tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14412939993609344402024-03-13T13:22:47.833-07:00no fluke fishingCaptain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.comBlogger307125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-71564362190048880562020-05-21T06:55:00.000-07:002020-05-21T06:57:23.767-07:00$1.1-million awarded for wind farm studies, COVID-19 fishing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIuxBv9XorU/XsaD_NzwU6I/AAAAAAAACb8/wBBuojmzkUYko2jXnzxA-d8c7Awb646KACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/COVID%2Bfishing%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIuxBv9XorU/XsaD_NzwU6I/AAAAAAAACb8/wBBuojmzkUYko2jXnzxA-d8c7Awb646KACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/COVID%2Bfishing%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fishing
precautions:</b> You can fish and charter
fish in Rhode Island and Massachusetts (May 25) but COVID-19 orders should be
followed… six foot separation, mask, gloves when possible, etc. Photo
by Capt. Brian Coombs.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bmj4NntiAnQ/XsaECPYqQNI/AAAAAAAACcA/ZkLalahNVHIvPqJBH6MIuzyJY36WHtb8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Ed%2BManning%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1332" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bmj4NntiAnQ/XsaECPYqQNI/AAAAAAAACcA/ZkLalahNVHIvPqJBH6MIuzyJY36WHtb8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Ed%2BManning%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpeg" width="266" /></a></div>
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Off the
beach:</b> Ed Manning caught this 20”
tautog off Little Compton Beach.
Catching tautog from the beach is often not an easy task. Ed used a
tautog rig with green crab.</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">$1.1-million awarded for wind farm studies, and COVID-19 fishing</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rhode Island, Massachusetts and the Bureau
of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced grants worth $1.1 million for four regional
studies (verses site specific studies) that will collect data vital to the development
of offshore wind and fishing.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">INSPIRE Environmental, Newport, in
conjunction with the New England Aquarium and Standard Approaches for Acoustic
and Imagery Data, will use acoustic telemetry to study highly migratory species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The initiative will include the acoustic
tagging and tracking of species such as tuna and sharks at popular recreational
fishing spots in wind farm areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
study aims to provide new bassline data on highly migratory species enabling
ongoing assessment of any impacts (negative or positive) of offshore wind on highly
migratory species and associated recreational fishing.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Rhode
Island is a proud partner in this landmark effort to conduct regional
scientific studies on fisheries resources prior to the start of any offshore
construction activities,” <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">said
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit</span>.
“The selected studies will help to fill data gaps and allow for informed
decision-making while paving the way for meeting Rhode Island’s renewable
energy goals and advancing climate mitigation efforts.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Atlantic bluefin tuna closure</b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
Angling category in the northern area (north of 39°18’ N. lat.) for trophy
bluefin tuna closed May 21, 2020 and will remain closed through December 31,
2020. Trophy bluefin tuna are those that measure 73 inches or
greater. Note that the Angling category fishery for school, large school,
or small medium bluefin tuna 27 to less than 73 inches remains open. Visit </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/">https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/</a></span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> .</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">COVID-19 Fishing</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As a charter captain I plan on
implementing a series of guidelines, as part my COVID-19 Plan to get back to
fishing with customers.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Earlier this week I fished with a colleague
practicing many of these precautions to test them out and added a few based on
the experience.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Masks were worm on the vessel and six
foot separation was practiced, tackle box remained off limits except for the
captain, bait was cut wearing gloves, ideally it should have been put in separate
containers for each angler, each of us used our own gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hands were washed or sanitized frequently.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After the fishing trip all gear,
tackle and tools touched by anglers were put aside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vessel was washed with soap and rinsed
thoroughly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All fishing rods, tackle and
tools i.e. plyers, cutting board, knives, filet gloves, tackle were washed in
soapy water and rinsed thoroughly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>High touch
areas were then disinfected with cleaner.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fishing is a sport/activity that can
be safely implemented in a pandemic bringing solace to individuals and joy to
families and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure you take
a number of passengers that safely allows six foot separate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At press time the State is developing such a
formula for charter boats based on the length and beam of your vessel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visit <a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/">www.dem.ri.gov</a> for details as they are
released.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Family/household units are treated
differently in that masks and social distancing are not necessary.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
The below list of guidelines was developed
from proposals made to Governor Gina Raimondo from the American Saltwater
Guides Association, the RI Party & Charter Boat Association and standing RI
Health Department and executive orders from the Governor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an integral part by my charter fishing business
COVID-19 plan and my personal plan for fishing with others recreationally.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No
Fluke Fishing LLC, COVID-19 Guidelines</span></b></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">Completion of a COVID-19 health screening
the day before the trip which would include contact information on all
trip participants (name, email address, phone number and city/state of
residence) e-mailed to <u><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="color: windowtext;">dmontifish@verizon.net</span></a></u> .</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">Passengers also asked to respond to the
following question the day before the trip. “Are you or anyone else in
your party experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms including fever, cough,
difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, etc.”</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Request
that all passengers who are feeling ill or showing any signs of being
infected cancel the trip prior to arrival with no penalty for
cancellation.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before
boarding the vessel the temperature of passengers, crew and captain will
be taken using an infrared thermometer. Any sign of fever, the trip will
be postponed or cancelled with no penalty for cancelation.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Limiting
the number of clients on board: No Fluke Fishing limits vessel trips to
three to four passengers depending on the type of trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phase I State of RI fishing regulations
will change as conditions improve; presently they set the boats limit to
six passengers plus captain based on the length and beam of the vessel.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Passengers
provide their food and drink in small personal container, no communal
cooler.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Vessel
will practice social distancing (six feet) as required when fishing and
when vessel is underway if at all possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Passengers must practice social
distancing.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Passengers
are asked to rinse, wash and sanitize hands regularly.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt;">All
cabins, commonly touched surfaces, and equipment on the vessel will be
sanitized between trips. The entire vessel is thoroughly cleaned at the
end of each fishing day.<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Charter
fees will be collected online whenever possible to encourage paperless
transactions.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All persons (captain and
passengers) are required to wear face coverings during charter boat
operations in accordance with RIDOH regulations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gloves are encouraged when possible.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">No
sharing of gear and tackle, ask captain to get supplies out of cabin and
tackle boxes for you.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Where’s
the bite?</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tautog. </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kiana
Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said, “We weighed in a 25” male
tautog last week.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ed Manning of Little
Compton caught a 20” tautog off Little Compton Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Catching tautog from the beach is often not
an easy task. “Customers caught keeper tautog this weekend at the Day Marker
and Conimicut Light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times there were
so many boats fishing these spots it looked like a wagon train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One customer caught two keepers at the Day
Marker but they were in the 16” to 17” range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Primarily small fish.” said John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait &
Tackle, Riverside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The tautog fishing
picked up this week with a good bite at General Rock, Plum Light and off Hope
Island.” said Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeff Ingber of Ocean State Tackle, Providence
said, “Last weekend the tautog fishing was off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once the front arrived things shut down.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dereck Kolodziejczak reports on the RI Saltwater
Angler Blog, “</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
fish all over Narragansett bay , Newport, Providence for tog Friday,
Saturday and Sunday both sides of the tide 10-40’ of water. STRUGGLE
CITY!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Striped bass</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Apponaug and East Greenwich Coves, Warwick Light and Bear Point,
Prudence Island have all been good for school striped bass fishing.” said Ken
Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle. Nathan Heywood of Red Top Sporting Goods,
Buzzards Bay, said, “There are a lot of school striped bass in the Cape Cod Canal
now with an occasional keeper being caught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Soft plastics, bait and all types of lures seem to be working.” Jeff
Ingber of Ocean State said, “Striped bass in the 22” to 26” range are all over
the East Passage and in the West Passage they seem stretched out from Warwick
Light to Quonset Point.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kiana Macedo of
Lucky Bait & Tackle said, “Customers are catching fish all the way up the
River to Pawtucket.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We have bass in
the upper reaches of the Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bite
has been good off Veterans Parkway in front of the orthopedic medical office
building, at Bull Point and India Point, Providence.” said Littlefield of Archie’s
Bait & Tackle.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Freshwater</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. “Customers are experiencing a
good pickerel and largemouth bite at Stump Pond.” said Jeff Ingber of Ocean
State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait
& Tackle said, “The largemouth bite is good in area ponds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiners are the bait of choice.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Lavallee of Continental Bait & Tackle,
Cranston said, “With the cold April we have an extended trout season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carbuncle Pond (Coventry) has been very good.
But Meadow Brook Pond (Bradford) and Carolina Pond (Richmond) have been great
too.”</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-82070605851464491842020-05-21T04:08:00.000-07:002020-05-21T04:08:18.235-07:00Fishing is good, so it’s your choice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ddzi87rAHPw/XsZf4K27FcI/AAAAAAAACbg/3VAXNXl9sbwvQGnFiXLHjAU3Clu6swjMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Michael%2BMercer%2BRiverside%2Btautog%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1446" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ddzi87rAHPw/XsZf4K27FcI/AAAAAAAACbg/3VAXNXl9sbwvQGnFiXLHjAU3Clu6swjMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Michael%2BMercer%2BRiverside%2Btautog%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB%2B2.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
<i>Michael Mercer of Riverside with tautog
he caught along the Providence River.
Mike said, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">The jigs are out
producing the hook and sinker rig ten to one.”</span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oiT7E4pxPjA/XsZf8EHGtuI/AAAAAAAACbk/G7vMjMQ4u4YdkrM4nend8XQwRPYUMavbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Derck%2BKolodziejczak%2BPlum%2BPT%2Btautog%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="510" height="242" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oiT7E4pxPjA/XsZf8EHGtuI/AAAAAAAACbk/G7vMjMQ4u4YdkrM4nend8XQwRPYUMavbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Derck%2BKolodziejczak%2BPlum%2BPT%2Btautog%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tautog
bite strong: </b>The tautog
bite remains strong in the Bay and along the coastal shore. Derek Kolodziejczak
with a tautog caught this week near the Jamestown Bridge.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fishing is good, so it’s your choice</b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
By week’s end things warmed up and
brought on the fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tautog bite was
great and we saw an uptick in the school striped bass bite with more keeper
size fish in the slot limit of 28” to <35 being="" caught.="" p="">
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
And, for the very first time we
heard reports of summer flounder (fluke) in the area. Elisa Cahill of Snug
Harbor Marina said, “Commercial boats have started to catch some nice summer
flounder (fluke) southwest of Block Island.” Thursday, Capt. Rick Bellavance of
the RI Party & Charter Boat Association said, “As of this morning charter
boats have found it hard to hook up with fluke south of Block Island.” The hope
is that the warm weather will bring in the fluke this week and next.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anlger Mike Mercer of Riverside said, “</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The tautog fishing has been
tremendous for the past couple of weeks, and gets better every day. The Tog are
moving up the bay to spawn, and as they do, I have been following them. Togging
up in the Providence River has been red hot. Small crabs on the lightest jig
seem to be the ticket. The jigs are out producing the hook and sinker rig ten
to one.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Snug Harbor Marina used tackle sale</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Visit
</span><span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pg/snug.marina">www.facebook.com/pg/snug.marina</a></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> for
Saturday’s video from Elisa Cahill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Snug Harbor Marina annual used tackle sale will take place on June 6 and
7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are now taking tackle for the
sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers can either get a 100
percent credit toward store purchases from the tackle they sell at the sale, or
they can take the cash with Snub Harbor receiving a 20 percent commission. Keep
checking the Snug Harbor website or Facebook page for sale details. Some of the
items available at the sale are often listed.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Keep
the haddock and leave overfished cod</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Massachusetts there is a record
high haddock population and a record low population of Atlantic cod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact recreational cod fishing north of
Cape Cod is not allowed in MA except for one week in September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, south of the Cape including RI,
there is a 10 fish/person/day limit in place, 21” minimum size. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So no problem when fishing North
Cape Cod, just fish for haddock and back off the cod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s not that easy as both haddock and
cod prefer similar habitat and are commonly caught together. The discarded cod
that is caught (or bycatch) from haddock anglers is a leading source of
mortality for the cod stock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the
challenge is how do you fish haddock while leaving the cod alone.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">State’s
solution to haddock fishing</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In response to the challenge the
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) developed a bycatch avoidance
tool and using cod and haddock density data from trawl surveys. You can view
the guide with fishing maps and a downloadable fishing app at </span><span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.mass.gov/doc/haddock-recreational-fishing-guide">www.mass.gov/doc/haddock-recreational-fishing-guide</a></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where’s the bite?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Freshwater. “</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Heavy –medium sized shiners are
the bait of choice for anglers targeting bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, not many anglers are targeting trout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most are focusing on largemouth bass as well
as saltwater fishing.” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait &
Tackle Riverside, said, “The wind this weekend was creating whitecaps even on
ponds and lakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some anglers have been
targeting small ponds where they can get out of the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers are catching carp in the four to five
pound ranger at Slater Park Pond in Pawtucket.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Striped bass.</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor Marina said, “At one point surfcasters fishing
the beach near the Ocean Mist Restaurant, South Kingstown said the water was
bubbling with school striped bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More
bass than they ever have seen in one place before.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle said, “Striped
bass are spotty but all over the Bay with the bite in the East Passage being
best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeper fish have been caught all
the way up to Providence and East Providence in the Rivers.” </span>Jeff Miller
of Canal Bait & Tackle, Sagamore said, “The school bass bite with 29” and
30” keepers mixed in is pretty strong in the Cape Cod Canal now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soft plastics are working well.” <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">East End Eddie Doherty of Mattapoisett said
this week, “</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’ve only been out to the Ditch (Cape Cod Canal) a few times, but
caught a 24 inch striper on a white Hurley Canal Killer at first light. I put
him back after telling him that I was looking for his grandfather!”</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tautog.</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Keeper fish (16” or larger) are
being caught all over the Bay and along the coast in the 18” and 19”
range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At press time, not many large
fish have been taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anlger </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Derek </span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kolodziejczak of Johnston said, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fished some rock piles Friday north and south of Jamestown
Bridge from 12 to 20 feet with green crabs and did well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fished later in the weekend from shore in
Providence and did well too. The spring season has not a disappointment.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor said “The bite is
on all along the coast, customers are doing well with tautog.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Henault from Ocean State said, “Tautog
fishing is very, very good. Green crabs and jigs are working well.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Bold Point and the dock at the new
orthopedic building off the Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence is
producing.”</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i></i><br /></35></div>
Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-72555376856237613242020-05-21T04:01:00.000-07:002020-05-21T04:01:09.771-07:00Charter fishing with in-state residents allowed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wq6U5NJxNh4/XsZc9vNPkFI/AAAAAAAACbE/nvsMC_pnBpM2mlQickNisNEtb746RShZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Capt.%2BMonti%2Btautog%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="1211" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wq6U5NJxNh4/XsZc9vNPkFI/AAAAAAAACbE/nvsMC_pnBpM2mlQickNisNEtb746RShZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Capt.%2BMonti%2Btautog%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Good
tautog bite:</b> Capt. Monti with a tautog
caught at Plum Island Light, North Kingstown this week. The bite has been good there and all over the
Narragansett and Buzzards Bay. </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-_S67qLVAU/XsZdIH2G53I/AAAAAAAACbY/LMqCjofrEg8IunlUO5gwsLUiNsJqd09eACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Trout%2Band%2BSalmon%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="1600" height="271" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-_S67qLVAU/XsZdIH2G53I/AAAAAAAACbY/LMqCjofrEg8IunlUO5gwsLUiNsJqd09eACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Trout%2Band%2BSalmon%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Salmon
and trout bite hot</b>: Tom
Mihalko (right) of Warwick and fishing friend Harry Culler of Coventry with
some of the trout and salmon (to 25”) they caught on the Wood River last week.</i></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><i></i><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Charter fishing with in-state residents allowed</b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
In Rhode Island charter boats can
fish with in-state resident passengers as long as social distancing and all
other orders are followed. However, out of state anglers are not allowed to
fish here unless quarantined for 14 days.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
In a joint letter to Governor Gina
Raimondo, the American Saltwater Guides Association and the RI Party &
Charter Boat Association asked the Governor to consider allowing out of state
anglers to fish on charter boats as soon as it is safe.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Capt. Rick Bellavance, president of
the RIPCBA said, “About 80 percent of our customers are out of state residents so
allowing them to fish here is vitally important to our industry.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the same letter Peter Jenkins, owner of
the Saltwater Edge, Middletown and chairman of the board of the American
Saltwater Guides Association said, “We propose a number of preventative actions
that our industry members are prepared to take.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actions included assessing the health of passages,
wearing approved face covering and gloves and a cleaning protocol.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Time for tautog fishing</b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
The spring tautog bite is on in
Massachusetts and Rhode Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minimum
size is 16” with a three fish/person/day limit (and a ten fish boat
limit).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The limit in Massachusetts drops
to one fish on June 1, however, in Rhode Island it closes two months in June
and July during the spawning season.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Here are five tips on how to catch
them.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Find structure to find
tautog.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tautog can be fished from shore or boat and
in both cases they like structure (rocks, wrecks, bridge piers, dock pilings, mussel
beds, ledges holes and humps along the coast).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, no structure, no tautog.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Fish where the fish are.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is particularly true with tautog because they are a territorial
species, you have to find the tautog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are not going to find you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you get
no bites move to another spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you
find them, you find them and the bite is on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Boat placement is important.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Find structure, estimate wind/drift direction and anchor up current from
where you want to fish and drift back to the spot as the anchor is
setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cover as much area as you can
fishing all around the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If still no
bites let some anchor line out to change your position, if still no bites it is
time to move the vessel. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Tautog baits.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> Green crabs or Asian crabs are the baits
of choice in the fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However soft
baits like calm worm and clams are often used in spring as some angler believe
the tautog like soft baits this time of year. When using green crabs make it
easy for the tautog to bite and take the bait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I like to break off most of the legs and claws leaving one per side on
the end, cut the crab in half and hook it through one leg socket and out another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Tautog rigs</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> should have as little hardware as
possible to avoid bottom tie-ups. I make single hook rigs with about seven or
eight feet of monofilament line and attach it to the main braid line directly
with a dropper for a pre-snelled ‘Lazar Sharp’ brand hook (you need sharp hooks
to get through tough tautog lips).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
also use a special egg singer rig to avoid tie-ups, jigs and snafu rigs </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">depending
on conditions and bottom type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Where’s the bite?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tautog.
</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angler Jeff Sullivan of Bristol County spoke
with me at Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sullivan said, “The tautog bite is real strong everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers are catching them out in front and in
the Bay, off jetties from shore and over rock piles on a boat.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom Coots of Red Top Sporting Goods, Buzzards
Bay said, “The west end of the Canal is yielding tautog, but the bite really
turned on in Buzzards Bay this week with anglers catching keepers on the east
side at the old entrance to the Canal, Cleveland Ledge and on rock piles in
throughout the Bay</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Striped
bass</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> fishing is outstanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle said, “Soft plastics like Al Gag’s
Whip-It-Eel are doing well in white, pink and confetti. Other fish are being
taken in the Seekonk River with clam sea worms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We also have a good squid bite going on.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hayes of Quaker Lane said, “Striped bass
fishing continues to improve with some larger keeper fish in the 29” to 30”
range being caught too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom Coots of
Red Top Sporting Goods said, “We now have school bass in the Cape Cod Canal and
some keepers be caught in Buttermilk Bay and in the rivers.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Freshwater</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> fishing
remains hot with a great trout and largemouth bass bite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers Tom Mihalko of Warwick and Harry
Culler, Coventry caught twenty fish last week, both Salmon and trout on the
Wood River with one salmon weighing 4 pounds and measuring 25”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom said, “<span style="color: black;">A really
amazing, unforgettable time. When we launched at 6:00 a.m. there was ice on the
ramp and the grass, fog on the water…, after the fog lifted and sun hit the
water the fish bite exploded.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Jeff
Sullivan said, “Bass are prespawn so they are in low water at the banks as the
water starts to warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The males appear
first followed shortly after by the females.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Swim baits, spinning bait and jigs are working well. The Brickyard Pond
locally yielding some nice bass too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-8235340554969260842020-05-21T03:48:00.000-07:002020-05-21T03:48:00.657-07:00Fresh and salt bite hot, so it’s your choice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O983whG93GM/XsZac8h3qXI/AAAAAAAACao/VpXqYAy1oqMpsX8Fxcrrh8rgF_EsrOuQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Ted%2BZack%2BGolden%2BTrout%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O983whG93GM/XsZac8h3qXI/AAAAAAAACao/VpXqYAy1oqMpsX8Fxcrrh8rgF_EsrOuQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Ted%2BZack%2BGolden%2BTrout%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Double Gold:</b> Ted Zack, Aquidneck Island Rod Builders, with
two golden trout caught one after another this week. Visit <a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/">www.dem.ri.gov</a>
for trout stocked waterways and golden trout program details.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZSCQcDWPh4/XsZafr1mRbI/AAAAAAAACas/QCOaVmrdHC8X0CkN1g2h0TlpJvaZEx1igCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Elisa%2BCahill%2Btrout%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="695" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZSCQcDWPh4/XsZafr1mRbI/AAAAAAAACas/QCOaVmrdHC8X0CkN1g2h0TlpJvaZEx1igCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Elisa%2BCahill%2Btrout%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
<b> </b><i><b>First
freshwater license: </b>Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor Marina, South
Kingstown, shares her success at freshwater fishing with four trout caught in
South County. </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NZ8J6XOrac/XsZatngyVoI/AAAAAAAACa0/RxshGR6976Y5rcs0t30DWfSX5LjD3IBnACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/School%2Bbass%2Bbite%2B-%2BPhoto%2BD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NZ8J6XOrac/XsZatngyVoI/AAAAAAAACa0/RxshGR6976Y5rcs0t30DWfSX5LjD3IBnACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/School%2Bbass%2Bbite%2B-%2BPhoto%2BD.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">First
keeper:</b> One of the 23” to 28”
school bass Jon Pickering caught from his kayak earlier this week. Photo from <a href="http://www.ristriper.blogspont.com/">www.ristriper.blogspont.com</a>
.</i></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><i></i><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b>Fresh and salt bite hot, so it’s your choice</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
This week anglers have been fishing
both fresh and saltwater with success. Ponds stocked with trout in Rhode Island
and Massachusetts (see links below) have been exploding with good size trout
and spring striped bass have invaded our southern coast shore, ponds, bays and
inlets.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane Bait
& Tackle, North Kingstown said, “In addition to PowerBait and worms,
customers are now using spinners and silver spoons for trout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of our customers caught a 3.85 pound
rainbow trout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barber Pond and Silver
Spring Lake have been yielding great trout.”</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
On the saltwater side anglers are
getting keeper tautog but fishing has been sluggish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly
said, “School striper fishing has exploded along coastal beaches, up the
Pawcatuck River and in coves, bays and estuaries. We have an abundance of jumbo
silversides in the water with shad (herring) all the way up the Pawtucket River
that is attaching stripers.” <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dave Pickering, expert striper fisherman and
author said, “<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">My son, Jon, got the
first keeper in the family in this new year early in the week from his kayak…
he landed quite a few decent fish from 23 to 28 inches.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Enhance you catch & release skills</b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
The 2020 fishing regulation for
striped bass is one fish/person/day in the slot limit of 28” to < 35”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>National Oceanographic & Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) data shows that 90 percent of the striped bass caught by anglers
are released back into the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is good for conservation, however, NOAA urges anglers enhance their catch &
release skills to decrease the mortality rate of released fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Use the right gear and tackle</b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
A single inline hook on lures is
recommended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your lure has treble
hooks consider change them or snapping down the barbs on each of the hooks with
a needle nose plyer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll minimize the
damage to a feisty fish with fewer hooks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also try not to muscle in these fish as their lips and mouths are
small and weak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take it easy on them but
bring them to the boat as quickly as possible to minimize fish exhaustion.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
This year in Massachusetts circle
hooks are required when targeting striped bass with bait and next year Rhode
Island will likely have the same regulation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Circle hooks tend to hook fish on the corner of the mouth rather than
hooking them in the gut or throat like ‘J’ hooks.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Other catch & release tactics
include keeping fish in the water as much as possible when removing hook; use
gloves and/or wet your hand before handling the fish as dry hands remove the
fish’s protective slime layer and leave it open to infection; gently remove the
hook to minimize damage; return fish to water quickly and place them gently in
the water in upright horizontal position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Move it back and forth in the water holding its tail to force water
across its gills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once fish revives,
allow it to swim away.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lighten-up</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
My personal favorite in the early
spring is to use lightweight rods and reels as they provide anglers with the
most challenging fight. I have a couple of light Penn rods and reels ready to
go along with a couple of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St. Croix Mojo
light and medium inshore spinning rods<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>paired with Shimano Stella 4000 reels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Shimano Stella reels are spooled with 20 pound braid and 20 pound
fluorocarbon leaders just like the Penn rigs (use these for bonito and false
albacore too).</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
When a bass smacks your lure and
runs with it there’s nothing more exciting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With an abundance of small fish around the past couple of years most
experts expect that fishing for school bass will be hot once again this year. </div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where to find the fish</i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Like most fish, finding spring
striped bass is all about the bait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much
of the bait in the spring is herring, or Atlantic menhaden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you find the bait, the odds of finding
the fish are dramatically improved.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
An incoming tide is my preference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Casting around jetties, sandbars, holes,
ledges or small pieces of structure has been successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea is to cast into eddies, and just
beyond them, that have been created by the incoming tide whirling around the
structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often times we cast in front
of the structure, or if a sandbar in the low water on top of it, and then pull
the lure away from the structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
this way your lure is acting much the same way a bait fish acts when it gets
pushed up on the structure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Where’s the bite?</b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If fishing this week stay COVID-19 safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Keep six foot social distancing, no groups of more than
five, and wear a mask or scarf when near others. State parks in Rhode Island
are closed, so there is no parking. Call ahead to find out how your bait shop
is servicing customers.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Freshwater.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorraine Danti
of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said “Customer Ted Zack of Aquidneck Island
Rod Builders caught two golden trout this week”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Zack said,<span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21;"> “What a way to start the day. First golden ever then another
one on the next fish! Going on the smoker now.”</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said the
trout bite is outstanding at Barber Pond and all stocked waterways.” Visit <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife"><span style="color: blue;">www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife</span></a></span></u>
for a list of stocked ponds and regulations in Massachusetts and if in Rhode
Island visit <span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/">www.dem.ri.gov</a> </span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Striped
bass. </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anglers are catching school bass where there is bait (Atlantic
menhaden and herring). Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane said “The school bass bite is
good at the West Wall, on coastal beaches and in bays and estuaries.”</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-38459234232831183932019-08-08T15:27:00.000-07:002019-08-08T15:27:29.121-07:00Commission approves addendum for public comment… striped bass getting a haircut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iWavYQDg9ew/XUyfPTbngwI/AAAAAAAACYQ/D0GwEBP4dKEtQlxZ1j68D5oJRQTRMHtWACLcBGAs/s1600/Block%2BIsland%2BFishing%2BLights%2BOut%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="932" height="222" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iWavYQDg9ew/XUyfPTbngwI/AAAAAAAACYQ/D0GwEBP4dKEtQlxZ1j68D5oJRQTRMHtWACLcBGAs/s320/Block%2BIsland%2BFishing%2BLights%2BOut%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i> <b>Striped bass bite ‘lights out’</b> <b>at
Block Island:</b> Striped bass caught
early morning on the southwest side while fellow anglers continue to jig for
bass on C-Devil Charters with Capt. Kelly Smith. </i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5__J5ZOceg/XUyfS3aIncI/AAAAAAAACYU/HhBQTEhkPXgDH-7jcpcdMVm1ALJkz-wAACLcBGAs/s1600/DG%2BBonito%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB%2Bv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="712" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5__J5ZOceg/XUyfS3aIncI/AAAAAAAACYU/HhBQTEhkPXgDH-7jcpcdMVm1ALJkz-wAACLcBGAs/s320/DG%2BBonito%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB%2Bv1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i>Dave Garzoli found bonito Sunday
off Charlestown Beach. He hooked three
of the speedster on a small Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Commission
a<o:p></o:p></span></b><b>pproves addendum for public comment… striped bass getting a haircut</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Commission (ASMFC) with a 16 to 0 unanimous vote Thursday, approved Addendum VI
to the striped bass management plan for public comment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aim of the addendum is to reduce harvest
by 18 percent.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A number of reduction options will be
put out for public comment so new regulations for striped bass can be enacted
for the 2020 fishing season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most
recent stock assessment shows the stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Both commercial and recreational
fisheries will be taking a cut, however, how much of a cut each sector takes is
outlined in Addendum VI options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
option (2) calls for an equal reduction of 18 percent in both sectors, and in option
(3) the commercial sector takes a smaller percentage reduction of 1.8 percent
and the recreational sector takes a 20 percent reduction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rationale for this option is that the
commercial fishery is managed via a static quota system which keeps effort and
removals relatively constant from year to year, while the recreational
management program does not have a harvest limit. This has allowed recreational
effort and, therefore, removals to increase with resource availability and
other social and economic factors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Highlights of recreational options going
out for public comment between August and October include: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Option 1: status quo… keep things
as they are now which will do nothing in achieving the required harvest
reductions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Option
2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has multiple components. It calls
for the recreational and commercial sectors to both absorb an 18% harvest
reduction fr<span class="textexposedshow">om 2017 levels. To achieve this in the
recreational sector they are offering three sub-options, all options would
maintain t</span>he existing season for striped bass, which is year round for
recreational anglers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Option 2-A1:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One fish at 35" minimum for ocean states which would result in and 18
percent reduction </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="textexposedshow"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Option
2-A2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One fish between a 28"-34"
slot which would result in a 19 percent reduction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Option
2-A3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One fish between a 32"-40"
slot which would result in a 21 percent reduction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An
additional sub-option was suggested at the meeting, which is to include a slot
size limit with a 30” minimum size and a maximum size limit that meets the required
reduction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Circle hooks for striped bass
bait fishing is also offered in Amendment VI with three options for the public
to comment on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Addendum also has
options for the Chesapeake Bay fishery, which historically have been different.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Patrick
Paquette, a fish advocate and former president to the Massachusetts Striped
Bass Association, commented to commissioners prior to their vote, “</span>We
are wasting the public’s time if they are not able to comment on the fact that
Addendum VI has only a 50 percent chance of being successful in meeting
mandated reductions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The public should
be given the opportunity to comment on this as well.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Visit
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.asmfc.org/">www.asmfc.org</a></span>
for details on what was approved for public comment in both commercial and
recreational fishing sectors as the original Draft Addendum VI has changed via
striped bass board input and approval.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Where’s t</span>he bite?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Striped bass and bluefish. </b>Capt. Rick Bellavance of Priority Too
Charters and president of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association,
said, “Striped bass fishing was fantastic his week at the southwest corner of
Block Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bite is good in the morning
as well as the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Polyjig
parachutes are working for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others
are catching bass on eels.” Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence,
said, “It’s been lights out striped bass fishing at Block Island with eels and
at the Cape Cod Canal for the <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">past week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Law enforcement has cracked down on poaching on the Canal and last week
issued over $8,000 in fines on the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The fishing was so good there bass were swimming between anglers legs as
the bass had pushed bait up close to shore.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>East End Eddie, noted Canal fisherman and author said, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">I caught a 34 inch striped bass this
morning (Tuesday) on the Canal on an early west tide and the guy next to me
landed a 35 incher. I stopped at Red Top Sporting Goods (Buzzards Bay) and
while I was there owner Tom Coots told me that Jacob, an associate there,
caught a 50 pound fish last night at 5:00 p.m. in the Canal on a surface plug.
He released the fish, but it bottomed out his 50 pound BogaGrip scale so it was
probably heavier than 50!” </span>Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle,
Warwick, said, “We had a customer put out an eel while black sea bass fishing
at Seal Rock off Newport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly after
a 50 pound bass bit the eel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took the
angler 20 minutes to land the fish.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle said, “The snapper
bluefish bite has improved in our coves and estuaries.” Anglers have also caught
blues on the surface in the East Passage as well as in the Sakonnet River.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Summer
flounder, scup and black sea bass.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Balck sea bass fishing continues to be good at Block Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers are drifting on the southwest side of
Block Island and are doing well with black sea bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait &
Tackle said, “Shore anglers at Colt State Park, Sabin’s Point and other mid and
upper Bay areas continue to do well catching scup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Customers have not had a good week for summer
flounder as the bite seems to be off in the Bay.” Capt. Rick Bellavance said,
“Black sea bass fishing could not be better with easy limits of 18” to 20” blue
male fish common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A simple one hook rig
with squid is all you need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monster scup
ae mixed in too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The summer flounder
bite has been difficult with some dog fish, however some sharpies have been
able to catch fluke.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ken Ferrara of
Ray’s Bait & Tackle said, “The Bay is warm so angler are doing much better
south of the Newport and Jamestown Bridges and out in front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scup, black sea bass are being caught at Seal
Ledge and Brenton Reef.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bonito</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> have been
off the southern coastal shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave
Garzoli said, “Two for three with bonito Sunday <span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21;">in the Charlestown beach area. Small Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow
worked well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First found a few birds
moving fast over them. Figured it was bonito. Stayed in the area and made a ton
of blind casts to eventually hook up.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Freshwater</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait said, “A 6.5 pound,
25” largemouth bass was caught at Gorton Pond in Warwick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The customer was fishing from the town deck,
he saw the largemouth circle his bait but did not take the minnow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly after a small turtle made a mov</span>e
for the shiner and before he got there the largemouth came up and took the
minnow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That largemouth wasn’t going let
that turtle take ‘his’ minnow.” John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle
said, “Fishing for largemouth bass has been good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week we weighed in a seven pound bass a
customer caught at Only Pond, Lincoln Woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was fishing for sun fish with his kids using worms and the largemouth
took the worm.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave Henault of Ocean
State said, “The largemouth bite continues to be good a Twin Rivers, Stump Pond
and Only Pond in Lincoln.”<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-35921299503461976352019-08-08T15:15:00.000-07:002019-08-08T15:15:11.316-07:00How to catch larger fluke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZc2f0tpq9A/XUydSN4ApDI/AAAAAAAACX8/rvWFtELlkmQ8hw8ej0DnqtnklXEEV49PwCLcBGAs/s1600/Jude%2BMonti%2Bwith%2Bwinning%2Bbass%2B-%2BPhoto%2BF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1295" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZc2f0tpq9A/XUydSN4ApDI/AAAAAAAACX8/rvWFtELlkmQ8hw8ej0DnqtnklXEEV49PwCLcBGAs/s320/Jude%2BMonti%2Bwith%2Bwinning%2Bbass%2B-%2BPhoto%2BF.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
<i> <b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Winning bass:</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"> Jude Monti
of Warwick with the 14.5 pound striped bass that took first place in the Youth
Division of the ‘Fishing for Fibromyalgia Striped Bass Tournament'.</span></i><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MIymNt1Q9ws/XUydUde_NCI/AAAAAAAACYA/-jUzeSSy0DgCa2k9cbdqE6kY185la91zwCLcBGAs/s1600/26%2Binch%2BJamestown%2Bfluke%2BSB%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1067" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MIymNt1Q9ws/XUydUde_NCI/AAAAAAAACYA/-jUzeSSy0DgCa2k9cbdqE6kY185la91zwCLcBGAs/s320/26%2Binch%2BJamestown%2Bfluke%2BSB%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>No Fluke:</i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i> Steve Brustein of West Warwick with a 26”
fluke he caught Sunday coming out of the deep water trench at Austin Hollow,
Jamestown.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How to catch larger fluke<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Anglers are catching a lot of
summer flounder (fluke) but the fish are undersized. In Rhode Island the
minimum size is 19”, six fish/person/day, and in Massachusetts the minimum size
is 17”, five fish/person/day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mike
Cardinal of Misquamicut Bait & Tackle said, “Fluke fishing along the
southern coastal shore is tough, anglers are catching plenty of small fish but
not a lot of keepers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about 30
shorts to one keeper.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michael Callahan
of Red Top Sporting Goods, Buzzards Bay said, “Fluke fishing has been difficult
in Buzzards Bay but things are improving a bit for anglers with larger fish.”</span>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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Most all of the large fluke we have
caught on my charter boat have been on edges or in deeper water this time of
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Summer flounder look into the
current to ambush bait fish, and the larger ones like to use edges for
cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I mean by edges is bottom
structure such as reefs, channel edges, flat areas at the foot of jetties, open
sandy spaces between bottom structure, the edges of underwater valleys,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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Another important factor is water
movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When water is warm in August
fish often can be found in deeper water and/or water that is moving and tossing
around bait such as bridge abutments, jetty and <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">channel edges, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I also like to use a large bait to
catch larger fluke and often tip my squid rig with squid, silversides or
spearing and often add a piece of fluke belly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I do not catch as many fish with this rig but the fish we do catch are
larger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Search
‘larger fluke’ when you visit my blog at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.noflukefishing.blogspot.com/">www.noflukefishing.blogspot.com</a></span>
for tips from the experts on how to catch larger fluke.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Favorite Places to catch fluke</span></b><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">•</span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "&quot",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Channel
breaks in and around Warwick Neck light<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">•</span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "&quot",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Channel
breaks and edges around the Jamestown and Newport bridges<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">•</span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "&quot",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Drop
off areas on the North West corner of Dutch Island<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">•</span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "&quot",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Underwater
valley off the southeast side of Dutch Island<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">•</span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "&quot",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Areas
off URI’s Bay Campus <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">•</span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "&quot",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Austin’s
Hollow (an underwater valley) off the west side of Jamestown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">•</span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "&quot",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Beavertail
in deep water off the west side<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">•</span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "&quot",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Southern
Rhode Island coastal beaches… Watch Hill, Charlestown, in front of the five
cottages, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">•</span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "&quot",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
center wall of the Harbor of Refuge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">•</span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "&quot",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Newport
at any number of deep water brakes off Seal Ledge and Brenton Reef, often 80’
of water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">•</span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "&quot",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At
the mouth of Hull and Mackerel Coves off Jamestown at the drop-offs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">•</span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "&quot",serif; font-size: 7.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Off
Block Island… the North Rip, Cow Cove on the north end, along the State beach
on the east side, the south side of the Island in and around the wind farm
area, the East Grounds, three miles off Block Island<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jude Monti takes Tournament youth division <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jude Monti,
age 12 of Warwick, took the Youth Division of the first annual ‘Fishing for
Fibromyalgia Striped Bass Tournament’ with a 14.5 pound striped bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike Mcgee took first place in the kayak
division.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Organizer
Richard Geldard said, “The Tournament (which was held July 20) was sponsored by
Snug Harbor Marina, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">On The Water</i>
Magazine and Massachusetts General Hospital. “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jenn Monti, Jude Monti’s mother said, “</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My husband (Jimmy) signed Jude up
at the last minute when they were buying bait that Friday. He was so
excited to win. There is nothing he would rather win a trophy for!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Richard Geldard said, “We had 24 entries, a
good start for a tournament we plan to hold annually.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Where’s the bite?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Summer flounder (fluke) </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">fishing
remained mixed this week with some large fish being taken but anglers had to
work for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. Frank Blount of the
Frances Fleet said, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">The fluke
fishing has really been a toss of the coin, good fishing one drift and then
nothing on the next. The beginning of the week saw the best action with fluke
to 10 pounds.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Sunday Steve Brustein
of West Warwick caught a 26” fluke on the north end of Austin Hollow, Jamestown
coming out of the 70 foot trench in 38 feet of water. Tom Giddings of the
Tackle Box, Warwick said, “We had a 25” fish caught off Prudence Island last
weekend.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike Cardinal of Misquamicut
Bait & Tackle said, “Fluke fishing along the southern coastal shores is
tough, anglers are catching plenty of small fish but not a lot of keepers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about 30 shorts to one keeper.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Striped bass</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> fishing has been mixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many
reports of school bass in lower Narragansett Bay area with keepers mixed
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We weighed in a 25 and a 28 pound
striped bass this weekend caught in the Gould Island to Prudence Island area.”
said John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick,
said, “This weekend we had customers travel to Block Island and caught no bass,
yet when they returned to Narragansett Bay they hooked up with school bass (some
keepers mixed in) at the Jamestown Bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fishing at Block Island has been good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mike Cardinal of Misquamicut Bait & Tackle said, “They are hooking
up with many large fish, almost too many in my book. Fishing from shore,
particularly at the breachways has been good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A lot of school bass with keepers mixed in.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle
said, “Striped bass fishing at Block Island is very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers continue to catch fish at night and
during the day with eels and on the troll as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shore anglers are catching keeper striped
bass too with Brenton Reef yielding fish but nothing like Block Island.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Black sea bass and scup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Scup
fishing is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Customers are catching
15” fish in the Bay and the black sea bass bite has been good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very large sea bass off Pt. Judith Light.”
said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John Littlefield said, “We have had a lot of scup caught at Sabin Point
and Colt State Park with balck sea bass being caught at Colt State Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason the black sea bass do not
travel to the upper Providence River areas.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Freshwater fishing</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> customers are crushing it.” said Tom Giddings of
the Tackle Box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The largemouth bass
bite has been very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers are
finding success with top water lures early morning and at dusk, and are fishing
a bit deeper during the day when water is warm.” said Giddings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane said, “The small
and largemouth bass bite has been very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Indian Lake (South Kingstown) is yielding fish for customers.” John
Littlefield said, “We weighted in a 5.5 pound largemouth last week.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com75tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-32496355620254533722019-07-23T10:01:00.000-07:002019-07-23T10:01:48.719-07:00Striped bass, our State fish, in jeopardy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xmNhuC2PB2w/XTc7ZWgpDhI/AAAAAAAACXc/n50XNv3dJIEuNjla_Rk6Mz81ol_5xpNmACLcBGAs/s1600/Newport%2Bcatch%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xmNhuC2PB2w/XTc7ZWgpDhI/AAAAAAAACXc/n50XNv3dJIEuNjla_Rk6Mz81ol_5xpNmACLcBGAs/s320/Newport%2Bcatch%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Newport Catch:</b>
Taylor Potter, Jake Santos, Peter and Aiden Coulombe with fluke and sea bass
caught off Newport Sunday.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_GBlbVdOwt8/XTc7eBtp_CI/AAAAAAAACXg/iNNJbj35X9MkqX2-9P6viRTngAvlIKvCACLcBGAs/s1600/Newport%2BBridge%2Bcatch%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="1305" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_GBlbVdOwt8/XTc7eBtp_CI/AAAAAAAACXg/iNNJbj35X9MkqX2-9P6viRTngAvlIKvCACLcBGAs/s320/Newport%2BBridge%2Bcatch%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">First keeper fluke:</b>
Aiden Coulombe (seven) of Massachusetts and his father Peter with fist keeper
fluke he caught at the Newport Bridge last week.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Striped
bass, our State fish, in jeopardy</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I like to fish for striped bass as
other anglers do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was designated
Rhode Island’s official State fish in 2000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is also the official State symbol in New York, Virginia and New
Hampshire. And, although striped bass are revered in Massachusetts, cod was
designated there state fish in 1974.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On August 8 the Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), which regulates striped bass coastwide in state waters,
will be discussing striped bass and options on how to rebuild the species as
they are presently overfished and overfishing is occurring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This in part means that based on the best available
science, the Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB) of striped bass is too small to
sustain the fishery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we continue to
take fish, at the rate we are taking them, the science says the stock is and will
continue to crash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you live in Massachusetts or Rhode
Island and do not want striped bass to continue to crash, and want to feel good
about taking a stand to rebuild them, send an email to your Massachusetts or
Rhode Island commissions that sit on the ASMFC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Visit <span><a href="http://www.asmfc.org/about-us/commissioners">www.asmfc.org/about-us/commissioners</a></span>
for commissioner email addresses.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We need to rebuild striped bass
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In your note to commissions simply
relate we need to return striped bass fishing mortality to the target in the <a href="https://click.everyaction.com/k/8277901/79809953/-360817655?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU4NjkzIiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjM2NjY1Njc2LTAwYTctZTkxMS1iY2QwLTI4MTg3ODM5MWVmYiIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAibmV3c0BtaWRkbGVyaXZlcmdyb3VwLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=Nqahc5Ak28MGjm0b7CXGXEKjJPYWy0rwWh-G6-dPp6c=" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">current management plan</span></a> (known as Amendment 6) and that it
needs to be done by 2020. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask commissioners to oppose the
motion to begin a new amendment to the management plan, which could result in new
goals and objectives that reduce striped bass abundance and harm the long-term
health of the spawning stock.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For information about striped bass stock status visit <span><a href="https://saltwaterguidesassociation.com/blog/">https://saltwaterguidesassociation.com/blog/</a></span>
.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fishing when the
water gets hot</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
It’s not even mid-summer and the water
is very warm. The water in Buzzards Bay Wednesday was 73 degrees, warmer than
the usual average of 68 degrees. And, Narragansett Bay was 75 degrees this
week, even hotter in low water coves and sanctuaries.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
When water gets hot and things are
compounded by poor flushing of our north facing coves, the oxygen levels drop
and fishing in some areas can be challenging. </div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Bait fish leave the area and the
fish we like to catch (and eat) often leave for cooler, deeper water that is
better oxygenated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fish such as black
sea bass, scup, summer founder, even bluefish and striped bass may be harder to
find in Bay. </div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
So, how do you catch fish when it
seems like there are no fish to be found? As a charter captain I have often had
to find fish for customers, family and friends even though the water was
warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some tips I remind myself
of when wanting to catch fish when the water warms up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fish where the fish are</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The key to fishing warm water in summer is
water movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fish areas that get
flushed often and have structure or edges where water movement is brisk and
often deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This includes structure such
as channel pads, under or near bridges, rock clusters, jetties, outcrops,
points or peninsulas on land and wrecks. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For example the Cape Cod Canal gets flushed with each tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fishing is usually pretty good there this
time of year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, the shipping channel
in the East Passage of Narragansett Bay, from the southern tip of Prudence
Island to Providence, serves as a "fish highway" flushing that
side of the Bay bringing bait and fish into the Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Places such as Warwick Neck; Providence
Point, Sandy Point and the T-Wharf on Prudence Island; Poppasquash Point,
Bristol; and Sally’s Rock, Greenwich Cove; as well as Quonset Point, North
Kingstown all serve as natural structure that can whip water around them along
with bait fish and the fish we like to catch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And, the Jamestown and Newport Bridges in Rhode Island serve
as manmade fish magnets, funneling water, bait and fish. So when the water is
warm you have to take advantage of structure and fish where the fish are.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This holds true for freshwater fishing too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fish deeper water, areas that are shaded and
areas that have some water movement when the water gets hot.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Where’s the bite? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Freshwater.</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorraine Danti of Lucky Bait & Tackle,
Warren said, “Anglers are doing better in deep water ponds as the water
temperature is rising in smaller ponds creating algae bloom and poor water
quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stafford Pond in Tiverton is
producing bass for customers.” Stafford Pond is relatively deep with a maximum
depth of about 22 feet. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said,
“Shiners are a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have only
been getting half of what we order, but customers that are fishing are doing
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fishing in Gorton Pond, Warwick has
been good, producing a seven and a six pound bass for customers last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many are fishing from the dock with shiners
when they can get them or floating night crawlers to hook up with bass.”<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Striped bass fishing </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">remains strong at Block Island. “We weighted in three 50 pound
fish from Block Island last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
bite is very strong there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
anglers have been hooking up off Gooseberry Island too.” said Lorrain Danti of
Lucky Bait & Tackle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. Frank
Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “</span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Night bass fishing
has been very good at Block Island. Last Wednesday did have the best
tides and we had a full boat limit by 10 p.m. We have been seeing more shorts
around this year than ever before. We are catching 2-3 shorts per keeper.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fishing in the Brenton Reef and Seal Rock
areas off Newport is producing bass for anglers, however, they are mostly
school bass with some keepers mixed in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Expert Cape Cod Canal fishermen East End Eddie Doherty of Mattapoisett
said, “The bluefish have invaded the Canal this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have lost a lot of soft plastic baits to
them, however, this weekend an 18 and a 25 pound striped bass were caught. So
the bass bite has slowed but not stopped.”</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Fluke, scup and black sea bass. </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">This week we did fairly well off Newport Brenton Reef fishing for
fluke and black sea bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The keepers
were smaller fish, many just the minimum size of 19”, but the bite was
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The largest black sea bass caught
there was about 21”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ken Ferrara of
Ray’s Bait said, “Areas south of the Jamestown Bridge are producing. We had a
customer land a 27” fluke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Areas around
Dutch Island, Austin Hollow and off Beavertail are all producing keeper fluke
and sea bass for customers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. Frank
Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “</span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The days where we get
a little bit of breeze the fish are really coming over the rails. Biggest fluke
last week was just shy of 10 pounds.” Lorrain Danti said, “The scup bite has
been very good off the back side of Colt State Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, customers are catching fluke and nice
balck sea bass off Newport.”</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-27774809030216860822019-07-23T09:48:00.000-07:002019-07-23T09:48:15.647-07:00 “The shark’s first run was spectacular.” says Tournament winner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SM2ndl6yK5w/XTc5cRgjOGI/AAAAAAAACXQ/TwnxO1HlSEE38RuR3tGiijVGd9ztZaB6gCLcBGAs/s1600/328%2Bthresher%2Bfirst%2Bplace%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="691" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SM2ndl6yK5w/XTc5cRgjOGI/AAAAAAAACXQ/TwnxO1HlSEE38RuR3tGiijVGd9ztZaB6gCLcBGAs/s320/328%2Bthresher%2Bfirst%2Bplace%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Snug
Harbor Shark Tournament 1<sup>st</sup> Place Winners:</span></i></b><span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Jim DeAngelo, Richard Napolitano (captain), Chris Napolitano
(angler), Matt Charland and Ryan Napolitano with 328 pound thresher shark. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The shark’s first run was spectacular.” says
Tournament winner</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The thresher shark picked up our
squid and ran with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That first run
was spectacular. We fought the shark for an hour and forty-five minutes.” said
Richard Napolitano recounting the battle for the fish that took first place in
the 38<sup>th</sup> Annual Snug Harbor Shark Tournament.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Napolitano was quick to point out that
his sport fishing vessel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Knot Reel
Teeth’</i> successfully caught, tagged and released five other mako and blue
sharks during the Tournament… as they normally do as it serves as a great data
resource for fish mangers when managing sharks.</span></div>
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“We had just moved the boat to a
new location, put out two rods and as soon as we put out the third with squid…
that’s when the 328 pound mako hit. We chased it around a bit and then the
shark sounded and we had to get it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We finally circled the fish with Chris (Napolitano) putting on the
pressure by pumping and reeling, pumping and reeling, trying to disrupt the
fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally the fish turned on its
side and came up.”</div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
“My son Chris did a great job on
the fish, son Ryan orchestrated the whole think from the cockpit while I has at
the helm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also had two other crew that
did a great job helping to harpoon and tail tie the fish… hats off to Jim
DeAngelo and Matthew Charland for their great work.” said Napolitano.</div>
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</div>
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Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor Marina
said, “<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jim Sansaua took second
place in the Tournament with a 230 pound thresher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both fish were caught on Saturday, July 6.
The tournament kicked off on July 6 at 5:00 a.m. and concluded at 5:00 p.m. on
Sunday, July 7 with a cookout.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Twenty-five vessels participated in the Tournament.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #4c4c4c; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Proceeds from the
tournament go the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association and the
Recreational Fishing Alliance.” said Cahill.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">New cod and haddock regulations</b></div>
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NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic
Regional office announced changes to cod and haddock recreational regulations
last week.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
First, the 2019 Gulf of Maine cod
and haddock recreational regulations have changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gulf of Maine cod season will open September
15 to 30 with a one fish/person/day limit, minimum size is 21 inches (NOAA is
not opening an April season for Gulf of Maine cod).</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
The haddock season is May 1 to
February 28/29 and April 15 to 30 with a 15 fish/person/day limit (this limit
has been liberalized, the 2018 limit was 12 fish), the minimum haddock size is
17 inches.</div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Georges Bank cod regulations (which
govern fishing off Rhode Island) have also changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The minimum size in 2019 will be 21”, this is
a liberalization as last year the minimum size was 22”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The possession limit has not changed, it is
10 fish/person/day.</div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For more information on recreational
rules on these and other species in Federal waters visit </span><span><a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic">h<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">ttps://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic</span></a></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> . </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Where’s the bite?</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Striped bass</b> fishing has moved out of the Narragansett Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick said,
“The bass bite in the Providence River slowed this week with not many fish
being taken.” Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence, said, “Any bass
of size are being taken south of the bridges, out in front of Newport, along
the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>coastal shore and out at Block
Island where the bite is occurring from 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. on eels.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bruce Miller of Canal Bait & Tackle,
Sagamore, said, “The bass bite on the Canal has been OK this week but not as
good as last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers are still
hooking up with 30 to 40 pound fish using jigs on the West Side of the Canal.” Elisa
Cahill of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown, said, “The bass at Block Island
are not as large as they were but there is a pretty good bite at night on the
southwest ledge with eels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fish are also
being caught by anglers trolling wire on the southwest ledge and the north rip
during <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the
day but they are not as large.”</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Black
sea bass/summer flounder.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bruce
Miller of Canal Bait said, “The fluke and black sea bass bite has been very
good with anglers staying inside or fishing Cleveland Ledge where the bite has
been outstanding.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers continue to
hook up with fluke around the Jamestown and Newport bridges with some finding
fish out in front along the coastal shore. “Fluke fishing at Block Island is
pretty good.” said Henault of Ocean State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Nice fluke have been taken around Warwick Light as the fish seem to
have held there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also have customers
catching fish in the low 20 inch range south of the Jamestown Bridge. And,
customers continue to catch large black sea bass off Beavertail Point.” said
Giddings of the Tackle Box. Earlier this week the dog fish were pretty bad south
of Block Island said Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor Marina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said,
“<span style="background: white; color: black;">The morning fishing trips have been
on the slower side so we have been focusing on the sea bass. Most days anglers
are all leaving with limits of big knob heads to 5 pounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Biggest fluke of the week was 12.5 pounds! We
have seen double digit fluke at least once a week for the past
month.”</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Scup</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> fishing
continues to be very good just about anywhere there is structure and water
movement. John from Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside, said, “Scup are
being taken everywhere in the Bay. Anglers are still catching scup at the white
church bridge in Barrington.” Tom Giddings said, “Many customers have said the
scup have been larger than ever before. They are also catching more sea robins
and dogfish than ever before from shore at Conimicut Point”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ethan, one of our associates at Ocean State,
caught scup to 17” from Goat Island, Newport. Anglers are also catching scup
under the Mt. Hope Bridge, at Colt State Park and at Rocky Point.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Offshore.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A report from noted offshore angler Richard Pastore. “We </span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">headed out at 5:30 a.m. from
Wickford on Wednesday to Tuna Ridge and the temperature break we saw (on
satellite). At Tuna Ridge temperature change went from 69 to almost 73 in a
couple of miles. Flat seas, no bait and a few birds. Set in about 7 AM heading
south towards NW corner of the Dump. We put out black squid and brown
squid splash bars on the outside tracks about 150' back in the outriggers. Inside
lines were a black and blue Islander with a Ballyhoo and green machine daisy
chain with a bird leading the way. Twenty minutes out the brown spreader bar
explodes and almost tears the outrigger off the boat. The fish came out of
nowhere. The fish dumps about half of a spool of a 50 wide Penn reel until my
son Joseph finally slows him down. 10 minutes later fish is pin wheeling next
to the boat. We gaffed the fish, a fifty pound real fat bluefin tuna loaded
with squid.”</span></div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Freshwater</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No major trout
fishing or bite reported.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the action
is focused on largemouth bass with anglers using medium to large shiners to
hook up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave Henault of Ocean State
Tackle said, “The largemouth bass are in post spawn now and customers are catching
them at Stump Pond, Smithfield; the Turner Reservoir, East Providence and at
Onley Pond, Lincoln Woods.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giddings of
the Tackle Box said, “Freshwater fishing continues to be fantastic for customers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Largemouth bass, white perch and carp at
Roger Williams Park all continue to be good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Customers are hooking up with bass at Carbuncle Pond, Coventry; Warwick
Pond and Onley Pond, Lincoln.”</div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1c1e21; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-23960406123928652812019-07-23T09:11:00.002-07:002019-07-23T09:11:15.929-07:00Striped bass on the move, fluke and black sea bass bite mixed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PAxN63lZZbc/XTcknuOPIBI/AAAAAAAACWw/qRGINN1BR-80OJEJeOc61EOQSWKrYTcogCLcBGAs/s1600/Greg%2BVespe%2Bsb%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="757" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PAxN63lZZbc/XTcknuOPIBI/AAAAAAAACWw/qRGINN1BR-80OJEJeOc61EOQSWKrYTcogCLcBGAs/s320/Greg%2BVespe%2Bsb%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" width="275" /></i></a></div>
<i> Greg Vespe,
Portsmouth with a striped bass he caught at sunrise in the Ft. Adams, Newport
area. Greg said he hooked the fish with
a spook steeple white floating lure.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Gljrc4rDtE/XTckpzwGGCI/AAAAAAAACW0/kZErqMTxFAw6On2DScKI0Cftgk77e3J9QCLcBGAs/s1600/Fluke%2Bbite%2Bon%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="1600" height="261" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Gljrc4rDtE/XTckpzwGGCI/AAAAAAAACW0/kZErqMTxFAw6On2DScKI0Cftgk77e3J9QCLcBGAs/s320/Fluke%2Bbite%2Bon%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i> Bill
Bradley, Erica O’Connell and Ray Ludvigson all members of the RI Saltwater
Anglers with some of the summer flounder they caught earlier this week in the
West Passage of Narragansett Bay.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJs4n_76HFQ/XTckr0OcuKI/AAAAAAAACW4/Rnms_8Ye-rUugXvdzHvIPJAmkLlQ9g8lwCLcBGAs/s1600/Mike%2Band%2BMike%2Bfluke%2Bsea%2Bbass%2B-%2BPhoto%2BC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1118" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJs4n_76HFQ/XTckr0OcuKI/AAAAAAAACW4/Rnms_8Ye-rUugXvdzHvIPJAmkLlQ9g8lwCLcBGAs/s320/Mike%2Band%2BMike%2Bfluke%2Bsea%2Bbass%2B-%2BPhoto%2BC.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Michael Garmisa of West Philadelphia, PA with a 26” fluke and father-in
law Michal Sullivan, former RI </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">DEM director, with black sea bass. The fish were caught off Jamestown, RI.</span></i><br />
<b></b><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Striped bass on the move, fluke and black sea
bass bite mixed</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Greg Vespe,
president of the Aquidneck Island Striper Team and RI Saltwater Anglers
Association (RISAA) board member, said, “The b<span style="background: white; color: black;">ass are beginning to drop out of Narragansett Bay for
the next couple of weeks, so I recommend targeting the points and outcroppings
near the mouth of Bay which was where I had success this week with striped
bass.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Greg has caught a number of striped bass this time of year at
places like the Ft. Adams, Newport area.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> “Bass are transitioning so it’s hard
to target them as they are moving around a lot as the head out... so that’s why
I like the points in the lower bay both east and west passage and the Sakonnet
River. All the points to me offer the bass a staging and feeding area to stop
at as they pass through.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The dropping east tide brought striped from
Buzzards Bay into the Cape Cod Canal.” said East End Eddie Doherty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doherty is a Cape Cod Canal fishing expert
and author. “Some nice fish were caught Monday including several 30 pounders
and a 48 pound monster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wednesday
morning I caught a 31 and a 35 inch striped bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was using a five once Hurley olive/white
rat tail on the dropping tide.” said Doherty. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
black sea bass season opened last week (June 24) in Rhode Island and anglers
are hooking up with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom Giddings
of the Tackle Box, Warwick said, “Large sea bass are being caught off
Beavertail and south. I mean nice fish with large humps on their heads.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
summer flounder (fluke) bite picked up Saturday as the drift was not just good
at Block Island and in the Bay earlier in the week. Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor
Marina, South Kingstown said, “The fluke bite improved last week, Roger and Sue
Lemma hooked up with their fluke limit quickly fishing off the Center Wall of
the Harbor of Refuge with fish in the 20” to 25” range.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I
fished with Erica O’Donnell, Bill Bradley and Ray Ludvigson in the West Passage
and they picked up five nice keeper fluke to 24”, eight sea bass to 23” and ten
scup in three and a half hours of fishing. Later this week the same area
yielded a 26” fluke for West Philadelphia, PA resident Michael Garmisa.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Here are some fluke fishing tips I like to
remind myself of when planning a trip.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Wind
and tide should be in line as you want to drag (or drift) over the front of the
fish, as they set-up looking into the current, this way it sees your bait,
drift over the back of the fish and it may never see your bait.</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Fish
low/high bottom breaks… this means fishing channel breaks, edges of structure,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My largest fluke have been caught
on edges.</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Match
the hatch tipping with squid, bluefish, bass, silversides, mummies, minnows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often times whatever we catch (or seems to be
in the water where we are fishing) I will cut up and strip for the fluke rigs.</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Trailer
teasers work, my largest fish have been caught with the trailer stinger bucktails</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Find
the fish, repeat pattern… noting both location and depth.</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Power
drift (putting boat in and out of gear to go slow) for movement at slack tide.</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Both
jigs and traditional fluke rigs work</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Power drift perpendicular when wind and
tide not ideal</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Personal favorite is big bait… Capt.
Monti’s fluke cocktail… squid rig tipped with squid, fluke belly and horizontal
minnow<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, believe that big baits catch
big fish, you will catch fewer fish but they will be larger.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Where’s the bite?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Striped bass.</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Atlantic menhaden enhanced their appearance in the Providence River this
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom Giddings from the Tackle Box,
Warwick said, “Anglers are now using pogies as they can be found in the river,
however, anglers fishing with eels at night are landing bass in the 30” to 45”
range. And, the bluefish bite in the Bay has been very good.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait &
Tackle, Riverside said, “We have had a few customers catching 36” and 38” fish
in the Providence Rover using clam tongue and pogies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commercial customers fishing Block Island at
night are catching their limit of five fish using eels at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it has often been a slow bite.” Elisa
Cahill of Sung Harbor Marina, South Kingstown said, “Surf fishermen are catching
smaller bass with keepers mixed in. And, some anglers fishing from the West and
off the Center Walls of the Harbor of Refuge are catching bonito.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are pretty good size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day bass bite at the North Rip and the Southwest
Ledge is yielding smaller fish with the night bite on eels yielding 40 to 50
pound fish.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Summer flounder
(fluke)</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> fishing
improved greatly once the wind and tide started to work together Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found the bite in the West Passage very
good when there was a good drift. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elisa Cahill
said, “A customer caught a 10.9 fish from the beach last week, and when the dog
fish are not around the wind farm and the east grounds are yielding fish.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cahill reports cod at the East Grounds and
Sharks Ledge as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Customers are
catching fluke off Warwick Light and Warwick County Club as well as off Quonset
Point.” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box. John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait
said, “The fluke bite off Newport has not been good, however, last week the
balck sea bass bite was good with anglers catching decent size fish.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said
Thursday, “Fluke along the coastal shore are being caught but it is spotty,
there are six pound fish but the larger ones are at Block Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weighed in a 12 pound 11 once fluke caught
there earlier this week.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Black sea bass/scup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Black sea bass fishing opened June 24 and the season has gotten
off to a great start with anglers catching their limit of three fish/person/day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most are catching them when fluke fishing
with squid. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug Wade of Watch Hill
said, “Sea bass are kicking in with some nice fish being caught along the
coastal shore.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Littlefield of Archie’s
said, “Scup fishing has improved 100 fold in the Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers are catching their limit at Sabin
Point, Colt State Park and at the white church bridge, Barrington.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Offshore.</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hans Lugus of the fishing vessel Twister caught a 325 pound thresher
shark Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elisa Cahill of Snug
Harbor Marine said, “Shark fishing is on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just in time for our Shark Tournament July 6 and 7. Visit </span><span><span style="background: white; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.snugharbormarina.com/">www.snugharbormarina.com</a></span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> for details. </span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-67212824411981341492019-07-23T08:13:00.000-07:002019-07-23T08:13:07.459-07:00Camp aims to hook youth on fishing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fqMmG8fVYQ/XTcgAQxxQ2I/AAAAAAAACWU/GV2lCHM9hWESisJwFqTitrywn3j9LulVwCLcBGAs/s1600/Joseph%2BStracuzzi%2Band%2BMarcus%2BMitchell%2B-%2BPhoto%2BE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="950" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fqMmG8fVYQ/XTcgAQxxQ2I/AAAAAAAACWU/GV2lCHM9hWESisJwFqTitrywn3j9LulVwCLcBGAs/s320/Joseph%2BStracuzzi%2Band%2BMarcus%2BMitchell%2B-%2BPhoto%2BE.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<i>Joseph Stracuzzi (seven) of Hope
Valley gets his life jacket inflated by Marcus Mitchell, Vice Commander
Division 7 of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary at the RI Saltwater Anglers
Association/DEM fishing camp.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DdhmKWiyI_A/XTcgCSNnlZI/AAAAAAAACWY/1GPDDXSds5M3IUZPk7bhm-NcyFeGF8sowCLcBGAs/s1600/TAK%2B19%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1362" height="289" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DdhmKWiyI_A/XTcgCSNnlZI/AAAAAAAACWY/1GPDDXSds5M3IUZPk7bhm-NcyFeGF8sowCLcBGAs/s320/TAK%2B19%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i> </i><i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Take-A-Kid
Fishing Day a Success:</b>
Alexander, a Cub Scout from Providence, with a bluefish he caught
Saturday with the help of Steve Brustein, a RI Saltwater Anglers Association
volunteer from West Warwick.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHV8KpoQdUg/XTcgnKCHRnI/AAAAAAAACWk/EIm9Bo-G-3wvsWudnJSZoy8wU28TgAwlgCLcBGAs/s1600/Symbolic%2BFirst%2BCast%2B-%2BPhoto%2BD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHV8KpoQdUg/XTcgnKCHRnI/AAAAAAAACWk/EIm9Bo-G-3wvsWudnJSZoy8wU28TgAwlgCLcBGAs/s320/Symbolic%2BFirst%2BCast%2B-%2BPhoto%2BD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<i>Children at Fishing Camp participate
in the symbolic ‘first cast’ with Steve Medeiros, president of the RI Saltwater
Anglers Association, Mayor Joseph Solomon, DEM director Janet Coit, Warwick
Parks & Recreation Director James Scott, and Rep. Joseph Solomon Jr. of
Warwick. </i></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><i></i><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Camp aims to hook youth on fishing</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Rhode Island
Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) and the Department of Environmental
Management’s (DEM) held their annual youth fishing camp this week for 55
children. Funding for the three day camp was provided by U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The camp was held at
Rocky Point State Park, Warwick for children 7 to 12 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Steve Medeiros,
president of the RISAA said, “Fishing appeals to our sense of adventure,
teaches us patience and how to take care of the environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learned that the children love to fish so
we have optimized fishing time from shore, on private vessels and one day we
will travelled to Pt. Judith to fish on the Seven B’s party boat.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Topics covered over
the three-day camp include fish identification, conservation, use of spinning
and conventional gear and tackle, basic marine biology, how and why to use
different baits and lures, boating safety, casting form shore and fishing from
private boats as well as a party/charter boat. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Janet Coit,
Director of the Department of Environmental Management, said, </span><span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“The youth fishing camp is one
of DEM’s favorite events of the year because it combines and highlights so many
important values including clean water, access to recreational opportunities
for all, ecological stewardship, fellowship with terrific partners like RISAA,
and of course, fun.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The popular camp is
annually held in June, visit </span><span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.risaa.org/">www.risaa.org</a></span></span><span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> for announcements on next year’s camp.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RISAA also held their
annual Take-a-Kid Fishing Day last Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thirty-two vessels took ninety-two children form Boys & Gils Clubs,
scout troops and town/city recreation departments fishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young anglers trolled for bluefish and the
bite was on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bluefish were in the
two to four pound range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hat’s off to
RISAA and the 125 volunteers who provided fishing and a cookout for all after
fishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now
is the time to fish for fluke </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s time to fish for summer flounder
(fluke).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bite is likely as good as
it is going to get in the mid-Bay region before the fish move out to the lower
Bay and out to deeper, cooler water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
fluke season runs from May 1 to December 31 in Rhode Island with a six fish/angler/day
limit and a 19” minimum size.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rhode Island also has a special shore
area provision. Two fish 17” minimum size are allowed in special shore areas
only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The total possession limit is
still six fish, but two can be 17”, the rest must be 19” or larger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When fishing from shore the special areas are
Fort Wetherill, Jamestown; Fort Adams, Newport; India Point Park, Providence;
Stone Bridge, Tiverton; the West and East and Walls of the Harbor of Refuge,
South Kingstown and Narragansett; Conimicut Park, Warwick; and Rocky Point,
Warwick.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fluke
facts</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In May,
fluke move in shore from deep Continental Shelf waters where they spend the
winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They stay inland until October
and then move back to the deep water. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fluke
return to the same areas, Bays, etc. year after year.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fluke are
a flat fish with two eyes on the same side of the fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are bottom fish that do not look
aggressive, but they will chase bait aggressively and eat the same bait that
bluefish and striped bass eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
difference is that they feed off the bottom.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They can
be caught from a boat (usually while drifting) or from shore with little
knowledge, so they are an ideal catch for beginners and children</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fluke are
chameleons, they change color to blend with the bottom.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Largest
fluke on record is 26.6 lbs. and 36” long.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Where’s the bite?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fluke
(summer flounder) and sea bass</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> bite is in full swing. Doug Wade of
Watch Hill Outfitters said, “The fluke bite off Block Island was not good at
the end of the last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too many dog
fish (sharks) and anglers are having difficulty working their way through them
all.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coastal shore has been good
for fluke. Wade said, “Customers are catching fish in the five to eight pound
range from Misquamicut Beach to Watch Hill. So the fishing for fluke is
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Fishers Island bite continues
to be strong.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. Frank Blount of the
Frances Fleet said, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">We spent the
whole week working the Island. Many anglers left with
limit catches or one or two shy. The quality of the fish was great
with pool fish being 7-10 pounds every day. More sea bass have been showing up
as well. The half days have been off to a slower start. The beaches have been
peaks and valleys. We are catching a few keepers and piles of shorts along the
beaches. Sea bass are also starting to show up on the beaches.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle
Warwick, said, “Anglers are catching keeper fish off Warwick Country Club and
in the channel between Warwick Light near the red can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bite south of the Jamestown Bridge has
been OK too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, t<span style="background: white; color: black;">he sea bass have been larger in the lower
Bay, south of the bridges.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Scup</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> fishing
has improved a lot this week, particularly in the mid Bay region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait &
Tackle Riverside said, “The white church bridge in Barrington is producing a
lot of scup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are in the upper
portion of the water column so anglers getting their bait to float in that area
a doing well. One customer caught 30 keeper scup at the white bridge.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug Wade of Watch Hill said, “The porgies
(scup) are very big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Southern coastal
shore anglers are experiencing a great scup bite.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Striped bass/bluefish</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> bite has been mixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “Monster striped bass have
been showing up in waves as well. Many fish between 30-50 pounds (at Block
Island) have been reported by some of the day boats.” “There are bluefish
of all sizes all around the Bay” said Ferrara of Ray’s Bait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last Saturday 40 boats trolling for bluefish
in Greenwich Bay as part of the Take-A-Kid Fishing Day hooked up with
bluefish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The striped bass bite in the
upper Bay, the Providence River area, has not been good at all this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers say there is a shortage of pogies
(Atlantic menhaden) which the bass historically follow up the Rivers in
Providence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Littlefield from Archie’s Bait
& Tackle said, “My avid bass fishermen and commercial fishermen are
traveling to Block Island to hook up with striped bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are catching a ton of school bass but
keepers are far and few between.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wade
of Watch Hill said, “Anglers are catching bass along the southern coastal shore
but they are small fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Large bass in
the 30 pound range are being caught off the reefs at Watch Hill.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Freshwater</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> fishing
for largemouth bass has been good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Littlefield said, “The trout bite is nonexistent as the water is warm
now but anglers are catching sunfish and largemouth in area ponds.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The largemouth bass bite in South County
continues to be good said Wade of Watch Hill.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-71227701104364368692019-06-20T09:38:00.001-07:002019-06-20T09:38:30.692-07:00Young anglers aim to hook big fish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0uToouYevn0/XQu0oAxLtFI/AAAAAAAACV0/BvN55hUc6pQPCX_fV3lRqv-pWSifdbR9gCLcBGAs/s1600/BI%2Blights%2Bup%2Bwith%2Bbass%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0uToouYevn0/XQu0oAxLtFI/AAAAAAAACV0/BvN55hUc6pQPCX_fV3lRqv-pWSifdbR9gCLcBGAs/s320/BI%2Blights%2Bup%2Bwith%2Bbass%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<i><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>Big bass bite:</b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"> Capt. Rick Bellavance of Priority Fishing Charters, said
“There were miles of striped bass from 20” to 46” at Block Island this week.”
Like this 40 pounder caught by a customer last Sunday.</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AI2ua6-JmzM/XQu0pv0GFHI/AAAAAAAACV4/VTqRQYJEDLgj86F4t9tfkHTT6bh7nZcaACLcBGAs/s1600/Fluke%2Btil%2Byou%2Bpuke%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="762" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AI2ua6-JmzM/XQu0pv0GFHI/AAAAAAAACV4/VTqRQYJEDLgj86F4t9tfkHTT6bh7nZcaACLcBGAs/s320/Fluke%2Btil%2Byou%2Bpuke%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><i>Summer
flounder (fluke) like this seven pounder caught on Priority Fishing Charters were entered in the Fluke Til Ya Puke Tournament last Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winning 10.20 pound fish was caught off
Montauk, NY.</i></span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Young anglers aim to
hook big fish<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
This is the week for young
anglers. They will be fishing in
Narragansett Bay on Saturday, June 22 and Thursday, June 27.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Plan fishing in Greenwich Bay
accordingly this Saturday as the RI Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) will
hold their 21<sup>st</sup> annual Take-a-Kid fishing day, Saturday, June
22. Approximately forty volunteer
vessels and 125 shore and boat volunteers will take 119 kids fishing in Greenwich
Bay trolling for bluefish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Fishing will be followed by a 12
noon cookout at Brewers (Safe Harbor) Cowesett Marina, which donates the use of
boat slips, staging and cookout areas. Youth
participation is limited to organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs,
Scouting Troops and city recreation departments. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The aim of the program is to teach
children about the ocean, environment, boating and give them an opportunity to
fish. Often children participating have
never seen the saltwater, never mind ride a boat and fish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Youth Fishing Camp, Tuesday, June 25-June 27<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The RI Saltwater Anglers and the
Department of Environmental Management Youth Fishing Camp is full with a
waiting list, but watch for this camp next year. The Camp will be held <span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">at Rocky Point
State Park, Warwick, Tuesday, June 25 to Thursday, June 27 for children 7 to 12
years old. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Steve Medeiros,
RISAA president said, “The goal is to introduce youngsters to fishing. We find
children of all backgrounds and cultures are attracted to fishing for all the
right reasons and our aim is to give them a proper introduction to the sport.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Topi</span><span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">cs to be covered over the three
day camp include fish identification,
fishing laws, use of spinning and conventional gear and tackle, knot
tying, basic marine biology, how and why to use different baits and lures,
casting and fishing from shore as well as boating safety and fishing on a boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #202020; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The fishing camp is sponsored by the RI Saltwater Anglers
Foundation in partnership with RI DEM Aquatic Resource Education Program, US
Fish & Wildlife and Brewers Marina. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b> </b><b>Saltwater
Fly Fishing School, Saturday, June 29</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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The Department of Environmental
Management (DEM) Fish and Wildlife Aquatic Resource Education Program will hold
a Saltwater Fly Fishing School, Saturday, June 29 at the Narrow Rive Bridge,
Route 1A Boston Neck Road, Narragansett.
All students must have some fly fishing experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Edward Lombardo, local fly fishing
expert and school instructor said, “Equipment including fly rod, gear and flies
will be provided, however, participants should bring their own waders.” The cost of the program is $15.00 per person which includes lunch.
Students must be 16 years or older. Ages 16 and 17 need be accompanied by a
parent or adult guardian. Register with
Kimberly Sullivan at 401-539-0037 or <u><span style="color: #954f72; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov" target="_blank"><span style="color: #954f72;">kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov</span></a></span></u>.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>‘Fluke Til Ya Puke’ tournament big success</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The 14<sup>th</sup> Annual ‘Fluke
Til Ya Puke’ fishing tournament held Saturday, June 15 was a big success once
again. Organizers, Captains Brian and
Peter Bacon of <i>Big Game Sport Fishing </i>charters,
South Kingstown, say it is the largest summer flounder (fluke) tournament in
the world. The tournament has multiple
entry categories and over $50,000 in prizes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Capt. Peter Bacon said, “We had our
fingers crossed with the weather Saturday and lucked out with an eight hour
window of good weather during the Tournament.
About 90 percent of the fish we weighed in were in the six to seven
pound range. The largest fish, we had about four fish over nine pounds, were
caught off Montauk, NY.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
12,001 anglers participated in the
Tournament, down slightly from last year, likely due to the predicted bad
weather. The ‘biggest fluke’ prize of
$5,000 went to Bill Robinson with a 10.20 pound fluke; followed by Nino Averso,
9.74 pounds; and third place went to Eric Alleyne with a 9.38 pound fluke.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
For additional information and a
complete list of winners visit <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.biggamefishingri.com/">www.biggamefishingri.com</a></span> or
the tournament Facebook page at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/FlukeTilYaPuke/">www.facebook.com/FlukeTilYaPuke/</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>Where’s the bite?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>Striped bass/bluefish.</b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"> The Cape Cod Canal
continues to light up with striped bass. David Je</span><span class="MsoHyperlink">ffers of
Red Top Sporting Goods, Buzzards Bay, said, “The squid are in the Canal and the
bass are here feeding on them. We
weighed in a 44 and a 35 pound fish this week.
Fish are being caught on the bottom with jigs.” </span><span class="MsoHyperlink">Capt. Rich Bellavance of Priority Fishing Charters said, “Sunday
the bass fishing at Block Island was outstanding with miles of fish in the 20
inch to 46 inch range. We are catching them on umbrella frames and parachute
jigs. They are feeding on small sand
ells. The southwest corner has been the
best but there are fish at the north end (although smaller) and the southeast
side is yielding blues and bass.” Douglas
Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly said, “The beaches are producing
smaller striped bass with larger ones being caught on the reefs.” John Littlefield
of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside said, “There are not a log of pogies
around in the Providence River/Pawtucket area.
Anglers are catching keepers in the Conimicut Light and Rumstick Point
areas trolling tube & worm.” Dave
Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence, said, “Steven Estrada caught a 45”
striped bass at India Point Park, using Atlantic menhaden chucks.” The bluefish bite in the mid Bay area
continues to improve</span><span class="MsoHyperlink">.
Jim</span> Laird on the RISAA blog said, “Fished out of East
Greenwich Bay with my nephew today and trolled up a mess of bluefish. We must
have caught over 40 in three hours and they all ran around 2 – 3 lbs. The
choppers are much bigger this year.”<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><b>Fluke fishing</b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"> is mixed. Capt. Peter Bacon of BIG Game Sport Fishing
Charters said, “During the ‘Fluke Til Ya Puke’ tournament last Saturday a</span>nglers
fishing the south side of Block Island had to battle dog fish to land fluke.” Doug
Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said Tuesday, “The fluke bite along the southern
coastal shore has been outstanding with anglers hooking up with a lot of nice
black sea bass which they will be able to take starting June 24 when the season
opens in RI.” “Fluke are being
caught in the mid-Bay region on the shipping channel pads in the Prudence Island
‘T Wharf’ area.” said Henault of Ocean State Tackle. John Littlefield of
Archie’s Bait & Tackle said, “Some reports of customers catching keeper
fluke drifting along the side of Dutch Island in the West Passage of
Narragansett Bay in 40 to 60 feet of water.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b>Scup.</b> Dave Henault said, “Scup
to 16” are being taken under the Mt. Hope Bridge and off Barrington.” John Littlefield said, “The scup bite is just
starting to improve with fish being caught at Colt State Park.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b>Freshwater fishing.</b> Dave Henault
of Ocean State said, “The trout bite is off, however, customers are catching
largemouth and the carp fishing has been very good.” Doug Wade of Watch Hill said, “The largemouth
bass bite at Chapman’s Pond in Westerly had been very good.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-11519428910730792412019-06-20T09:24:00.001-07:002019-06-20T09:24:55.516-07:00URI puts ocean wind on front burner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UFABjlQCsI/XQuvvspEPdI/AAAAAAAACVg/l6qvjzWpMLAQqpw8B6Mp45BkpOEVnsvCwCLcBGAs/s1600/Wind%2Bconf.%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UFABjlQCsI/XQuvvspEPdI/AAAAAAAACVg/l6qvjzWpMLAQqpw8B6Mp45BkpOEVnsvCwCLcBGAs/s320/Wind%2Bconf.%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><b>URI’s ocean wind role: </b>Jessica
Willi, executive director of Block Island Tourism Council and Meg Kerr, senior
director of policy, Audubon Society of RI, listen to fellow panelists at URI’s
ocean wind workshop.</i><br />
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<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LMnoI26YVTc/XQuvyhLQDnI/AAAAAAAACVk/QcOXfnkHnWcCG-6AwUZeaBdk17Dne4KhACLcBGAs/s1600/Project%2BHealing%2BWaters%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1525" data-original-width="1600" height="305" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LMnoI26YVTc/XQuvyhLQDnI/AAAAAAAACVk/QcOXfnkHnWcCG-6AwUZeaBdk17Dne4KhACLcBGAs/s320/Project%2BHealing%2BWaters%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Bluefish bite arrives</b>: Chris
Boutin, Marine and Army Guard combat veteran, service dog Freya, and Capt.
Monti fished Project Healing Waters as a team.
Chris’s fly hooked up with multiple bluefish.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>URI puts ocean wind on front burner<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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The University of Rhode Island
(URI) reached out to ocean wind stakeholders last week at their ‘<i>Preparing for Offshore Renewable Energy’</i>
workshop held at the Coastal Institute, URI Graduate School of Oceanography,
Narragansett. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Jennifer McCann, workshop
facilitator and director of US Coastal Programs for the Coastal Institute/Sea
Grant said, “This is not a prioritizing exercise, but rather an effort to
identify information needs, technology questions and workforce gaps created by
offshore renewable energy growth.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The goal of the workshop was to
identify how URI can fulfill needs contributing to the appropriate growth of
offshore renewable energy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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URI offers a broad range of
multidisciplinary expertise to understand the impacts of renewable energy
siting, construction and implementation.
David Bidwell, assistant professor of URIs Department of Marine Affairs said,
“To date URI has received about $20-million in grants in regard to ocean wind
farm industry research.” The idea would
be to engage a variety of URI departments moving forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Highlights of the workshop included:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<i>Fred Mattera, president, RI Commercial Fisheries
Center</i>, said, “I see safety as a big concern, our experience with the
sinking of the<i> Mistress</i> off the Block
Island Wind Farm was that Coast Guard helicopters had to call off the air
search due to high winds fearing that they would come too close to wind
turbines. We also see safety as an issue
within planned wind farm transit zones.
The planned two mile wind transit zone is simply not wide enough. We are
advocating for a four mile wide zone.”</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Grover
Fugate, executive director, RI Coastal Resource Management Council (CRMC</i>),
said, “All data and science needs to be shared, who better than the University
to provide an independent, non-bias voice, on the impacts of ocean wind farm
development.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>Andrew
Gill, principle scientist, Center for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Science </i>(in the United Kingdom) said, “The inclusive philosophy of your
Ocean SAMP program worked well. I would
suggest building the spirit of this program into the development of ocean
wind. For example in Belgium (the gold
standard for ocean wind development), all stakeholders have a voice at the
table and collectively stakeholders come up with the best solutions to
challenges.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Gill continued, “Additionally, in
Belgium, they address research continuity and cumulative impacts by having one
central source to decide how research funds are spent, key learnings from the
past year are used to set the research agenda for the following year.” In this
way research learnings are able to be applied to future wind farms immediately.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Key recommendations made at the
closing session on how URI should contribute to appropriate growth of offshore
wind included: URI as a consensus builder/facilitator, like the SAMP program
prior to the development of the Block Island Wind Farm; serve as a research,
communication and education resource like a ‘Center for Offshore Wind’ that
engages all stakeholders, the ‘Center’ would aim to educated, communicate and
serve as a funnel for all research.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Additional recommendations included
the coordination of all research by one entity which would allow research money
to be pooled for greater impact and apply both good and bad cumulative impacts
of multiple wind farms immediately; explore benefits of tower foundations and
anti-scour pads to develop habitat for recreational fishing; develop research protocols for all wind
farms; the need to educated the public about renewable energy to help build an
understanding and a ‘pipeline’ of qualified work force.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Bluefish arrive for Project Healing Waters<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Last Saturday was a good day for
fly fishing wounded Veterans participating in the Project Healing Waters event
out of Allen Harbor, North Kingstown.
Ten boats took twelve fly fishing anglers out for a morning of fishing
on Narragansett Bay from 6:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
The trip was followed by a cookout on shore at Allen Harbor Marina.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The vessels found a good bluefish
bite in Greenwich Bay, Warwick in front of the Buttonwoods area. <o:p></o:p></div>
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For a little more than a decade
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, part of the Stars & Stripers
initiative, has focused on healing those who serve. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Fibromyalgia Striped Bass Tournament<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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The 2019 Fishing for Fibromyalgia
Striped Bass Tournament will be held July 19, 6:00 p.m. to Sunday, July 21,
12:00 p.m. at Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown. The waterway boundaries for the tournament
extend from the Westport River, MA to Watch Hill Lighthouse, including Block
Island.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The $10 donation/entry fee goes
directly to researching the safe and effective treatment of
fibromyalgia/chronic pain by the Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of
Rheumatology.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tournament organizer Richard
Geldard said, “We have four tournament division… shore, boat, kayak and a 12
and under division.” First place trophy for the heaviest fish in each Division
with tie decided by length and/or girth.
Second and third place fish will receive gift subscriptions and/or a
special edition almanac form On The Water Magazine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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For information visit <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.fishingforfibro.com/">www.fishingforfibro.com</a></span> or contact Richard Geldard at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="mailto:geldard.richard@gmail.com">geldard.richard@gmail.com</a></span>
and 774.930.7098. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Where’s the bite?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Striped bass</b> fishing was hot at the Cape Cod Canal and mixed everywhere
else this week. Tom Giddings of the
Tackle Box, Warwick said, “Some larger fish in the 30 pound range have been
caught in Mt. Hope Bay.” Manny Macedo of
Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said, “The large fish were in Mt. Hope Bay in
the Somerset and Bristol Street Bridge areas.
Last week we had an east passage bite.”
Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle said, “We have some anglers still
catching school bass in the coves in Rhode Island.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Fluke
fishing.</b> Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait
said, “Anglers are catching keeper size fish in front of Warwick Country
Club.” Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box
said, “Some nice fish are being caught at the 12’/32’ depth break in front of
the Warwick Neck golf course.” Frank
Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “<span style="background: white;">Fluke
fishing had its peaks and valleys last week. The bite that we had earlier at
the Island seemed to have thinned out. Hope it picks up this week.” </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<b>Scup</b> fishing has improved throughout the Bay, “Customers are catching scup to 14” at Colt
State Park, the Narrows and under the Mt. Hope Bridge.”, said Manny Macedo of
Lucky Bait. Tom Giddings said, “Scup are
moving into the Bay as well as sea bass.
Customers are catching some nice black sea bass but are having to throw
them back as the season does not start until June 24.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Freshwater fishing</b> for largemouth bass is hot. Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box said, “The
largemouth bite has been outstanding at Tioque Lake, Coventry, Stump Pond and
at Warwick Pond. Some pickerel are being
caught too. The bass are now post spawn,
the fish are nice large fish but they don’t have those sagging bellies as they
did a couple of weeks ago that were loaded with eggs.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-29881418863875505642019-06-20T09:07:00.000-07:002019-06-20T09:07:21.519-07:00Striped bass under attack, anglers need to take a stand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzF2EUzGrSU/XQutBfAaRuI/AAAAAAAACVM/kGeBOQ6z3pgJyO8h59wnkQ_yIW2CQMQGgCLcBGAs/s1600/Steve%2Bspring%2Bbass%2B-%2BPhoto%2BC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="857" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzF2EUzGrSU/XQutBfAaRuI/AAAAAAAACVM/kGeBOQ6z3pgJyO8h59wnkQ_yIW2CQMQGgCLcBGAs/s320/Steve%2Bspring%2Bbass%2B-%2BPhoto%2BC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><b>Spring bass a hoot:</b> Steve Brustein with a 25” spring striped bass
caught on an Al Gag’s soft plastic white lure in five feet of water near the
Godard Park boat ramp, Warwick.</i><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n__cv6oJa0w/XQutDcj0XAI/AAAAAAAACVQ/1_Om3QScb8EP7gTYhNXCYhTg6_xdLZlrQCLcBGAs/s1600/Project%2BHealing%2BWaters%2Blogo%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n__cv6oJa0w/XQutDcj0XAI/AAAAAAAACVQ/1_Om3QScb8EP7gTYhNXCYhTg6_xdLZlrQCLcBGAs/s1600/Project%2BHealing%2BWaters%2Blogo%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2B1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Project Healing Waters</b> Fly Fishing Program, part of the Stars &
Stripers initiative, will take place Saturday, June 8 at Allen Harbor, North
Kingstown. Donations of all types are welcome.</i></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Striped bass under
attack… anglers need to take a stand<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Striped bass are under attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The recent stock assessment indicates they
are overfished and are subject to overfishing. Think of the striped bass in the
water as bank account, we are not only earning less than we are spending
(overfishing), but the account is overdrawn (overfished).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), that regulates striped bass coastwide, recommended
an Addendum that aims to reduce harvest by 17 percent to lower mortality and
bolster Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB), females in the water that can spawn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Yet some government officials are
advocating to take more fish for short term economic gain, rather than rebuilding
the stock growing it to abundance so there are more fish in the water for all to
catch, eat and/or release. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Additionally, some special interest
groups want to move an Amendment (different than the Addendum mentioned above) forward
that would move the goal post. So rather than fishing within the scientifically
arrived at target to insure a sustainable fisher, they aim to lower the bar on ‘ecological
reference points’… the amount of spawning stock biomass that is required to be
left in the water.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In a May 21, 2019 press release
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R) from New York District 1 (which includes the Montauk, NY
area) said, <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“New York fishermen faced
a major blow due to ASMFC’s decision to cut the Atlantic Striped Bass fishery
by up to 17% next year and maintain the current ban on striped bass fishing in
the Block Island Sound Transit Zone. Rather than rooting these decisions
in local stock assessments,… the ASMFC used flawed data that measures the
Atlantic Striped Bass stock based on the entire eastern seaboard,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First, the recommendation
to reduce the striped bass catch limit was based on a stock assessment that was
peer-reviewed by respected fisheries scientists, not a U.S. Representative that
wants to take more fish to satisfy constituent fishermen in his District.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Striped bass migrate and they tend to spawn
in the same places so it is important to have a coastwide assessment and not just
use local ‘alternate data’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In regard to fishing in the Block Island EEZ, Representative Zeldin
said he would like to use “Alternative data that shows the Striped Bass stock
is in a better place outside the 3-mile limit”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We should all be concerned about ‘Alternative data’ developed locally as
it often comes to a conclusion that is in line with the local political situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case taking more fish, for short term
economic gains of special interest groups in the Congressman’s District.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don’t get me wrong, an abundance of data is a good thing (local
and national).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when Congressman
Zeldin uses the term ‘alternate data’ it raises a red flag as it sounds like
the term ‘alternative facts’ we often hear today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Taking more fish for short term economic gain rather than long
term stock rebuilding of striped bass is wrong. Sacrificing environmental
concerns for economic gain is characteristic of Rep. Zeldin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether you like to bird watch, be outside in
open spaces, or fish… beware of Rep. Zeldin’s environmental record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His lifetime score (voting record) on
environmental legislation has earned him a score of 10 percent (out of 100)
which is the lowest score of any NY Congressman from the League of Conservation
Voters (</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/lee-zeldin">http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/lee-zeldin</a></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By comparison twelve of the fifteen
congressmen from New York have lifetime scores of 89 percent or better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The fish in the ocean belong to all the people of the United
States of American and not a select few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need to grow fish to abundance for all the people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The ASMFC’s next meeting in August will consider Addendum options
that will go out for public comment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
goal is to have an approved Addendum in place for 2020 regulations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers need to comment on the Addendum when
it is put out for public comment after the August meeting and oppose an Amendment
that would move the goal post on Spawning Stock Biomass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For a four part article series on the history of striped bass,
regulations and recommendations visit </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.saltwaterguidesassociation.org/">www.saltwaterguidesassociation.org</a>
</span></span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for Rep. Zeldin’s May 21 press release and a more
detailed rebuttal to his claims visit </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.oneanglersvoyage.blogspot.com/">www.oneanglersvoyage.blogspot.com</a></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Project Healing Waters Supports Veterans <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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On Saturday, June 8 disabled
veterans, local volunteers, businesses, and civic organizations will gather at
the Allen Harbor Marina in North Kingstown for the second annual Narragansett
Bay ‘Stars & Stripers’ fishing event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Over a dozen disabled veterans and
their families from Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing programs in New England
will be hosted for the day on the Bay by professional guides and local experts
to fish for striped bass and bluefish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thanks to local businesses and civic organizations a special shore lunch
will be provided for all at this invitation-only event. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Donations of all types are welcome
to make the day more memorable for veterans and their families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make a donation contact Keith Tanner,
event coordinator, at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="mailto:keithtanner@sbcglobal.net">keithtanner@sbcglobal.net</a></span> or
203.521.2457.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Where’s the bite</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Freshwater.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait &
Tackle, Riverside said, “I sold a ton of shiners this week to anglers targeting
largemouth and everyone was catching a quantity of fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Echo Lake in Bristol County was particularly
good for anglers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. Tom Pelletier
of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown said, “DEM restocked some of
the area ponds so the trout bite is very, very good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Summer
flounder (fluke)</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> fishing picked up a bit this week as the
water warmed along the coastal shore, in the Bay and offshore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said,
“<span style="background: white;">The fluke fishing is really starting to pick
up. Saturday was picture perfect conditions and fluking was
red hot. We had the best day of the year so far with over 60 keepers. We had five
fish around eight pounds. Water temperatures have really risen with the warm
week.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box,
Warwick said, “The fluke bite in the middle to upper Bay has really not started
yet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don Smith, expert angler and
longtime RI Saltwater Anglers member, said, “We have been doing good with fluke
on the south side of Block Island in about 70 feet of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week and this week we caught fish to 8.5
and 10 pounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a lot of bait
around… sand ells and mackerel but no bass feeding under them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did start to catch dog fish when we moved
to the East Grounds.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Striped bass and bluefish </span></b><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">fishing continues to
get stronger with school striped bass and larger fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box said, “We
weighted in a 30 pound bass this weekend caught on an umbrella rig in the
Bay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait
& Tackle, Riverside said, “The striped bass bite was good this week with a
42” fish caught in the upper Providence River and several keepers caught from
shore at Colt State Park mixed in with school bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers are catching as many school bass as
they want in the Lavin’s Marina area in Barrington.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. Pelletier of Quaker Lane said, “Keeper
striped bass being caught mixed in with school bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it was nice to hear this weekend the
bluefish arrived in force in the mid and upper-Narragansett Bay areas in
Greenwich Bay as well as in the east passage north of Prudence Island.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tautog fishing</span></b><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> season ends May 31
and reopens again August 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-64210332877601836892019-05-26T05:06:00.000-07:002019-05-26T05:06:34.653-07:00Landry lands monster bass in Bay <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lv8aeKnyUFY/XOp-xBrK66I/AAAAAAAACUk/km3UwpSHGuEFiROsKLNhJns_g-xk2COzACLcBGAs/s1600/Landry%2Blands%2B52.25%2Bpound%2Bbass%2B-%2BPhoto%2BD2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="576" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lv8aeKnyUFY/XOp-xBrK66I/AAAAAAAACUk/km3UwpSHGuEFiROsKLNhJns_g-xk2COzACLcBGAs/s320/Landry%2Blands%2B52.25%2Bpound%2Bbass%2B-%2BPhoto%2BD2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><b>Monster bass:</b> Ken Landry of Cranston landed this 52.25 pound
striped bass Monday afternoon live lining Atlantic menhaden (pogies) in
Narragansett Bay.</i><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVo3BBrzFpg/XOp-1ZDeNPI/AAAAAAAACUo/0nSizGptDn46gWPPWmyNLMTPfUCfOLuUwCLcBGAs/s1600/VIP%2Bfishing%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1532" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVo3BBrzFpg/XOp-1ZDeNPI/AAAAAAAACUo/0nSizGptDn46gWPPWmyNLMTPfUCfOLuUwCLcBGAs/s320/VIP%2Bfishing%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<i><b>VIP Tournament:</b> Jamie
Legare of North Kingstown with a black sea bass he caught on last year Lion’s
Club Visually Impaired Persons fishing trip aboard the Frances Fleet.</i><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YoXq0yTl5fE/XOp-qaFVBaI/AAAAAAAACUc/n0CwB3DRPPsAlanasDLPqBj1lBZi3J63wCLcBGAs/s1600/27%2Bpounds%252C%2B44%2Binches%2Bcanal%2Bfish%2B-%2BPhoto%2BE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1006" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YoXq0yTl5fE/XOp-qaFVBaI/AAAAAAAACUc/n0CwB3DRPPsAlanasDLPqBj1lBZi3J63wCLcBGAs/s320/27%2Bpounds%252C%2B44%2Binches%2Bcanal%2Bfish%2B-%2BPhoto%2BE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>East End Eddie Doherty (formerly of
Attleboro) with the 27 pound striped bass he caught on the Cape Cod Canal
Wednesday.</i><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gjZqxciKNKE/XOp-4F37iII/AAAAAAAACUs/axxAj3WXR90ZzR69-aKnfnGvQzUgA5f0wCLcBGAs/s1600/VIP%2Bfishing%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gjZqxciKNKE/XOp-4F37iII/AAAAAAAACUs/axxAj3WXR90ZzR69-aKnfnGvQzUgA5f0wCLcBGAs/s320/VIP%2Bfishing%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>VIP Tournament:</b> Neil
McCauley of Johnston with a scup he caught on last year’s Lions Club Visually Impaired
Persons fishing trip on the Frances Fleet.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Landry lands monster bass in Bay<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ken Landry of Cranston, RI
caught a 52.25 pound striped bass Monday afternoon when fishing the upper part
of Narragansett Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Landry a long time recreational
and commercial fisherman caught the fish live lining Atlantic Menhaden (pogies).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Large striped bass over 50 pounds are
sometimes caught at Block Island and along the coastal shore in the summer,
however, this fish is a very large fish for a spring striped bass caught in
Narragansett Bay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ken Ferrara, his father,
owner of Ray Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “I said to Kenny, remember when
you were a kid and I caught a 50 pound bass in the Bay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You son of gun, you beat me by 2 pounds”. Landry
said, “Dad I beat you by 2.25 pounds.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fishing
tournament for visually impaired </span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The RI Lions Sight
Foundation (RILSF) will be hosting their 12th Annual Fishing Tournament for <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">V</span>isually <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I</span>mpaired <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">P</span>ersons (<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">VIPs</span>) on Sunday, June 23 aboard the
Frances Fleet party boat in Galilee, RI.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Tournament is
a half-day fishing trip with participants competing for one of several trophies
and an opportunity to represent Rhode Island at the “North Carolina Lions
National VIP Tournament” in October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also included during the Nationals trip is a New England Lions Tourney
which currently includes teams from RI, CT and MA. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The event is free
to the VIP’s and their Guides and includes a continental breakfast, fishing,
followed by a lunch and presentation of prizes and awards at Dan’s Carriage Inn,
North Kingstown. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The VIP Tournament is
available to any legally blind Rhode Island resident (minimum age is 17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">There are over
2,500 visually impaired persons in Rhode Island so organizers are urging
readers to pass along information about this opportunity. </span><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Information and applications on the RI VIP
Tourney are available at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.lions4sight.org/fish.htm%20">www.lions4sight.org/fish.htm </a></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>or call Ken
Barthelemy at 401.447.4228.<span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fluke experts share tips<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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Monday night I attended a RI
Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) summer flounder (fluke) seminar with four
great fluke experts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The experts at the
seminar were Kathy and Peter Lewis, RISAA Team Fluke Challenge tournament
winners; Capt. Shamus Mara of Big Game Sport Fishing; and Michael Tilelli, the
2017 and 2018 RISAA Angler of the Year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here are some highlights:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">When do you start fluke fishing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></b>Peter Lewis said, “I start when the Connecticut season opens, this
year it was May 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the fish are
generally offshore at this time so we fish the Montauk, NY area until the fish
get a little closer.” Mid-May is a good time to start fluke fishing, however,
we do not real numbers of keeper fluke until June.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">At what depth do you find the fish?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></b>Kathy Lewis said, “This time of year (May) we find them in sallower
water about 30 to 50 feet<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and as things
warm up (June and summer) in the deeper water 80 to 100 feet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. Mara agreed and added, “It all relates
to bait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wherever the bait is, that is
where the fluke will be.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What type of bottom do you like for fluke fishing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Michael Tilelli said, “I fish from shore
so it is usually a matter of casting as far as I can and then work the lure
back to shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biggest factor is
bait in the water, if I see no bait I generally move.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. Mara said “I like fishing humps and
bumps and line up my drift so I can take advantage of as much structure as
possible.” Peter Lewis said, “I like a sandy bottom, ideally that leads to a
mussel bed and then falls off to sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
like to drift from shallow to deep water.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Where’s the bite?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Striped bass</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorraine Danti
of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said, “One of our customers fishing
Narragansett Bay was having a blast catching school striped bass fishing and
all of a sudden his line started to pay out quickly and it was a big fish,
actually a 42” fish mixed in with the school bass. He was using a soft plastic
lure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other customers are doing will
with school bass too and like I said with an occasional keeper mixed in.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle,
Providence, said, “Capt. B.J. Silvia of Flippin Out Charters is landing some
nice fish in the 30 inch range in the East Passage on the channel pad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His customers are successfully jigging with
Al Gag’s soft plastics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From shore anglers
are landing bass using claim worms sea worms, clams and soft plastics.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ken Landry of Cranston caught a 52.25 pound
striped bass Monday afternoon in the upper part of Narragansett Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ken Ferrara, his father, of Ray’s Bait &
Tackle, Warwick said, “He caught the fish when live lining pogies (Atlantic
menhaden).”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tautog</b> fishing has been very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lorraine Danti said, “The tautog bite is very good from boats and
shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Customers are catching their
limit at the Stone Bridge and Bristol Narrows.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I fished the General Rock, North Kingstown area Saturday with angler
Steve Brustein of West Warwick in water 12 to 22 feet deep and caught short
tautog only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fishing for tautog from
boat and shore has been good. Customers are catching fish 25” primarily south
of the bridges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Narragansett has been
very good for customers.” said Henault of Ocean State Tackle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Freshwater</b> fishing continues to be very strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark Adler of Tiverton said, “We have been hitting
the trout pretty good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This weekend I
fished Wallum Lake (Douglas, MA and Burrillville, RI) and landed rainbow trout
using garlic PowerBait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trout were
quality fish and there were a lot of them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The trout bite is still good but the largemouth bass bite at Lincoln
Woods Olney Pond, the Tiverton Reservoir and the Woonasquatucket River, North
Providence has been very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers
are using shiners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bite in the North
Cove of the Olney Pond is particularly good because of all the structure and
bait there.” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Summer
flounder (fluke)</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> fishing has been improving offshore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “It was a good week
for fluke fishing and it is getting better with the warming weather. Every trip
we are catching more and more fish covered in sea lice. This is a very good
sign with more fish moving in to the area. The water is still in the upper 40s
and fishing should only continue to improve as it warms.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Squid fishing</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> was good this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. Frank Blount said, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anglers who fish all
night have been going home with a solid five gallon bucket full. The size of
the squid is amazing as well. Wednesday night did have the best quality with
tubes the size of your arm.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave
Henault of Ocean State Tackle said, “Ethane Phouthakoun of Providence and his
father caught a half-bucket of squid Sunday night and then limit out on scup
Monday morning.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-15311512274330450922019-05-26T04:46:00.002-07:002019-05-26T04:46:42.428-07:00Spring tautog tips from the experts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KaR3AyOhhv0/XOp5g4NJ55I/AAAAAAAACTw/8qm8cP5dwus1_9kw-cjzF5EqRyTuN2IvwCLcBGAs/s1600/Amanda%2BRiffkin%2Bon%2BFlippin%2BOut%2BCharters%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="457" height="304" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KaR3AyOhhv0/XOp5g4NJ55I/AAAAAAAACTw/8qm8cP5dwus1_9kw-cjzF5EqRyTuN2IvwCLcBGAs/s320/Amanda%2BRiffkin%2Bon%2BFlippin%2BOut%2BCharters%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Amanda Riffkin caught and released
this 9.5 pound tautog this weekend on Flippin Out Charters, Portsmouth. </i><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NggCSRsnrLw/XOp5mu0bJbI/AAAAAAAACT0/u208QYb7IfgfQJCDZ59rupPa2BMNLABgwCLcBGAs/s1600/Jason%2BChristopher%2BProvidence%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="569" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NggCSRsnrLw/XOp5mu0bJbI/AAAAAAAACT0/u208QYb7IfgfQJCDZ59rupPa2BMNLABgwCLcBGAs/s320/Jason%2BChristopher%2BProvidence%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
<i>Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle
said, “Jason Christopher of Providence caught tautog to 22” this weekend. Out
of 30 tautog, 12 of them were keepers, most released.” </i><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<br />
<b>Spring tautog tips from the experts</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you have not tried spring tautog
fishing, now is the time to do it as the spring fishing has been great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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Chris Torre of Red Top Sporting
Goods, Buzzards Bay, MA said, “The tautog bite in Buzzards Bay and in the Cape
Cod Canal has been great.” John Lavallee of Continental Bait & Tackle, Cranston,
RI said, “The tautog fishing has been the best it has been in years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fishing is so good customers have to work
hard to catch an undersized fish.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The tautog minimum size is 16” with
a three fish/person/day limit and a 10 fish per boat maximum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The catch limit in Massachusetts drops from
three fish to one fish on May 31 for the months of June and July during the
spawning season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Rhode Island the
season close for June and July during the spawning season. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Here are some spring tautog fishing
tips:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 27.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Easy to
bite and keep it still in spring.</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave Hess of Breachway Bait & Tackle,
Charleston said, “I have found tautog jigs effective, particularly when there
is little water movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Smaller baits
seem to work best in spring. I cut the legs and often pull off most of the
shell of a green crab cut in half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, I
believe in keeping the bait still on the bottom.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Warm and
shallower water in spring.</b> Dave Henault, Ocean State Tackle, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Providence, said, “Tautog are in a pre-spawn
state so they are looking for warmer water, that means you will tend to find
them in shallower water in the spring and not necessarily over structure, they
can be found on a sandy bottom next to or near structure too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Feel the
bite</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">… tap, tap and then get ready for a tug of war. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tautog is a quick hook set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feel a bite and get ready to set the hook. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angler Rich Hittinger, vice president of the
RI Saltwater Anglers, said, “</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">If you get two bites
with no hook-up your bait is gone. Reel in and re-bait.”</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 27.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Boat placement is important and chum</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Find structure with electronics, estimate
wind/drift direction and anchor up current from where you want to fish and
drift back to the spot as the anchor is setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once in position, fish all sides of the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle in
Warwick suggests casting a bit to cover as much area as you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If still no bites, let some anchor line out a
couple of times to change your position, if still no bites it is time to move
the vessel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait
said, “To</span> attract tautog to where you are fishing many anglers find chumming
effective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grass shrimp is a popular chum
for tautog in the spring, other anglers grind up quahogs and we sell a lot of
whole clams for chum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clams are easy to cut
up when frozen and they are fairly cheap.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Where’s the bite?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tautog.</b> Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle said, “Jason Christopher
of Providence caught tautog to 22” this weekend using jigs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and his party caught about 30 tautog, 12
of them were keepers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when fishing
on Flippin Out Charters, Amada Riffkin of Lincoln caught a 9.5 pound tautog
that she released.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charter Captains,
like BJ Silvia of Flippin Out Charters, are often releasing large female tautog
that have great egg producing and spawning potential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Dave Hess of Breachway Bait &
Tackle said, “The tautog bite is very good from boat and shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fish are in 20 to 25 feet of water with
green crabs and worms being the bait of choice.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle Warwick
said, “The tautog bite is good, customers are catching them at Ohio Ledge,
Conimicut Light and Plum Island light in North Kingstown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Green crabs and worms are working for
anglers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait
& Tackle, Riverside said, “The tautog bites has been good at the Day Marker
off Rumstick Point, Barrington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
customer caught sixteen keepers and released them all, the largest was 8.5
pounds off the Bridge in Barrington in the rain last Sunday.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Striped bass</b> fishing continues to improve along the coastal shore,
in estuaries and in the Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave Hess
of Breachway Bait & Tackle said, “Fishing has been great from the beaches,
breachways and jetties with anglers catching school bass with 30” keepers mixed
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worm hatch in salt ponds has
started with anglers catching bass on flies and lures that mimic cinder worms.”
Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle said, “It will not be long before we
have the large fish here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now
anglers are catching school bass, averaging about 20” in Greenwich Bay at
Buttonwoods, Sally Rock and off Oakland Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Soft baits such as Storm Shads are working well and many are having good
luck with the Rebel Jumpin Minnow and lures like it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait
said, “One customer caught a 35” and 31” striped bass from the rocks off
Narragansett.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fish were loaded with lice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keepers have also been caught in the Bay and
up the Barrington River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers in
river are floating worms, clam tongue and whole squid to catch keepers there.” Chris
Torre of Red Top said, “Customers are catching school bass with some 28 to 30
inch fish mixed in on the Canal.”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fluke fishing</b> is still slow as the water is cold. A warm day or two
and things will explode as bait is around.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Freshwater fishing.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris
Torre of Red Top Sporting Goods, Buzzards Bay said, “We are behind on the
largemouth bass season by a couple of weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With this warmer weather the bass will start bedding, I fished New York
last we and the pre-spawn had started there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The trout bite from the Cape to Fall River has been great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weighed in a seven plus pond rainbow last
week.” Dave Hess of Breachway Bait & Tackle said, “The trout bite in
stocked ponds continues to be very strong and now that the water is warming the
largemouth bass bite has been good too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait and Tackle said, “Customers continue to catch
trout at stocked ponds like Barber and Silver Spring Lake in North
Kingstown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The largemouth bite has been
good for customers at Gorton’s Pond, Warwick.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John Lavallee of Continental Bait & Tackle said, “Hats off to
DEM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trout bite has been so good in
ponds stocked by DEM that even causal anglers are catching 2.5 pound
trout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trout bite at Curran
Reservoir and the Pawtuxet River is good in Cranston.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-1639600157033196932019-05-10T07:47:00.000-07:002019-05-10T12:09:32.745-07:00Tautog, striper and largemouth bite explode<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qnsqpzEUPwI/XNWNhC-CjYI/AAAAAAAACTk/iO_nABPRwQgvYR85fLn5S0AqdNTjlab9QCLcBGAs/s1600/JG%252C%2BCongressman%2BKeating%252C%2B%2BED%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="215" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qnsqpzEUPwI/XNWNhC-CjYI/AAAAAAAACTk/iO_nABPRwQgvYR85fLn5S0AqdNTjlab9QCLcBGAs/s320/JG%252C%2BCongressman%2BKeating%252C%2B%2BED%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Congressmen Keating (center) opens door: </b>Congressmen
Bill Keating (center) greets Joe Gugino of Boston and Ed Doherty of Mattapoisett
(formerly Attleboro) in Washington, DC to talk about keeping fish conservation
strong in our national fishing laws.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tautog, striper and
largemouth bite explode<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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This week tautog fishing turned on
with many anglers catching their limit (16” minimum, three fish/person/day)
with fish in the twenty inch range being caught regularly. <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Cape Cod
Canal angler (and Attleboro native) East End Eddie Doherty said, “<span style="color: black;">I caught a 25” striper at the West End at 5:15 a.m. on a
five ounce Bill Hurley tan swim bait just as the current turned east and the
tide started to rise.” Bruce Miller of Canal Bait & Tackle, Sagamore said,
“All the action is on the west and south end of the Canal with hold over school
bass up to 26”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have some scup and
tautog in the area too.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The spring striped bass fishing in
Rhode Island has been good too. The East Passage Bay bite is stronger and the
fish are larger than West Passage fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick said, “I caught fish in the mid-20
inch range from the shore at Rocky Point, Conimicut and the Pawtuxet area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost measured one of them but planned to
release it anyway.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The bite in Greenwich Cove and
Chepiwanoxet Point was good this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
caught the smallest school striped bass I have ever caught at the Godard Park
Boat ramp Sunday morning in the rain, however, the fish were larger there, averaging
18” and larger last week and early this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
If you plan to fish for striped bass
now is the time to start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have two
bits of advice that have helped me over the years to catch striped bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, you can’t catch fish where there are
no fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you have to put yourself in
places where the fish are feeding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
second, you need to be ready with a number of strategies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days they are biting on soft plastic lures,
other times shinny sliver lures like Kastmaster work well and as the season
progresses live or chunks of Atlantic menhaden, other days trolling umbrella
rigs or tube and worm works best.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
To put yourself where the fish are,
read fishing reports/blogs and talk to friends and bait & tackle shop
owners to develop a fishing plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Based
on the research you’ve done, select five or six places to find the fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that you have your fishing plan, be ready
with a number of fishing strategies to land that striped bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fly Rodders Fishing Get-Together<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The Rhody Fly Rodders will meet to
fish at Colt State Park, Bristol on Saturday, May 11, any time after the high
tide at 2:00 p.m. to fish the out-going tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For information contact Peter Nilsen, president, at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="mailto:pdfish@fullchannel.net">pdfish@fullchannel.net</a></span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Where’s the bite?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Freshwater</b> fishing has been good, but like the saltwater, bad
weather has deterred many anglers from fishing. The trout bite in ponds and
lakes that have been stocked remains strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The freshwater largemouth bite has been very good too this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt McNair of the Northeast Trading Company,
North Attleboro said, “The trout bite at Falls Pond (North Attleboro) has been
very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, for largemouth the
Norton Reservoir has been hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our young
customers seem to be out fishing the adults for largemouth.” Tom Giddings of
the Tackle Box, Warwick, RI said, “We are at the being of the pre-spawn bite
and largemouth bass are feeding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last
week things exploded in smaller ponds like Warwick Pond and in larger waterways
like Stump Pond and Lake Tioque, Coventry the bite was very good too.” Mike
Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly, said, “The water around here is still
a bit cold for largemouth, however, Carbuncle Pond and Warden’s Pond has been
very good for trout fishing… particularly golden, some anglers are catching
three to four an outing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visit <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife">www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife</a></span></u>
for a list of stocked trout ponds and regulations in Massachusetts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, for stocked ponds and regulations in
Rhode Island visit <u><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span></u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> .</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Striped bass</b> fishing has been very good and getting better every
day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle,
Providence, said, “Fish in the 25” range have been caught in the Providence
River but there is no indication that these are migrating fish. Squid fishing
has been hit or miss but overall petty good at Goat Island, Newport as well as
Ft. Wet<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">herill
and Getty, Jamestown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have also had pogies
in the East Passage around Ohio Ledge with birds feeding but no indication that
bass are under them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fish have been in
the 18’ to 24” range in the East Passage.” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said, “A
volume of school bass have been caught from the Pawcatuck/Westerly Bridge all
the way down to the Bay with the best bite in the Cemetery area. Some keepers
have been taken too, but don’t think they have been migrating fish.” <span style="color: black;">Gil Bell, shore fishing expert said, “Maceral has been
caught from the beaches and boats this week from Narraganset to Charlestown and
there is Bunker now in the Pawcatuck River, Westerly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am casting big lures for large striped bass
now trying not to catch school bass.”</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tautog </b>fishing has been very good. Mike Wade of Watch Hill
Outfitters said, “The Connecticut season ended and in Rhode Island not many
have been fishing for tautog but the bite is very good in about 20 feet of
water on reefs off Watch Hill.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Littlefield
from Archie’s Bait & Tackle said, “Customers are catching fish at the Stone
Bridge, Tiverton and off the Barrington bike path bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conimicut Light has been good for customers
too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box
said, “I weighed in three fish for RISAA anglers this weekend in the 22” to 23”
range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bite at Rocky Point has been
good with anglers catching keepers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-32306831783085344632019-05-10T07:34:00.002-07:002019-05-10T07:34:48.153-07:00We need fresh fish and ocean wind farms<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsJos6fkexY/XNWK38-dSFI/AAAAAAAACTY/LU91xxvmCuw4bi6g4pk5zdtAWW2lT4KpwCLcBGAs/s1600/Block%2BIsland%2BWind%2BFarm%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsJos6fkexY/XNWK38-dSFI/AAAAAAAACTY/LU91xxvmCuw4bi6g4pk5zdtAWW2lT4KpwCLcBGAs/s320/Block%2BIsland%2BWind%2BFarm%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>The Block Island Wind Farm:</b> the first and to date, the only ocean
wind farm in the U.S.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We need fresh fish
and ocean wind farms<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
We need renewable energy bad. The
water is warming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For years the ocean
has acted as a heat absorber and last year it was the warmest ever. If we do
not kick solar and ocean wind power into high gear, and the water continues to
warm, even the warm water fish that have arrived in our area will leave.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
We know the polar ice caps are
melting from greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (created from the burning
of fossil fuels) from above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is now
melting from below too with warming ocean waters. So climate change impacts are
accelerating.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Our cold water fish in the
northeast have moved out to deeper and cooler water… no more winter flounder,
no more American lobster, all the lobsters went to Maine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, we now have warm water fish in greater
abundance such as scup, black sea bass and summer flounder (even though the
stock is not in great shape). Speaking with fishermen from Maryland, they have
an abundance of warm water species that are normally found further south in
Florida.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
So this is why we need to make
ocean wind farms work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Our experience with the Block
Island Wind Farm has been excellent. Not only has there been no remarkable
adverse effects on fish and habitat, the fishing in the area is arguably
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recreational fishermen catch
summer flounder, black sea bass and cod in the general wind farm area. Many say
(including this fisherman) that fishing in the area has actually been
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Commercial rod & reel fishermen
fish the wind farm area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commercial
trawlers work the waters right alongside the windfarm. And, commercial gill
netters set their nets right up to the pylons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They do this because the fishing is good there, not because it is bad.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Looking at the bases of the
turbines with underwater photography there is mussel growth on pylons, small
fish eating around the mussels, scup and balck sea bass feeding close to the
pylons with large bluefish and striped bass circling to pick off the smaller
fish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The cumulative impact of fish and
habitat with 80 turbines, next to 100, next to 120 is what all are concerned
about. That’s why we need federal laws
passed that put pressure on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to
accelerate research before, during and after construction. We need to see what positive or negative
impacts (if any) the first 80 turbines will have on fish and habitat and apply
the learnings to the construction of the next 80 turbines.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
And by the way, the National
Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) needs to play more of a
role here, right now they are merely consulted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If fish or habitat are at risk NOAA Fisheries needs the ability to put
the brakes on as fish and habitat are their business, not BOEM’s business.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
All fishermen and all Americans
need to be vigilant about protecting fish and habitat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But wind farm developers and fishermen
posturing for mitigation is not a venue that leads to positive results of
enhancing renewable energy while allowing fisheries to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The recent mitigation process used
in Rhode Island on one lease area project built by Vineyard Wind (for a wind
farm in Massachusetts) has set the table for some silliness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The process was not inclusive of all fishery
sectors in all states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not
include concerns of recreational fishers and those of Massachusetts fishermen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there are two to three projects in each of
20 lease areas, that’s 50 or 60 projects in the mid-Atlantic area to
Massachusetts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
We need to develop a process for
addresses the needs of fishermen and the wind farm industry that is outside of
mitigation, well before it. More of an inclusive planning approach that
respects the needs and concerns of all at the table.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
You also hear some totally false
information spread by some designed to instill fear in fishermen and the public
and position themselves for mitigation. Claims such as you will not be able to
fish near the turbines, birds will be destroyed by the wind farm blades, the
sound of the turbines will drive mammals away, the submarine cables emit
electromagnetic fields that will kill fish, the turbines spinning will blow on
the water and disrupt spawning grounds. I have not been able to find research
that supports these claims.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
So I say we have to work this
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need renewable energy. And, we
need fresh, nutritious fish. NOAA needs a larger seat at the decision making
table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wind farm developers and
fishermen have to learn to live and work together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
If we do not reduce the impacts of
climate change, eventually even the warm water fish that have arrived in our
waters will leave for cooler waters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
I am convinced we can develop
renewable energy and yet have no remarkable negative impacts on fish and
habitat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to work to achieve this
positive outcome today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-90731765859048001742019-05-06T12:33:00.000-07:002019-05-06T12:33:05.646-07:00Striped bass in tough shape, mangers take action
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xM8sf62vnmw/XNCKWlri7HI/AAAAAAAACS4/JW51tx90uVk6yYUSHJT6ud_7BqUKwCZCwCLcBGAs/s1600/All%2Bsmiles%2BJM%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xM8sf62vnmw/XNCKWlri7HI/AAAAAAAACS4/JW51tx90uVk6yYUSHJT6ud_7BqUKwCZCwCLcBGAs/s320/All%2Bsmiles%2BJM%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Capt. John
McMurray of One More Cast Charters, NY testified Wednesday before the House Natural
Resources Subcommittee on Water, Ocean and Wildlife.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQpX0f9H4UA/XNCKZqKvR2I/AAAAAAAACS8/z7hnBPkrfcsApsY5M-r7C3E3v9m0NIgeQCLcBGAs/s1600/Fish%2BAdvocates%2Bin%2BDC%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQpX0f9H4UA/XNCKZqKvR2I/AAAAAAAACS8/z7hnBPkrfcsApsY5M-r7C3E3v9m0NIgeQCLcBGAs/s320/Fish%2BAdvocates%2Bin%2BDC%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2Bv1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Anglers advocate in Washington, DC this week:</b> Capt. Dave Monti, No Fluke Charters; Todd Corayer, South Kingstown
writer and kayak fishermen; Peter Jenkins, owner of the Saltwater Edge,
Middletown; Capt. Ian Devlin, East Norfolk, CT.</i><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><i></i><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Striped bass in tough
shape, fish mangers take action</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
The Striped Bass Board of the
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) announced Tuesday that they
plan to reduce striped bass total removals (commercial and recreational
harvest, including dead releases) by roughly 17 percent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The 2018 Atlantic Striped Bass Benchmark Stock Assessment
indicates the resource is overfished and experiencing overfishing relative to
the updated reference points defined in the assessment. Female spawning stock
biomass (SSB) was estimated at 151 million pounds, below the SSB threshold of
202 million pounds. Despite recent declines in SSB, the assessment indicated
the stock is still significantly above the SSB levels observed during the
moratorium in the mid-1980s</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Draft Addendum that aims to reduce harvest will explore
a range of management options, including minimum size and slot size limits for
the recreational fishery in the Chesapeake Bay and along the coast, as well as
a coastwide circle hook requirement when fishing with bait. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Draft Addendum will be presented to the Board for its
consideration and approval for public comment in August. If approved, it will
be released for public comment, with the Board considering its final approval
in October for implementation in 2020.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A more detailed description of the stock
assessment results is available on the Commission’s website at </span><span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.asmfc.org/">http://www.asmfc.org</a></span></span><span><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> .</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Anglers advocate for
conservation, enhanced data and climate change tools </span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Anglers, guides, charter captains and fishing industry
leaders met in Washington, DC this week to push to maintain strong conservation
measures in our national fishing law, the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Provisions such as Allowable Catch Limits
(ACLs) and Accountability Measures (fish sectors making up the difference if
they overfish) are MSA provisions that have helped rebuild over 40 fish stocks
since the year 2000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">The group of anglers visited the offices of senators
and congressmen advocating for enhance data (possibly through electronic recording)
and providing fish mangers with enhanced climate change tools to manage species
that have migrated as water has warmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Peter Jenkins, owner of the Saltwater Edge outfitters
in Middletown, RI and board chairman of the American Saltwater Guides Association
said, “Our aim to run sustainable businesses through conservation and keeping
the conservation measures in our national fishing law strong.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">In other Washington, DC fishing news this week, Capt.
John McMurray of One More Cast Charters in Oceanside, NY and president of the
American Saltwater Guides Association testified before the House Natural
Resource Subcommittee on Water, Ocean and Wildlife Wednesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McMurray said, “Conservation provisions contained
in the current version of our national fishing law reduced the number of stocks
being overfished from 92 to 38 since 2000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>According to NOAA Fisheries recreational participation and seafood
landings are up as a result and that’s because conservation provisions increased
access by making more fish available to more people.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Spring
fishing off to a great start</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The spring fishing season has gotten
off to a great start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers had a
great opening to the freshwater season with trout and golden trout still being
caught in stocked waterways (see below report).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And this week, the saltwater fishing
season exploded with some anglers catching as many as 30 migrating school bass
an outing with reports of a 30” fish being caught too (28” is the minimum size,
one fish/person/day}.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To enhance the
safe release of small school bass use in-line hooks, or snap off the barbs on
treble hooks, and gently bring these fish in for a safe release.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The tautog bite has been good too this
week with many anglers limiting out (three fish/person/day, 16” minimum), some
fish being caught are in the 20 plus inch range.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So get out there and fish.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Where’s the bite?</b><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Striped bass.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The striped
bass migration started to hit Rhode Island early last week with school bass at
the West Wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike Wade of Watch Hill
Outfitters, Westerly, said, “We have customers catching holdover bass far up
the Pawcatuck River at the Westerly/Pawcatuck Bridge and others at the West
Wall of the Harbor of Refuge in South Kingstown catching migrating bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fish are loaded with sea lice.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle,
North Kingstown said, “Anglers are catching migrating striped bass all the way
to Conimicut Point and beyond up the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have good reports of a striped bass bite in Apponaug and East
Greenwich Coves.” Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said, “One of
our customers caught a 30” keeper in the Barrington River and two others caught
over 30 school bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said they
successfully released all of them.”</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tautog.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tautog fishing for
commercial fishermen has been getting better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some are catching five to six keepers using clam as bait, not a lot of
green crabs around year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
setting traps but the water is still too cold around here and the crabs are
still dormant.” Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle said, “Tautog fishing
is very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers are limiting out
(three fish/person/day) using green crabs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The bite is on in Tiverton, in the Sakonnet River and at the Barrington
River Bridge.” Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, said, “The tautog
bite off Newport and Jamestown was very good this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers are using both worms and green crabs
for bait.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angler John Migliori has been
catching keeper tautog along Ocean Drive, Newport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This past weekend he caught a 22” fish from
shore.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Freshwater fishing.</b> Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait said, “The bite at
Bad Luck Pond for trout has been very good, however fishing at Brickyard Pond,
Barrington has not been good at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
largemouth bite continues to be good in the area.” Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane
Bait & Tackle said, “Customers are still catching golden trout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weighed in two that were caught at Silver
Spring Lake, North Kingstown. So the trout bite is still good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The largemouth bass bite has been good for
anglers too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike Wake of Watch Hill
Outfitters said, “The trout bite is still great at ponds that DEM stocked such
as Carolina and Bradford Ponds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, they
are still catching golden trout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once
again DEM has done a great job stocking.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Visit <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife">www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife</a></span></u>
for a list of stocked trout ponds and regulations in Massachusetts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, for stocked ponds and regulations in
Rhode Island visit <u><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span></u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> .</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-84805755923734032019-05-06T12:23:00.000-07:002019-05-06T12:23:28.683-07:00Catching spring bass is a hoot!
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="356" height="272" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AtILpbMjLA4/XNCHJu1OEWI/AAAAAAAACSQ/0K_6140FIlwJIqh2JLm0fdhDuhS0ZsqVACLcBGAs/s320/Capt.%2BDave%2BMonti%2Bspring%2Bbass%2BEG%2BCove%2B-%2BPhoto%2BC.jpg" width="320" /></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<i>Capt. Dave
Monti with an East Greenwich Cove spring bass caught in the month of May.</i><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJ7QeV4xWyo/XNCHK5k7INI/AAAAAAAACSU/GaCr16SOljAOZGYoD3n6mamUm51THbxdwCLcBGAs/s1600/Big%2Bschool%2Bbass%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJ7QeV4xWyo/XNCHK5k7INI/AAAAAAAACSU/GaCr16SOljAOZGYoD3n6mamUm51THbxdwCLcBGAs/s320/Big%2Bschool%2Bbass%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.JPG" width="320" /></i></b></a></div>
<i>Kevin
Fetzer with a 26” spring striped bass caught last year in Wickford Cove</i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh-9wJ63ePI/XNCHNU2-BMI/AAAAAAAACSY/NnZMyKVb0FUTG7aaI-Z9meLLTJRSm1gvQCLcBGAs/s1600/Mike%2527s%2BLargmouth%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="817" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh-9wJ63ePI/XNCHNU2-BMI/AAAAAAAACSY/NnZMyKVb0FUTG7aaI-Z9meLLTJRSm1gvQCLcBGAs/s320/Mike%2527s%2BLargmouth%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" width="320" /></b></a></div>
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Personal
Best:</b> Mike Deryck of Blackstone, MA caught this 7.1 pound largemouth bass on
a White Chatterbait. </i><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujP2qOshxjE/XNCHQOxiVOI/AAAAAAAACSc/WkdqxeKVPpo3I4FV3IgopqDCzrLE3xKugCLcBGAs/s1600/22%2Binch%2Btog%2BJM%2B-%2BPhoto%2BH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujP2qOshxjE/XNCHQOxiVOI/AAAAAAAACSc/WkdqxeKVPpo3I4FV3IgopqDCzrLE3xKugCLcBGAs/s320/22%2Binch%2Btog%2BJM%2B-%2BPhoto%2BH.jpg" width="320" /></b></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<i>Angler John
Migliori with a 22" tautog he caught off Ocean Drive, Newport.</i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Catching spring bass is a hoot!</b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
It’s April and anglers are catching
school striped bass in our rivers, bays and coves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The typical spring pattern is that resident striped
bass are the first to get active and then migrating fish kick in shortly
after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Manny believe the fish we have caught
up to this point are hold-over stripers, meaning resident fish that did not
migrate south for the winter. Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence said
“We have striped bass to 27” in the Barrington, Seekonk and Providence Rivers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, we have received reports of school bass
being caught in East Greenwich Cove and Bay.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
So how do you catch spring striped
bass, and in a week or two when migrating fish arrive, there’ll be an occasion keeper
(28” or larger) mixed in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fishing for
school bass can be lots of fun using light tackle or on a fly rod.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lighten-up</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
My personal favorite in the early
spring is to use lightweight rods and reels as they provide anglers with the
most challenging fight. I have a couple of light Penn rods and reels ready to
go along with a couple of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St. Croix Mojo
light and medium inshore spinning rods<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>paired with Shimano Stella 4000 reels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Shimano Stella reels are spooled with 20 pound braid and 20 pound
fluorocarbon leaders just like the Penn rigs.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
When a bass smacks your lure and
runs with it there’s nothing more exciting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With an abundance of small fish around the past couple of years most
experts expect that fishing for school bass up to just keeper size (28”) will
be hot once again this year. </div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Neil Hayes, manager of Quaker Lane
Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown, RI said, “I like to use a light action rod
seven to eight feet with 20 pound brand, 30 tops.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. BJ Silvia of Flippin Out Charters said,
“I actually have a couple of freshwater rigs on board to target spring bass.”</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where to find the fish</i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Like most fish, finding spring
striped bass is all about the bait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much
of the bait in the spring is herring, or Atlantic menhaden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you find the bait, the odds of finding
the fish are dramatically improved.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
An incoming tide is my preference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Casting around jetties, sandbars, holes,
ledges or small pieces of structure has been successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea is to cast into eddies, and just
beyond them, that have been created by the incoming tide whirling around the
structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often times we cast in front
of the structure, or if a sandbar in the low water on top of it, and then pull
the lure away from the structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
this way your lure is acting much the same way a bait fish acts when it gets pushed
up on the structure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Bait fish often get whipped around
these areas and the bass are there to feed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Capt. BJ Silvia said, “One of my favorite spots is around Ohio Ledge in
the East Passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to me honest, I
look for the birds through my binoculars as the human I can miss the birds easily.”</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane said, “Early
in the season the West Wall of the Harbor of Refuge in South Kingstown is
king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matunuck Beach is great too as
well as the jetties along our South County breachways.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Enhance your catch and release
skills</i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Striped bass are in trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last stock assessment shows that they are
being overfished and overfishing is occurring so the last thing conservation
minded anglers want to do is to kill a lot of school bass before they get to
spawn.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
To decrease the mortality rate of
striped bass after you release them use inline hooks on lures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your lure has treble hooks consider change
them or snapping down (and off) the barbs on each of the hooks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this was you will do minimum damage to a
feisty fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also try not to muscle in
these fish as their lips and mouths are small and weak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just take it easy on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Other catch & release tactics
include landing the fish quickly to minimize stress; keep fish in the water as
much as possible when removing hook; use gloves and wet your hand before
handling the fish as dry hands remove the fish’s protective slime layer and
leave it open to infection; gently remove the hook to minimize damage; return
fish to water quickly and place them gently in the water in upright horizontal
position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Move it back and forth in the
water holding its tail to force water across its gills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the fish revives, allow it to swim away.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Favorite lures</i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Capt. BJ Silvia said, “I like to
use Shimano Coltsniper lures as well as soft plastic, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4” top water poppers that rattle and when
fishing deeper water we use small metal jigs with inline hooks.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave Henault said, “I like to use small one
once poppers, Cocahoe lures and Al Gag’s soft plastic baits.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to above lures, I have caught
1,000’s of spring bass on Yo Zuri Crystal Minnows (silver).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like fishing them a various depths and find
that ripping them through the water often gets the attention of striped
bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Where’s the bite?</b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Freshwater</b> fishing for trout remains strong a stocked ponds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visit <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife"><span style="color: blue;">www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife</span></a></span></u>
for a list of stocked ponds and regulations in Massachusetts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, for stocked ponds and regulations in
Rhode Island visit <span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/">www.dem.ri.gov</a></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> . Fishing
for largemouth bass has been good too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>East End Eddie Doherty said, “Angler </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Mike Deryck
of Blackstone, MA caught his largest ever largemouth bass this week, a 7.1
pounds fish. He caught the caught the largemouth using a White Chatterbait when
fishing Lake Hiawatha in Blackstone, MA.”</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Striped bass</b> fishing is starting to come alive with resident hold
over fish becoming active for the past couple of weeks in the Pawcatuck,
Narrow, Providence, Barrington and Seekonk Rivers as well as in Greenwich Cove
and Bay. Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle said, “Customers are reporting a
good bite from the beaches along the southern coastal shore with fish as large
as 27”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many are saying the fish are
larger than last year and the schools are larger too.” </div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tautog
</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">bite
is starting to build with some keepers being caught at the Stone Bridge,
Tiverton and off Newport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angler John
Migliori said, “I caught an 18” and a 19” tautog off Ocean Drive, Newport
Wednesday using green crabs.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
minimum size for tautog is 16”, three fish/person/day.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Squid/summer
flounder (fluke).</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt.
Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have heard some rumors about squid starting to show up on the
offshore grounds. The fluke should be right behind them.”</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></i></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-37490599276498536412019-05-06T12:09:00.000-07:002019-05-06T12:09:05.446-07:00Wet start... wild end to Opening Day
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3dlYWFeHTLs/XNCC5xNBQ3I/AAAAAAAACRw/mwIMbLl5s4I-GIApP0rIaaFhgWSb-RuZQCLcBGAs/s1600/Lucky%2BBait%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3dlYWFeHTLs/XNCC5xNBQ3I/AAAAAAAACRw/mwIMbLl5s4I-GIApP0rIaaFhgWSb-RuZQCLcBGAs/s320/Lucky%2BBait%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Getting ready:</b> Manny Macedo (center) of Lucky Bait, Warren with
customers Brenda Ferreira of East Providence and her son Dan Decrescenzo as
they stopped by the store to get ready for opening day.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62iea79UX08/XNCC8vxQEgI/AAAAAAAACR0/eLgJwLeTmkENNc-JC5t--1nH2Bm4bDyqgCLcBGAs/s1600/Golden%2Btrout%2Bis%2Bking%2B-%2BPhoto%2BC%2Bv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-62iea79UX08/XNCC8vxQEgI/AAAAAAAACR0/eLgJwLeTmkENNc-JC5t--1nH2Bm4bDyqgCLcBGAs/s320/Golden%2Btrout%2Bis%2Bking%2B-%2BPhoto%2BC%2Bv1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Golden Trout is King: Jaymin Deandrade (center) with a golden trout
he caught at Only Pond, Lincoln. Shown
with his brother Henry and uncle Joe Botelhs.</i><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9msU1ZMuv8/XNCDE9rB_XI/AAAAAAAACR4/-dF1wELN_JQJXVBZW_CM340bwxkqljoFQCLcBGAs/s1600/RIPCBA%2Bboard%2Band%2Bcommittee%2B-%2BPhoto%2BE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="209" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9msU1ZMuv8/XNCDE9rB_XI/AAAAAAAACR4/-dF1wELN_JQJXVBZW_CM340bwxkqljoFQCLcBGAs/s320/RIPCBA%2Bboard%2Band%2Bcommittee%2B-%2BPhoto%2BE.jpg" width="320" /></i></a></div>
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Food and funds donated:</b>
Board and Annual Banquet committee members of the Rhode Island Party
& Charter Boat Association with food donated to the Johnny Cake Food Pantry
in South County. </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZwivFJnRnQ/XNCD_IcTuMI/AAAAAAAACSE/V2WUIJS8rS0GYx-HIBZ3VgCBHMI4khHvQCLcBGAs/s1600/Family%2Bfun%2Bat%2BFrenchtown%2B-%2BPhoto%2BD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZwivFJnRnQ/XNCD_IcTuMI/AAAAAAAACSE/V2WUIJS8rS0GYx-HIBZ3VgCBHMI4khHvQCLcBGAs/s320/Family%2Bfun%2Bat%2BFrenchtown%2B-%2BPhoto%2BD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<i>Family fun: Matthew and Linda Terry of
Richmond with their daughter Olivia at Frenchtown Pond in East
Greenwich on Opening Day.</i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wet start and wild
end to Opening Day for Jose Lopez</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Opening day of the Rhode Island trout
and freshwater season had a wet start and a wild end last Saturday, April 13
for Jose Lopez Jr. of Central Falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the
start of opening day (6:08 a.m.) only a few anglers braved the pounding rain
and wind at Rhode Island waterways to fish. Jose Lopez started his day at
Carbuncle Pond in Coventry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and those
anglers that fished in the morning were rewarded with some of the 75,000 brook,
brown and rainbow trout that had been stocked by the Rhode Island Department of
Environmental Management (DEM). </div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
As the day progressed Jose moved to
Only Pond, Lincoln during the midafternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The sky had cleared and that is when things got wild for Jose Lopez as
he hooked a 27.5 inch golden trout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jose
said, “This fish kept teasing everyone swimming along the beach but no one
could get the fish to bite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I laid
out some PowerBait just with a hook and no weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw the big yellow trout grab the bait and
take off. I fought the fish for about 20 minutes and landed landing it at
around 5:00 p.m.” The trout, which officially weighed in at 11.36 pounds at Quaker
Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown, may be a state of Rhode Island record
for a golden trout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At press time Jose
was still waiting for the official word from RI DEM.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Henry Deandrade who also fished
opening day at Only Pond, Lincoln (with his uncle and older brother), said, “The
fishing is great. We caught ten fish so far, I caught the biggest and my
brother Jaymin caught a golden trout.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Joe Botelhs of East Providence
(Henry and Jaymin’s uncle) said, “We caught all our fish using PowerBait
because the fish coming out of the hatchery are used to eating artificial
food.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once hatchery-raised fish
acclimate to the natural surroundings (in a week or so) they are likely to
enjoy eating natural baits like meal worms or lures that look like natural baits.
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Hatchery-raised
golden rainbow trout were stocked at 16 of Rhode Island’s most popular fishing
locations for Opening Day including the largest fish so far caught by Jose
Lopez Jr. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
So if you plan to fish for trout
this week I would suggest taking artificial baits (like PowerBait) as well as
natural baits and natural looking lures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Be ready to fish a number of different ways and then switch to the rig
and bait arrangement that seems to be working best.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
At Willet Avenue Pond brothers Nick
and Ted Crevier of Riverside had landed two and three tout respectively in two
hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met Matthew Terry of Richmond,
his wife Linda and daughter Olivia at Frenchtown Pond in East Greenwich at
about 10 a.m. in a constant rain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Linda
said, “We just got here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fish together
as a family all the time and thought we would come out and try our luck on
opening day.”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Opening day had a wet start but great ending for anglers like Jose
Lopez Jr. who landed a monster golden and just about everyone else who fished
the weekend. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again our Department of
Environmental Management did a great job stocking ponds and planning opening
day.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Trout season in Massachusetts started
April 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Visit <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife"><span style="color: blue;">www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife</span></a></span></u>
for a list of stocked ponds and regulations in Massachusetts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, for stocked ponds and regulations in
Rhode Island visit <span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/">www.dem.ri.gov</a></span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> . In
Rhode Island anglers who catch a golden trout from Opening Day through April 29
can receive a free golden trout pin. Take a picture of your catch and send it
to <span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">dem.fishri@dem.ri.gov</a></span>
. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Charter Boat annual meeting</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Members of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association
(RIPCBA) gathered Sunday at Spain Restaurant, Narragansett for their Annual
Banquet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About one hundred captains and guests
celebrated last year’s catch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. Rich
Bellavance, president, said “We are thankful for a safe year of fishing last
year and look forward to a good and safe year of fishing in 2019.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Captains and guests donated food and cash raised at the annual banquet
to the Johnny Cake Food Pantry in South County as they have done for the past
several years.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">New Association promotes
business through conservation </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA) officially launched
this month with a mission to promote sustainable business through marine conservation.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Capt. John McMurray, president of the Association, said, “We represent
fishing guides and charter captains, small business owners and like-minded
anglers to protect marine resources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
board of directors is comprised of highly respected small business owners and
guides from Maine to North Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
Rhode Island Peter Jenkins, owner of the Saltwater Edge, Middletown, is our
board chairmen and charter Capt. Dave Monti, fishing writer and fisheries
advocate, is a board member and chairs our audit committee.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The ASGA strives to provide a stronger voice and sound representation
to the recreational fishing community, and intends to work with lawmakers and
various fisheries management bodies by advocating for conservation through
science-based management.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will focus
on the positive economic impacts that accrue from management that promotes
abundant fish populations and the economic harm that will inevitably result
from policies that promote excessive harvest.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The organization has identified striped bass, bluefish, menhaden and
the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act as initial management issues
that it will focus its efforts on in the near-term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Visit <span><a href="http://www.saltwaterguidesassociation.org/">www.saltwaterguidesassociation.org</a></span>
for information and as a resource on marine and fisheries management issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Where’s the bite</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Freshwater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Trout
fishing at Massachusetts and Rhode Island ponds that have been stocked has been
outstanding and is expected to continue to be good this coming week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only Pond in Lincoln; Willet Avenue Pond,
Riverside; Silver Spring, in North Kingstown; and Frenchtown Pond, East Greenwich
were all yielding large brown,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>brook and
rainbow trout this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The largemouth
bass bite was good too with angles using shiners as the bait of choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle,
Providence said, “Customers are catching trout with artificial baits (like
PowerBait) as the food of choice of these hatchery raised stocked trout is
still manufactured food until they acclimate to their natural surroundings.”</span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Saltwater fishing</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">. Anglers continue
to fish for small holdover striped bass in Narrow River, Narragansett, and the
Pawcatuck River, Westerly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few angles
have started to fish for tautog. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle,
Warwick, said, “Customers are buying crabs but no reports of high volumes of
keeper tautog being caught.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
anglers are catching tautog but they are small fish. Tautog season started
April 1, the minimum size is 16” and the limit is three fish/person/day.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-9150360474503213482019-04-07T13:15:00.001-07:002019-04-07T13:15:58.149-07:00Trout fishing is great family fun... Mate school placement 75%<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_6ko8zAyvDk/XKpWZzG7GRI/AAAAAAAACQs/1g3xLvaXt2MUpzNefz7LFgMSQYwS2nbXgCLcBGAs/s1600/Family%2Btradition%2B-%2BPhoto%2BC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_6ko8zAyvDk/XKpWZzG7GRI/AAAAAAAACQs/1g3xLvaXt2MUpzNefz7LFgMSQYwS2nbXgCLcBGAs/s320/Family%2Btradition%2B-%2BPhoto%2BC.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><b>2018 Opening Day and year-round fishers</b>, Yolanda Rios and Bill
Whalen of Warwick with their sons Jowell and Brendon are a fishing family.</i><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PuNx0XrDnfo/XKpWcEYO5BI/AAAAAAAACQw/dt7aV_ouF70nwuJmD_LpvoP42EPsxVe5ACLcBGAs/s1600/Group%2Bfish%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PuNx0XrDnfo/XKpWcEYO5BI/AAAAAAAACQw/dt7aV_ouF70nwuJmD_LpvoP42EPsxVe5ACLcBGAs/s320/Group%2Bfish%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><b>Opening day 2018 at</b> <b>Silver
Spring Lake, North Kingstown:</b> William Harpin of Warwick; Chris Girard, Joe
Enright, Bill Enright (with fish), Autumn Mitchell, and Jonathan Harpin all of
Cranston.</i><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gGC_o4C2iSQ/XKpXkCHN5CI/AAAAAAAACRA/s0AZowkPM3sRWtIyi2hYC6oV0mQ0dpHTwCLcBGAs/s1600/Capt.%2BCharlie%2BD.%2Band%2BHillary%2BKenyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1600" height="260" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gGC_o4C2iSQ/XKpXkCHN5CI/AAAAAAAACRA/s0AZowkPM3sRWtIyi2hYC6oV0mQ0dpHTwCLcBGAs/s320/Capt.%2BCharlie%2BD.%2Band%2BHillary%2BKenyon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Mate School:</b> Hillary Kenyon of Groton, CT attends mate school run by Capt. Charlie Donilon of Snappa Charters. </i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b>Trout fishing is great family fun<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Opening day for trout season in
Rhode Island is Saturday, April 13 at sunrise (around 6:09 a.m.). However, the ritual of ‘Opening Day’ will
start well before this time and continue throughout the weekend. Often it starts before sunrise with fresh
coffee on the banks of a pond or lake, a camping trip the night before, an
early morning breakfast at home or at a local diner. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
If you should have the desire to
participate in the ritual, it does not take a lot of effort or money to get
started. April is an ideal time for families to try their hand at fishing as Rhode
Island and Massachusetts waterways are stocked well with trout and it is fairly
easy for beginners to catch fish. And, fishing
can take place from the safety of shore while all enjoy the outdoors. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">How to get started<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It does not have to cost a lot to gear-up to fish opening
day. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait &
Tackle, Warwick said, “If you have a rod and reel already all you need is $4
worth of bait and you are off fishing.”
Ferrara sells treble hook rigs and sinkers for about $1.50. If a rod and reel in needed you can get a
brand name rod (Daiwa), reel and line for about $29. John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait &
Tackle, Riverside said, “We have fresh water spinning rigs that start at $15
for rod, reel and line. We hope to get
some push button conventional reels later this week.” John Lavelle of Continental Bait &
Tackle, Cranston, said, “Opening day rigs with rod, reel and line range from $16
to $39.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">States stock ponds with hatchery raised trout that have been
eating manufactured food so the bait of choice on Opening Day and early April is
a prepared or formulated bait like PowerBait by Berkeley. As the trout acclimate to the wild (two to
three weeks) they begin to start foraging naturally so meal worms, other
natural baits and lures work best then. PowerBait
can be purchased at bait & tackle shops as well as sporting goods stores
like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bass Pro Shops and Wal-Mart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Ponds being stocked<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The Rhode Island Department of
Environmental Management’s (DEM) Division of Fish & Wildlife stocks about
100 ponds, lakes and waterways with hatchery raised brown, rainbow and brook
trout with an average individual weight of one and a half pounds. Visit <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife/freshwater-fisheries/troutwaters.php">http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife/freshwater-fisheries/troutwaters.php</a></span>
for a complete list of trout stocked
ponds in RI. There are ponds for
children fourteen years old and younger, for fly fishing only, and some ponds
are for children only just the first two days of trout season. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #1a1817; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For information on fishing laws and
regulations in Massachusetts refer to the 2019 Massachusetts Guide online at </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.mass.gov/masswildlife">www.mass.gov/masswildlife</a></span></span><span style="background: white; color: #1a1817; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> or pick up a
copy at sporting license vendor locations across the State (a similar guide is
available in Rhode Island).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #1a1817; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The trout season runs year-round in some Massachusetts
waterways, however, most ponds, lakes,
smaller rivers and brooks have seasons that generally start April 1. </span>In
March and April Massachusetts will stock close to 500,000 brook, brown, rainbow
and tiger trout. Visit <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife"><span style="color: blue;">www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife</span></a></span></u>
for a list of stocked ponds and regulations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b>Where to get a fresh water
license <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
A 2019 fishing license is
required for anglers 15 years of age and older wishing to catch fish in Rhode
Island and Massachusetts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
A Trout Conservation Stamp is also required in Rhode Island for anyone
wishing to keep or possess a trout or to fish in a catch-and-release or
'fly-fishing only' area. Fishing
licenses for residents in RI are $18 and the Trout Conservation Stamp is
$5.50. They can be obtained at any city
or town clerk's office, authorized agent such as bait and tackle shops, can be purchased
online or obtained at DEM’s Boat Registration and Licensing Office located at
235 Promenade Street in Providence. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Licenses are $33 for a combination
hunting and fishing license, $35 for non-residents, and $16 for a tourist
three-consecutive-day license. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
In Massachusetts a freshwater
residential fishing license is $27.50 and a non-resident license is
$37.50. You can purchase an in state or
out of state three day license. For complete
Massachusetts license information and to apply for one online visit <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.mass.gov/how-to/buy-your-freshwater-fishing-license">https://www.mass.gov/how-to/buy-your-freshwater-fishing-license</a></span>
. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Mate school placement is 75%</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Capt. Charlie Donilon of <i>Snappa Charters</i>, Pt. Judith, RI is an
industry icon. He was the first in the
region to use a shark diving cage in the early 70’s, he has come in contact
with hundreds of sharks (and released them all), and he had the first all female
crew in a male dominated industry. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And, this month he’ll be holding
his third Mate School that will train students on how to serve as a mate on a
charter or party boat. The school makes
no promises but the last class had a 75% placement rate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
The school will be held Saturday,
April 20 and 27 with six hour classroom/workshop sessions. The program culminates with an on the water
practicum aboard the charter fishing vessel <i>Snappa</i>
the week of May 11.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Capt. Donilon said, “Students
receive the basics at mate school with additional training occurring when they
get their first job. The school is for female and males of all ages, anyone
that wants to learn how to mate on a vessel or wants to sharpen their
seamanship skills.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Mate School teaches students how to
prepare the vessel to fish, gear preparation and care, how to customer instruct
on how to fish and how to treat customers.
Mate School’s aim is to introduce students to what it is like to be a
mate and what is expected of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The cost of the school is $225. For
information and to register for Mate School contact Capt. Donilon at 401.487.9044
or <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="mailto:snappacharters@cox.net">snappacharters@cox.net</a></span>
. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px;">
<b>Where’s the bite<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Freshwater. </b>John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside said, “We have a customer that caught eleven fish last week both largemouth bass and pike at Bad Luck Pond in Rehoboth, MA.” John Lavelle of Continental Bait & Tackle, Cranston said, “Some larger fish have been caught in March. As soon as the ice melts the largemouth bass are hungry and when the water warms they start to feed. Our customers are doing well with shiners. Once opening day arrives local customers will be fishing at the kids only Seidel’s Pond and Meshanticut Brook but I like to point customers to southern Rhode Island lakes and ponds where things are not as crowded. I can’t tell you all the maps I have drawn for customers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Cod fishing </b>was off last week but as conditions improve the hope is that the fishing will improve too. John Littlefield of Archie’s said, “One of my good customers put his boat in early last week and went to Cox Ledge. They caught more haddock than cod but had a good day.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Tautog </b>season opened April 1 in RI and MA. The minimum size is 16”. The limit until May 31 in both states is three fish/person/day. Check regulations as they change after May 31.</div>
<br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-21021546753792397692019-04-07T12:54:00.000-07:002019-04-07T12:54:17.195-07:00Fly fishing the cinder worm hatch... Fishing Show largest ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jrisJGTKKkc/XKpO0kYTzZI/AAAAAAAACQE/x5ZUEgaDoGI-4p5OEd6GMcfbznBHcxg0gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Elisa%2Band%2BMatt%2BSHM%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="778" height="304" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jrisJGTKKkc/XKpO0kYTzZI/AAAAAAAACQE/x5ZUEgaDoGI-4p5OEd6GMcfbznBHcxg0gCEwYBhgL/s320/Elisa%2Band%2BMatt%2BSHM%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<i>Elisa
Cahill and brother Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina at the New England
Saltwater Fishing Show. Cahill said,
“Jigging rods were very popular this year.”</i><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTg7mwtXjcw/XKpTYqxYFxI/AAAAAAAACQg/KtvzDJVQsxUt37K1UJeQ6H5mAzJ4IllbwCLcBGAs/s1600/Fly%2Bfishermen%2Bwork%2Bthe%2Bworm%2Bhatch%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTg7mwtXjcw/XKpTYqxYFxI/AAAAAAAACQg/KtvzDJVQsxUt37K1UJeQ6H5mAzJ4IllbwCLcBGAs/s320/Fly%2Bfishermen%2Bwork%2Bthe%2Bworm%2Bhatch%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i>Anglers learn how to tie
flies, fly fish and then try their hand fishing the cinder worm hatch.</i><b> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oqcZgAbbMpM/XKpO5Kwg8WI/AAAAAAAACQM/xHKlzPz2KdcA2K-SbW1ikGLIi2DVeQUnQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Vineyard%2BWind%2Bat%2BNE%2BFishing%2BShow%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1523" data-original-width="1596" height="305" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oqcZgAbbMpM/XKpO5Kwg8WI/AAAAAAAACQM/xHKlzPz2KdcA2K-SbW1ikGLIi2DVeQUnQCEwYBhgL/s320/Vineyard%2BWind%2Bat%2BNE%2BFishing%2BShow%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>Crista
Banks of Vineyard Wind meets angler Steve Collins of Westport at the Fishing
Show. Most anglers had positive things
to say about the wind farm as it creates habitat for small and large fish</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Fly fishing the cinder worm hatch<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with RI
Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Aquatic Resource Education Program,
announced its annual Cinder Worm Workshop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The program includes two weekday evening classes in fly tying
instruction and one weekend evening of fly fishing. The program is free to
registrants. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The course syllabus includes practical rigging and fly casting
instruction for the novice on the day of fishing. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We would like to have everyone attend both
workshops,” said David Pollack, one of the organizers of the program, “but you
also have the option to pick just one.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Introduction to practical rigging and casting instruction will be
covered for those that need additional assistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fly fishers will then fish the coves of
Grassy Point area of Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We don’t guarantee the weather or the fish,”
said Pollack. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The program is open to any adult or accompanied child over the age
of 10, regardless of skill level--40 person maximum so register early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instruction and guidance will be provided by
some of the area’s most proficient and knowledgeable worm fishermen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also this year is the opportunity for kayak
fishing - limited to experienced kayakers who have their own vessel, safety
equipment and required lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All fly tying materials will be provided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Participants are encouraged to bring their
own tools and equipment, but all necessary fly tying tools and equipment will
be loaned to registrants upon request. Saltwater fly fishing equipment,
including rods, reel, lines and leaders are available too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Fly Tying classes will be held Tuesday, May 7 and May 14. 6:30
p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kettle Pond Visitor Center, Charlestown, RI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Fly Fishing portion of the program will
take place Saturday, May 18, 4:00 p.m. until dark at Ninigret National Wildlife
Refuge, Charlestown, RI.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Capt. Ray Stachelek and Dave Pollack, fly
fishing experts and USFWS volunteers will facilitate the program. For
information or to register contact Scott Travers at </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:sott.travers@dem.ri.gov">sott.travers@dem.ri.gov</a></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The buzz at the Saltwater Fishing Show <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
New England Saltwater Fishing Show this past weekend toped all past RI
Convention Center attendance records.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Over 15,000 people were expected to attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A final tally will be forthcoming later this
week or next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Black sea bass
regulations</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> for 2019 recreational fishing was top
of mind for anglers at the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Greg Vespe, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Flippin Out Charters</i> mate, Aquidneck Island Striper Team president
and RI Saltwater Anglers Association board member said, “Black sea bass was the
big angler concern at the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers
just cannot understand why the State of Rhode Island is once again proposing to
start the season so late (June 24). These fish are caught in the Bay by boat
and shore anglers in early June and it is often the only time they get to
target black sea bass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By delaying the
season once again we are denying Bay anglers the benefit of this fishery as
these fish move out of the area in July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pushing the season back to accommodate a handful of charter and party
boats so their fall season can be extended is just not right.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Most 2019 fishing regulations </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(for
recreational and commercial fishing) will go before the Rhode Island Marine
Fisheries Council including proposed balck sea bass regulations next
Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers are urged to
attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meeting starts earlier than
usual, 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 1 at Corless Auditorium at the University of
Rhode Island Bay Campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visit </span><u><span style="background: white; color: #0563c1; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/"><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;">www.dem.ri.gov</span></a></span></u><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> for meeting
agenda and background information.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fishing gear and
tackle trends at the Show<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Saltwater
Edge, top lures.</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the surf Tom Dzis of the Saltwater Edge,
Middletown, RI said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Super Strike</i>
lures were hot at the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Zig Zag
Darter in the new Midnight Harvest color was a good seller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their Needlefish lure in ‘Eely’ color was a
great seller too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other top lures
included <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ocean Born </i>Lures.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ocean Born Lures</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Band of Anglers</i> is a fairly new
company from the world's top lure developer, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Patrick Sebile</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is known
in the fishing world for developing such productive lures as the Magic Swimmer
and the Stick Shad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saltwater Edge</i> has a great online store
that’s very easy to use and is loaded with product at </span><u><span style="background: white; color: #0563c1; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><a href="http://www.saltwateredge.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;">www.saltwateredge.com</span></a></span></u><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> or you can
visit their retail store at 1037 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown, RI.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Flippin Out
Fishing Charters and lures</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">was at the show
marketing their summer flounder (fluke) lures, charter business and
demonstrating how to tautog fish using saltwater electric trolling motors (the
Minn Kota Riptide line with spot lock).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The new motor designs allow fresh or saltwater anglers to hover over
their favorite fishing spots to hook up with hard to fish species like tautog. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Minn Kota electric motors with Spot-Lock</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> are now being
used even on larger mid-sized boats to help keep you over the fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their saltwater Riptide Ulterra model with
i-Pilot features Spot-Lock, a GPS anchor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just hit a button and lock onto any spot you chose automatically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For saltwater or freshwater anglers this
means over structure, on a bank, next to a dock or jetty that is holding fish
(saltwater bottom fish such as tautog, scup or black sea bass). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many of the
fluke fishing lures sold by Capt. BJ Silvia, owner of Flippin Out Charters and
lures, feature a large plastic squid and large wide gap hook on a three way
swivel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rig has a sinker clip that
makes changing out different sinker weights easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These rigs have been some of my favorite
fluke rigs for years and can be purchased at a number of bait & tackle
shops in Rhode Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visit Flippin Out
Charters and lures at </span><u><span style="background: white; color: #0563c1; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><a href="http://www.flippinoutchartes.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;">www.flippinoutchartes.com</span></a></span></u><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> .<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Snug Harbor Marina</span></i></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> in South Kingstown, RI is a full serve bait
& tackle shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a large show
presence this year as usual with a variety of rods, reels and tackle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor said, “Jigging
rods and reels have been very popular at the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anglers are interested in learning and
fishing this way to mix things up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
the popular rods have been selling well… Shimano, Lamiglass and a host of
others. Anglers are jigging for striped bass, tuna and other species. By far…
fluke rigs have been the bestselling rigs at the show.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Snug Harbor Marina offers customers gas and
diesel fuel, a complete selection of inshore and offshore bait and tackle along
with marina supplies, seafood, groceries and a snack bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visit them at <u><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><a href="http://www.snugharbormarina.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;">http://www.snugharbormarina.com/</span></a></span></u>
or visit them at 410 Gooseberry Road, South Kingstown, RI.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-64593920978780506072019-03-19T05:08:00.000-07:002019-03-19T05:15:12.803-07:00New England Saltwater Fishing Show this week<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E7AaknAYu34/XJDYZk-YPjI/AAAAAAAACPg/dZIXk-Om3NANjXFPTt5bV4Sm_uIvhN0QwCLcBGAs/s1600/Capt.%2BDave%2BMonti%2Bfluke%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="959" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E7AaknAYu34/XJDYZk-YPjI/AAAAAAAACPg/dZIXk-Om3NANjXFPTt5bV4Sm_uIvhN0QwCLcBGAs/s320/Capt.%2BDave%2BMonti%2Bfluke%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA%2B1.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">‘</span><i>How to catch bigger fluke’ </i></b><i>will be one of the presentations given by
Capt. Dave Monti at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show this week. Over sixty seminars, visit <a href="http://www.nesaltwatershow.com/">www.nesaltwatershow.com</a>
.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3Lv_TLfGiw/XJDYIJrksEI/AAAAAAAACPY/6raEor_rZUwt55zza3AC-AxHwCzDPDi6gCLcBGAs/s1600/Quahog%2BWeek%2BBanner%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="550" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3Lv_TLfGiw/XJDYIJrksEI/AAAAAAAACPY/6raEor_rZUwt55zza3AC-AxHwCzDPDi6gCLcBGAs/s400/Quahog%2BWeek%2BBanner%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Quahog Week starts March 25: </b> restaurants and markets are participating with
quahog specials of all types. Visit <a href="http://www.seafoodri.com/">www.seafoodri.com</a>
for a complete listing.</i><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">New England Saltwater
Fishing Show this week</b><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
The Annual New England Saltwater
Fishing Show sponsored by the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association
(RISAA), is being held this week March 22-24 at the Rhode Island Convention
Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friday hours are 12:00 p.m. to
8:00 p.m., Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Steve Medeiros, RISAA president,
said, “This is the largest saltwater fishing show in the Northeast. And, it’s
our largest ever with a record 445 booths and 350 companies displaying their
latest in fishing tackle and gear with many of them offering show specials and
prices.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most major saltwater companies
will be represented including rod and reel manufactures, fishing lure
companies, fishing charter boats and guides and makers of clothing, fly fishing
gear, boats, kayaks and much more. Medeiros said, “Capt. Paul Hebert of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wicked Pissah</i> and Cap. Dave Carraro of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tuna.COM</i> from the TV show <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wicked Tuna</i> will be speaking at the show
Saturday and Sunday.”</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
A Kids Casting Area will be open
Saturday and Sunday. Sunday is also family day with all women and children
admitted free and a special scavenger hunt for children on Sunday, ask about it
when you arrive at the show.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Rich Hittinger, 1<sup>st</sup> vice
president of RISAA said, “We are raising funds for the RI Saltwater Anglers
Foundation by selling Rhode Island license plates that feature a striped bass
and scup on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop by our booth at
the show and take a look at this great plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When you order one you will supporting all of the fishing outreach,
environmental and conservation efforts of the Foundation.”</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Capt. Dave Monti and many other guest speakers</b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Over 60 Fishing
Show seminars are being given by experts on a wide range of fishing topics from
how to catch larger summer flounder to in shore fishing with light tackle from
shore, kayak or boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learn about
fishing tactics and strategies from top fishermen and charter captains.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
I will be speaking at the Show on
two topics, the first is ‘How to catch bigger fluke’ offered Friday at 2:00
p.m.; Saturday at 3:30 p.m.; and Sunday at 12:30 p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will give a second seminar titled
‘Enhancing you tautog bite” on Friday at 6:00 p.m.; and Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
No Fluke Charters will have a booth at the show, #205, so stop by the booth and
say hello or follow me on <b>Twitter @CaptDaveMonti</b>.<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Visit <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.nesaltwatershow.com/seminars.shtml">www.nesaltwatershow.com/seminars.shtml</a></span></u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for a complete listing of seminar topics and
speakers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Tickets are $10 for adults,
children under 12 are admitted free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Learn more about the show at <a href="http://www.nesaltwatershow.com/">nesaltwatershow.com</a> . </div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Fly fishing the cinder worm hatch</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with RI
Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Aquatic Resource Education Program,
announced its annual Cinder Worm Workshop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is the program’s tenth year and it will include two weekday evening
classes in fly tying instruction and one weekend evening of fly fishing. The
program is free to registrants. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The course syllabus includes practical rigging and fly casting
instruction for the novice on the day of fishing. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We would like to have everyone attend both
workshops,” said David Pollack, one of the organizers of the program, “but you
also have the option to pick just one.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Introduction to practical rigging and casting instruction will be
covered for those that need additional assistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fly fishers will then fish the coves of
Grassy Point area of Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We don’t guarantee the weather or the fish,”
said Pollack, “but past experiences have shown that this is prime time for the
worm mating season.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The program is open to any adult or accompanied child over the age
of 10, regardless of skill level--40 person maximum so register early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instruction and guidance will be provided by
some of the area’s most proficient and knowledgeable worm fishermen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also this year is the opportunity for kayak
fishing - limited to experienced kayakers who have their own vessel. Proper
safety equipment is required plus lights for navigation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All fly tying materials will be provided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Participants are encouraged to bring their
own tools and equipment, but all necessary fly tying tools and equipment will
be loaned to registrants upon request. Saltwater fly fishing equipment,
including rods, reel, lines and leaders, will be loaned to registrants who do
not have their own gear and tackle. </span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Fly Tying classes will be held Tuesday, May 7 and May 14. 6:30
p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kettle Pond Visitor Center, Charlestown, RI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Fly Fishing portion of the program will
take place Saturday, May 18, 4:00 p.m. until dark at Ninigret National Wildlife
Refuge, Charlestown, RI.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Capt. Ray Stachelek and Dave Pollack, fly fishing experts and
USFWS volunteers will facilitate the program. For information or to register as
a participant contact Scott Travers at </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">sott.travers@dem.ri.gov</a></span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To sign-up as an instructor contact Dave
Pollack at </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">dpollipo@cox.net</a></span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> .</span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4<sup>th</sup> Annual RI Quahog Week March
25-31</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative, chaired by the Department of
Environmental Management (DEM), will hold the 4th annual Quahog Week March 25 -
March 31.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The week-long celebration
highlights the importance of Rhode Island’s iconic shellfish to the State’s
economy and culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
part of the week-long observance, participating restaurants will feature
quahog-inspired specials on their menus, and participating markets will offer
deals for those who enjoy cooking their own clam dishes at home. </span><span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Quahog
Week will also feature two special events where harvesters from the RI
Shellfishermen’s Association will be shucking and serving complimentary little
necks and interacting with attendees about their fishery. Partners will also be
providing other complimentary quahog-based samplers and beverages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both events are free and open to the
public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quahog Night West Bay will be
held Wednesday, March 27, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Whalers Brewing Company,
1174 Kingstown Road, South Kingstown and Quahog Night East Bay will be held Friday,
March 29, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hope & Main, 691 Main Street, Warren.</span><span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Visit
</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.seafoodri.com/">www.seafoodri.com</a></span><span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for a full list of participating restaurants
and markets and the specials they are offering.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where’s the bite</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Cod fishing</span></b><span style="color: #1a2a37; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Capt. Andy Dangelo of
the Seven B’s Party Boat said, “We have been finding cod and with the weather
improving everything is looking up.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Capt. Frank Blount said, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black;">We manage to get off the dock a few
times this week and found mixed results. Wednesday did see the best results
with a good showing of both green and dark cod. There is still good showing of
bait on the grounds and we have some amazing weather coming so things are
looking up.</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Party boats
sailing f</span>or cod fish at this time include the Frances Fleet at <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.francesfleet.com/">www.francesfleet.com</a></span></u>
, the Seven B’s (with Capt. Andy Dangelo at the helm) at <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.sevenbs.com/">www.sevenbs.com</a></span></u>,
and the Island Current at <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.islandcurrent.com/">www.islandcurrent.com</a></span></u> .</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-66295342560545455542019-03-19T04:43:00.002-07:002019-03-19T04:45:47.136-07:00Anglers weigh in on 2019 regulation options<br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eAQks0r2aQ4/XJDUf8s2AUI/AAAAAAAACPM/lQPDaCzwurwZqxphWzxdtvgki0JGWgxrgCLcBGAs/s1600/Jamie%2Band%2BXaiver%2BWong%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1445" data-original-width="1600" height="289" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eAQks0r2aQ4/XJDUf8s2AUI/AAAAAAAACPM/lQPDaCzwurwZqxphWzxdtvgki0JGWgxrgCLcBGAs/s320/Jamie%2Band%2BXaiver%2BWong%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<i>Jamie and Xavier Wong of Cambridge, MA with an early June black sea bass. Once again this year the season in RI is not likely to start before June 24.</i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJzJ92YX0w0/XJDS2p4AYmI/AAAAAAAACO8/tusHhAyPfNUapH-lHJB9ox4jKAGsQgsrACEwYBhgL/s1600/Steve%2BMedeiros%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJzJ92YX0w0/XJDS2p4AYmI/AAAAAAAACO8/tusHhAyPfNUapH-lHJB9ox4jKAGsQgsrACEwYBhgL/s320/Steve%2BMedeiros%2B-%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<i>Steve Medeiros, president of the RI
Saltwater Anglers, ‘proposed and supports’ two 16” summer flounder (fluke),
from select shore areas.</i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><i></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Anglers weigh in on 2019 regulation options</b></div>
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It’s Monday, March 11, 6:00 p.m.
and there are well over 100 fishermen and fish managers at the URI Bay Campus
to express their thoughts about recreational and commercial fishing regulations
for 2019.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the regulations that
impact anglers were about to be reviewed at a Public Hearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Participants have an opportunity to express
their thoughts about proposed fishing regulation options. </div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
The Hearing is part of Department
of Environmental Management Marine Fisheries Division procedure (and Rhode
Island law). After getting public comment on regulation options they are passed
along to the Marine Fisheries Council which is scheduled to meet April 1 to
vote on recommendations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The public
input, Council and Marine Fisheries Division recommendations then go to Janet
Coit, DEM director form her final decision on 2019 season regulations. </div>
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Commercial and recreational fishing
regulations on species such as scup, summer flounder, black sea bass, striped
bass and more were reviewed at the Public Hearing. John Lake, DEM Supervising Marine
Biologist, did an outstanding job chairing the meeting seeking audience input
and keeping what could have been a long meeting on track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some meeting highlights on striped bass,
summer flounder (fluke) and black sea bass.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Striped bass. </b>The new stock assessment and recalibration of MRIP
data is showing that the striped bass stock is overfished and overfishing is occurring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regulations that utilize this stock assessment
data are expected to come into play with the 2020 fishing season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recreational regulations for 2019 will be
status quo (the same as last year).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
fish/person/day, a season open year round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Minimum fish size 28”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, any striped bass, 34 inches and
larger must have the right pectoral fin removed upon harvest.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Summer flounder (fluke</b>) is not overfished, however, overfishing is
occurring relative to biological reference points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new higher quota, a 73% increase, has been
set for the commercial fishery but no increase for the recreational fishery as
they slightly overfished their harvest limit in 2018. A status quo option was
supported by recreational anglers at the meeting with a minimum size of 19”,
six fish/person/day with a season running from May 1 to December 31.
Additionally, the RI Saltwater Anglers Association suggested a Special Shore
Provision… a 16” fish, two fish/person/day from May 1 to December 31.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If approved the program would run just in
special provision locations identical to the provisional scup areas. </div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Steve Medeiros, president of the
Rhode Island Saltwater Angles Association, said, “We proposed and support the
two 16” fish from shore provision as it is almost impossible for shore anglers
to catch a 19” summer flounder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s time
we gave the shore angler a shot at this fishery.”</div>
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In regard to the commercial
fishery, fisherman overwhelming supported opening the season from four to seven
days a week to utilize the 73% quota increase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The commercial fishery was closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday last
year.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Black sea bass</b> are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring.
A benchmark stock assessment was done in 2016 with no new information at this
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Status quo measures were approved
by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), the Commission
regulates species that migrate along the northeast coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An update to the 2016 assessment is scheduled
for 2019 but may not be available to use for the 2019 season. The status quo regulations
the Division is recommending is a 15” minimum size with a three fish/person/day
limit June 24 to August 31 and five fish /person/day from September 1 to
December 31. </div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Doug MacPherson, recreational Bay
angler, RISAA board member and legislative committee chair, said, “Not opening
the black sea bass season until June 24 is very detrimental to the Bay
fishermen, particularly shore fishermen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Black sea bass start leaving the upper and middle bay (in particular) at
the end of June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should aim to open
the season earlier in June for shore and Bay anglers.” </div>
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Last year DEM recommended (and the
Council approved) postponing the season starting it on June 24 to accommodate
the RI Party & Charter Boat Association so their members could continue to
fish throughout the fall and winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are recommending the same this year. </div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
A recording of Monday night’s
Division of Marine Fisheries public hearing is now available on the DEM YouTube
channel. The public comment period ends on March 30. Proposed regulations
can be viewed on the Sec. of State website at <a href="https://rules.sos.ri.gov/organizations">https://rules.sos.ri.gov/organizations</a>.
Go to “Title 250 Department of Environmental Management”, then “Chapter 90
Marine Fisheries, then “Subchapter”. The regulations currently noticed are
indicated by the yellow “i” icon. Comments can be submitted in
writing/email to: DEM Division of Marine Fisheries, 3 Fort Wetherill
Road, Jamestown, RI 02879, Attn: Peter Duhamel/public hearing comments, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">peter.duhamel@dem.ri.gov</a>.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">‘Catch trout are as big as Volkswagens’</b></div>
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The Rhody Fly Rodders will meet
Tuesday, March 19, 6:30 p.m. the Riverside Sportsmen’s Association, 1 Mohawk
Drive, East Providence. </div>
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The seminar topic is trout fishing
in Northwest Montana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Expert Montana
adventure angler Dan Spedding will give a presentation titled ‘Trout Fishing
the Blackfoot Indian Reservation for trout as big as Volkswagens.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Spedding said, “To put it mildly,
the Blackfoot Reservation in northwest Montana presents its<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>share of challenges ... but if you’re
willing, you will likely catch the largest trout of your life....if not the
largest dozen, as the fish are the size of Volkswagens. One thing for
certain... it’ll be an adventure.”</div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
Peter Nilsen, Roddy Fly Rodders president
said, “In addition to the presentation we will be selling flies for this year’s
charity ‘Reel Recovery’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meeting is
open to the public.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contact Peter
Nilsen at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">pdfish@fullchannel.net</a>.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Speed
limit set to protect whales</span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has set a ten
knot speed limit in parts of Cape Cod Bay to protect endangered right whales
for ship strikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In a press release last week the Division said, “</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During the late-winter and
early-spring, right whales migrate into and aggregate in Cape Cod Bay where
they feed on zooplankton. As we move from the winter into the spring they begin
to surface feed. This behavior leaves them particularly susceptible to ship
strikes. Ship strikes are a significant source of mortality to these endangered
whales.”</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
ten knot speed limit will be in effect annually during the months of March and
April within those waters of Cape Cod Bay south of 42° 08’ north latitude, this
includes those waters north of Cape Cod that are west of 70°10’ west longitude
(see map). The term small vessel refers to all vessels less than 65’ overall
length. A complementary federal speed limit applies to all vessels 65’ overall
length and greater. Visit </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.mass.gov/marinefisheries">www.mass.gov/marinefisheries</a></span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> for charts or call 617.626.1520.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">W</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">here’s the bite?</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cod
fishing</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said,
“With our new sailing time of 6 a.m. we decided to try some of the local wrecks
Saturday. We did find some life on the wrecks with a few nice cod coming over
the rails. When steaming between spots we found a good pile of green codfish
under the bait. We worked on the area for a few hours but could never get right
back on top.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Party boats sailing for cod this time of year includes the Frances
Fleet at <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.francesfleet.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.francesfleet.com</span></a></span></u> , the Seven B’s
at <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.sevenbs.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.sevenbs.com</span></a></span></u>, and the Island
Current at <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.islandcurrent.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.islandcurrent.com</span></a></span></u> .</span><span style="font-family: "consolas"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441293999360934440.post-75155431233202521052019-03-10T10:43:00.000-07:002019-03-10T10:43:04.215-07:00Fishermen suggest regional panels to eye cumulative wind farm impacts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z58mlwWezoU/XIVKow6pAFI/AAAAAAAACOY/r92m9XbmphI-lZq9t_aUHqZgeyla_mpcgCLcBGAs/s1600/BOEM%2Blease%2Bareas%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="491" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z58mlwWezoU/XIVKow6pAFI/AAAAAAAACOY/r92m9XbmphI-lZq9t_aUHqZgeyla_mpcgCLcBGAs/s640/BOEM%2Blease%2Bareas%2B-%2BPhoto%2BB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
(BOEM) lease areas from Massachusetts to the Carolinas.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWU3XM75Mr0/XIVKy3ngPDI/AAAAAAAACOc/hVGlVtfxapkaY1E2GZPKgR4bmxwXTT5fwCLcBGAs/s1600/Black%2Bsea%2Bbass%2Bwinner%2Bor%2Bloser%2B%25E2%2580%2593%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWU3XM75Mr0/XIVKy3ngPDI/AAAAAAAACOc/hVGlVtfxapkaY1E2GZPKgR4bmxwXTT5fwCLcBGAs/s320/Black%2Bsea%2Bbass%2Bwinner%2Bor%2Bloser%2B%25E2%2580%2593%2BPhoto%2BA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFqOOuPwTcA/XIVK1wyoKRI/AAAAAAAACOg/y1g3pfdrWIgY5IeUDcR1r6DSW_Y8VXpYQCLcBGAs/s1600/Black%2Bsea%2Bbass%2Bwinner%2Bor%2Bloser%2B%25E2%2580%2593%2BPhoto%2BAA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFqOOuPwTcA/XIVK1wyoKRI/AAAAAAAACOg/y1g3pfdrWIgY5IeUDcR1r6DSW_Y8VXpYQCLcBGAs/s320/Black%2Bsea%2Bbass%2Bwinner%2Bor%2Bloser%2B%25E2%2580%2593%2BPhoto%2BAA.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<i>Today black sea bass are climate
change winners. They are more abundant
due to warming water like this fish caught off Rhode Island by Capt. Dave
Monti.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fishermen suggest regional panels to eye cumulative wind farm impacts<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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It’s very hard to get a handle on
offshore wind. We have twenty or so lease areas from Massachusetts to the Carolinas,
six of them (all granted to developers now) are off Rhode Island and
Massachusetts. The kicker is that each of these lease areas will house multiple
projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Projects that could harm or
help habitat and fish in their area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, the big question being asked by fishermen and scientists alike,
is what cumulative impact they will they have on fish and habitat when they are
all built, up and running?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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For the past few months Vineyard
Wind has been in negotiation with fishermen on a mitigation plan for one
project… eventually many projects will be built on the east coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The permitting process and various stages of
approval for any one wind farm is daunting including, hundreds of meetings, hearings,
permits, negotiations, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows
what effect several projects in an area will have, developers have been just trying
to get their project up and running.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Offshore wind farm developers are
much like land developers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They acquire
or lease a parcel and then develop it with ocean wind farms as they have the
electricity sold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much the same way that
a land developer would develop a large parcel of land only building what they
have good reason to believe they can sell in stages.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Last month during mitigation negotiations
Rhode Island fishermen on<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> the Fisheries Advisory Board (FAB) of the
Coastal Resource Management Council (CRMC) approved a $16.7-million negotiated
mitigation agreement with Vineyard Wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The settlement provides funds for research to study safe effective
fishing in the project area as well as research that may help future projects
and their relationship to fishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
agreement also includes $4.2 million in payments spread over 30 years for
assistance with direct impacts of the wind farm on fishing in Rhode Island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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The Fisheries Advisory Board of CRMC,
the Anglers for Offshore Wind (AFOW) which is a recreational fishermen’s group
that supports the responsible development of ocean wind, and the Rhode Island Saltwater
Anglers Association (RISAA) all expressed concern to the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM) about cumulative impacts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All expressed concern at public hearings and in writing after hearings pertaining
to Vineyard Wind’s Environmental Impact Statement on the project.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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RISAA and the AFOW both suggested
that BOEM establish regional fisheries advisory committees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The committees would look at wind farms on a
regional basis taking into account any negative or positive cumulative impacts
on habitat and fish multiple wind farms in a region may have together.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Renewable energy in the form of
offshore wind is vitally important for our nation to help stem the tide on
climate change and provide clean, affordable energy for all Americans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we have to stay on top of things and
make sure we do no harm to fish or habitat in the process.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I believe regional committees that
keep an eye on individual projects and cumulative impacts of multiple wind
farms in a region makes a lot of sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like other fishermen I hope BOEM takes this suggestion under advisement
and forms such committees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
information on ocean wind farms visit <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.boem.gov/Offshore-Wind-Energy/">https://www.boem.gov/Offshore-Wind-Energy/</a></span>
.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Warming
water impacting fish volume, down 15 to 35% in some regions<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A study titled ‘Impacts of historical
warming on marine fisheries production’ was released in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Science</i> magazine last week at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://science.sciencemag.org/content/363/6430/979">http://science.sciencemag.org/content/363/6430/979</a></span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The study was led by Christopher M. Free of
the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University along with a number
of collaborating scientists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The study abstract relates Dr. Free
and his associates “used temperature specific models and hindcasting across
fish stocks to determine the degree to which warming has, and will, affect
fish.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The study found that overall fish
yield has reduced over the past 80 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The study said, “Furthermore, although some species are predicted to
respond positively to warming waters, the majority will experience a negative
impact on growth.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The study used temperature-dependent
populations models to measure the influence of warming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some populations responded significantly
positively and others responded significantly negatively to warming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hindcasts indicate that the maximum
sustainable yield of the evaluation populations (235 of them) decreased by 4.1 percent
from 1930 to 2010, with five ecoregions experiencing loses of 15 to 35 percent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rutgers Today</i> interview, study
co-author Dr. Malin Pinsky said, “We were stunned to find that fisheries around
the world have already responded to ocean warming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These aren’t hypothetical changes sometime in
the future.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rutgers Today</i> said t</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">he study reports that the effects of ocean warming have been
negative for many species, but also finds that other species have benefited
from warming waters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Fish populations can only
tolerate so much warming, though,” said senior author Olaf Jensen, an associate
professor at Rutgers. “Many of the species that have benefited from warming so
far are likely to start declining as temperatures continue to rise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Black
sea bass and scup are examples of species that have benefited from warming in
our region, however, as study scientists related even these species (as well as
other species in our region) may start to decline as temperature continues to
rise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Public hearing Monday, March 11 on
regulations<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the RI Marine Fisheries
Council is holding a public hearing on a number of proposed commercial and
recreational 2019 regulations Monday, March 11, 6:00 p.m., Corless Auditorium,
URI Bay Campus, Narragansett.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Regulations covered at the meeting will include black sea bass, summer
flounder, scup, striped bass, bluefish, cod and others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the meeting agenda and a copy of the presentation
that will be given at the hearing visit </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife/marine-fisheries/rimfc/index.php">www.dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife/marine-fisheries/rimfc/index.php</a></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stripers
Forever</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> advocates for reductions in striper mortality<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
a press release </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">last week <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stripers</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Forever</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, an </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">organization</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> that </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">advocates</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> for striped bass </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">conservation</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">measures</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">,
said, “</span><span style="color: #26282a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
(ASMFC) announced in January that the striped bass resource is significantly
overfished and that the spawning stock biomass has dropped back to levels last
seen in the early 1990s.” </span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #26282a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Stripers
Forever</span></i><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> president Brad
Burns said “Stripers Forever supports significant reductions in recreational
fishing mortality beginning this season.” According to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stripers Forever</i> the commercial fishery has comparatively small
socio- economic benefits, and it is concentrated on large breeding-age fish
which are the sector of the resource that is in the greatest trouble.
Burns said that “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stripers Forever</i>
feels that all commercial fishing activity for stripers should end either
through a buyout program paid for by the sale of a striped bass stamp, or
phased out by grandfathering those commercial fisherman who have had a
minimum average amount of sales over the past several years and not issuing any
new licenses.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv4578453272msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Stripers Forever expects the ASMFC to announce in May
that regulatory changes will be imposed in 2020 to reduce striped bass
mortality; specifically minimum sizes will be increased for recreational
fishing and a decreased commercial quota for the commercial fishery. Some
states may take immediate actions to reduce striped bass mortality, especially
release mortality, such as Massachusetts, where circle hooks may become
mandatory for bait fishing and gaffing of live striped bass may be prohibited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For information visit </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.stripersforever.org/">www.stripersforever.org</a></span></span><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">W</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">here’s
the bite?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cod
fishing</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Party
boats sailing for cod this time of year includes the Frances Fleet at <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.francesfleet.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.francesfleet.com</span></a></span></u> , the Seven B’s
at <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.sevenbs.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.sevenbs.com</span></a></span></u>, and the Island
Current at <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.islandcurrent.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.islandcurrent.com</span></a></span></u> .</span><span style="font-family: Consolas; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Consolas; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Captain Dave Montihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831022398407972345noreply@blogger.com0