For popular party boats that ply The Race, call the Mijoy from Waterford, which sails daily at 6 a.m. and 1 p.m., at (860) 443-0663; the Black Hawk from Niantic, which sails daily at 6 a.m. and 1 p.m., at (860) 739-9296; or the Hel-Cat II, which sails daily from Groton at 9 a.m., at (860) 445-5991. Expect fares to run about $35, including bait and tackle rental. You'll also need to bring money to tip the mates and pay for the optional fish filleting service.

If you are looking for large bass, the top place in the state is The Race at night. This type of fishing, however, is even more dangerous than fishing The Race during daylight. Your best bet for jumbo bass after dark is to assemble a few buddies and hire a night charter.

For information on fishing The Race, contact J&B Tackle, 25 Smith Avenue in Niantic; call (860) 739-7419, or visit them online them at www.jbtackle.com.

HAMMONASSET BEACH, MADISON
At the midpoint of the state's coast, you'll find Hammonasset State Park in Madison a short distance from Interstate Route 95. This beautiful beach offers camping, a picnic area, nature trail and great shoreline striper fishing. It's an excellent place to bring the family for a few hours of fun while you fish.

Try casting off Hammonasset Point, which is only a few minutes from the Meigs Point parking lot. Head toward the mouth of the Hammonasset River where it meets the Sound and look for a large bouldered area. This spot holds fish waiting for forage to be swept out of the river into open water. Be cautious of strong currents and slippery footing when wading this area.

The most popular and productive fishing spot in the park is probably Meigs Point jetty, which is at the east end near a small boat launch. Come prepared with heavy line and extra sinkers or lures. Large rockpiles off the jetty attract and hold bass and bluefish, but it's also easy to lose some tackle in them. Expect strong east-west currents off the jetty when the tide is at peak flow.

Anglers may get to Hammonasset Beach State Park by heading south on the connector off Exit 62 on I-95. Expect crowded conditions on summer weekends. In-season visitors must pay a daily-use fee. Fishing at night is often productive and allowed with permission from the park ranger.

For more information, call Captain Morgan's Bait and Tackle on Route 1 in Madison at (203) 245-8665.

NEW HAVEN HARBOR
New Haven Harbor, a triangular, four-mile-long bay, is the second largest commercial port in Connecticut. Three breakwaters mark the harbor's entrance, inside of which the waters are shallow except for a deep, well-marked channel running north through its midline to I-95.

On New Haven Harbor's west side is the West Haven Sandbar, also called "Sandy Point." This is an excellent striper location for anglers without a boat. Bass are attracted to the area because of the confluence of the Quinnipiac, Mill and West rivers, which dump baitfish into the harbor just above the sandbar. New Haven Harbor is known for its schoolies and trophy stripers. The 75-pound, 6-ounce state record was caught here in 1992.

The sandbar juts into mid-harbor from the West Haven beach, and the entire bar is above water at low tide. However, although you can walk almost one-half mile out, be prepared for the flood tide with a pair of chest waders for the return trip. Expect rough, roiled water and loose seaweed with an east wind, which blows across the harbor into your face. The best times to fish the bar are early morning and evening near a high tide with a west wind. The water is very shallow at low tide.

To reach the West Haven Sandbar, take I-95 to Exit 43, head southeast on First Avenue (Route 122), which becomes Beach Street. Park in a special lot across from the restaurant. Signs mark the parking and access areas.