I like the idea of artificial reefs

Photo: Black Sea Bass found on the artificial reef off Newport, Rhode Island

I like the idea of artificial reefs. Items placed under the water that are there because man put them there to attract fish. Studies show that one square yard of reef can hold 3,500 juvenile crabs and up to 135 immature fish. One square foot of structure just three to four feet high can support up to 100,000 tiny creatures like mussels, clams, crabs, worms and shrimp. Artificial reefs attract bottom fish such as cod, fluke and black sea bass. They also host non-bottom dwellers in areas above the reefs.
An article titled “Reef Madness” by Gary Caputi (January 2010 issue of Saltwater Sportsman magazine) relates that the state of New Jersey is the poster child for artificial reef construction. New Jersey boasts 15 manmade reefs that have been constructed over the past 25 years. The list of items and material that dress the reefs is impressive and includes 7.5 million cubic yard of dredge rubble and demolition concrete, 158 sunken vessels, 397 tanks and armored personnel carriers, 269 subway cars, 31 railroad flatcars, 5,500 concrete reef balls and 16,500 other concrete castings.
Caputi relates that although reefs only cover one percent of the fishable area off the New Jersey coast, reefs account for approximately one of every four fish caught by anglers. Studies in New Jersey show reefs not only concentrate fish, but they help expand stocks. There is eight to ten times more marine life on reefs than on open bottom.
This article on reefs peaked my curiosity. Where are the artificial reefs in Rhode Island? A state roughly 37 miles wide and 48 miles long with over 400 miles of coastline has to have some artificial reefs.
We do have artificial reefs in Rhode Island, however, the program is just three years old. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) began construction of two inshore reef sites in March of 2006 and concluded work in August, 2007. The sites are off Newport to the south and both were built with debris from the old Jamestown Bridge. In 2007 one of the reefs was created off Sheep’s Point. The second reef site is located off Gooseberry. Coordinates of both sites can be found on page 13 of DEM’s 2009 Abstract of Marine Fisheries Rules and Regulations. The publication can also be found on DEM’s website at http://www.dem.ri.gov/.
I asked Nicole Lengyel, the DEM marine biologist responsible for DEM’s reef project, if anglers are fishing the artificial reefs. I asked if there is sea life and fish on the reefs. Lengyel said, “Few fisherman are aware of the reefs and few are fishing them”. She said that this year DEM hopes to post a form on their website so anglers can report fish that are caught on the reefs.
Richard Hittinger, chairman of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association reef committee and a member of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council, was and has been instrumental in the artificial reef movement in Rhode Island. Hittinger states that last year he brought a diver out to dive on the reefs to check out the sea life. The diver found fish, documenting his findings with photos of fluke, scup and sea bass on and around the reefs. Hittinger said, “Fish are on the reef but divers and anglers must be aware of the dangerous rebar protruding four and five feet from chucks of concrete on the bottom”.
Hittinger finds it disappointing that the State of Rhode Island still has no artificial reef plan in place. On a couple of occasions the RISAA reef committee wanted to continue to dress the reefs by sinking donated vessels on reef sites to add structure, but with no plan in place DEM was unable to grant them permission to sink vessels.
So, yes Rhode Island has artificial reefs, but is lacking the resources to conduct appropriate tests to measure their success and lacks an overall artificial reef plan to facilitate the dressing of already approved reef sites. Reefs are good for recreational fisherman. They attract fish, not only do they congregate fish, but they actually expand fish stocks. Looking at the lengthy list and volume of items used to dress reef sites in New Jersey, compared to the effort in Rhode Island is disappointing. Rhode Island needs an artificial reef plan from DEM so we can start to enhance our approved reef sites. Artificial reefs could have a huge impact on the recreational fishing industry in Rhode Island, an industry that already has a $300 million annual economic impact on the State.
Family ice fishing training
Last Saturday’s DEM family ice fishing training program was postponed due to poor ice conditions. The program has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Carolina Trout Hatchery in Carolina. As of this writing a limited number of spaces were still available. Cost is $7 per person or $5 each for families of three or more. Call Kimberly Sullivan at DEM’s Division of Fish & Wildlife at 539-7333 to register or for more information.
Goddard Memorial State Park Ice Safe
As of this writing, DEM has determined that safe ice conditions now exist in designated areas at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick and at Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln. The ice in designated areas at both parks in over eight inches thinks.
Rainbow trout stocked in several ponds
DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife stocked about 3,500 rainbow trout in served locations throughout the state this week and last in anticipation of winter ice-fishing. Locations stocked include Carbuncle Pond in Coventry, Olney Pond in Lincoln State Park, Round Top Pond in Burrillville, Silver Spring Pond in North Kingstown, Barber Pond in South Kingstown, Meadowbrook Pond in Richmond and Wood River in Exeter. A current fishing license and a Trout Conservation Stamp are required. The daily creel and possession limit for trout are two per day.
Lowrance Demo Day
Hands on demonstrations and seminars on fresh and saltwater applications on Lowrance GPS/SONNAR/RADAR/SIDE SCANS this Saturday, February 6, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm at Wood Boat & Motor, 3630 West Shore Road, Warwick, RI. Check out the special pricing on all units, raffles and prices given away all day.
Annual fishing sale and flea market
On Sunday, March 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wood Boat and Motor will hold its annual fishing sale and flea market. The event is open to anyone wanting to sell their used or new tackle or equipment. All proceeds from admissions fees will be donated to The Homestead Group, a program for individuals with special needs.

Tug of War Season On with Tautog

The spring tug of war season with Tautog began April 15. The best fishing for the species is in the late summer and fall but fish are caught in the spring too.

Tautog (or Blackfish) are a great eating fish. They are work to catch due to the maneuvering, bottom tie-ups and lost rigs that are caused as part of the process. However, their bulldog like fight is very exciting, much like a tug of war between you and the Tautog. Once the fish is hooked it will try to bulldog its way back down into rock or structure where it can cut the line or catch the sinker on a rock. So when the fish bites, it becomes the angler’s job not to let it bury itself in the structure.

Anglers have their favorite methods, baits, rigs and places to catch Tautog, here are mine:

From shore or boat
The good thing about Tautog is that they can be fished from shore or boat. The common thread is structure. From shore it is a matter of trial and error to find a hole that holds fish. Cast too close to shore and you can easily get hung up on rock. Cast too far and your line may not be close enough to feel the bite.

From a boat it is important to position the vessel over structure. Locate the structure (on sonar if you have it), estimate wind and current, then anchor up current so that as the anchor line pays out the vessel is over the structure or slightly before it. Tautog are territorial so it is important to fish all sides of the boat, even cast a bit covering as much area as you can. If still no bites, pay out a little more anchor line to reposition the boat, repeat the process, if still no bites it is time to move to another spot.

Rigs and Bait
Tautog rigs should be kept simple, one or two hooks and a sinker. I use clam worms and live green crabs for bait. Softer baits, like clam worms are used in spring. When using crabs, break off claws and legs, cut the crab in half or use the entire crab if small. Hook the crab though one leg socket and out another.

Reduce Rig Loss
Loosing rigs is a common Tautog fishing experience. To reduce rig loss consider tying the sinker on with 8 or 10 lb. test line or an elastic so if the sinker gets hung-up, the lighter line or elastic breaks first and all you loose is the sinker.

The Bite and Tug of War
Usually Tautog will hit the bait with a tap, tap. My friend Captain George Cioe believes that Tautog is positioning the bait for consumption with the taps. So it is important to have no slack in the line so you feel the taps. To set the hook lower your rod as the fish pulls. Raise the rod up firmly feeling the weight of the fish (no need to jerk the rod up hard). Once the fish is hooked, keep the rod up and pressure on so the fish is not able to run for cover.

Little Drag and Consider Braid
It is important to put little drag on the reel and apply constant pressure so the Tautog comes up and does not go down. For this reason consider using braid rather than monofilament line that may stretch and cause the fish to reach structure and cut the line or snag the sinker.

Where to fish for Tautog
From shore the rocky coastline on Jamestown (Beavertail) and Newport is good, around light houses is good too as are old bridge pilings and underwater debris. From a boat I have had good luck at Whale Rock, the Jamestown lighthouse next to the bridge and rock structure around Hope Island. Tautog also live in uncommon locations, anywhere there is debris, rock clusters, wrecks, etc. My luck has been best early in the day or late in the afternoon when there has been water moving.

Rhode Island DEM Regulations on Season Dates, Minimum Size and Catch
The Tautog season runs from April 15 to May 31 with a closure occurring June 1 through June 30. The season opens again July 1 and runs until December 15. Minimum size is 16”. The possession limit from April 15 to May 31 and July 1 to October 16 is three fish/person/day. The limit is eight fish/person/day from October 17 to December 15.

Where’s the Bite

Fresh water action was good this week. Anglers are catching fish but not their limit. Rattanna Phommabouth caught a nice Pike on Warden’s Pond casting with a Mepps Aglia from Ocean State Tackle, Craig Mancini of Continental Bait & Tackle in Cranston said that Cub Scout Pack 6 of Cranston had a good day of fishing on Meshanicut Pond, Scouts and adults did well with shiners. Artie Peltier of Erickson’s Bait & Tackele said most customers are doing better fishing ponds rather than rivers.

Tautog. Captain Billy Silvia caught six fish and two keepers in Bristol Harbor using crab. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle in Warwick reported a customer taking a fish at Spindle Rock. I fished for Tautog with my brother-in-law Pete this weekend at the Jamestown bridge lighthouse and around Hope Island with no luck. Fish this time of year are staging for spawning so I will try again as the season progresses.

Striped Bass. Not a lot of bass reported yet. Angler Jim Malachowski fished the Providence River from Bold Point (including inside the hurricane barrier) to Save the Bay and got no bites. Angler Mike Shepard of Newport reported no squid and no striped bass in the area (and both usually arrive together). The bass are south and will be here soon. Dave Henault of Ocean State reported Bob Oberg caught 18 stripers (two keepers) from his kayak (with tube and worm) on the Thames River in Connecticut.

Fluke/Flounder. At press time DEM’s Fish & Wildlife Division was scheduled to have a public hearing on proposed recreational and commercial fishing regulation changes on Wednesday, April 22, 6 p.m. at the URI Bay Campus. Proposed summer flounder regulations were on the agenda.

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing on Narragansett Bay for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license. Your fishing photos with captions, stories, comments and questions are welcome… there’s more than one way to catch a fish so e-mail Captain Dave at ­­­dmontifish@verizon.net .