Fluke experts share tactics

Lynn and Pelky from upset New York with the fluke they caught with Capt. John Rainone of L’il Toot Charters , Narragansett, RI.

Darrell Hatten (right) of North Kingstown with the 8 pound, 12 once fluke (summer flounder) he caught off Rose Island. He and friend Mike Swain (left) of Coventry took seven keepers Saturday, a total of fourteen fish were caught.

Ben Roach of Jamestown with the fluke he caught on his father’s boat, Capt. Rob Roach of Kettlebottom Outfitters.

Fluke experts share tactics

Fluke fishing is great. Fluke (or summer flounder) are biting off southern coastal beaches as well as favorite places at the mouth of the Bay off Newport, Jamestown, South Kingstown and Narragansett. This year with the legal minimum size reduced to 18 ½” the season promises to be a good one. Darrell Hatten of North Kingstown caught an eight pound, twelve once fluke off Rose Island, Newport this Saturday. He and friend Mike Swain of Coventry landed a total of fourteen fish, seven of them were keepers. With the recreational fluke season just starting here are some fluke fishing tips from the pros (more to come next week).

Capt. John Rainone, Li’l Toot Charters, Pt. Judith. “Now that we have larger sizes of Fluke to be legal, I have switched to a larger wide gap hook 3/0 instead of the old J style hook. It is easier to release a short fish without hurting it due to the style of the hook. Like a circle hook, it is usually hooked right in the corner of the mouth. We also have started to use bigger baits, and sometimes even a stinger hook with a very large bait. When the mate fillets a bluefish, he saves a nice long strip of the belly or underside of the bluefish for baits. Whole squids work well too, or larger strip baits of squid, instead of the old 3” strip of squid. You can also save some fluke belly or striped bass belly from your fillets to use on your next trip. Just put them in some salted water and keep cold.”

Capt. George Cioe, Patricia Anne, Pt. Judith. “I use squid strips with a sand eel or live minnows…put the hook thru the squid once. I split the trailing edge of the squid to give it some action as it moves thru the water. We often use fluke belly, especially if there is other bothersome species hitting the bait. Fluke belly is more durable and you’ll get more bottom time with the bait. There is an issue though. Because it will not tear off like squid, it is possible to pull the fluke up to the surface, even though he is not hooked, only to watch the fish let go of the bait and swim away. When you fish with belly – let the fish keep the bait a little longer before you pull him up. When I am in deeper water - 60 to 75 feet – I’ll use a whole squid – a sure recipe for catching jumbos. The slower the drift the better – but you do need to drift. I’ll use a sea anchor to slow me down.”

Capt. Robb Roach, Kettlebottom Outfitters, Jamestown, RI. “Wind and tide in line otherwise stem it. Bigger fish are on sharper edges… meaning a steeper drop off will hold the bigger fish. Don’t forget to fish in the vicinity of wrecks. Live bait works best and snapper blues are THE BEST Fluke bait. Clean the skin off of the squid when baiting”

Senate Judiciary Committee passes bill to increase fines for striped base poaching
Steve Medeiros, president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA), said last week at a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on RISAA’s bill to increase fines for the illegal possession of striped bass, “Chief Steve Hall (Rhode Island DEM Enforcement), George Allen and I testified in favor of the bill. When done the committee held an immediate vote- unanimous in favor. It now goes to the full Senate for a vote. “The legislation would raise the fines for the illegal possession of striped bass up from the current $50 to:$100 first offense; $200 second offense and can confiscate equipment, boat, etc.; and $500 third and subsequent offenses and can confiscate equipment.

Commercial Atlantic bluefin tuna retention limit established
Effective June 3 through August 31, 2011, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) adjusts the General category Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit to three large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip for commercial boats. The General category daily retention limit applies to vessels permitted in the commercial Atlantic tuna’s General category and the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat category while fishing commercially. For further information, visit http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/breaking_news.htm.

Take-a-kid fishing Saturday, June 18

RISAA is looking for volunteer boats and mates as well as volunteers for land based activities during their annual Take-a-kid fishing event Saturday morning, June 18. It is a great cause. Last year over 200 children fished on 85 boats, many of them on the Bay for the first time. To volunteer, contact Steve Medeiros at 401.826.2121 or register online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TAK2011 .

Where’s the bite

Freshwater fishing is good. Angler Harold Hemberger said, “Had two decent days at Stump Pond in Smithfield this past weekend. On both days the largemouth bass bite was fairly fast. The bass were hitting anything delivered about a foot below the surface. However, fish size was small. On Sunday, pike in the 2 – 3 pound range were hitting spinner baits at dusk.”

Striped bass fishing remains good in the Bay with action around Block Island starting to pick up. Captain John Sheriff reports an outstanding bass bite with fish to 36” at the North Rip, Block Island on Monday. Captain Rick Bellavance of Priority Too Charters said, “Fishing the North End of Block Island we easily limited out on striped bass (this past weekend and Monday).” This weekend Joe Daniels of Warwick caught ten bass and three keepers with the largest fish 35” when fishing in the upper East Passage on No Fluke Charters.

Fluke (summer flounder) fishing is heating up nicely. Alan Stewart of Westport, MA reports a good fluke bite off Bailey’s Beach and Elbow Ledge near the mouth of the Sakonnet River. Stewart said, “We were surprised at how good the fishing was. We ended up with 8 keepers up to 26" and a few shorts… all on squid strips.” Darrell Hatten of North Kingstown caught an 8 pound, 12 once fluke off Rose Island, Newport while fishing with skipper Mike Swain of Coventry. They took seven keepers Saturday, a total of about fourteen fish were caught. Fancies Fleet party boat vessels our of Pt. Judith report a good fluke bite that is improving weekly.

Tuna fishing reports are good. Robb Roach of Kettlebottom Outfitters said, “Just talked to a offshore lobster friend who reports yellowfin (lots of them!) in the tails and dip. SST's support this and the heaviest break is actually northeast of the tails- 52 to 72.” Kettlebottom Outfitters is booking tuna charters on their new 35 foot Aerocat. You can get out to the tuna in two and a half hours. Contact Capt. Robb Roach at http://www.kettlebottom-outfitters.com/ .