrieving too slowly; burn the lure
• Casting into the middle of the school instead of ahead of it

Landing

Grab the leader and tail and hold the head still; they shake violently.

Handling

• Violent head shakes can drive a hook into a hand

Control the head and tail before unhooking.

Keep or release

Mostly released; no wire, albies avoid it (OTW).

Recipes for false albacore

Typical: 4 to 14 lb (fall NC fish). Large: Up to about 20 lb. SC record 29 lb 7 oz (1975).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the CT limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Connecticut DEEP Marine Fisheries before you keep a fish.

Sources

• On The Water: What's Biting in September in Connecticut? (Elser, Rayner, 2025) (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: What's Biting in July in Connecticut? (Elser, Rayner, 2025) (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: Connecticut Fishing Report, Oct 16 2025 (Black Hall Outfitters, Middlebank) (Angler knowledge)
• Florida Museum, Discover Fishes: little tunny (Official source)
• Coastal Review, Oct 2024: little tunny, fat albert, false albacore (NC) (Angler knowledge)
• Carolina Sportsman: nearshore false albacore (NC) (Angler knowledge)
• NC Division of Marine Fisheries: little tunny (Official source)
• SCDNR saltwater game fish records (Official source)

All the fish of Connecticut