Peter Sousa of Warwick caught seven striped bass including this 31” keeper on No Fluke Charters out of East Greenwich Cove. The fish was caught near Conimicut Light in fifteen feet of water.
Today I registered and recorded my fist two tautog fishing trips in the Rhode Island Recreational Online Angler Logbook. It took ten minutes. Anglers can use it free of charge and the system is voluntary.
Some saltwater anglers hold details of their fishing trips close to the vest. The less others know about when, how and where they fish the better, particularly an environmental regulatory agency like DEM. However, information in this logbook is confidential; data will be examined in aggregate form to provide an independent data source for DEM policy makers.
I like the log system and will give it a try this season. It allows me to keep accurate historical data that I can build on year after year while helping the fishery.
Dan Costa, who developed the logbook for DEM’s Fish and Wildlife Marine Fisheries Department, said, “We hope Rhode Island anglers use the logbook to their advantage, to help them fish, while we collect data to improve the fishery.” Dan said that Massachusetts one year old logbook system has about 200 uses. Rhode Island, who announced their logbook program three weeks ago, has 45 anglers signed up at press time.
Visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/ to sign up for the logbook and/or e-mail questions to Dan Costa at dan.costa@dem.ri.gov .
The squid are in
Anglers use squid as bait for fluke (summer flounder), sea bass and many other species. Last week I attended a Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association seminar titled Squid Fishing Strategies, Locations & Tips given by one of Rhode Island’s top anglers and squid authorities Dave Fewster. Squid fishing is part science, part art and very stealthy according to Dave. “You have to put in the time to find out where they will likely be, set up your lights and then be ready to move into action when they arrive”. Dave related that his favorite locations for catching squid are Newport, Jamestown and Narragansett. Usually near bridges, jetties, wharfs and always around light that attracts the squid. Dave related that the season usually starts at the end of April and runs through May. However, last year the season extended well into June. Calm water is ideal for squid fishing as is a full noon and water temperatures around 59 degrees. Dave spoke highly of new Yozuri squid rig that people (and the squid) cannot seem to resist. He found it at Ocean State Bait and Tackle in Providence.
Fishing tournament for visually impaired
The RI Lions Sight Foundation (RILSF) will hold their 3rd Annual VIP Fishing Tournament for Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) on June 27, 2010. The half day tournament will be held on a chartered party boat out of Galilee, RI. Participants are eligible for trophies and an opportunity to represent Rhode Island at the Lions National “VIP” Tournament which takes place on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in October. For information contact Ken Barthelemy, tournament chair, at kenbar123@aol.com .
Kettlebottom Outfitters “Brand X” action sport videos now on Cox
Robb Roach and his Brand X Production Company, has produced a series of adventure sport videos airing five times a week on Cox 3. Programs also air on Video’s on Demand (VOD’s) were Kettlebottom Outfitters has a number of other programs on fishing and hunting. Shows are on a variety of topics from shark fishing to kite surfing. I still use Robb’s recipe for baked fluke… a recipe I like and learned from watching one of his videos. Visit http://www.kettlebottom.com/ for details on Brand X programs.
DEM announced free fishing days
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced that Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9 are free fishing days in Rhode Island. Rhode Islanders and visitors can fish in freshwaters without a fishing license or trout conservation stamp. Free loaner fishing rods and bait are available. Visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/ for locations and details.
Where’s the bite
Tautog. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait and Tackle, Warwick, related that Ken Landry caught a nice white chinned tautog at Ohio Ledge. He also caught a 36” striped bass off Pine Hill this past weekend. Robb Roach of Kettlebottom Outfitters in Jamestown reports a 10 lb fish caught off Narragansett.
Striped bass were all over Narragansett Bay and this week. Robb Roach from Kettlebottom Outfitters reports decent fish caught to 27” in the Narrow River. Angler Peter Sousa of Warwick landed seven striped bass and two keepers to 31” on No Fluke Charter Fishing this weekend. Pete caught his fish trolling with tube and worm on lead line weighted with three ounce sinkers, a method that got the line down low with only 60 feet of line out in about 15 feet of water. The fish were caught between Gaspee and Conimicut Point. Steve McKenna of Cranston and an associate at Quaker Lane Outfitters, North Kingstown, reports many keeper bass to 20 pounds being taken in mid Narragansett Bay area. Steve caught eight keepers using metal lip surface swimmers. His fishing friends used Danny plugs and spook type lures and did just as well. School striped bass with keepers mixed in have been landed in East Greenwich Cove; off Poppasquash Point, Bristol; areas north of Connecticut light, Warwick and Barrington; Pine Hill off Prudence Island: and a host of other Bay and river areas.
Freshwater fishing for trout at stocked DEM ponds is still good, visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/ for listings. Andrew Cahrhoff of Erickson’s Bait and Tackle in Warwick said that fishing has been good and promises to get better now that spawning season is upon us. Andrew will be fishing the shallows as the water warms and fish start to clear their beds for matting. Andrew bass fishes competitively; his favorite places to fish include Beach Pond, Johnson Pond and Indian Lake.
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