I took a mini-vacation to Westport the 5th, 6th, and 7th. I was thinking of trying to get on a charter boat, however the seas were terrible on the 5th and the 6th. I saw the coast guard tell several big boats, at the public launch, that the bar was closed. It appeared that many (maybe all) of the charter boat trips were cancelled those days as well. However by the 7th the ocean was very calm.

I tried jetty fishing at West Haven State Park on the 5th to no avail. I gave it another go on my way out of town on the 7th, since the seas had calmed down, and landed a decent sized black rockfish. I was jigging a purple 7-inch Berkley power worm. It was the only strike I had, and I saw no other fish caught during my time there (from about 2-4:30). I crabbed my first two days there; I caught three that where over six-inches. However, they were all soft-shelled so the had to be released.

I should also mention the crowds were terrible, it being 4th of July weekend and all. In my opinion the best time to go to Westport is around May or September, if you're wanting a peaceful get-away, with a decent chance of some sun. This trip was a reminder that just because it's July, doesn't mean the ocean has to cooperate.

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