Robotic bait lands 340 pound bluefin tuna

 Alex Petrucci Sr (center standing), Alex Jr (kneeling to left) and their crew caught a 340 bluefin tuna using a robotic Zombait.

 Zombait, the first robotic bait of its type, is stuck into the mouth of a dead bait fish larger than 8" to make it wiggle like a live bait.

 Eric Schenk with the 45” pike he caught this weekend while fishing the Blackstone River in Cumberland.

 Kelly Urban from Miami with Connor Sears, Seekonk with the black sea bass and other fish they caught Monday off Block Island when fishing with Conner’s father Steve Sears and Jack Leyden.

 Seven year old Michael Simpson of Narragansett (right) with the 30 pound striped bass he caught in Salt Pond fishing with eels.  Brother Gabe (five) on left.

Brothers Jonah and Neil Ellis (on either end), grandfather Sy Janaowsky and Joe Kaufman of North Kingstown fished for fluke, black sea bass and scup this week on the Bay.

Robotic lure lands 340 pound bluefin

“I’ve caught some pretty big bluefin in my day using all types of baits.  I’ve fished with bluefish, maceral, even a large live skate behind a scallop boat with success.” said Alex Petrucci of the sport fishing vessel Duck Soup out of Pt. Judith, RI.  He was talking about the 340 pound bluefin tuna he,  his son Alex Jr and his crew caught at the 6^th Annual Bluefin Blowout in Gloucester, MA.

The Petrucci’s catching a large bluefin or other large tournament fish is not uncommon.  They have been doing it for years.  Alex and his family are fishing legends in Rhode Island.  Two years ago they took first place in the Bluefin Blowout Tournament.  But what was unusual this year, they caught a fish using a robotic bait called Zombait.  To my knowledge Zombait it is the first robotic fishing lure on the market.

Petrucci said, “It’s a lot better than using dead bait.  These fish come through and are hungry.  They do not stop and analyze things.  If it is moving that attracts them.  I had faith in this bait or I wouldn’t have been using it.  It gave the maceral we were using a nice look on deck and in the water.  It was one of six baits we had out at the same time.”

Zombait creates a realistic, injured swimming fish to attract your prey.  You simply insert this electric toothbrush looking bait into the mouth of a dead bait eight inches or larger; attach a hook and the dead bait wiggles around in the water. 

Zombait lasts about three hours on a battery charge and is good in water up to 200 feet. Visit www.zombait.com for a demonstration video on how the lure works and information about online sales. Individual units cost about $69 with a charger; a three pack with charger is $159.

The Bluefin Blowout is sponsored by the Lyon-Waugh Auto Group with all proceeds from the Bluefin Blowout Auction going to the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Great Outdoors Pursuit finale with vintage baseball games

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will hold its Great Outdoors Pursuit finale this Saturday at Rocky Point State Park starting with a vintage baseball game at 10:30 a.m.  Family activities will run from 12 noon until 3:30 p.m. 

The event includes a Rocky Point-themed scavenger hunt, rock wall, lawn games, and food trucks. Educational activities, including a clamming demonstration, marine touch tank, and gymnastic demonstrations, along with informational exhibits will also be offered. This event is free and open to the public. Only registered families are eligible for prizes and give-a-ways.

In addition, a double-header vintage baseball game between the Providence Grays and the New York Mutuals will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Historically, professional baseball games were held on the grounds of Rocky Point.  The most famous exhibition game took place on September 27, 1914, when the Providence Greys played the Chicago Cubs.  Slugger Babe Ruth pitched for Providence and also hit a triple in that game. 

ASMFC approves Atlantic menhaden amendment 3 for public comment

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Atlantic Menhaden Management Board approved Draft Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Menhaden for public comment.

The Draft Amendment seeks to manage the menhaden resource in a way that balances menhaden’s ecological role as a prey species with the needs of all user groups. To this end, the Draft Amendment considers the use of ecosystem reference points (ERPs) to manage the resource and changes to the allocation method.

The amendment also presents a suite of management options for quota transfers, quota rollovers, incidental catch, the episodic events set aside program, and the Chesapeake Bay reduction fishery cap.

States from Maine to Florida will likely hold public hearings on the draft amendment.  Details on hearings are not yet available.  Visit www.asmfc.org  for a copy of amendment 3 and details on the hearings when they become available.  Public comment on the amendment is open until October 20, 2017.

Where’s the bite?

Freshwater. Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown said, “Last weekend we weighted in a 6.5 pound largemouth bass that the customer is going to have mounted last week.” “Erick Schenck an associated at Ocean State Tackle, Providence caught a 45” pike this weekend on the Blackstone River in Cumberland.” said Dave Henault of Ocean State. The trout bite continues to be slow with warm water and stocked ponds that have been fished out.  However, the largemouth bass bite is fairly strong.

Striped bass. “Bass at the Block Island’s Southwest Ledge is either hot or cold.  Eels continue to work along with umbrella rigs.  And the bite from shore is fair.” said Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown.  Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle said, “The best bet for fishing for stripers in the Bay right now is either tube and worm or umbrella rigs as the fish are dispersed.  From the surf, along the southern coastal shore anglers are doing fairly well.” Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane said, “We have had a good bite with eels off Jamestown and Newport and a great bite with large fish at Block Island.  Customers are also trolling umbrella rigs and tube & worm with success.”

Summer flounder (fluke) and black sea bass.  I fished the Newport and Jamestown Bridge areas a couple of times this weekend and the fluke bite was slow.  Matt Conti of Snug Harbor said, “Fluke fishing is good at the Hooter Buoy along the south shore and on Block Island.  Some days the windmill area is hot and other days East Fishing Grounds.  The West Wall of the Harbor of Refuge is yielding fluke for those fishing from shore along with scup and black sea bass.” “Fishing off Newport and Jamestown has been good for anglers, fish are in deep water (80 feet).  However, I’d like to remind anglers that fluke can be caught in very low water this time of year too (15 to 20 feet).”, said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle.  Angler Jack Leyden said, “Monday Steve Sears and I took friends and family fishing off Block Island and netted over nine black sea bass, a fluke, scup and bluefish in two hours on a drift from the Southwest Ledge to the wind farm area in 60 to 80 feet of water.”  Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “Limits of sea bass were common this week with some limits of fluke. A lack of good drift on a number of outings put buck tail jigs and gulp products in the lead for top producers. As always these things change from day to day.”

“Offshore fishing exploded this week with a great bluefin tuna bite (the best this year so far). Customers have landed 35” to 45” bluefin from Tuna Ridge to the Northwest comer of the Dump.  Most are taking them on the troll now hooking up with white Marlin as well as mahi mahi.” said Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina. “We have reports of bluefin as large as 90” to 110” being taken on 18” and 24” spreader bars with green machines working well.  Fish are being landed from the Claw to the Dump.” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle.  

Petrucci and crew take Bluefin Blowout

Alex Petrucci (knelling to left) and the crew of Duck Soup that won the Bluefin Blowout Tournament.

The Kovolyan family (Kurt, Heather, Trey and Genevieve) of Millville, RI took the Grand Prize (a Kayak Package) in the Great Outdoors Pursuit finals at Burlingame State Park, Charlestown.  

Jeff Shepherd of North Kingstown caught this 8.7 pound summer flounder in 16 feet of water on a chole squid under the Newport Bridge.  Wife Mary said, “This fish did not want to go in the net.”

 Angler Charlie Prisco of Warwick (center) along with fishing partners Joe Servant (left) and Joe Prisco caught multiple bass at Block Island trolling tube & worm and jigging aboard Patty J Charters.

   Jason Salley from Durham CT with the jumbo sea bass he caught on the Frances Fleet.

Petrucci and crew take Bluefin Blowout

Wicked Tuna is the National Geographic Network program that features commercial fishermen vying for and competing for large bluefin tuna.  It takes place in Gloucester, MA.  The same place the 4^th Annual Bluefin Blowout sponsored by Lyon-Waugh Auto Group was held last month.

The competition in this tournament is very intense.  45 boats, the best of the best you might say as giant bluefin tuna fishermen competed for the top prize of $17,000 and a brand new Audi. 

And guess what happened, the sport fishing vessel Duck Soup from Rhode Island, captained by Alex Petrucci of Narragansett and a crew including his son Alex took the tournament with a 324 pound giant bluefin.

“We were fishing off the coast of Maine using live bait (small pollock) when the fish hit.  It took an hour and a half to bring it in.  It was a lot of work for the crew.” said Alex Petrucci.

This was a very gratifying win for Alex, his crew and Rhode Island. Duck Soup travelled to the giant bluefin capital on the east coast and won.  Congratulations Alex and crew.  You make us very proud.

Learn how to land stripers with lures

Capt. Rob Taylor of Newport Sportfishing Charters will the guest speaker Monday night, August 31, 7:00 p.m. at the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) meeting at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick.  Capt. Rob will discuss using artificial lures to catch striped bass with a top water focus, when to choose/use different plugs, and how to approach different conditions.  RISAA members attend free, non-members asked for a $10 donation to the RISAA Scholarship Fund. Separate dinner (starting at $6.25) served by the West Valley Inn from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Great Outdoors Pursuit

Earlier this month the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) hosted the final 2015 RI Great Outdoors Pursuit event at Burlingame Stare Park, Charlestown. 

The Great Outdoors Pursuit program is designed to encourage the use of state parks in an effort to move toward a healthier lifestyle.  Throughout the summer (primarily family) teams earned credit for taking part in outdoor adventures.

This year’s grand prize winner was team “Cannonball” with four members of the Kovolyan family (Kurt, Heather, Trey and Genevieve) from Millville, RI.  Team Cannonball won a family pack of four kayaks and supplies which was the top prize.

Now is the time to provide input on tautog

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) makes regulations for many of the commercial and recreational fish species caught in Rhode Island.. Tautog is one of these species and the results of a recent stock assessment will likely bring changes in tautog regulations so now is the time to offer input on proposed regulation options.

The ASMFC Tautog Management Board is seeking public comment on the Public Information Document (PID) for Draft Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog.

The PID responds to the findings of the 2015 benchmark stock assessment which evaluated stock status regionally to reflect differences in life history characteristics and harvest patterns. Based on its endorsed regional approach, the assessment also recommended associated biological reference points to guide management at the regional scale. Since tautog are currently managed on a coastwide basis, the Board initiated the PID to consider a new regional management approach.

As the first step in the development of an amendment, the PID seeks to gather information concerning the tautog fishery and to provide an opportunity for the public to identify major issues and alternatives relative to the management of this species. Input received at the start of the amendment development process can have a major influence on the final outcome of the amendment. Issues presented in the PID include FMP goals and objectives, adaptive management, monitoring requirements and illegal fishing of tautog. 

The PID also seeks specific input on the selection of regional stock areas for management use.  The following hearings have been scheduled for Rhode Island and Massachusetts:

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Wednesday, September 30th from 6 - 9 PM, University of Rhode Island Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium, South Ferry Road, Narragansett, Rhode Island. For information contact Jason McNamee at jason.mcnamee@DEM.RI.GOV  or at 401.423.1943.

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Tuesday, September 29th at 6:30 PM, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Vineyard Conference Room, 185 MacArthur Drive, New Bedford, Massachusetts.  Contact: David Pierce at david.pierce@state.ma.us or at 617.626.1532.

Where’s the bite

Striped bass fishing on Block Island remains good with a number of large fish now being caught from southern coastal shores and in Narragansett Bay.  Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly said, “Shore angler Bob Celico of Westerly caught a 36 pound bass this week from the beaches and the bass and bluefish bite has been great at Block Island.”  “We weighed in a 46.5 pound striped bass this weekend that was caught from the beach at Narragansett at 10:00 p.m. and this weekend a kayak fisherman caught a 34” striped bass at Mt. Hope Bridge using and eel.” said Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren, RI.  Bluefish blitzes are occurring in the Bay and along coastal shores for the first time in a number of years. Angler Charlie Prisco of Warwick along with fishing partners Joe Servant and Joe Prisco caught multiple bass trolling tube and work and jigging aboard the Patty J Charters out of Galilee last Sunday.  Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “Eels see to be working well.  Several customers have caught keeper bass at the Newport Bridge this week using eels.”

Bonito/false albacore.  The bonito bite remains very strong with fish being caught from Westport, MA to Westerly, RI.  Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said, “We have a surprisingly large number of bonito in the area.  They are not very large but there are a lot of them being caught with no false albacore.  Usually we see false albacore after the bonito but none have arrived yet to my knowledge.”  Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait said, “A customer spotted a school of bonito 30 yards off Westport Beach this weekend.  He made several casts with a Deadly Dick lure but did not connect with the fish.”

Summer flounder (fluke). Capt. Frank Blount of the France Fleet said, “Fluke fishing has been excellent, particularly this past weekend with many anglers catching their limit with pool winning fish being in the six to eight pound range.”  Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle said, “Fluke fishing has been very good off Newport under the bridge and at the Sakonnet.  One of or commercial customers boated 30 fish at the mouth of the Sakonnet River all nice fish.”  Roger Simpson of the Frances Fleet said, “The days on which anglers experience the better drifting conditions generally produce the best. Big six inch gulp worms of various colors and buck tail jigs (hi lo) have generally been the way to go although on occasion bait rigs/whole squid light up as well.”  Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said, “Fluke fishing is great.  We took a family trip last week and boated fish on the south side of Block Island in the eight to seven pound range with are largest fish about nine pounds. They are also doing well with fluke along the southern coastal shore in 60 to 70 feet of water catching 25” fish.”