Free Fishing Weekend for freshwater anglers

John Migliori with a 12” golden trout he caught at Melville Pond, Portsmouth.  Take a picture with your golden trout and send it to Jessica.pena@dem.ri.gov to receive a golden trout pin.

Free Fishing Weekend for freshwater anglers

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) will hold Free Fishing Weekend Saturday, May 6^th and Sunday, May 7^th. As part of the event, the public is invited to fish without a fishing license or trout conservation stamp in the state's freshwaters.

Six local ponds will be stocked with over 6,000 rainbow trout and 4,000 golden trout for the event. Stocked waters include:  Peck Pond, Burrillville; Browning Mill Pond, Exeter; Silver Spring Lake, North Kingstown; Upper Melville Pond, Portsmouth; Meadowbrook Pond, Richmond; and Shippee Sawmill Pond, Foster.

The free fishing program was established in Rhode Island in 1995 as an opportunity to encourage people to experience freshwater fishing as a new outdoor experience and highlight some of Rhode Island’s premier freshwater fishing areas. Anglers who catch a golden trout on free fishing weekend and throughout the season will receive a free golden trout pin. Take a picture of your catch and send it to Jessica Pena at Jessica.pena@dem.ri.gov .

Free fishing weekend does not apply to saltwater fishing. Freshwater fishing regulations on size and limits apply on May 6^th and May 7th. For more information or to purchase a license, visit www.dem.ri.gov.

DEM workshop for fishermen nets some good ideas

It was about half way thought the commercial fishing workshop Tuesday night at the URI Bay Campus when fisherman John Walker recommended a change in license use regulations that made a lot of sense to most fishermen and Department of Environmental Management (DEM) staff persons in the room.

The issue was allowing two licensed fishermen fishing on the same vessel to each take their allowable catch limit (this is done now with select species).  Walker said, “When you think about the amount of fuel, the added carbon pollution and cost we incur each time we fish it makes a lot of sense to allow two licenses to work one boat… it cuts expenses in half and is a lot safer.”

Fisherman Greg Duckworth said, “This recommendation makes a lot of sense to me, whatever we have to do to make it work should be explored.” DEM is taking the suggestion under advisement and will explore if and how such a change could be implemented.

Another proposed regulation discussed at the meeting was a regulation similar to one that exists now for lobster pots.  The regulation would prevent all pots such as eel and crab pots from being raised an hour after sunset and more than an hour before sunrise.  The aim of the proposal would be to prevent poaching, however, fishermen felt the regulation would be restrictive as some fishermen now raise their pots early morning to sell crabs, or set them a dusk, etc.

Workshops such as the one held Tuesday night are designed to seek fishermen input on regulations.  Regulations and proposals discussed will be explored further and presented at a public hearing in June.

Al Gag tackle demonstration at Ocean State

Ocean State Tackle, Providence will have Al Gag of Al Gag’s Fishing Lures at their store for a demonstration on Sunday, May 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Meet the inventor of the Whip-It Eel and the Whip-It Fish and learn how to fish the lures.  For information contact Dave Henault at 401. 749.3474.

8^th Annual Customer Appreciation Day

Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren, RI will be celebrating their 8^th Annual Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, May 13^th.  Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait said, “We plan on having a number of reps on hand from a variety of manufacturers (Penn, Calcutta and a host of others). And, we will be having our traditional pig roast for customers.” 

Two quahog transplants… May 10^th and May 11^th

Two quahog transplants will take place this month.  This is the program that uses local quahogers to dig quahogs out of restricted areas and move them to clean waters. On Wednesday, May 10^th a transplant will take place at Greenwich Cove and Thursday, May 11^th a transplant will take place at Bristol Harbor, starting at the Independence Park boat ramp.  Licensed commercial shellfishermen will be paid $7/50 pound bag and those assisting with dumping $10/50 pound bad.  Both transplants will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon.

Shellfishermen should report to the on-site DEM enforcement patrol boat by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the transplant.  The shellfish transplant program is a cooperative effort between DEM, the Narragansett Bay Commission, the shellfish industry, and the RI Department of Health. 2017 transplant funding is provided by the Narragansett Bay Commission.

Where’s the Bite

Freshwater fishing continues to be very strong with anglers catching large and smallmouth bass.  The trout bite is expected to improve this weekend with DEM stocking ponds with trout and golden trout for Free Fishing weekend. See above article for ponds to be stocked or visit www.dem.ri.gov .   Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly said, “Trout fishing in DEM stocked ponds is still great and customers are catching bass and pike in Chapman Pond (Westerly).”  Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence said, “Ronnie Lippe caught a 26 pound carp in East Providence using pop-up baits.”

Tautog fishing has improved this week in the Bay with anglers catching keepers with shorts mixed in; however, fishing along the southern coastal shore was not good.  “Tautog fishing is good in RI but anglers have been keeping their fishing success to themselves as is the case in the spring time, but we know they are catching keepers somewhere." said Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters. Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown, said, “Spring fishing locations in water 15 to 25 feet has just not been good in South County.”  I fished with two anglers Saturday in the Newport and Jamestown area and had a very slow pick with two keepers and three shorts.  “Capt. Billy Silvia caught his commercial limit of tautog at Ohio Ledge this week.” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle. Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said, “We received reports of keeper tautog being caught off Newport, and all along Water Street but there are a lot of shorts mixed in.”  Joe Palmer of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle said, “No major reports of blackfish being caught yet.”

Striped bass fishing in Southern, RI is exploding.  Matt Conti of Snug Harbor said, “Bass fishing is phenomenal.  A customer caught a 31” fish off the West Wall (Harbor of Refuge) this weekend with school bass being caught in mass at the Wall and on Matunuck and Charlestown beaches.  The ponds in Charlestown, Ninigret and Narrow River are all hot too.”  Anglers have caught as many as twenty school bass on an outing in Greenwich Cove (spreading to Apponaug Cove in Warwick too). “School bass with keeper bass mixed in are being caught everywhere including the Warren River, Kicketmuit River and all the way up to Pawtucket.” said Many Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle.  “We have a lot of school bass in the 14" to 15” range being caught but no reports of keepers really arriving yet.” said Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters.

“Squid fishing is hit or miss with anglers catching as much as ½ bucket (a five gallon pail) fishing in the Newport and Jamestown.” said Manny Macedo.  “The squid are in and out depending on the day in Rhode Island with large numbers being taken in Hyannis, MA.” said Dave Henault of Ocean State.

Fooling fish with soft plastics

 A lot of shaking going on: Al Gag with his new Whip-It-Fish lure that rolls from side to side as it travels underwater while shaking its tail.

 Black sea bass bite good:  Scott Kiefer of Exeter, RI said “The wind slowed me up a little yesterday but the Sea bass are in and Large!!!!!”

Fooling fish with soft plastics

“Vibration and color are important when using soft plastic baits.” said Al Gagliarducci, owner and designer of Al Gag’s Custom Lures since 1978.  He spoke to 250 fishermen last week at a Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) seminar on ‘Fooling fish with soft plastics’ at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick, RI.

“Fish can feel vibrations and can tell the difference between light and dark…That’s why our lures are designed to move back and forth vibrating as they swim through the water.” said Gagliarducci. And, in regard to color the rule is simple.  “Bright day, bright (or light colored) lure; dark day, dark colored lure.” said Gagliarducci.

Al Gag’s Custom Lures came out with a new lure this year… the Whip-It-Fish.  Like its predecessor the Whip-It-Eel, the new lure is PVC rubber, can be used in fresh or saltwater, comes in various sizes and colors and uses the same weighted heads and hooks. 

Al  Gag said, “The Whip-It-Fish has a unique design paddle tail that allows the lure to roll from side to side as it travels though the water.”  The lure mimics a variety of bait fish including shad and silversides and is available in 3” to 6” sizes. 

“Throw one of these Whip-it-Fish off the stern and deadhead it in a rod holder and you will be surprised at what you catch.  The lure bounces off the bottom as the boat bobs up and down.”   Gagliarducci also showed his new double hook fluke rig that can be use as is or weighted using a three way swivel, however, he said, “If you are going to use a three way swivel to weight the lure make sure you have an extra long leader... about five feet… to allow that lure to bounce up and down off the bottom."

Visit www.algagsfishinglures.com for information and video links.

Seeking angler input on fisheries policy

The National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking input on our new National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy which is being developed this year.  Regional meetings, conference calls and webinars to gather input for the new policy will be held through September 12th. Recreational anglers are urged to provide input. The next webinar will be held on July 28 at 2:00 p.m. EDT, participants are asked to register in advance. To register for the webinar and for a schedule of input opportunities visit http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/management/recreational/policy/index.html

Where’s the bite

Shore fishing.  “Anglers fishing for scup on the Warren River, at Ft. Adams and all around the Bay are catching large scup in the 13” to 14” range and we had a 48” striped bass landed at Ft. Adams from shore this week.” said Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren.  “Fishing from shore for scup at Colt State Park has been good, anglers like the new extended dock, they are getting out deeper and catching larger fish.” said John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, East Providence. “Sabin Point is also seeing a lot of action from shore with a ton of sea robins, school bass, snapper blues and a lot of scup which has not been the case in recent years.” said Littlefield.  Before the storm last week Brian Therrien said, “Went down to the (Conimicut) Point last night to enjoy the cooling breezes and see what was moving. Set up for some scup with clam bellies and ten minutes later… bam, nice little striper not a keeper so he was set back but a very solid fish. A few scup after that one about 15” and broad.”  Capt. Ron Mouchon of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown, said, “Fishing from the Breachway is good, a ten year old customer landed a 41” striped bass this week using an eel.  And, scup fishing has been really good too.” Dave Pickering, striped bass fishing expert said, “I think the numbers of keeper bass from shore are down, way down.  In fact the numbers have steadily been dropping for the last few years, and this is by far the poorest year so far.”  However, Dave and his son Ben did manage to land keeper striped bass at the Cape Cod Cannel after his fifth trip there over the holiday weekend.  Dave said, “Ben and I each got a keeper.  My fish, about 15 lbs., fell for a mackerel colored Daiwa SP Minnow.  Ben's fish, a bigger one of 20-25 lbs., smashed a pencil popper on the surface.”

Summer flounder (fluke).  “Fluke fishing was good before the storm, but this weekend conditions with tide and wind were not right.” said John Wunner of John’s Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown. “Fishing in the Mt. Hope Bridge area, Newport and at the mouth of the Sakonnet River has been yielding fluke.” said Manny Macedo of Lucky’s Bait & Tackle. John Wunner of John’s Bait said a kayak angler fishing the Monahan’s Dock area in Narragansett  landed a 22” fluke this weekend and in the Bay a seven pound fish was taken on the east side of Warwick Neck in the seminary cove area.”  Don Smith, noted striped bass and expert fluke fisherman said, “Fished the south side of Block Island (Sunday) in 65' to 70' of water. Used squid strips and spearing for bait, hi-lo fluke rigs with 6 oz. fluke balls on the bottom because of the wind. We kept nothing under 20" and threw back a lot of 18" and 19" fluke… (kept) nine fluke all between 5 and 7 lbs.”  Angler Dennis Talos who fished the Newport Bridge area this Sunday said, “Lots of boats moving around, didn't look like anyone was catching. Still pretty choppy out there.” Roger Simpson of the Francis Fleet said, “Fluke and sea bass fishing remains strong despite some stormy weather late in the week… Wednesday and Monday (of last week) were the best days overall… many fish over 4 lbs and quite a few over 6 lbs.” Last week Mike Bucko of Bucko Bait & Tackle, Fall River said, “The fishing at Sakonnet Point for fluke has been good, a lot of fluke being caught, the ratio is four fish to one keeper. Most of the customers start with squid and change over to fluke bellies.”

Striped bass fishing was fair this weekend as anglers did not get out due to high winds.  “Anglers continue to catch striped bass in the channel at Conimicut Light area using chucked Atlantic Menhaden with tube and worm yielding bass too in the Barrington Beach are.” said John Littlefield of Archie’s bait.  Capt. Ron Mouchon of Breachway Bait & Tackle said, “I was out after the storm and the striped bass are still holding on the reefs along the southern coastal shore… black sea bass and fluke fishing are still great too.”

Black sea bass fishing is very good with many anglers catching their limit of three fish.  John Wunner of John’s Bait, North Kingstown said, “Richard Sears of North Kingstown landed a five pound black sea bass when fishing the Newport Bridge area.  Another angler fishing the Monahan Dock area in Narragansett landed sea bass to 3.2 pounds.” Tom Fegtherston said “(Sunday) ran to 55' south of East Gap (of the Harbor of Refuge, Narragansett). Good marks, began bailing sea bass, some double headers. Non-stop 0700-0800.”

Scup fishing has exploded in our Bays and off coastal shores.  John Wunner of John’s Bait said, “The scup have been very large.  This Sunday a customer landed a 21” scup off the northern end of Jamestown.”