Bluefin tuna running hard

 Alex Appolonia of North Kingstown with the 80 pound bluefin tuna he caught last week when fishing with his father and uncle at the Dump (about 50 miles offshore).

 The Maridee II crew with the 40” bluefin they caught last week 50 miles offshore.

 A total of fifty veterans, family members, friends and care givers fished on charter boats from the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association last week.

Steve Brustein and Kevin Fetzer caught over 22 keeper fluke and black sea bass fishing in the windmill area off Block Island Saturday.

Bluefin tuna running hard

Fishing offshore can be very exciting and challenging.  You travel long distances, sometimes in rough seas and bad weather. 

However, when a bluefin tuna hits your rig going 30 miles/hour it all becomes very exciting.  And, you see things offshore that are remarkable.  Sites you do not ordinarily see along the coastal shore and in the bays.

You see porpoise, all types of whales and more exotic fish like marlin, mahi mahi and Wahoo.  And, the big prize that most seek is the tuna. 

Last week bluefin tuna (BFT) fishing exploded off Rhode Island shores.  The bluefin were not 100 miles out at the canyons, nor were they off Cape Cod but about 50 to 60 miles offshore at a place called the Dump.  Here’s what happened.

Matt Conti of Sung Harbor Marina said, “All the bait and food is at the Dump not further out at the Canyons.  Whales were at the southern sections of the dump with some large fish being caught and they are catching 40” to 60” bluefin tuna with yellowfin tuna mixed in at the northern end of the Dump.  Most guys have switched to tuna fishing from shark fishing but there are still plenty of sharks around too.”

I spoke with Matt yesterday and he said, “The northeast wind and rough seas kept boats at the dock
Tuesday and Wednesday this week, however, it may be a good thing as the water may cool just a bit and keep all the bait in place.”

Alex Appolonia of North Kingstown caught an 80 pound bluefin at the Dump Thursday.  He was fishing with his father Eric on his Uncle David Appolonia’s boat.  

Avid offshore fisherman Richard Pastore said, “We started fishing at the Fingers which is just above the center of the Dump at about 7:30 a.m. on Saturday with whales, birds, dolphin and a one degree temperature break.  Schools of medium size bluefin tuna were breaking on the surface… at 8:00 a.m. a fish hit and almost spooled me until I finally turned it.  A few minutes later we gaffed a 51” BFT which weighed about 100 pounds. An hour later the black bar hooks up again with another identical fish. Their bellies were jammed with sand eels to the point where I don’t know how they expected to swallow the 14” squid that they hit on my spreader bar.” 

Capt. Rick Bellavance said, “The charter boat Maridee II got into some 40 inch Bluefin tuna on Sunday within 50 miles from Point Judith.  “I spoke with my brother Doug Thursday at 9 a.m. and they had boated their fist bluefin.” said Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly. 

Charter Fishing Association says ‘thanks for serving’

Last Tuesday, July 26 twelve charter fishing vessels from the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association took veterans fishing aboard their vessels out of the Port of Galilee.   It was the third year in a row that veterans, many of them with disabilities, family members, friends and care givers (about fifty of them) where out on the water with charter fishing association members in Rhode Island.

Everyone on the trip caught fish.  Capt. Rick Bellavance, president of the RIPCBA, said, “The veterans caught black sea bass, scup, fluke, striped bass and sea robins. We thank them all from the bottom of our hearts for their service and tremendous sacrifices.”

Jenny McLaughlin, adaptive sports case manager from the VA Boston Healthcare System said, “I continue to be humbled by the number of captains that continue to come out each year and volunteer/donate their time and boats for our Veterans to fish… the captains and mates did great accommodating each Veteran and their ability.”

Tautog season opens

The recreational tautog season opened August 1 and will run through October 14^th with a three fish/person/day catch limit.  In the next period of the season, from October 15^th to December 15^th the catch limit will jump to six fish/person/day. A maximum of ten fish per vessel applies during all periods.

Where’s the bite

Freshwater fishing has slowed with warming water.  Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence said, “Largemouth bass are still being caught at Turner Reservoir in Rumford and at Ten Mile River.  Pickerel perch, bass, trout and carp (on the north side) are being caught a Lincoln Woods.”

Summer flounder and black sea bass.  Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown, said, “The windmill area at Block Island was pretty good Sunday for fluke and there are plenty of black sea bass being caught too.”  Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “It seems that the fluke and black sea bass action has moved south of the Jamestown and Newport Bridges and out in front.”  This weekend I fished with Kevin Fetzer and Steve Brustein at the Block Island windmills and did well with black sea bass and fluke to 24 inches. “The fluke bite is now off Block Island or along the coastal shore with few fish being caught in the Bay.” said Dave Henault of Ocean Stale Tackle.

“Bluefish in the Bay at Ohio Ledge and Barrington Beach have been big in the 12 and 13 pound range.” said Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick.  Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle said, “Huge blue fish in the 40” range are being caught in the Seekonk River and other parts of the Bay.”

“The Scup bite has been very strong at Warwick Light, Sabin Point, Colt State Park, the Mt. Hope Bridge and the fish have been big… some topping 20”.” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle.  Anglers continue to catch scup around any structure in the Bay.  Add water movement that pushes around the bait and the bite improves tremendously.

“Striped bass fishing remained strong at night at Block Island and is better during the day than it was with anglers successfully using eels as bait.” said Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina.  “Anglers are catching striped bass off Newport in the Brenton Reef area.” said Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait.  Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown said, “Customers are catching striped bass off Newport and Jamestown using both eels and Atlantic menhaden.  Block Island has been good for bass too.”

Bonito are here.  No reports of big numbers being caught yet but anglers at Block Island and along the coastal shore have hooked up.  Angler Eric Appolonia reported catching a bonito when trolling with an umbrella rig at the southwest ledge area of Block Island two weeks ago.  Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle report a customer caught one in the Pt. Judith area this weekend.

Thresher puts up 5 hour 40 minute fight

 Maridee II charter customers led by Tim Boynton and the 422 pound thresher they caught this weekend.

 AJ Dangelo of the Maridee II charter boat out of Galilee holds the tail of the 15 foot, 422 pound thresher shark they caught at the Gulley this weekend.

 Travis Barao of East Providence with the 7.2 pound fluke he caught off Newport earlier this month.

 Ethan Masciarelli (12 years old) of North Kingstown landed this 55.40 pound striped bass last week with an assist from his grandfather operating the boat chasing down the fish.

 Chris Pomeroy of Woodbury, CT landed this 9.25 pound fluke off Block Island aboard the Jeanie B charter boat captained by Russ Benn of the Seven B’s.

 Roger Tellier of North Kingstown with Capt. Dave Monti of Warwick and fluke caught off Newport last week.

Steve Medeiros of Coventry (RISAA president) with a fluke he caught Friday.

Thresher puts up 5 hour 40 minute fight

“It was the hardest fighting fish I’ve ever experienced.” said AJ Dangelo mate on the charter fishing vessel Maridee II. 

“At first when we hooked the thresher shark at 10:30 a.m. we stared out with each of the guys (led by customer Tim Boynton) going 15 minutes or so on the reel but by the end of the fight they were switching off every two minutes.  We had already caught three blue sharks and two makos that were released so when we hooked this fish we had already had a full day.

The fish fought hard and we didn’t see it until 2:30 p.m. but it didn’t offer a harpoon shot.  At 4:10 p.m. we were able to grab the leader and get the harpoon in her to end the five hour and forty minute battle.” 

The thresher was 422 pounds and fifteen feet long and was caught this weekend at the Gully fishing grounds. The Maridee II is captained by Andy Dangelo.

Shore fishing good and getting better

Steve McKenna noted striped bass shore angler and lecturer said, “Fishing has been pretty productive both in June and in July so far compared to recent years… particularly my last three trips in July.”  Steve fishes Narragansett and Jamestown shores using artificial lures of all types.  “The bite now is at night as the water has warmed.  We’ll fish at night until the end of September and then based on conditions will then try daytime fishing.”

“Fishing from shore has been very good.” said John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside. “Scup fishing has been excellent from shore at Sabin Point, Providence and other locations all along the Providence shore as well as from Barrington Beach.  Anglers are using clam tongue, worms and squid with success. Striped bass have been caught from the Barrington Bridge in the 27” range with blue crabs fishing being very production particularly in 100 Acre Cove.”, said Littlefield.

Julian Trozzi of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown said, “Fishing from the Charlestown Breachway has been very good with anglers landing keeper sized striped bass, black sea bass, scup and some very large blue fish.  The bite is also good out in front from boats close to shore.”

DEM Environmental Police presentation Monday

“Some anglers complain that they are never around when they see a violation, while others complain they are around too often.” said Steve Medeiros, president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA). Learn how DEM’s Enforcement Division works, its structure, challenges and responsibilities at a RISAA seminar Monday, July 27, 7:00 p.m. at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick. Separate dinner available from the West Valley Inn starting at 5:30 p.m. Non-members asked to donate $10 to RISAA’s scholarship fund when arriving, RISAA members attend free.  For additional information visit www.risaa.org .

Where’s the bite

“Striped bass fishing has been good at Block Island but you have to work for them.” said Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick.  “We are no longer fishing in the Bay but have been fishing with eels mostly at night at Block Island.  Some anglers are going just for a few hours and are leaving without success, but those that are working the tide changes and putting their time in are producing some very nice fish.  Ethan Masciarelli (12 years old) of North Kingstown landed a 55.4 pound striped bass last week.  He fought the fish by himself with his grandfather chasing it down with the boat.” said Landry.  John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle said Block Island is hit or miss.  Some customers go there and do well one day and then return and do poorly the next day.” Skip Stritzinger who fished Block Island last week said on the RISAA blog, “…we moved inshore in 25-35 feet.  It does not seem to matter where you are at the Island.   Southeast, Southwest or Northeast, the fish are stacked.   Flipping down wind and getting eels into the zone seems to help.  The fish are following the others so a second drift on the same spot is often not effective. At the same time throwing to followers is fun and a friend of mine hooked up well using Slug Go’s doing just that.   Smaller eels are better (as long as you can get them down).  No weight whenever possible. Keep it strealthish and slow.”

“Fluke fishing at Warwick Light has been good as well as Conimicut.” said Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle. “Anglers are jigging for summer flounder at Conimicut Light just east of the channel and are doing well.” said Littlefield of Archie’s Bait.  The Newport and Jamestown areas continue to be productive for fluke.  “Fish are being caught in 90 feet of water around the Newport Bridge.” said Ferrara. Travis Barao caught a 7.2 pound fluke off Newport when fishing the RISAA team fluke tournament.   I have been fishing in the Jamestown and Newport area six times in the last ten days and have done well.  Fished with RISAA president Steve Medeiros and RISAA secretary, Roger Tellier, both landed multiple fluke to 26”. Capt. Russ Benn of the Seven B’s was out on his charter boat the Jeanie B at Block Island this week and said, “Customer Chris Pomeroy of Woodbury, CT landed a 9.25 pound fluke.”  “Fluke fishing has been very good out in front of Charlestown.” said Julian Trozzi of Breachway Bait. Roger Simmons of the Frances Fleet said, “White flies and buck tail jigs were mentioned a few times by the crew as being productive, especially when conditions were more difficult. Generally seeing the fluke spitting up squid and some sand eels.”

Scup/bluefish.  “Scup fishing has been good at Hope Island and Sally Rock.” said Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait with bluefish showing up at Ohio Ledge.  “Bluefish seem to be more plentiful this year as they have been on the decline in recent years.” said Littlefield.  Anglers are catching many in the three to four pound range but some very large fish are being landed too.

Offshore fishing for tuna and sharks remained good this week.   

Freshwater. Noted area fly fisherman Ed Lombardo said, “Fished the Wood River on Monday night and the Hex hatch was at its best to date. Still not quite like it has been in past years but much better and more fish where up feeding on these Big Macs coming down the river. I fish my spinner pattern during the hatch, it works very well.”