Warwick Firefighters Andy Sisson, Matt Goodreau, Tom Bradley and Mike Bingham with the fluke they caught aboard Priority Too Charters fishing with Capt. Rick Bellavance.
Joe Daniels of Warwick caught this 35” striped bass when fishing the channel pad east of Conimicut Light. This was one of ten bass he caught while fishing with Capt. Monti on No Fluke Charters.
Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick with the jumbo fluke he caught off Warwick Neck fishing the edge of the channel.Fluke facts and tips from the experts
Fluke fishing this week continued to improve and will just get better over the next couple of weeks. Now is the time to give it a try. Here are some helpful fluke facts and tips from the experts.
Fluke facts
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.
Fluke 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 bluefish and striped bass eat. The difference is that they feed off the bottom.
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
· Fluke are chameleons, they change color to blend with the bottom.
· Largest fluke on record is 26.6 lbs. and 36” long
Fluke tips from the experts
Capt. Rick Bellavance, Priority Too Charters, Pt. Judith, RI
“When I fluke fish with charter clients, I typically use a large style pre-rigged fluke rig which I purchase from a local bait shop. We try to use a piece of fresh bait such as the belly meat of a bluefish to act as an attractant. We use a 3-way snap swivel with a large snap to facilitate changing sinkers (which the mate does often). I believe the smallest weight that will hold bottom is best. Much of our fishing effort takes place around Block Island and just about any piece of shoreline will hold summer flounder and we always drift, usually picking the side of the island with the strongest tide or wind. When we start catching, I record the depth and I also make note of specific depths where bigger fish may be congregating… I coach our clients to drop the tip of the rod when they feel a bite and to then slowly, but deliberately, lift up on the rod to set the hook. We use circle hooks and modified wide gap hooks exclusively to reduce release mortality.”
Ken Landry, Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick, RI
Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle of Warwick says big ones are on the edges of channels, drifting from low to high water often yields big fluke. Ken said, “It’s important to drift with current and wind in the same direction. Working the channel edges off Warwick Neck Light yielded close to a 15 pound fluke. If there are fluke under the boat, Ken will find them.
Additional fluke tips
· If possible, fish when the tide/current and wind are going in the same direction
· Fluke face into the current to feed, so you want to drag your bait over them, drifting with the tide and wind when in a boat or slowing pulling your bait over the bottom when on land
· When fishing slack or flood tide with no water movement try trolling perpendicular so no matter what way the fish are facing you are passing them at least on a right angle
· When it comes to fluking, squid is the bait of choice. Some anglers cut it in very fine strips to mimic sand eels, others cut it into an inch thick strip and still others like to use the whole squid.
Fresh water bite is hot
Dayton Martin and Kim Bissonnette of South County, RI fished earlier this month catching 150 bass in one outing. Ken said, “It's probably no secret that the bass are in the post spawn period. With the increase in temperatures, target fish by using warm weather patterns and strategies. Fishing is often better mornings and evenings in the cooler weather. During the day, areas of shade and other cover will produce the best. Docks, grass mats and lily pad edges will hold fish as they will be relating tighter to that type of cover. Cooler times of the day could produce a great post spawn top water bite, with slower presentations better suited as the water warms. Soft plastics like lizards, worms and stick baits work well, casting as tight to cover as possible. Don't worry about getting snagged, as it's all part of the process and helps improve casting confidence. Besides, there are still a lot of warm days ahead yet to fish this season. Sometimes downsizing to 4" can trigger a good bite as well. Slightly deeper water, along drop offs and flats, will also produce, using wacky and Carolina type rigs.”
Hess withdraws LNG proposal
Hess LNG withdrew its proposal for a liquefied natural gas terminal on the Taunton River Monday. They cited "unfavorable" economic conditions.
Take-a-kid fishing Saturday, June 18
There is still time to volunteer for the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association’s Take-a-kid fishing event Saturday morning, June 18. To volunteer, contact Steve Medeiros at 401.826.2121.
NOAA announces new aquaculture policies
Earlier this week NOAA announced national sustainable marine aquaculture policies to meet the growing demand for healthy seafood, to create jobs in coastal communities, and restore vital ecosystems. Foreign aquaculture accounts for about half of the 84 percent of seafood imported by the U.S., contributing to the $9 billion trade deficit in seafood. Learn more at http://www.noaa.gov .
Senate committee passes Seafood Marketing Collaborative bill
The Rhode Island Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture chaired by Senator Susan Sosnowski passed the Seafood Marketing Collaborative bill last week. The bill would establish an effort to facilitate the distribution and marketing of fresh RI fish to Rhode Islanders. At press time the bill was going to be moved to the Senate floor for a vote.
Where’s the bite
Striped bass. Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick, said he caught a number of bass Saturday at Warwick Neck using chucks of Menhaden. Ken said, “I would spot the on the fish finder, send down a chuck and then bam, we were on.” Ken said he hooked up with several fish using this method. John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside, said “Customers are catching plenty of small bass in the upper Bay with keepers mixed in. Most are catching them with live menhaden or chucks as well as clam worm.” Anglers at the North Rip, Block Island are catching bass with a lot of dog fish present.
Fluke fishing. Most anglers seem to be catching two to four keepers on an outing with a good bite around Jamestown, Newport, and Point Judith. Captain John Sheriff said, “Myself and four RISAA members discovered that you can effectively catch fluke in 20 knot East winds, 5 foot seas with 10 -12 ounces of weight. Paul Harrison of Fall River, MA caught an 8.5 lb fluke off Point Judith.”
Fluke fishing this week continued to improve and will just get better over the next couple of weeks. Now is the time to give it a try. Here are some helpful fluke facts and tips from the experts.
Fluke facts
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.
Fluke 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 bluefish and striped bass eat. The difference is that they feed off the bottom.
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
· Fluke are chameleons, they change color to blend with the bottom.
· Largest fluke on record is 26.6 lbs. and 36” long
Fluke tips from the experts
Capt. Rick Bellavance, Priority Too Charters, Pt. Judith, RI
“When I fluke fish with charter clients, I typically use a large style pre-rigged fluke rig which I purchase from a local bait shop. We try to use a piece of fresh bait such as the belly meat of a bluefish to act as an attractant. We use a 3-way snap swivel with a large snap to facilitate changing sinkers (which the mate does often). I believe the smallest weight that will hold bottom is best. Much of our fishing effort takes place around Block Island and just about any piece of shoreline will hold summer flounder and we always drift, usually picking the side of the island with the strongest tide or wind. When we start catching, I record the depth and I also make note of specific depths where bigger fish may be congregating… I coach our clients to drop the tip of the rod when they feel a bite and to then slowly, but deliberately, lift up on the rod to set the hook. We use circle hooks and modified wide gap hooks exclusively to reduce release mortality.”
Ken Landry, Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick, RI
Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle of Warwick says big ones are on the edges of channels, drifting from low to high water often yields big fluke. Ken said, “It’s important to drift with current and wind in the same direction. Working the channel edges off Warwick Neck Light yielded close to a 15 pound fluke. If there are fluke under the boat, Ken will find them.
Additional fluke tips
· If possible, fish when the tide/current and wind are going in the same direction
· Fluke face into the current to feed, so you want to drag your bait over them, drifting with the tide and wind when in a boat or slowing pulling your bait over the bottom when on land
· When fishing slack or flood tide with no water movement try trolling perpendicular so no matter what way the fish are facing you are passing them at least on a right angle
· When it comes to fluking, squid is the bait of choice. Some anglers cut it in very fine strips to mimic sand eels, others cut it into an inch thick strip and still others like to use the whole squid.
Fresh water bite is hot
Dayton Martin and Kim Bissonnette of South County, RI fished earlier this month catching 150 bass in one outing. Ken said, “It's probably no secret that the bass are in the post spawn period. With the increase in temperatures, target fish by using warm weather patterns and strategies. Fishing is often better mornings and evenings in the cooler weather. During the day, areas of shade and other cover will produce the best. Docks, grass mats and lily pad edges will hold fish as they will be relating tighter to that type of cover. Cooler times of the day could produce a great post spawn top water bite, with slower presentations better suited as the water warms. Soft plastics like lizards, worms and stick baits work well, casting as tight to cover as possible. Don't worry about getting snagged, as it's all part of the process and helps improve casting confidence. Besides, there are still a lot of warm days ahead yet to fish this season. Sometimes downsizing to 4" can trigger a good bite as well. Slightly deeper water, along drop offs and flats, will also produce, using wacky and Carolina type rigs.”
Hess withdraws LNG proposal
Hess LNG withdrew its proposal for a liquefied natural gas terminal on the Taunton River Monday. They cited "unfavorable" economic conditions.
Take-a-kid fishing Saturday, June 18
There is still time to volunteer for the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association’s Take-a-kid fishing event Saturday morning, June 18. To volunteer, contact Steve Medeiros at 401.826.2121.
NOAA announces new aquaculture policies
Earlier this week NOAA announced national sustainable marine aquaculture policies to meet the growing demand for healthy seafood, to create jobs in coastal communities, and restore vital ecosystems. Foreign aquaculture accounts for about half of the 84 percent of seafood imported by the U.S., contributing to the $9 billion trade deficit in seafood. Learn more at http://www.noaa.gov .
Senate committee passes Seafood Marketing Collaborative bill
The Rhode Island Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture chaired by Senator Susan Sosnowski passed the Seafood Marketing Collaborative bill last week. The bill would establish an effort to facilitate the distribution and marketing of fresh RI fish to Rhode Islanders. At press time the bill was going to be moved to the Senate floor for a vote.
Where’s the bite
Striped bass. Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick, said he caught a number of bass Saturday at Warwick Neck using chucks of Menhaden. Ken said, “I would spot the on the fish finder, send down a chuck and then bam, we were on.” Ken said he hooked up with several fish using this method. John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside, said “Customers are catching plenty of small bass in the upper Bay with keepers mixed in. Most are catching them with live menhaden or chucks as well as clam worm.” Anglers at the North Rip, Block Island are catching bass with a lot of dog fish present.
Fluke fishing. Most anglers seem to be catching two to four keepers on an outing with a good bite around Jamestown, Newport, and Point Judith. Captain John Sheriff said, “Myself and four RISAA members discovered that you can effectively catch fluke in 20 knot East winds, 5 foot seas with 10 -12 ounces of weight. Paul Harrison of Fall River, MA caught an 8.5 lb fluke off Point Judith.”
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