What I liked at the Saltwater Fishing Show

Elisa Jackman and father Al Conti of Snug Harbor Marina had their hands fill servicing customers at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show.

Carlin O’Hara, age 11 of Cranston, RI with two nice cod fish he caught aboard the Francis Fleet during his February school vacation.

The Lonely Angler fishing lure company had a strong showing at the New England Fishing Show. Three generations are active in the wooden fishing lure business Jack Wilson (front, 11 years old), Ben, John and Nancy Wilson.

What I liked at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show

The New England Saltwater Fishing Show this past weekend, was a big success with high attendance (over 10,000, the highest ever) and great vender sales for those selling fishing rods, reels, line, tackle and much more. Here are some highlights.

Ranger boats have been used for freshwater and skinny water saltwater fishing in places like Florida. However, that has now changed with the Bahia 220, a 22 foot center console now being sold by Wood Boat & Motor in Warwick, RI. The Bahia 220 is made with more freeboard than other Ranger models especially for saltwater use in the Northeast. This vessel features a fish box, a bait well and plenty of storage space for tackle. The boat also features a dry storage locker for fishing rods as well as a place for an optional electric motor on the bow for getting the boat in perfect position to catch that big fish. Find out about the Ranger boats at Wood Boat & Motor on Saturday, call for a reservation a 401.739.4040.

Snug Harbor Marine, South Kingstown, RI had a lot to offer show attendees. Rods, reels and fishing tackle were on sale and Al Conti and his family were there offering customers their collective experiences. Fishing rods made for jigging were one of the hot items at the show along with reels of all types. Al Conti’s daughter Elisa Jackman said, “Business has been excellent, better than last year. We’ve been selling all types of fishing rods and reels.”

The Lonely Angler is primarily a wood fishing lure company with three generations active in the business. There’s John Wilson and his wife Nancy, their son Ben who founded the company with his Dad and Jack (Ben’s son) who is eleven years old. All four of them where working The Lonely Anglers booth and the show.

Since the company was founded a decade ago, they have hand-crafted and sold thousands of lures. The process is simple. The wooden lures are individually weighted by John and painted by Ben. They are all hand-assembled - including the holographic lures - with the highest quality components, using holographic eyes and VMC hooks exclusively. Visit the at http://www.lonelyangler.com/ .

DJ Muller is a surf caster fishing guide and author. He is energetic, enthusiastic and very eager to teach others how to surf cast and achieve their personal fishing goals. He lives in New Jersey, but he and his crew fish Block Island, Cuttyhunk, Cape Cod, Montauk, Martha’s Vineyard and anywhere else the bass are in the Northeast. He takes groups fishing overnight, does one-on-one fishing guide service, offers an eight hour Bass Class and has a unique surf caster service called Harbor Pilot. Harbor Pilot is an on line surf casting coaching service that encourages anglers to plan their fishing trips to achieve goals. Fishermen e-mail DJ their fishing plans, get his advice and then check in with him after the trip. This method of surf casting coaching has helps hundreds of anglers achieve their fishing goals. Visit DJ Muller at http://www.djmullersurcaster.com/ .

Hummingbird Electronics and Minn Kota Motor workshop
Now is the time to learn more about electronics and electric motors at the Wood Boat & Motor, (Warwick, RI) workshop this Saturday, March 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Regional representatives from Minn Kota Trolling Motors and Hummingbird Electronics will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Come and see the new Talon Shallow Water Anchor with special pricing available for this weekend. Call Debbie Wood for a reservation at 401.739.4040.

East Bay Anglers spring fishing flea market
The East Bay Anglers will hold their Spring Fishing Flea Market on Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. the 12:00 noon inside at the Riverside Sportsman’s Club, East Providence, RI. The cost of a table to sell your stuff is $25. The cost to attend the flea market is $2 (children free). This is for both fresh and saltwater gear. Call Dave Fewster for information at 401.230.8201.

Rhody Fly Rodders to hold striped bass seminar
The March meeting of the Rhody Fly Rodders will be held Tuesday, March 20, 6:30 p.m. at the Riverside Sportsmen’s Club, East Providence, RI. The guest presenter will be Dean L. Clark, from Stripers Forever. Stripers Forever, is a non-profit, internet-based conservation organization, seeking game fish status for wild striped bass on the Atlantic Coast. Mr. Clark will present what are the latest challenges for this great game fish and what we can do to help. Also, he will include a presentation about Striper fishing on the “Cape”. Free coffee & cookies, door prize and bucket raffles. Open to the general public. Fly tiers are invited to tie before the presentation. From Providence take I-195 to exit 7, bear right on the ramp and follow Rt. 114 south (Wampanoag Trail) for 2 miles. Look for WPRO studios on left, then take first u-turn back to Rt. 114 north. Continue north and look for the Riverside Sportsmen’s Club sign on right.


Saltwater fishing regulations for 2012 are final
Visit the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) web site at http://www.dem.ri.gov/ for a complete list of 2012 recreational fishing regulations. Many of the regulations are status quo. Two big changes include an increase in scup from 10 to 20 fish/person/day with a season from May 1 to September 26. Fluke (summer flounder) experienced a slight liberalization as well… 18.5 inch minimum with a season that runs from May 1 to December 31 with a liberalized possession limit of seven to eight fish/person/day lint.