Time to get your gear ready

Captain Thom Pelletier, an associate at Quaker Lane Outfitters, North Kingstown said, “Monofilament line on reels should be replaced each year” as the line has memory and can become a tangled mess quickly whereas braid line can last for a couple of years. Captain Thom poses with a display of his fluke rigs in the background.

TIME TO GET YOUR GEAR READY

Big fish are caught in early spring when you get your gear ready for the fishing season. When you are out fishing it is too late to make sure your rod, reel, line and fishing tackle is in shape to handle that big fish. And, there is nothing more frustrating than spending an hour or more of fishing time getting the day’s tackle ready.

So, before you start to fish, get your gear ready. Here are some tips from the pros on how to get your gear ready along with the drill that I use every year to prepare for the fishing season.

Line
Each year, replace most used line. This is a judgment call as to what is meant by “used”. Three out of eight of my rigs with braid line are showing signs of wear… they are a bit frayed. Two of them need all the line replaced, one of them which has plenty of line on it just needs the worn line at the beginning of the spool taken off. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “A lot of guys cross braid line when spooling onto conventional reels to prevent the line from digging into the spool when a big fish is on.” Ken also suggests re-spooling lead line putting the used portion on the reel first, “This way you use line that is new as most anglers rarely use more than three to four colors (90’ to 120’) of line.” I plan to replace all of my reels with monofilament line. Some anglers put new line on two to three times a season depending on use. Monofilament line has memory so it tangles easily and creates bird nest tangles when it is old or has been sitting in the cold for a while. Also stretch the line, the first 100 feet (of monofilament line) to relax its memory and avoid tangles. When you change any type of line it is important to spool tight or the line may slip on the spool.

Reels
Give your reels a good cleaning, particularly when the line is off. Grease where directed by manufacturer, often times, the reel is marked where to do this. If instructions are long gone do not hesitate to stop by your local bait or tackle shop to ask where to grease. Do not be afraid to ask questions, that is what they are there for. By the way, do not grease the drag, it is not meant to be greased, if you do, it will not work. John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside, RI, said, “Anglers often forget to put oil on the line guide worm gear on bait caster reels as this is can go a long way allowing the gear to perform properly throughout its lifetime.” John says that he charges $10 to $15 to clean and grease your average spinning reel. Archie's Bait & Tackle has a new location this year at 292 Bullocks Point Road, Riverside, RI. This time of year the store is open for business 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. most days. Call 401.437.2630 if you have any questions.

Rods
Examine the rods for cracks and stress marks. Closely examine the eyes for chips or cuts that could cause line to snag, rub or break. Do not place hooks on the eyes or they will eventually create cracks that will cut line as it passes through.

Tackle
I get tackle ready in chronological order when certain species are fished… starting with tautog, striped bass, blue fish, fluke, tuna, etc. I then go through tautog rigs first, then the striped bass, etc. Make sure you have enough rigs to fish the species. Hooks should be clean and sharp (no rust), and strong enough for the size fish you are going after. Often hooks that come with lures are not quality hooks so I replace them with stronger hooks.

Leaders/Hooks
Use wire leaders for blue fish and monofilament or fluorocarbon for striped bass. Blues won’t bite though the wire and striped bass will find it harder to see the monofilament or fluorocarbon leaders. Make sure leaders have no nicks or stress marks from fish pulling. If they do, replace them. I switched most of my hooks to circle hooks, I did this so I can safely catch and release undersized or unwanted fish (particularly striped bass). Circle hooks are designed to hook the fish at the corner of the mouth and not down in the belly. All hooks should be sharp and rust free. Ken at Ray’s Bait recommends VMC hooks as they do not rust and come in all types and sizes.

Opening Day for freshwater season
Opening day is Saturday, April 9, 6:00 a.m. for salmon, trout and charr. Get you gear ready. Licenses are required for anglers fifteen (15) years of age and older. You can purchase a fishing license at city and town halls as well as at license agents. Visit the Department of Environmental Management’s web site for a list of agents, a list of trout waters that have been stocked, “Kids Only” ponds and much more at http://www.dem.ri.gov/ .

First annual recreational fishing tournament out of the Port of New Bedford
The first annual recreational fishing tournament to be held out of the port city of New Bedford is scheduled for June 17-18, 2011, with Pope’s Island Marina serving as home base. Proceeds from the charity tournament, called Fishing for a Cause, will benefit the Schwartz Center for Children. Complimentary boat slips will be provided on a first-come, first served basis and early registration is encouraged. Registration deadline is June 1, 2011. For more information visit www.schwartzcenter.org/fish-on.

Striper University
Shallow Water Striper University is March 25, 26, and 27 at the Sheraton Airport Motor Inn, Warwick, RI. This weekend long event features some of the best local professionals who make their living catching big striped bass. Registration for this event is $89. for the entire weekend. There will also be charter trip give-a-ways, raffles, prizes, and more. Contact Debbie Wood at Wood Boat & Motor, 401-739-4040 or visit http://www.shallowwaterstripers.com/ .


Shark fishing and DEM Law Enforcement featured at RISAA Seminar Monday
Captain Mike Pierdinock of CPF Charters will speak on shark fishing and his great adventure of tagging a 16 foot great white shark last year that was captured in a 20 minute video. Also the Rhode Island DEM Division of Law Enforcement will speak on the duties and mission of environmental police. Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) members can bring a guest to this meeting at no charge. Non-member donation is $10. The seminar is Monday, March 28, 7:00 p.m. at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick. Food served 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

NE Saltwater fishing show

The New England Saltwater Fishing Show (nesaltwatershow.com ), the largest of its type in the Northeast, will have over three-hundred fishing related companies displaying, two-hundred of companies will be selling products offering show specials and discounted show prices. The show is at the Rhode Island Convention Center, this Friday through Sunday.

The Eighth Annual New England Saltwater Fishing Show sponsored by the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA), will be held this week March 11-13 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Friday hours are 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Steve Medeiros, RISAA president, said, “This is the largest saltwater fishing show in the Northeast. This year we have over three-hundred companies displaying their latest in fishing tackle and gear and two-hundred of them will be selling their products, many with show special low prices.” 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. You will even be able to get a Rhode Island or Massachusetts fishing license at the show.

A new “Kid Zone” will be featured this year with a kids casting area and fishing game, a Sea Tow Kid’s Cannon game, a FLW Speedboat Driving Simulator and on Sunday a BIOMES Marine Center and a special scavenger hunt for children. Sunday is also family day with all women and children admitted free.

Mr. Medeiros said, “We have a great seminar series planned for the show including a series of fly fishing seminars in a special Fly Fishing Area where casting lessons will be given. There will also be a fishing simulator at the show.”

Captain Dave Monti and many other guest speakers

Seminar speakers include No Fluke columnist Captain Dave Monti. His seminar “Tautog experts and striper decline” will be presented Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. No Fluke Charters will also have a booth at the show, #522, so stop by the booth and say hello.

Other guest speakers and their topics include Captain Mike Neto, “Block Island Stripers”, Friday 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 4:30 p.m.; David Giuliano, Block Island Kayak Fishing, Friday 6:30 p.m. and Saturday 1:30 p.m.; Captain Bruce Macomber, “Light Tackle Sharking”, Saturday and Sunday 11:30 a.m.; Captain Jim White, “Advanced Tactics for Striped Bass Fishing”, Friday and Saturday 3:30 p.m.; Lee Samson, “Fish the Surf”, Friday 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 2:30 p.m.; DJ Muller, “Surfcasting the Islands : Cuttyhunk, Martha’s Vineyard, and Block Island”, Friday 2:30 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m.; Ron Z. Poirier, “ Introduction to Jig & Pop Tuna Fishing”, Friday 1:30 p.m., Saturday 5:30 p.m.; Curt Caserta, “Hunting for Block Island Bass”, Saturday and Sunday 12:30 p.m.; Bob Oberg, “Wiring Up- Increase your kayak fishing productivity, safety and enjoyment with good electronics”, Saturday 10:30 a.m. and Sunday 1:30 p.m.; Sheila M. Hassan, “Fly Fishing Demos/Seminars”, Saturday and Sunday 1:00 p.m. in the Fly Casting Area; Captain Bob Hines, “Intro to saltwater fly fishing”, Saturday 2:00 p.m. and Sunday 3:00 p.m. in the Fly Casting Area; and David Porreca, “How to chose a saltwater fly rod… simplify your choice”, Friday 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 5:00 p.m. in the Fly Casting Area.

Tickets are $10 for adults, children under 12 are admitted free. Learn more about the show at nesaltwatershow.com .

Resolution supports voice of fishermen when locating wind farms

Last week the Rhode Island Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee chaired by Senator V. Susan Sosnowski (D-New Shoreham and South Kingstown) passed a resolution that requests the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) to comprehensively involve Fishermen in the development of offshore energy projects. The resolution suggests that BOEMRE use the Fishermen’s Advisory Board (FAB) established by the RI Coastal Resources Management Council within the Ocean Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) as an interface between BOEMRE and the fishing industry. Fishermen are cautiously optimistic. Rick Bellavance, president of the Rhode Island Party and Charter Boat Association said, “We are advocating for a seat at the table as the Deepwater Wind project doubled in size overnight and sites for the turbines were placed in prime fishing grounds that would kill our industry.” Bellavance continued, “I believe windmills and fishing can exist together in Rhode Island, but fishermen need a voice at the table.” Ted Platz, president of the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island (a group that represents twelve fishing associations) said, “These are prime fishing grounds and when you start blasting no one knows what is going to happen. Europeans built their wind farms with their eyes closed, with no knowledge of what impact windmill construction would have. We should take our time and make sure we do things right so we are not left with a huge government mistake here. ”

Fresh fish

Last week the RI Senate Special Task Force on Fisheries heard testimony on how to bring fresh RI fish to markets in State. The Task Force heard testimony from Perry Raso of Matunuck Oyster Farm. Mr. Raso testified to some of the challenges fishermen have and the difficulties they encounter to bring their catch to market. Janet Coit, director of the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) attended the meeting along with a number of Senate Task Force Committee members as Mr. Raso related the need for an enhanced DEM inspection staff to handle important fishery inspections required by Federal and Regional fishing regulators. I will continue to report on Task Force activities as their work develops.

Rack storage marina is like hotel concierge service for boaters

Jim Shriner (right) owner of Mill Creek Marine, and his some Jamie Shriner (left), at the Providence Boat show where they were showing Eastern boats and introducing their new rack storage facility at Allen’s Harbor in North Kingstown, RI.

The first dry stack marina in Rhode Island is about to open at Allen’s Harbor, North Kingstown, RI this spring. Mill Creek Marine (formerly Johnson’s Boatyard in Wickford) will open the first dry stack marina with an initial capacity of 72 boats up to 38’ in length. Dry stack storage is a popular concept in Florida and other warmer climates particularly where coastal shoreline for marinas is limited.

Rack storage at Mill Creek is like concierge service for boaters. Jim Shriner, Mill Creek Marine owner and president, said, “Boats are stored in a dry, safe place out of the water. When owners call we take down their boat and have it dock side ready for their boating trip. When they return the boat is washed and put back on the rack.”

Shriner said, “Dry rack storage is better for the boat. It doesn’t sit in the water. There is less wear and tear on the boat and it eliminates the cost of bottom paint, antifouling drives, hauling, shrink-wrapping, etc. And, boats are stored in a locked building, fully enclosed.”

The cost of the service is $185/foot/year which is all inclusive of dry stack storage and launch service for the entire year. So, if you like the idea for dropping your boat off at the dock and not having a lot of cleaning to do or preparation work before getting underway… dry stack storage may be for you.

Mill Creek Marine Inc. is a complete marine service company. They are an authorized serve center for Mercury/Mercruiser, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and Evinrude. They also carry used and new boats. Eastern is one of the new boat lines they carry. Visit their web site at www.millcreekmarine.com. or call Jim Shriner and his staff at 401.294.3700.

East Bay Anglers Fishing Expo January 30, reserve your tickets

Don’t forget the annual East Bay Anglers’ Fishing Expo taking place January 30^th, 2011 at Barrington High School. Tickets are just $15 and can be purchased by visiting the show website at www.rifishshow.com .

Speaker Dave Pickering, noted shore angler, has landed more than 50,000 stripers during his career and he has created an entirely new show to share his secrets. Mike Laptew, renowned as a diver-fisherman, brings a fish-eye perspective to underwater action with his bubble-free diving method that enables him to capture underwater views of striper life never seen before. I have listened to both speakers before, they are well worth seeing.

Discounted fishing gear will be available at the flea market which opens to shoppers at 11:00 a.m. Presentations start at 1:00 p.m. For more information visit www.rifishshow.com or call show organizer Will Barbeau at 401.245.8375.

Edgewood Yacht Club and affiliated Edgewood Sailing School in high spirits

I made it a point to visit the Edgewood Yacht Club booth at the Providence Boat Show last week and was pleasantly surprised. I met a group of up-beat volunteers. I was struck by their high spirits because days earlier their club burned down to the pilings during the January 12 snow storm. I spoke with Chris Lee who is chairmen of the Edgewood Sailing School that is affiliated with the Yacht club. The school has been offering adults and children sailing lessons since 1956. Mr. Lee said, “All of our boats were spared, however, we lost all our sails, masts, rudders, and gear that were stored in the building that burned.” Chris said the sailing school plans to institute a fund development effort to replace the gear. In regard to the Edgewood Yacht Club itself the plan to rebuild. Their spirit is best summed up by Jeffry Lamphear, club commodore, in a closely thought he relates in a letter of their website. Commodore Lamphear said, “The Edgewood Yacht Club will not only survive this, we consider it a challenge. We will grow, and be a stronger club in the end.”

RISAA public policy agenda for 2011

Steve Medeiros, president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA), recently announced that the association has a full public policy agenda for 2011. In addition to introducing RISAA to a new governor, DEM director and general assembly, regulatory and public policy issues on the front burner this year include weighing in on management of the menhaden fishery as well as fishing regulations in general which will likely change. Steve Medeiros relates we can expect changes in fishing regulations, possibly an increase in fluke allotment which would likely mean enhanced bag limits and reduced size limits, and unfortunately. possibly tighter limits on other fisheries not doing as well such as scup and black sea bass. RISAA will also continue to advocate for the State’s artificial reef program, as well as for public access to the shoreline and public fishing piers.

Finally, a trophy bass… and then snap…your line breaks

No one wants to lose a big fish. Not me, yet time and time again I lose fish because the gear is not right for the job, the tackle is faulty or because I wasn’t ready. Last year I lost a monster fluke (summer flounder) under the Jamestown Bridge. I was fishing for that doormat-sized fluke, yet the rig I was using just didn’t have enough muscle. I keep telling myself “You have to be ready, prepare before you drop your hook, before your fishing trip and before the season starts.” So this article focuses on getting your gear ready for the fishing season now so you don’t lose that big fish.

Here’s a guide on what to do to prepare for the season.

Line
Each year, replace most used line. This is a judgment call as to what is meant by “used”. For example I have reels spooled with 40 lb. test monofilament line for fishing live bait. I used them infrequently last year. So I checked the line, it looked good… no nicks, snags or apparent stress so I did not change it. However, I changed just about every other rig with new monofilament, braid, lead or wire. Spool tight enough and then stretch the line, the first 100 feet (of monofilament line) to relax its memory to avoid bird’s nest tangles.

Reels
Give your reels a good cleaning, particularly when the line is off. Grease where directed by manufacturer, often times, the reel is marked where to do this. If instructions are long gone do not hesitate to stop by your local bait or tackle shop to ask where to grease. Do not be afraid to ask questions, that is what they are there for, and they want your business. By the way, do not grease the drag, It is not meant to be greased, if you do, it will not work.

Rods
Examine the rods for cracks and stress marks. Closely examine the eyes for chips or cuts that could cause line to snag, rub or break. Do not place hooks on the eyes or they will eventually create cracks that will cut line as it passes through.

Tackle
I get tackle ready in chronological order when certain species are fished… starting with tautog, striped bass, blue fish, fluke, tuna, etc. I then go through tautog rigs first, then the striped bass, etc. Make sure you have enough rigs to fish the species. Hooks should be clean and sharp (no rust), and strong enough for the size fish you are going after. Often hooks that come with lures are not quality hooks so I replace them with stronger hooks.

Leaders/Circle Hooks
Use wire leaders for blue fish and monofilament or fluorocarbon for striped bass. Blues won’t bite though the wire and striped bass will find it harder to see the monofilament or fluorocarbon leaders. Make sure leaders have no nicks or stress marks from fish pulling. If they do, replace them. I switched most of my leader hooks to circle hooks, I did this so I can safely catch and release undersized or unwanted fish (particularly striped bass). Circle hooks are designed to hook the fish at the corner of the mouth and not down in the belly.


Where’s the Bite

Freshwater fishing: Opening day is Saturday, April 10. Get you gear ready. Kim Bissonnette of Portsmouth, RI reported a healthy largemouth bass bite this weekend. On Saturday Kim landed nine largemouths in about 3 ½ hours of fishing. Kim will be reporting regularly on the freshwater bite this season. throughout the season.

Saltwater fishing regulations and license. DEM director Michael Sullivan is expected to announce 2010 saltwater fishing regulations in the next week or two. Rhode Island will also likely institute its saltwater fishing license requirement this year. If they do not a federal license will be required. Stay tuned for 2010 regulations and details on the license law roll-out.

Tautog. Spring tautog season opens, April 15 (if tautog regulations stay the same). The tautog proposal presented by the RI Fisheries Council was status quo with 2009… a minimum size of 16” with a split season… April 15 to May 31 (three fish/person/day), July 1 to October 16 (three fish/person/day) and October 17 to December 15 (eight fish/person/day).

Striped Bass. We still have holdover striped bass in the upper reaches of rivers and bays. The only other news I heard was from Rich Back of On The Water magazine on line (http://www.onthewater.com/ ). Rich reports
Osprey sightings which traditionally follow the herring up North. And, if the herring are coming north, the striped bass are right behind them. So this is a good sign.

Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association successfully completed their
annual New England Saltwater Fishing show at the Convention Center in RI and is now preparing for their March 29, 7:00 p.m. monthly seminar. The seminar will feature two topics… Light Tackle Fishing in Narragansett Bay with Captain James White (owner of White Ghost Charters) and a discussion of the R.I. ocean Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) which aims to define zones for RI’s ocean waters. David Beutel of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council will speak about RI’s ongoing SAMP initiative.

A Fluke Cocktail That Will Enhance Your Catch

Summer flounder or fluke is a great fish to catch and eat. 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. This year the fluke season starts June 17 in Rhode Island and runs through December. To keep a fluke it must be at least 21” and the catch limit is six fish per person per day.

Use these fluke facts and strategies to enhance your catch and keeper ratio.

In May, fluke move in shore from deep Continental Shelf waters where they spend the winter. They stay inland until October and then move back to the deep water. They are a flat fish with two eyes on the same side of the fish. They are bottom fish that do not look aggressive, but they will chase bait aggressively and eat the same bait that blue fish and striped bass eat. The difference is that they eat off the bottom.

I have caught several blue fish, particularly when retrieving my fluke bait rig as I brought it up through the water column. Last year, on a light tackle fluke rig, my brother-in- law hit a monster blue fish that nearly pulled both of us overboard.

A rubber squid with a wide gap hook, color beads and a spinner blade is my favorite bait. I have found florescent green to work best. This bait has a float inside so the bait hangs just off the bottom and it attracts a lot of attention as it has to, because it is fished on the bottom, where the fluke are, where it is often dark.

I spice-up the artificial bait with what I call a Captain Dave’s fluke cocktail. This consists of a previously frozen minnow or silver side (ideally the size of a finger) placed on the hook horizontally so it would appear to be swimming horizontally when on the bottom. (This tactic was taught to me by Gary Leatherberry of Ericson’s Bait & Tackle of Warwick a couple of years ago). This simple change in bait position has doubled my keeper ratio.

Next, I place a three to four inch squid strip on the hook and top it off with a three to four inch strip of fluke belly (the white skin of the fish). This completes the fluke cocktail. Be careful not to stack so much bait on the hook that the fluke cannot bite it. One may ask where you get fluke bellies. Next time you clean your catch, cut the left over fluke belly into strips and freeze them in zip lock freezer bags along with a bit of salt water. Fresh fluke bellies would be ideal, but frozen ones can get you going until you catch a fish that can be used for this purpose.

Water movement or bait movement is essential to catch fluke because they often stay in the same place for a while and you have to go to them. From shore, bait should be slowly dragged across the ocean floor (so rocky areas are out of the question for shore and boat fishing). From a boat the wind and/or current will move the boat and bait on the bottom. If slack tide or no current/wind, boat movement created by starting the engine can enhance your odds. Slowly put the boat in and out of gear to create movement. A good tactic is to move the boat in a circle; this slows the bait movement and allows you to cover a favorite area or hot spot over and over.
So when you get a bite on a drift, you should mark the spot and recreate the exact drift line again. Because remember, the fluke are often stationary and you want to go back to where they are if you are getting hits.

Sometimes there is too much wind, current or boat movement and your bait is not holding bottom and you are blowing by the fish. In this case shore and boat anglers should increase the sinker weight until you can keep the bait on the bottom. Often times, boat anglers employ underwater parachutes that fill with water to slow the boat speed (these can be found at local boating/fishing /bait & tackle shops).

When you feel a bite wait and let the fluke eat the bait, if you jerk the rod to set the hook you may pull the bait out of the fluke’s mouth. So after you feel the fluke bite and then the line tightens, move the rod upward to set the hook and start reeling in, keeping the pressure on the fish as the fluke will try to shake the hook loose.

Where’s the Bite
Striped bass continue to be plentiful in the Bay. The East Bay area from Bristol Harbor to Providence is hot with a few fish in the 40” range and fish in the 30’s fairly common. Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Bristol/Coventry/Providence, said customers were catching fish by live lining menhaden and chunking with menhaden, with eels and with tube & worm. Dave related customer Mary Sokolowski of Providence caught her first salt water fish (a keeper striped bass) last Tuesday. Ray Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle Warwick weighed several customers’ fish in the 40” range this week. I had the privilege of taking publisher John Howell fishing this week and he caught a 41” striper on the shipping channel bank just off Poppasquash Point. Craig Mancini of Continental Bait & Tackle reports that customers continue to land big fish off Gaspee Point. Mike Shepard reported that his son Ian caught a 25 lb. bass off Breton Reef. Mike related that the fishing off Newport is now fantastic with a lot of bait in the water. Surf fishing is still one day on and one day off on Aquidneck Island. Big bass are also being caught on Block Island. David Appolonia and his friend Brian Hogan caught a 48”/42 pound striped bass this past week on the Southwest Ledge, other big fish were caught during the outing too.
Fluke (or Summer Flounder) season starts next week, June 17, 21” minimum size, six fish per person per day.

Caption Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing on Narragansett Bay for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. Your fishing stories, comments and questions are welcome… there’s more than one way to catch a fish so e-mail Captain Dave at ­­­dmontifish@verizon.net .

Tube and Worm Can Yield Big Bass

Trolling with tube and worm for striped bass has been very productive for me over the years. It is a more passive than active tactic compared to site fishing and casting. However, the method allows you to cover a lot of ground when fish are on the move, below the surface and can put your bait exactly where the fish are in the water column. The reward for your patience? You catch bigger striped bass.
Here are a few tube and worm trolling tips that will enhance your catch.
What is a tube and worm rig? A tube and worm rig consists of a colored rubber tube with wire running through it. At one end it has a weight and a swivel that attaches to your line and a hook (or two) on the other end. A live or artificial worm is placed on the hook.
What type of line is used? Fishing with tube and worm generally involves trolling with lead core line (wrapped with braided nylon) or wire line so the tube sinks to a desired level depending on how deep the water is and where the fish are. Generally you want the tube close to the bottom where the big bass are. Lead line is generally used in the Bay for depths of eight to twenty-five feet and wire generally in the ocean for depths greater than twenty-five feet.
The line is marked or coded so the angler knows how much to put out for the depth of the water. For example each thirty feet of lead line is a different color and gets you down five feet. However, I have found this to vary widely depending on the current, weight of the tube and boat speed (when trolling for bass in the Bay I like to troll at 1.5 to 2 knots).
Different types of rigs. Tubes come in all sizes and colors. I have had great luck with red tubes in Narragansett Bay, but amber tubes seem to work best in the ocean in deeper water. I keep a few colors on board… black, orange, purple, red, amber, etc. and rig two different colors and see which color the fish seem to bite. Then switch the rigs to the color that is working.
Knot your tubes. This is important… tubes are supposed to curl and twist like a cork screw as they go through the water. The twisting helps call attention to the bait and they say the bass see it as an eel or large worm going through the water. So buy tubes that are rigid enough to hold a twist. Many anglers knot tubes in storage so they are not flat when they are pulled through the water.
Where to troll. Troll close to shore where bait can get trapped by bass and any place that has good structure on the bottom… rocks, ledge, debris, near bridge pilings, holes and at the edge of current flows. Large bass hold up behind rocks and pilings, in holes and outside of current flow waiting for bait to swim by and then move to take the bait. The ideal place to troll is along a rocky coastline close to shore. Lobster pots are often placed on the edge of a drop off. So although they can create accidental hook ups, tolling near lobster pots is usually a good bet… you’re on a ledge and there is bait in the pot which acts like chum.
Single hook good for catch and release, but keep the pressure on. Striped bass taken on tube and worm are generally hooked on the lip (no gut hooks) with a single hook. The hook is easy to remove and causes minimal trauma to the fish. However, the single hook in the lip can easily be shaken loose by the bass, so it is important to keep pressure on the fish.
Fighting and boating your catch. When fighting fish it is important that the master of the vessel keep the boat moving forward at slow speed and the angler keep pressure on the fish keeping the pole high. Vessel movement is often achieved by putting the boat in and out of gear so it creates slow forward movement. Once the fish is close to the boat try to bring it to the side of the boat so it can now be removed from the water by hand or gaff without shaking loose the hook. These tactics are difficult to do if the angler is alone. Safety should be your top priority, so you may only be able to use some of these tactics when alone.

Where’s the Bite
Fresh Water. Harold Hemberger reported catching three nice pike (the largest six pounds) and one bass on Waterman Lake last Sunday at sunrise with shiners. Melonie Carr and her partner Joe caught five trout, two at Carbuncle Pond in Coventry and three on Wood River. I met Julies Mitchell of Warwick on his way out for a day of bass fishing on Indian Lake. He related he has caught a lot of great bass in Warwick, close to his home, at places like Arnold Pond. Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle in Providence/Coventry/Bristol reported that Dave Pickering caught a 22 lb. carp and Devon White (seven years old) caught a 17 and an 18lb carp at Lake Tiogue in Coventry. Fresh water fishing has been consistent but few have caught their daily limit.
Striped Bass. The striped bass bite seemed to slow as the water cooled last week (dropped two degrees by Friday) and fish in the lower part of the Bay were finicky. Mike Shepard from Newport reported that the bite on and around Aquidneck Island slowed. However, striped bass were being caught in the upper Bay as the water warmed up again Saturday. Anglers caught striped bass using a variety of baits. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle in Warwick reported anglers taking fish all over Greenwich Bay… Sally Rock, Warwick Light, Sandy Point, etc. A lot of fish, school bass as well as keepers up to 36”, taken on medium sized storm shad. Early in the week I caught six fish using surface and swimming plugs and at the end of the week landed five fish using tube and worm including a 30” keeper on Greenwich Bay.
Tautog bite was strong in Bristol Harbor this week with Captain Billy Silvia reporting several seven to eight pound fish taken. No fish reported taken at Ohio Ledge Saturday with an incoming tide. However, Ken Ferrara from Ray’s Bait & Tackle reported anglers landing good sized tautog (8 lbs.) at Spindle Rock and Ohio Ledge on Monday with the outgoing tide.
Fluke. This week the RI Department of Environmental Management establish a 21” summer flounder minimum size, with a season that runs from June 17 to December 31 and a possession limit of six fish per person per day. So far other 2009 Recreational Marine Fisheries regulations have stayed the same.
Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing on Narragansett Bay for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license. Your fishing photos with captions, stories, comments and questions are welcome… there’s more than one way to catch a fish so e-mail Captain Dave at ­­­dmontifish@verizon.net .

Tug of War Season On with Tautog

The spring tug of war season with Tautog began April 15. The best fishing for the species is in the late summer and fall but fish are caught in the spring too.

Tautog (or Blackfish) are a great eating fish. They are work to catch due to the maneuvering, bottom tie-ups and lost rigs that are caused as part of the process. However, their bulldog like fight is very exciting, much like a tug of war between you and the Tautog. Once the fish is hooked it will try to bulldog its way back down into rock or structure where it can cut the line or catch the sinker on a rock. So when the fish bites, it becomes the angler’s job not to let it bury itself in the structure.

Anglers have their favorite methods, baits, rigs and places to catch Tautog, here are mine:

From shore or boat
The good thing about Tautog is that they can be fished from shore or boat. The common thread is structure. From shore it is a matter of trial and error to find a hole that holds fish. Cast too close to shore and you can easily get hung up on rock. Cast too far and your line may not be close enough to feel the bite.

From a boat it is important to position the vessel over structure. Locate the structure (on sonar if you have it), estimate wind and current, then anchor up current so that as the anchor line pays out the vessel is over the structure or slightly before it. Tautog are territorial so it is important to fish all sides of the boat, even cast a bit covering as much area as you can. If still no bites, pay out a little more anchor line to reposition the boat, repeat the process, if still no bites it is time to move to another spot.

Rigs and Bait
Tautog rigs should be kept simple, one or two hooks and a sinker. I use clam worms and live green crabs for bait. Softer baits, like clam worms are used in spring. When using crabs, break off claws and legs, cut the crab in half or use the entire crab if small. Hook the crab though one leg socket and out another.

Reduce Rig Loss
Loosing rigs is a common Tautog fishing experience. To reduce rig loss consider tying the sinker on with 8 or 10 lb. test line or an elastic so if the sinker gets hung-up, the lighter line or elastic breaks first and all you loose is the sinker.

The Bite and Tug of War
Usually Tautog will hit the bait with a tap, tap. My friend Captain George Cioe believes that Tautog is positioning the bait for consumption with the taps. So it is important to have no slack in the line so you feel the taps. To set the hook lower your rod as the fish pulls. Raise the rod up firmly feeling the weight of the fish (no need to jerk the rod up hard). Once the fish is hooked, keep the rod up and pressure on so the fish is not able to run for cover.

Little Drag and Consider Braid
It is important to put little drag on the reel and apply constant pressure so the Tautog comes up and does not go down. For this reason consider using braid rather than monofilament line that may stretch and cause the fish to reach structure and cut the line or snag the sinker.

Where to fish for Tautog
From shore the rocky coastline on Jamestown (Beavertail) and Newport is good, around light houses is good too as are old bridge pilings and underwater debris. From a boat I have had good luck at Whale Rock, the Jamestown lighthouse next to the bridge and rock structure around Hope Island. Tautog also live in uncommon locations, anywhere there is debris, rock clusters, wrecks, etc. My luck has been best early in the day or late in the afternoon when there has been water moving.

Rhode Island DEM Regulations on Season Dates, Minimum Size and Catch
The Tautog season runs from April 15 to May 31 with a closure occurring June 1 through June 30. The season opens again July 1 and runs until December 15. Minimum size is 16”. The possession limit from April 15 to May 31 and July 1 to October 16 is three fish/person/day. The limit is eight fish/person/day from October 17 to December 15.

Where’s the Bite

Fresh water action was good this week. Anglers are catching fish but not their limit. Rattanna Phommabouth caught a nice Pike on Warden’s Pond casting with a Mepps Aglia from Ocean State Tackle, Craig Mancini of Continental Bait & Tackle in Cranston said that Cub Scout Pack 6 of Cranston had a good day of fishing on Meshanicut Pond, Scouts and adults did well with shiners. Artie Peltier of Erickson’s Bait & Tackele said most customers are doing better fishing ponds rather than rivers.

Tautog. Captain Billy Silvia caught six fish and two keepers in Bristol Harbor using crab. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle in Warwick reported a customer taking a fish at Spindle Rock. I fished for Tautog with my brother-in-law Pete this weekend at the Jamestown bridge lighthouse and around Hope Island with no luck. Fish this time of year are staging for spawning so I will try again as the season progresses.

Striped Bass. Not a lot of bass reported yet. Angler Jim Malachowski fished the Providence River from Bold Point (including inside the hurricane barrier) to Save the Bay and got no bites. Angler Mike Shepard of Newport reported no squid and no striped bass in the area (and both usually arrive together). The bass are south and will be here soon. Dave Henault of Ocean State reported Bob Oberg caught 18 stripers (two keepers) from his kayak (with tube and worm) on the Thames River in Connecticut.

Fluke/Flounder. At press time DEM’s Fish & Wildlife Division was scheduled to have a public hearing on proposed recreational and commercial fishing regulation changes on Wednesday, April 22, 6 p.m. at the URI Bay Campus. Proposed summer flounder regulations were on the agenda.

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing on Narragansett Bay for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license. Your fishing photos with captions, stories, comments and questions are welcome… there’s more than one way to catch a fish so e-mail Captain Dave at ­­­dmontifish@verizon.net .

Big fish are caught in the winter

My wife laughs when I say “big fish are caught in the winter”. The saying has its roots in a football quote form Vince Lombardi (I think?)… something like… football games are not won in the fall or winter but in the off season when all the preparation occurs. I guess my wife is amused at how excited I get over the sport. But it is true, you have to prepare in advance to catch big fish, in the winter or early spring. Who wants to loose a big fish due to faulty tackle? Not me... I have leaned my lesson… lost too many fish this way in the past.

So, if you haven’t already done so, get your gear in order now so when the bite is on you are fishing your tackle box with confidence. The last thing you want to do is reach for your tackle and not have the proper bait, rod or reel available in good working order.

Here’s what I do in the winter and early spring to prepare for the season:

Line
Each year I replace most line that has been used. This is a judgment call as to what is meant by “used”. For example I have a couple of reels spooled with 40 lb. test monofilament line for fishing live bait (Menhaden for stripers). I used them three or four times last year. So I checked the line, it looked good… no nicks, snags or apparent stress so I did not change it. However, I changed just about every other rig I own with new monofilament, braid, lead or wire. Spool tight enough and then stretch the line… maybe the first 100 feet (of monofilament line) to relax its memory to avoid those nasty bird’s nest tangles.

Reels
Give your reels a good cleaning, particularly when the line is off. Grease where directed by manufacturer, often times where to do this is marked right on the reel or with the instructions that came with the reel. If you’re like me the instructions are long gone so do not hesitate to stop by your local bait or tackle shop to ask where to grease. Do not be afraid to ask questions, that is what they are there for, and they want your business. By the way, do not grease the drag it is not meant to be greased, if you do it will not work.

Rods
Examine the rods for cracks and stress marks. Closely examine the eyes for chips or cuts that could cause line to snag, rub or break. By the way, do not place hooks on the eyes or they will eventually create cracks that will cut line as it passes through.

Tackle
Here’s how I approach my tackle. I think about getting tackle ready in chronological order when certain species are fished… starting with winter… tautog, striped bass, blue fish, fluke, tuna, etc. I then go through all by tautog rigs first, then the striped bass, etc. I make sure I have enough rigs to fish the species. All hooks are clean and sharp (no rust), and strong enough for the size fish I am going after. Often hooks that come with lures are not strong/quality hooks. For example I use surface plugs and swimmers for striped bass (and blue fish) in the spring and early summer so I have replaced all lure hooks with treble hooks that are 4 times stronger to make sure they will hold bigger, stronger fish.

Leaders/Circle Hooks
Use wire leaders for blue fish and monofilament or fluorocarbon for striped bass. Blues won’t bite though the wire and stripped bass will find it harder to see the monofilament or fluorocarbon leaders. Make sure lures have no nicks or stress marks from fish pulling. If they do, replace them. This year I plan to switch most of my leader hooks to circle hooks to safely catch and release undersized or unwanted fish (particularly stripped bass). Circle hooks are designed to hook the fish at the corner of the mouth and not down in the belly.


Where’s the Bite

Opening Day/Weekend. In spite of bad weather and a holiday weekend opening day/weekend was OK. Most anglers caught fish, maybe not their limit, but they caught fish. Good reports from Silver Spring in North Kingstown, Carbuncle Pond in Coventry and Ken Ferrara Jr.’s dad related he caught two nice fish at J.L. Curran Reservoir in Cranston. Don at John’s Bait & Tackle related they already had several entries to their in-house trout contest. Angler Melanie Carr and her partner Joe fished several ponds and caught two fish at Barber Pond in South Kingstown. Craig Mancini of Continental Bait & Tackle in Cranston said that by 11 a.m. Saturday a customer had called to relate that trout would be on the dinner table Saturday night.

Tautog. Spring season opens their week, April 15. Some good sized fish have been reported in traps and lobster pots. So all seem cautiously optimistic. We will know by week’s end.

Striped Bass. Gary Leatherberry of Ericson’s Bait & Tackle related the Herring were in Little Gordon Pond next to the shop (good sign). Ken Ferrara reported school bass were caught in East Greenwich Cove (bait reported to be seen in cove, but when I fished it last week I had no luck, but things can change quickly). Seals spotted in Greenwich Bay last week (they fish better than we do, hope they leave soon). Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle (Bristol/Coventry/Providence) reported school bass taken in Sothern Rhode Island at mouth of rivers and near power plant in Providence.

We Want Your Fish
Do not hesitate to forward electronic photos of fish you caught with a brief caption description of the fish, trip and who is in the photo. Send images to Caption Dave at dmontifish@verizon.net .Visit our Web site to view the images as we get the on-line version of the No Fluke column rolling.

Caption Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing on Narragansett Bay for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license. Your fishing stories, comments and questions are welcome… there’s more than one way to catch a fish so e-mail Captain Dave at ­­­dmontifish@verizon.net .