Avid offshore fisherman Richard
Pastore with a bluefin tuna he landed at the Dump (about 50 miles offshore).
Greg Vespe caught and released his
1,000th striped bass Sunday at the Southwest Ledge, Block Island.
Good things happen to good people
Last week was one of the best so
far this summer… five very successful fishing trips, I spent quality time with
my wife, son and dog and then there was this email from Janet Coit, director of
the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) that arrived Friday morning.
The email said, “I am pleased to announce the appointment of
Jason McNamee as DEM’s new Chief of Marine Resources.” My heart was filled with joy because this was
a good thing, happening to a good person.
Director Coit’s email went on to praise McNamee… 16 years at DEM, supervising marine biologist, his
ability to perform analytical stock assessments and his knack to make complex
partnerships work.
Jason McNamee is not only a rock star in RI managing marine resources
sustainably but he has a great reputation coast wide and nationally for his
work chairing technical committees on both the New England Fisheries Management
Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
He recently impressed the fishing community at the Southern New England
Recreational Fishing Symposium with the multi-species eco-system research he is
doing on Atlantic menhaden, striped bass, blue fish and other species as he
obtains his Ph.D. in Fisheries Oceanography at URI’s Graduate School of
Oceanography.
I serve the fishing community in Rhode Island on a number of councils,
boards and committees as a volunteer and everyone I meet has only good things
to say about Jason McNamee. He is a
solid scientist, fish manager and great person.
The fishing community wishes him all the best.
Fisherman’s prayer
Greg Vespe of Tiverton is an avid
fisherman with a particular knack for catching striped bass. Here is his account (I say prayer) of his
1,000th striped bass caught Sunday.
“Sometimes it’s all about catching that next fish... sometimes it’s
about slowing down and reflecting on the fish you just caught.
My smallest bass of the night was the most special... reaching a
milestone that began many moons ago on the Delaware river when a kid drifted a
tinsel jig and mackerel strip intended for channel cats was nailed by my first
striped bass and culminated 3:35 a.m. this Sunday morning when an eel drifting
just inside the fence at the Southwest Ledge off Block Island got picked up by my
1,000th striped bass.
This was a special moment of what has been a wonderful
journey. Lots of memories. So many
lessons learned… first keeper, first surf keeper, first eel bass, first trip to
Block Island, etc. And, the first time I
scared BJ Silvia with my hookset.
None of this could have been accomplished without the help and
patience from so many better fishermen than me who have helped me along my
path. Members of the Aquidneck Island Striper Team, the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association and all my
fishing partners over the years I thank you all.”
Where’s the bite
Striped bass and bluefish. Kim Petti of Fin & Feather Outfitters,
North Kingstown said, “Customers were catching both striped bass and bluefish
with fly fishing gear at Prudence Island. Some made a trip to Cape Cod and
landed blue fin tuna on the southeast corner of Stellwagen Bank.” Angler Mark Pachico of Middletown, RI said,
“I caught a 47 pound striped bass at Block Island on Friday on a live
eel with captain Eric Chappell fishing for the Aquidneck Island Striper Team. The
bite was best on the incoming tide as we didn't do much on the next tide.” Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle,
Providence said, “With pogies thick in the upper Bay and rivers we have some
bass in the Bay but the water has warmed and have a strong bass bite in cooler
water at Block Island.” Elisa Cahill of
Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown said, “The bass bite on Block Island is
very good. We weighed in a 44 pound fish
this weekend. They are catching them
with eels at night and tube and worm during the day.” Lorraine Danti of Lucky Bait & Tackle,
Warren said, “The striped bass are really stacked up at Block Island now. We have weighed in fish in the 40 and 50
pound range, most seem to be caught at sunset with eels but others are being
caught during the day.” Angler Eric Appolonia of North Kingstown said, “My son Alex and I and his friend Ethan Bowie were out at Block Island
and the bass fishing was hot. We got out
at 10:00 a.m. and had all caught a fish by 11:00 a.m. on the Southwest
Ledge.” Eric was trolling with tube
& worm.
Offshore fishing continues to
improve. Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor
Marina said, “Hot Reels captained by Lou DeFusco landed a 90 pond wahoo (possibly
a State of RI “notable catch” record) and Big Game Charters landed a 17 and a
24 pound mahi along with yellow fin tuna over 50 pounds. All the action seems to be in the Shipping
Lanes.” Avid offshore angler Richard
Pastore said on the RISSA blog Saturday, “Went down towards the Fingers looking for 68 to 70 degree
temperature break. We spotted whales, bait jumping, shearwaters (birds) and
dolphins in 69 degree water. We kept moving south into the Fingers and 70.5
degree water. Double hook up on spreader bars of 55 pound BFT. Followed by
another double hook up of 55 pound BFT one in the cooler the rest back in the
water. High flyers produced small mahi
on smallest blue deadly dicks allowed to sink while free spooling.”
“Fluke fishing is very good at the East Fishing Grounds and in the
Green Hill area.” said Elisa Cahill of Sung Harbor Marina. Lary Norin and Rick Sustello report a great
fluke bite east of Block Island Saturday in 75 feet of water. Norin said “Green flash spinner jigs were used… I had
bluefish, fluke belly and squid. It was the best three consecutive drifts
ever. Immediate nonstop action with mostly keeper jumbo fluke. We
boated 10 fish over five pounds with the biggest being a 27 inch slab.” Fishing in the Jamestown and Newport area was
good this week with reports of fish under the Bridges as well as along the
shore. Dave Sweet and his son Jason (12
years old) fished the southern coastal shore this weekend. Dave said, “We went south a
mile off the five cottages and hit some nice fishing in about 60 feet of
water. Jason had high hook with his personal best, a 22" fluke.”
Snapper blues or skipjacks (referring to juvenile blue fish) are in
and there are a lot of them in our coves and estuaries. “We heard 100 Acre Cove has a huge school of
skipjacks. They are great fun for kids
to catch.” said Lorraine Danti of Lucky Bait & Tackle. Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle said,
“Skipjacks are in with anglers catching them from shore and off docks.”
Scup are everywhere in the Bay.
Lorraine Danti of Lucky Bait & Tackle said, “Customers are landing
19” and 20” scup at Colt State Park and the bridges in Warren and Barrington.”
It is a very informative and useful post thanks it is good material to read this post increases my knowledge. Fish Replicas
ReplyDelete