It’s not all about the fish

First fish:  Logan McDermott (7 years old) with his first fish, a scup he caught off Jamestown, RI last week.

Weakfish (Squeteague) bite coming back.  Logan Lemay of Bristol with the 21” weakfish he caught in Greenwich Bay.

Alex and Joe Noga of Rye, NY with two of the fifteen summer flounder (fluke) they caught off Newport Saturday on a family fishing trip.

 Christine Blount and her son Capt. Nicky Blount, both from Narragansett, RI, proudly display a jumbo sea bass caught aboard the Frances Fleet.

 Fishing with friends: Chris Gasbaro (right) found this 26” summer flounder one mile off Newport’s Seal Ledge, he fished Monday with his friend and business associate Jason.

Family fishing at Block Island:  Al Bacon and his son from Austin, TX with a 33 pound striped bass caught with Captain John Sheriff of Fish On Charters.

It’s not all about the fish

As a fisherman, I have adopted the saying “It’s not always about the fish”.  Just as important are the lessons we learn from fishing… discipline, patience, creativity, self reliance, conservation and how to have an adventure.  However, the most important fishing lessons are obtained through the conversations and relationships we develop with fishing companions. To this day, some of my fondest fishing memories include fishing with my father, son, wife, brothers, brothers-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Everyone who catches a fish is happy.  I have a wall in my office with photographs of people (young and old) who have caught fish on my boat and every one of them has a smile on their face.  Fishing feeds our sense of self worth, makes us feel successful and gives us a sense of accomplishment.  A sense of accomplishment and enhanced self image that is particularly important to young people.

So I thank Logan and Michael McDermott, Rob and his father Bob and their young neighbors,  Alex and Joe Noga,  and Chris Gasbaro and his friend Jason for fishing with me this week.  Your spirit reminded me of what is important about fishing… the relationships we build with family and friends.  And of course, I particularly liked the expression on Logan McDermott’s face when he said… “Wow, this is the first fish I ever caught.”

Fishing summer flounder (fluke) from shore

Local author and shore fishing expert Dave Pickering said, “Fluke will readily hit bucktail jigs from shore.  The key is finding the fish, and you will generally have better luck in deeper water.  You want to cast that jig out and let it sink to the bottom.  Reel it in slowly with occasional jerks of the rod tip.  The key is to keep it close to the bottom at all times.  Using this technique in past summers I have landed black sea bass, fluke, scup, stripers and bluefish in the daylight on the jig.”

Learn how to catch bonito and false albacore this Monday

Bonito and false albacore are speedsters know to strip line off a reel at lightning speed.  They are two of the most challenging fish to catch, yet they are the most fun.   This Monday, July 28, 7:00 p.m. learn how to target and catch bonito and false albacore at a Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) seminar at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick, RI.  Guest speakers will be Capt. Eric Thomas and Roger and Susan Lema.  Capt. Thomas from Teezer77 Charters, Portsmouth, RI was a featured speaker on false albacore and bonito fishing at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show; and Roger and Susan Lema are two local expert anglers that target these fish (and do a lot of catching) every day once they arrive.  Non-members requested to make a $10 donation to the Scholarship Fund, RISAA members attend free.

Meet with RI’s ASMFC commissioners

A meeting of Rhode Island's Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) members will be held on Thursday, July 31, 4:00 p.m. in the Large Conference Room in the Coastal Institute Building at the URI Bay Campus in Narragansett. The purpose of the meeting is to review and discuss the agenda for the upcoming August 5-7 ASMFC meeting in Alexandria, VA with our commissioners. Anyone may attend and offer input on the agenda items. The agenda for the ASMFC meeting is available on the ASMFC's website at http://www.asmfc.org/home/2014-summer-meeting.  Key issues expected to be on the agenda include eels, striped bass, fluke and spiny dog fish.  For further information contact Bob Ballou at Robert.Ballou@dem.ri.gov.

Where’s the bite

Striped bass fishing continues to slow in the Narragansett Bay but is strong on Block Island and off Newport.   Manny Guerzon of Quaker Lane Outfitters, North Kingstown said, “Block Island and Newport have been good for striped bass.  Customers are catching them at night and day using eels.”  John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, East Providence said, “Small bass in the 16” to 22” range are being taken from shore in the Providence River.  However customers are still catching their limit using chucks of Atlantic Menhaden at Nayatt Point and in the Barrington Beach area.”  Angler Bill Sokolowski  said, “Headed out to the SW Ledge (Block Island) at 3:00 p.m. (Saturday). Current was at its max. Skies overcast. I ended up first catching a good size bluefish. Then on the same eel a 42 pound then a 38 pound striper.”  Dave Keil of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly said, “Block Island fishing is good, anglers are hooking up with 40 lb bass fishing the southwest side with eels and trolling umbrella rigs.”  Capt. Rick Bellavance of Priority Too Charters, Pt. Judith said, “The bass at Block Island are very large this year.  But the fishing is funny. We’re either catching our limit in 20 minutes or having difficulty finding them.”

Summer flounder (fluke) fishing has been good along southern coastal shores, at the Sakonnet River mouth, off Newport and the Harbor of Refuge in Narragansett and around Block Island.  However in Narragansett Bay it has been a bit slower.  I experienced a strong summer flounder bite off Newport Saturday when the wind and tide were in line, however, with a northeast wind, conditions were not ideal Sunday and Monday in Narragansett Bay for most of the day.  Angler Eric Duda said, “Fished about 2 miles south of the Sakonnet Light house on Saturday. Left at 8:00 a.m. and returned at 3:00 p.m.  Light wind until about noon, 1-2 foot seas.  Caught about 14 fluke, 7 keepers, largest around 22”. Tons of small BSB in 14” range, kept 2 big ones.”  Roger Simpson from the Francis Fleet reports good fluke and black sea bass fishing on nearly every trip this week.  Roger said, “A good number of big fluke this week with quite a few fish in the 8 to 9 lb range… with a trio of fish in the 9 lb range (Friday) battling it out for the pool.”  Minimum size for summer flounder in RI is 18” with an eight fish/angler/day limit.

Scup. Manny Guerzon of Quaker Lane Outfitters said, “Scup are everywhere just wet a line with some squid on it and you will catch them.”  Michael and Logan McDermott landed scup to 15” while fishing on the west side of Jamestown north of the bridge last week.  Scup minimum size is 10” with a 30 fish limit.  Visit www.dem.ri.gov for special areas from shore were the size limit is 9 inches.

Black sea bass.  “We had a six pound black sea bass caught Saturday and customer Mike Swain of Coventry and his two fishing partners easily caught their limit when fishing in the Breton Reef area off Newport Saturday.” said John Wunner of John’s Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown.  Black sea bass minimum size in RI is 13” with a three fish/angler/day limit.  Anglers catch them as they target fluke, fishing the bottom with squid.

Weakfish or squeteague continue the comeback in our waters as they have for the past three years.  Anglers are catching them in the Warwick Light area when targeting summer flounder.  Loran Lemay of Bristol, RI caught a 21” weakfish using a bucktail.  His mother Bobbi said, “He was ecstatic.”

Offshore.  Matt Grennan reports on the RISAA blog, “Fished the claw to the northwest corner of the dump today, went 4/5 on small bluefin. Kept one and put tags in the rest. Water temps were 66-70 and green was the color. Just FYI for anyone interested, there are a ton of whales feasting on sand eels in 120' SSE of Block Island. Probably only 8-10 miles from the island.”

Shore fishing has been slow this past week.  Mike Cardinal of Cardinal Bait & Tackle, Westerly said, “Fishing from shore has not been good.  Anglers from shore are finding it difficult to hook up with striped bass.”  “Scup and Tommy cod, the first I head of this year, are being taken at Sabin Point (Providence) from shore, and the scup fishing is very good at Colt State Park and Conimicut Light” said John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait.  Dave Pickering author and expert striped bass fishermen said, “The areas I fished (last week) were difficult to fish because they were loaded with weed.  Still, I was able to hit some spots that had little weed, but no fish.”

RI man takes Striper Cup with 58.8 lbs. bass

His first tautog:  Caption Chuck Daignault has landed a lot of fish in his lifetime as a salmon fishing guide in upstate New York, however until this past weekend, he had never caught a tautog.   Here Chuck is shown with his first tautog, caught this weekend while charter fishing near General Rock, North Kingstown, RI.  

Centracchio takes Striper Cup:  John Kushnerick of Quantum Reels (left) stands on stage at StriperFest next to Barry Centracchio of Narragansett, Rhode Island, who took Striper of the Year with a 58.80-pound striped bass (shown with replica).   Keith Salisbury of Westbrook, Connecticut won Angler Of The Year in the boat division with a 3-fish cumulative weight of 164.70 pounds; and shore division Angler of The Year, with a 3-fish total weight of 138.42 pounds was John Hanecak (right) from Rocky Hill, Connecticut.

False albacore

Atlantic bonito

Narragansett, RI man takes Striper Cup with 58.8 lbs. bass

On The Water magazine celebrated the end of its five-month-long Striper Cup fishing tournament at Striper Fest, held Saturday, September 29 at Marine Park on Falmouth Harbor, MA.  Over 4,000 people attended the event and thousands of fishermen from New Jersey to Maine participated in the competition.  It was a Rhode Island fisherman who claimed "Striper of the Year" honors.

Barry Centracchio of Narragansett, Rhode Island weighed in the largest striped bass in the tournament and was awarded a replica of his 58.80-pound fish on stage at StriperFest.

Team winners were determined by the total weight of the 10 heaviest bass a team catches over the duration of the season, with a multiplier of 1.18 applied to shore-caught fish. Rhode Island's Aquidneck Island Striper Team placed second, with a total score of 525.30 in the Team event.

Attorney General files suit to stop landowners from blocking shoreline 

It was 18 months ago that the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) received a complaint from anglers.  Some landowners along the two mile stretch of shoreline between the Quonny Breachway and the Westerly Town beach, along Atlantic Avenue, were blocking lateral access along the shore.  Landowners erected fences and would call the police when citizens dared to stop in front of "their private beach."

RISAA hired an attorney and then a land surveyor, who worked with a special assistant to the Attorney General and found multiple landowners in probable violation. Last month, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin brought an action in Superior Court seeking to enforce the public’s right to enjoy the nearly two-mile section of the Misquamicut beachfront.  In particular, the action seeks to enjoin specific beachfront lot owners from interfering with the public’s right to use this dry sand area, alleging that this strand was dedicated to the public by a recorded 1909 plat.  Steve Medeiros, president of RISAA said, "We're grateful that he (Attorney General Kilmartin) has been willing to assist us, and now take over this case. It should send a signal that the shoreline of Rhode Island belongs to everyone."

Rhody Fly Rodders scheduled to meet October 16

The start of the Rhody Fly Rodders' fall and winter meetings and the date of their annual cookout is Tuesday, October 16^th at 6:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Hot dogs and burgers at 6:00 p.m. followed by a short DVD on Steelhead Fishing by Jim Teeny, then the rest of the evening will feature fly tying and conversation. The meeting will take place at the Riverside Sportsmen’s Club, East Providence, RI.  For information and directions, contact board member Peter Nilsen at pdfish@fullchannel.net .

How to identify bonito and false albacore

Bonito and false albacore are being caught in large numbers all along southern Rhode Island coastal shores, however, it is often difficult for anglers to tell them apart.  Steve Medeiros, president of RISAA said, “There are obvious differences… I learned (the difference between the two) with a simple rhyme.  Bonito have teeth and are good to eat.  False albacore have no teeth and are no good to eat.  Atlantic bonito (aka bonito) have solid lines along upper half running head to tail, and teeth. False albacore (aka falsies or little tunny) have broken/squiggly lines, spots below lateral line, and no teeth.  Hope this helps.”

ASMFC to hold public hearing on Atlantic menhaden management plan on November 1

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Atlantic Menhaden Management Board has released Draft Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden for public review and comment. The Draft Amendment presents a suite of options to manage and monitor the stock in both the short and long-term. Fishermen and interested parties are asked to participate in local hearings and voice their opinions about options presented.  If you fish RI coastal waters, offshore or in Narragansett Bay, now is the time to voice your concerns about this important food source for all types of fish species.  Menhaden also serve as roving filters, converting algae into energy and thus reducing nutrient loads in bays and covers. An adult menhaden, through its unique filtering gills, is able to process up to 4 gallons of water per minute or a million gallons of water every 180 days. Multiply this by the number of menhaden in any given area and this is an amazing amount of water being filtered, a reduction of nutrients means fewer algae blooms and ultimately more oxygen for all fish.

The ASMFC Public Hearing in Rhode Island on Draft Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden will take place November 1, 6:00 p.m. at the University of Rhode Island Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium, South Ferry Road, Narragansett Rhode Island. Contact Jason McNamee at 401.423.1943 for more information.

Where’s the bite

Striped bass.  “Striped bass and bluefish are in the Providence River, actually all the way up the Seekonk River.” Said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence.  Striped bass to 30” are being caught in Apponaug Cover said Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & tackle, Warwick, RI.  There are also schools of bass and blues out in front of the lower Bay off Newport, Jamestown and Pt. Judith.  They keep moving and are popping up in different places.”  Angler Mike Swain of Coventry said, “There is a lot of bait in the Bay… small menhaden and a lot of mullet (or as Mike calls them… striper candy) that we have been using as bait for striped at night live lining them.”  Angler Matt Boliver reports on the RISAA blog, “I had fun with schoolies way up inside Wickford on Sunday. They were very aggressive in shallow water mid day.”

Offshore.  Jim Otis of Half & Half Charters, South Kingstown landed an 85 pound yellow fin said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle when fishing two miles south of the Fishtales.  He also boated a number of three to four foot mahi mahi using butter fish as bait on the same trip.  “The vessel Aerie One did well at the Fishtails this week” said Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina in South Kingstown.  “They caught nine yellowfin to 70 pounds trolling during the day and chucking butter fish at night.” said Conti.

Tautog.  Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle Warwick said, “Customers are catching tautog at Hope Island, General Rock and At Coddington Cove in Middletown.  I am sure they are further north in the Bay too.” Capt. Chuck Daignault landed tautog to 21” while fishing on my boat this weekend at General Rock, North Kingstown.  Beavertail his been a great spot for fishing this fall too, said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle. 

False albacore and bonito.  False Albacore are still running strong all along the southern coastal shore said Matt Conti of Snug Harbor.  Some bonito were caught last week when customers were trolling for tuna said Conti.

Learn how to be a “Striper Hunter” and more

September 20, 2010



Bass off Block Island: Warwick Fire Fighter Mike Schmidt with a 30 pound striper that took a Yellow and White Poly-jig while on Priority Too Charters.


The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association has a great line-up of topics for their Monday, September 27th seminar.

Now is your chance to learn how to catch striped bass consistently just as great charter captains of Rhode Island have been doing for years off Block Island. Curt Caserta, who will present what he has learned from character captains, said, “I have taken little pieces of techniques and information and tried to adapt them to what works best for me…” Topics covered include techniques such as the correct direction to pitch your bait, how to set-up a drift, properly position your boat, the importance of electronics, the benefits of finding your own fish while staying away from others as well as the gear and tackle that works best.
The session will also include three mini seminars featuring Steve McKenna, renowned Rhode Island surf fisherman from Cranston, RI, and an associate at Quaker Lane Outfitters in North Kingstown, RI. Steve will talk about the fundamentals of fishing. Next, Mike Fotiades will talk about something I have always wanted to learn…how to properly throw a cast net. With fresh live bait fairly abundant in the Bay and Ocean (such as menhaden) this is something that could enhance your fishing experience and catch all at the same time. The third mini-seminar will be handled by Tom Wood and the topic is trailer safety. We all have experienced or witness trailer nightmares at the boat ramp or on the road. This session is sure to help keep you safe and avoid accidents.

The seminars begin at 7:00 p.m. and are held at the West Valley Inn in West Warwick. The public is welcome, although a $10 donation is requested for the RISAA Marine Fisheries Scholarship Fund. Dinner, sponsored by the West Valley Inn, is available between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

For more information about these seminars check out the RISAA web site at www.RISAA.org or call 401-826-2121.

Anglers oppose ban on lead sinkers and lures
On August 23, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and four other organizations to ban all lead in fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This includes sinkers, jigs, weighted fly line, and components that contain lead such as brass and ballast in a wide variety of lures, including spinners, stick baits and more.

The petition was presented with the aim of reducing bird deaths caused by the ingestion of lead sinkers and jig heads; however, a study conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that less than one percent of all waterfowl and other birds such as eagles are killed by lead sinker ingestion.

The American Sportfishing Association (of which RI Saltwater Anglers Association is a member), has provided a special web page at www.keepamericafishing.org (under Top News items dated 8/31/10) explaining the reasons why anglers should oppose the ban and how to help by sending an email to your state's legislators in Washington.

Newport Boat Show
Exhibitors at the Newport International Boat Show related attendance was good this weekend and I sensed more sales activity than they had last year. I looked at three center console fishing boats for in-shore and near coastal fishing (something you could take to Block Island).
The first manufacturer was Parker represented by Don’s Marine of Tiverton, RI. Tom Grimes of Don’s related that Parker’s claim to fame was “strength, simplicity and seaworthiness”. He jumped up and down on the gunnels to demonstrate the vessels stability (the vessel has a roomy 9’6” beam). They were showing a 25’ center console as a show special priced at about $50,000 and their new 2100 Special Edition 21’ center console (again built well for fishing).
I also spoke with Jim Shriner of Mill Creek Marine (the former Johnston’s Boat Yard located in Wickford, RI). Jim said, “We are focusing on selling Eastern boats, a value line with roots in commercial boat building…the nice thing is that they are built locally in Milton, New Hampshire and you can order a boat the way you want it.” Jim related that the new 24’ center console (offered between $50,000 and $60,000 depending how it is ordered) is ideal for fishing and was enhanced last year with an 8’6” beam.

The last fishing vessel I looked at is one of the high performance fishing center consoles on the market… the Pursuit C280. This boat was built with the offshore fisherman in mind. It has a 24 degree dead rise to cut through heavy seas and features a large 52 gallon live bait well. Pursuit is known for performance, fit and finish and they are represented locally by Striper Marine of Barrington, Rhode Island. Striper Marine’s show special price on the C280 was $139,900 said Gregg Wheaterby, sales representative from Pursuit.

Where’s the bite
Striped bass fishing is improving on the Bay. Fish are being taken north of the bridges as well as along the southern coastal shoreline of RI. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick, reports customers are catching bass at Warwick Light. A good striped bass bite mixed with blues off point Judith Light this week. Prior to the high seas on Block Island and Rhode Island Sound striped bass fishing off Block Island was great. Anglers continue to take fish in the 30 lb. range using eels 2 ½ miles off the southwest side. Captain Sheriff Charters reported taking fish up to 40 lbs. using ells last Wednesday one mile off the SW corner of Block Island. This weekend bass between 15 and 32 lbs. were taken on the Southwest side of Block Island using Poly-Jig Parachutes said Captain Rick Bellavance of Priority Too Charters.

False Albacore fishing remains very good off Point Judith with a number of fish being taken off the center and east walls this past week. Green Deadly Dicks seemed to be their bait of choice this week. Fish also off and between Newport and Beavertail in Jamestown.
Bluefish are now large and can be found throughout Narragansett Bay and off shore. RISAA blog member Brian Woodard reports taking eight to ten pound bluefish off Prudence Island this Saturday using chunks of porgy in forty feet of what. Brain said “Every ten minutes a school of monster blues would swim by and attack our lines…” Last week I caught blue fish as large as 30 “ while fishing with tube and worm on the channel pad off Poppasquash Point, Bristol. Smaller bluefish also caught close to Prudence Island near Bear Point with swimming lures.
Tautog fishing is encouraging and good on the Bay and off coastal shores between Newport and Point Judith. Good number of keeper fish reported being taken off Beavertail this Sunday in high seas as well as at Whale Rock, Narragansett,; Plum Point Light House next to the Jamestown Bridge; around General rock off Wickford; and around the jetty at Coddington Cove in Middletown.