Bass off Block Island: Warwick Fire Fighter Mike Schmidt with a 30 pound striper that took a Yellow and White Poly-jig while on Priority Too Charters.
The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association has a great line-up of topics for their Monday, September 27th seminar.
Now is your chance to learn how to catch striped bass consistently just as great charter captains of Rhode Island have been doing for years off Block Island. Curt Caserta, who will present what he has learned from character captains, said, “I have taken little pieces of techniques and information and tried to adapt them to what works best for me…” Topics covered include techniques such as the correct direction to pitch your bait, how to set-up a drift, properly position your boat, the importance of electronics, the benefits of finding your own fish while staying away from others as well as the gear and tackle that works best.
The session will also include three mini seminars featuring Steve McKenna, renowned Rhode Island surf fisherman from Cranston, RI, and an associate at Quaker Lane Outfitters in North Kingstown, RI. Steve will talk about the fundamentals of fishing. Next, Mike Fotiades will talk about something I have always wanted to learn…how to properly throw a cast net. With fresh live bait fairly abundant in the Bay and Ocean (such as menhaden) this is something that could enhance your fishing experience and catch all at the same time. The third mini-seminar will be handled by Tom Wood and the topic is trailer safety. We all have experienced or witness trailer nightmares at the boat ramp or on the road. This session is sure to help keep you safe and avoid accidents.
The seminars begin at 7:00 p.m. and are held at the West Valley Inn in West Warwick. The public is welcome, although a $10 donation is requested for the RISAA Marine Fisheries Scholarship Fund. Dinner, sponsored by the West Valley Inn, is available between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
For more information about these seminars check out the RISAA web site at www.RISAA.org or call 401-826-2121.
Anglers oppose ban on lead sinkers and lures
On August 23, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and four other organizations to ban all lead in fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This includes sinkers, jigs, weighted fly line, and components that contain lead such as brass and ballast in a wide variety of lures, including spinners, stick baits and more.
The petition was presented with the aim of reducing bird deaths caused by the ingestion of lead sinkers and jig heads; however, a study conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that less than one percent of all waterfowl and other birds such as eagles are killed by lead sinker ingestion.
The American Sportfishing Association (of which RI Saltwater Anglers Association is a member), has provided a special web page at www.keepamericafishing.org (under Top News items dated 8/31/10) explaining the reasons why anglers should oppose the ban and how to help by sending an email to your state's legislators in Washington.
Newport Boat Show
Exhibitors at the Newport International Boat Show related attendance was good this weekend and I sensed more sales activity than they had last year. I looked at three center console fishing boats for in-shore and near coastal fishing (something you could take to Block Island).
The first manufacturer was Parker represented by Don’s Marine of Tiverton, RI. Tom Grimes of Don’s related that Parker’s claim to fame was “strength, simplicity and seaworthiness”. He jumped up and down on the gunnels to demonstrate the vessels stability (the vessel has a roomy 9’6” beam). They were showing a 25’ center console as a show special priced at about $50,000 and their new 2100 Special Edition 21’ center console (again built well for fishing).
I also spoke with Jim Shriner of Mill Creek Marine (the former Johnston’s Boat Yard located in Wickford, RI). Jim said, “We are focusing on selling Eastern boats, a value line with roots in commercial boat building…the nice thing is that they are built locally in Milton, New Hampshire and you can order a boat the way you want it.” Jim related that the new 24’ center console (offered between $50,000 and $60,000 depending how it is ordered) is ideal for fishing and was enhanced last year with an 8’6” beam.
The last fishing vessel I looked at is one of the high performance fishing center consoles on the market… the Pursuit C280. This boat was built with the offshore fisherman in mind. It has a 24 degree dead rise to cut through heavy seas and features a large 52 gallon live bait well. Pursuit is known for performance, fit and finish and they are represented locally by Striper Marine of Barrington, Rhode Island. Striper Marine’s show special price on the C280 was $139,900 said Gregg Wheaterby, sales representative from Pursuit.
Where’s the bite
Striped bass fishing is improving on the Bay. Fish are being taken north of the bridges as well as along the southern coastal shoreline of RI. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick, reports customers are catching bass at Warwick Light. A good striped bass bite mixed with blues off point Judith Light this week. Prior to the high seas on Block Island and Rhode Island Sound striped bass fishing off Block Island was great. Anglers continue to take fish in the 30 lb. range using eels 2 ½ miles off the southwest side. Captain Sheriff Charters reported taking fish up to 40 lbs. using ells last Wednesday one mile off the SW corner of Block Island. This weekend bass between 15 and 32 lbs. were taken on the Southwest side of Block Island using Poly-Jig Parachutes said Captain Rick Bellavance of Priority Too Charters.
False Albacore fishing remains very good off Point Judith with a number of fish being taken off the center and east walls this past week. Green Deadly Dicks seemed to be their bait of choice this week. Fish also off and between Newport and Beavertail in Jamestown.
Bluefish are now large and can be found throughout Narragansett Bay and off shore. RISAA blog member Brian Woodard reports taking eight to ten pound bluefish off Prudence Island this Saturday using chunks of porgy in forty feet of what. Brain said “Every ten minutes a school of monster blues would swim by and attack our lines…” Last week I caught blue fish as large as 30 “ while fishing with tube and worm on the channel pad off Poppasquash Point, Bristol. Smaller bluefish also caught close to Prudence Island near Bear Point with swimming lures.
Tautog fishing is encouraging and good on the Bay and off coastal shores between Newport and Point Judith. Good number of keeper fish reported being taken off Beavertail this Sunday in high seas as well as at Whale Rock, Narragansett,; Plum Point Light House next to the Jamestown Bridge; around General rock off Wickford; and around the jetty at Coddington Cove in Middletown.
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