The Jordon Cove launch is at Pleasure Beach. To find it, travel Route 156 in Waterford to Route 213, south on Goshen Road and the launch is straight ahead. Be sure you check the forecast before launching here because a west or southwest wind of 15 knots or more makes trailering very difficult. An alternative is the state launch on the Niantic River in Waterford.

NIANTIC RIVER AND BAY
Niantic is one of the most productive fishing regions on Long Island Sound. A good shore place to try for stripers is the mouth of the Niantic River, which separates the towns of Niantic and Waterford. "That's a great spot," Capt. Merkt said. "The big bass go running through there all summer."

You can fish either the east or west bank to the south of Route 156 and the train bridge. Cast into the mouth of the river channel where it meets the bay. Early mornings and evenings are the best times here. Expect heavy boat traffic on weekends, especially during the day.

To access the train bridge fishing area in Niantic, turn north 100 yards west of the Niantic River bridge on Route 156 and follow the signs for the Black Hawk party boat parking. Walk from the parking lot toward the train bridge, where you'll find a concrete walkway that passes beneath it and accesses the beach. Fish the corner of the beach where the river meets Niantic Bay. You can also fish your way down the beach along the north end of Niantic Bay.

MILLSTONE POINT
Millstone Nuclear Power Plant's warmwater outflow holds schoolie bass, bluefish and false albacore throughout the summer. The discharge is a great spot to cast from a boat, as are the rocks surrounding this large peninsula, especially on the east side. In years past, access was permitted from shore off Millstone, but in this post-9/11 era that fishing opportunity was lost and the area is closed to shore-fishing.

Security is understandably tight around high-risk structures, such as nuclear power facilities, so be sensible when fishing and photographing near Millstone or any other nuclear power plant.

Security is much stricter on the west or "inflow" side than on the east or "outflow" side of the facility. If you cross the west side's well-marked boundary line, you are asking for a serious run-in with facility guards. However, the east side's warmwater discharge area is more accessible and usually has good fishing.

When casting around Millstone Point, follow all posted signs and guards' instructions carefully. And don't attempt to take photos of the plant: That's considered a violation of the Homeland Security Act and you're likely to be boarded and escorted to shore by the Coast Guard.

For supplies and local information, contact Hillyer's Tackle Shop at (860) 443-7615, or find the store beneath the Route 156 bridge at 374 Rope Ferry Road across from the state launch.

For information on eastern Long Island Sound light-tackle charters, call (860) 434-2301.

THE RACE
The Race is one of the best striper hotspots on the East Coast. It's located eight miles southeast of Niantic Bay at the mouth of Long Island Sound. It is commonly accessed from the Jordon Cove or Niantic River launches in Waterford.

Big stripers hold in The Race all summer, thanks to the schools of baitfish that congregate there. You'll also likely catch large numbers of hungry bluefish.

This rugged stretch of water is not for the inexperienced boater or small craft operator. Expect choppy riptide conditions even on calm days, which become extremely rough when a stiff breeze opposes the current. Waters 250 feet deep rapidly shallow to 70 feet or less to create a massive rip line. The Race is one of the few spots on the Sound that's best left to the pros. Instead of venturing out yourself, you can hop on one of the many charter or party boats that fish here every day.