Get ready… Opening Day is Saturday, April 8th

 Jacob Ayotte landed this 26 pound carp and then a 23.9 pound carp last Sunday night using a pineapple soluble bait.

 Silver Spring Lake in South County is a favorite spot for families fishing on Opening Day.

This 16 pound striped bass was caught by Capt. Rob Taylor's friend Matt (show in picture) just south for the Hurricane Barrier in the Providence River Basin.  "The herring were on the surface and the hold-over bass were feeding on them.", said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle.

Get ready… Opening Day is Saturday, April 8^th

Opening day of the freshwater fishing and trout season is Saturday, April 8^th.  The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) plans to stock 80,000 trout into 100 Rhode Island waterways.  New this year, Carbuncle Pond in Coventry will be stocked with brown and rainbow trout. 

Lake Tiogue in Coventry will not be stocked this year due to low water issues, and St. Mary’s Pond in Portsmouth will not be stocked. Beginning next fall and into the future, large brown trout will be stocked at Carbuncle Pond in Coventry with the goal of developing this location into a brown trout angling destination.

On Saturday, April 8, a children’s fishing derby will be held at Pondarosa Park Pond in Little Compton.  And on Saturday and Sunday, April 8 and April 9, fishing in Cass Pond in Woonsocket, Slater Park Pond in Pawtucket, and Ponderosa Park Pond in Little Compton will be reserved for children 14 years and under. 

A current fishing license and a Trout Conservation Stamp are required to keep or possess a trout or to fish in a catch-and-release or 'fly-fishing only' area.  The daily creel and possession limit for trout is five from April 8, 2017 through November 30, 2017, and two from December 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018. 

Visit www.dem.ri.gov for licensing information, a list of waterways that will be stocked and regulations.

Saltwater fishing from shore

The more I learn about fishing, the more I realize that to be successful at it, you need to do your homework.  Monday night I was taught how to do my homework to be a successful shore fisherman by two local experts…Peter Jenkins, owner of the Saltwater Edge, Middletown and Capt. Chris Aubut of Aubut Rod Company. Peter is also the Lead Instructor at the Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing School and an avid surfcaster and fly rod fisherman as the situation dictates

“What we look for from shore are edges.  What I mean by edges is the change between hi and low water, shadow lines of docks (and bridges) at night, edges of sand bars and banks, and edges of moving and standing water” said Peter Jenkins at the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association meeting to a group of about 180 anglers at the West Warwick Elks Lodge.

Most gamefish, like striped bass for example, set themselves up on edges or near edges to ambush and take advantage of prey (bait) that may be feeding or may be getting tossed or pushed along by moving water, currant and tide.

“You can learn a lot from the birds… like what type of bait might be in the water that the fish are feeding on.  If they are seagulls they can eat large baits, like herring and Atlantic menhaden, if small birds are on bait, such as terns you know they are after smaller bait possibly Bay anchovies as they could not lift large baits.  Knowing what bait is in the water helps you target fish with the correct lure." said Jenkins.

Another key tip is to remember that hard structure such as cliffs, rock formations and boulder fields hold bait such as cunner (choggies), black fish (tautog) and scup in the structure at both high and low tides.  So these areas can be fished anytime.

One last tip suggested by Jenkins and Aubut is check out the location you plan to fish during a moon low tide so you can see the contour, where the edges,  pools and sand bars are located.  “I surf and fish from shore but I got a whole different perspective of what was really under the water where I fish by putting a mask, snorkel and fins on and taking a dip to see what the bottom was like where I fish.  I quickly learned why this particular stop usually held fish.  The bottom was loaded with an active mussel bed that smaller fish and striped bass would feed on.” said Capt. Aubut.

Visit www.saltwateredge.com and www.aubutrods.com for additional information and fishing tips.

Pre-owned Hinckley Yachts can now be guaranteed

Hinckley Yachts of Portsmouth, RI introduced there first Certified Pre-Owned Program last week at an owners rendezvous in Key Largo, Florida.   I always stop by the Hinckleys at boat shows as they are the gold standard of luxury yachts.

The new program offers buyers of previously owned Hinckley Yachts a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program that includes extended warranties and the assurance that their purchase bas been factory maintained.

Peter O’Connell, Hinckley CEO said, "Many Hinckleys that reach the used boat market have not only been built by Hinckley, but they have been maintained throughout their life by our own staff. We know these boats, we know that they've been properly serviced, we represent them in the marketplace, so our confidence in them is very high."

To qualify for CPO status a Hinckley must have been serviced in the company’s seven service operations, or in a yard authorized to service Hinckley products.  Boats then undergo inspection and must be listed for sale with a Hinckley-owned sales office.  There is no program cost to the sellers or buyers.

The first pre-owned Hinckleys are expected to be available this month.  For information visit www.hinckleyyachts.com.

Where’s the bite

Striped bass.  “Fishing was off a couple of weeks ago when the water cooled but in February and January we had some good striped bass hold over fishing in the Providence River.  One of my customers fishes the Providence River and has caught 40 to 50 school striped bass this winter.” said John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside.  Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence said, “Capt. Rob Taylor and his friend Matt targeted striped bass one warm night earlier this week in the Providence River Basin.  The herring were active and so were the striped bass.  They landed a 34”, 16 pound striped bass along with a number of fish in the 26” to 31” range.”

Freshwater fishing.  Carp fishing continues to remain strong and with the start of spring carp fishing is getting better.  Jacob Ayotte landed a 26 pound carp in a Rhode Island pond using pop-up baits and then he landed a second 23.9 pound fish. He is a carp expert who caught three 30 pound fish last year and is scheduled to start working at Ocean State Tackle next week as our in-house carp expert.” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle.  Ayotte said, “Very special fish for me last evening (Sunday) maybe my most significant of the season. I have been home rolling boilies (boiled paste fishing balls) all winter and started baiting them a week and a half ago but the weather has not been cooperating. I had been sticking with a pop-up over the bed (of leaves) as I felt it was my best bet for a bite, however, this weekend showed some more mild weather with light rain. I decided now was a good time to give them a go.  Just under two hours in on my second short session using a pineapple soluble my right rod was off and I landed a beautiful 23 pound, 9 once fish.  Very, very happy with this one!” 

“With no ice to speak of in January and February we have had very little ice fishing.” said Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick. John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait said, “We had some customers ice fish in Rhode Island early in March as the water was colder then than in winter, but it is all over now. We did have a couple of anglers see DEM stocking area ponds with trout for Opening Day, April 8^th, but nothing at Willett Avenue Pond in Riverside yet.”

Cod fishing. Make sure vessels are fishing the day you want to go.  Dianne Valerien of the Seven B’s party boat said, “Cod fishing this week as been spotty.”  Party boats sailing for cod fish at this time include the Frances Fleet at www.francesfleet.com , the Seven B’s (with Capt. Andy Dangelo at the helm) at www.sevenbs.com, and the Island Current at www.islandcurrent.com .

Saltwater fly fishing flourishing in Little Rhody



Mike Swain of Coventry landed fluke to 5.5 pounds off Jamestown and Newport this Saturday.

Scott Kiefer and his dog landed this 36” striped bass off Prudence Island last week using a Sebile Koolie Minnow.



Capt. Roland Guyette of Offshore Charters landed this summer flounder (fluke) in 53 feet of water off the center wall of the Harbor of Refuge.



Vinnie Catauro of East Greenwich landed eleven bass to 36” while fishing in Narragansett Bay last week.



Brandon Hagopian of Cranston landed this 30 pound striped bass from shore in Providence Monday using 12 pound test line and light tackle.


Saltwater fly fishing flourishing in Little Rhody

Rhode Island has played a huge role in the development of saltwater fly fishing.  Our miles of coastline are perfectly suited to cast a fly and an abundance of sport fish such as striped bass and bluefish in the spring and bonito and false albacore in the fall made us the perfect place for saltwater fly fishing to flourish.

Rhode Island’s fly fishing clubs such as the Rhody Fly Rodders (the oldest saltwater fly fishing club in America) and its members have paved the way nationally for saltwater fly fishing.

This year, the Orvis Company recognized that Rhode Island is the perfect place to saltwater fly fish and is holding their highly acclaimed Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing School at The Saltwater Edge, 1037 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown, RI.

The two day school is being held on four weekends in the spring and two weekends in the fall.  Anglers  will learn how to tie essential knots, how to choose gear and tackle, proper fly selection, how to read water, currents and ties, and how to play, land and release fish safely.

Saltwater Edge owner Peter Jenkins said, “This is a comprehensive two day course that provides a solid foundation in the sport.” The Saltwater Edge also offers their own clinic for beginners. Jenkins said, “We also offer a Saltwater Fly Fishing 101 Clinic that provides a brief introduction and a bit of casting instruction.”  

For information call the Saltwater Edge at 401.842.0062 or visit www.orvis.com to learn more about the two day course. 

Commercial fishing agenda at RIMFC

The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC), which makes commercial and recreational saltwater fishing regulation recommendations, met Monday to address primarily commercial fishing issues.

Highlights include establishing a fall opening of the Narragansett Bay Maine Life Management Area to Atlantic menhaden purse seine commercial vessels after September 1 each year in areas south of the Jamestown and Newport Bridges as well as the area south of the line from Fogland Point to Sandy Point in the Sakonnet River.  The conditional opening would occur only if the states quota has not been exhausted or if the Episodic Event Set Aside Program has been enacted in RI.  A possession limit of 25,000 pound will be allowed in the area.

Regulations for commercial fishermen using cast nets or rod and reel to catch Atlantic menhaden were liberalized as well.  The council voted to recommend to the DEM director that commercial fishers should be allowed to fish on weekends and holidays for Atlantic menhaden supplying fishermen with bait on the weekends. 

Mike Bucko of Bucko Bait & Tackle Fall River said, “I support this new regulation as it will supply recreational fishermen with a fresh supply of Atlantic menhaden on the weekends too.”

In other important business the RIMFC unanimously elected Councilman Christopher Rein (an environmental engineer) to the position of chairman of the Industry Advisory Committee (IAC).  This year the IAC is scheduled to make important commercial fishing regulation recommendations reviewing, revising and updating many of the older fishing regulations in Rhode Island.

The council also heard alarming concerns for commercial fishermen about the rigid black sea bass, tautog and summer flounder regulations now in place in Rhode Island and all along the coast.  Fishermen said they were being driven out of business and asked that the RIMFC formulate a plan to address their concerns regionally where regulations are made.

RIMFC chairman Robert Ballou suggested that the issue be placed the agenda of the next meeting so DEM staff can relate stock status, regional fishing management plans, etc. for these species as well as hear concerns and recommendations that fishermen may have.

 

House approves reauthorization of fisheries act

Tuesday night the U.S. House of Representatives approved, by a 225-152 vote, H.R. 1335,  a revision and reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (MSA).

The MSA is the primary federal law governing U.S. fisheries management.

In a statement, Robert C. Vandermark, executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network, said "We are disappointed with the House passage of HR 1335. The legislation passed by the House undermines the strong science and conservation measures within the current law and promotes greater uncertainty in the future management of our fisheries.” 

A version of the bill will now be taken up with the U.S. Senate.  Vandermark said, “We hope the Senate will follow in the tradition of Senators Magnuson and Stevens and work across the aisle to draft a bill that builds upon the law’s success and strengthens it to meet the new challenges our oceans and fisheries face. We look forward to working with the Senate to renew the Magnuson-Stevens Act for the benefit of fishermen, seafood business owners, coastal communities, and all Americans who rely on healthy oceans and productive fisheries."

In a press release issued yesterday by Save our Seafood, a commercial fishing industry organization, supporters said, “This bill will provide more flexibility in stock rebuilding and schedules as well as ease other regulatory burdens.”

Several key provisions of the bill include a provision that reforms the current 10 year stock rebuilding timeline to allow for more flexibility, as well as language that aims to make the management process more transparent by requiring the live broadcast of fishery management council meetings as well as making other materials publicly available.

The bill also included an amendment authored by Massachusetts Congressmen Keating, Lynch, and Moulton that would redirect the money in NOAA's Asset Forfeiture Fund to pay for fisheries research, at-sea and shore side monitoring costs, and other priorities to "rebuild or maintain sustainable fisheries, ensure healthy ecosystems, and maintain fishing communities."

Where’s the bite

Striped bass. Angler Scott Kiefer fished the Prudence Island area last week and landed a half dozen striped bass including a 36” fish.   Scott said, “They loved the Sebile Koolie Minnow and I had the Bay to myself which is great for East Greenwich Bay.”  Al Conti of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown, said, “The boats are just getting out today (Wednesday) for the first time four days due to the weather.  However, the school bass bite in Potter and Salt Ponds has been very good.” Last week Vinnie Catauro of East Greenwich landed eleven striped bass in the Bay to 36”.   John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside said, “Things opened up for the big bass last Wednesday and Thursday from Port Edgewood to south of Conimicut Light.  I weighted in a 27 pound fish.  Another customer said he landed a 42” fish using a live poggy (Atlantic menhaden) in front of Port Edgewood Marina (Cranston).  He would put down a pogy and within five seconds a fish would pick it up.  Chucked pogies and umbrella rigs seemed to be working too. Friday there were 28 boats around Conimicut Light as the commercial pogy boats had taken a lot of the bait south of the light last week.” Capt. Ron Mouchon of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown said, “No bass have shown up at Block Island but we continue to catch school bass all along the southern coastal shore.  The largest fish I heard about last week was 39”.”  Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick, said, “Things opened up for bass fishing this week… Friday and Saturday early in the morning were the best days with anglers catching fish using live and chunked Atlantic menhaden as well as umbrella rigs. My daughter caught a 36” bass trolling near Bullocks Point light marker.” Brandon Hagopian landed a 30 pound striped bass from the Providence shore Monday.  His father said, “He was using 12 pound test line and light tackle.”

Summer flounder (fluke). Capt. Roland Guyette of Offshore Charters was fishing on his own this weekend and landed some nice fluke off the center wall of the Harbor of Refuge in 53 feet of water.  Capt. Guyette used a double buck tail rig, white and blue. His friend George Cioe said, “The largest fish hit the bottom blue rig baited with squid.”  Angler Mike Swain of Coventry and his fishing partner landed seven nice keeper fluke to 5.5 pounds Saturday fishing locations off Jamestown and Newport.  They were using squid for bait. Capt. Ron Mouchon of Breachway Bait & Tackle said, “We held our Annual Fundraiser Fluke Tournament for the food bank this weekend and the first place 6.25 pound fish was caught by Jonathan Cambridge of Boston.  Second place at 5.22 pounds went to Bob Jolly and third place at 4.76 went to Nick Thatcher.  All fish were caught west of New Harbor, Block Island.”  Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait, said “Customers are starting to catch fluke at Austin Hollow, Jamestown and at the Jamestown and Newport Bridges.”

Black sea bass are not legal to take at this time.  I landed and put back six nice black sea bass in the 15 to 16 1/2 inch range when fishing for summer flounder off Newport this weekend. The sea bass were returned to the water as the season starts July 2 (one fish/angler/day) at 14 inches and then on September 1 it jumps to seven fish/angler/day.

“Tautog fishing was good right to the end.” said John Wunner of John’s Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown.  John said he weighed in a 11 ½ pound fish last week and the customer caught two additional nice fish.  Tautog season ended May 31^st and is now closed for the spawning season.  It will open once again August 1.