JULY
Fluke
Long Island Sound, Conn.
For fluke or summer flounder, anglers should try anywhere from 100 feet out to the surf break. The secret is to find a place where the tide and wind provide a fast-moving drift.

Access may be had off East Wharf Road in Madison. Access is also available at Hammonasset Beach State Park on Route 1 and at the town-owned Surf Club on Surf Club Road (off West Wharf Road).

Blue Marlin
Plymouth Bay, Mass.
Blue marlin are deep-sea treasures that most anglers only dream of, reaching 11 feet in length and exceeding 1,000 pounds! In season from July to September, marlin may be found over offshore canyons and along steep dropoffs.

In Plymouth, launch access may be had off Taylor Avenue (4WD only) and at the Plymouth town wharf.

Largemouth Bass
Johnson's Pond, R.I.
This Coventry pond offers excellent summer largemouth action. Early birds should try the north side of the pond. Cast into the lily pads and fish down to the dam. Cast crankbaits into the rocky areas. At midday, fish the deeper waters with 4-inch plastics.

Access is via Zeke's Bridge, which leads to Big River and portions of Johnson's Pond.

Take Route 3 to Harkney Hill Road to a cement slab launch about two miles ahead on the right.

AUGUST
Carp
Merrimack River, N.H.
Reaching up to 60 pounds, the carp is a tremendous fighter and is becoming the rage among European visitors. Use sweet corn or dough baits.

These big fish are sensitive feeders. If they feel any tension, they will immediately refuse the bait, so use a swivel to hold the sinker at least a foot away from the hook.

Access the Merrimack in Allenstown off Main Street by going to the end of Ferry Street. In Boscawen, access is off Route 3. In East Concord, take Route 93 to Exit 16 and go west to West Portsmouth.

Brook Trout
Branch River, R.I.
This Burrillville River is a designated trout water, stocked each spring before opening day and again later in the season. The Branch River flows into the Slatersville Reservoir and then to the confluence of the Branch and Blackstone rivers.

Access is via the Victory Highway (Route 102). The Slatersville boat launch is on the left.

Smallmouth Bass
Big/Little Squam Lakes, N.H.
Big Squam (6,765 acres) and Little Squam (408 acres) lakes in Holderness are linked by a navigable channel. Both are known for their plentiful, big bass. Access is at the state-owned dual-lane concrete log ramp in the connecting channel off Route 113 in Holderness.

Access for car-top boats is available at the Squam Lakes Association off U.S. Route 3 in Holderness.

SEPTEMBER
Bluefish
Massachusetts Bay, Mass.
These aggressive feeders are normally found just offshore in the tidal rips. Use small baitfish, jigs, spoons, plugs, spinners or flies. Consider using wire or heavy monofilament leaders and watch out for those teeth!

Access is available along the coastline. In Marblehead, launch at the paved ramps at the causeway, or use the access at Riverhead Beach.

Stripers
Wallis Sands State Beach, N.H.
Try fishing at night, when big stripers move into shallow waters to feed. Rig a lead slip-sinker above a barrel swivel and tie a leader to a circle hook. Circle hooks are easy to use because fish usually hook themselves -- and they prevent gut-hooking.

Access to the state beach's public boat dock and shore fishing may be had at Rye Harbor State Park, off Route 1A in Rye.

Largemouth Bass
Lake St. Catherine, Vt.
Bass in this 904-acre Poultney lake exhibit phenomenal growth rates. Try spinnerbaits and weedless-rigged flukes and soft-plastics. Topwater frogs and rats skipped over the lily pads work well, too.

The lake is about three miles south of Poultney on Vt. Route 30.