Capt. Bounds shares record tautog story

  Angler Kenneth Westerfeld of Bayside, NY with his 28.8 pound tautog.

 Capt. Bounds (far right) and Ken Westerfeld with tautog and his five fishing buddies

Matt Kryszczynski from Stamford, CT with cod fish he caught on the Seven B’s Saturday.

Capt. Bounds shares record tautog story

 
Last Friday Kenneth Westerfeld of Bayside Queens, New York landed a 28.8 pound, 35” tautog which if verified will be the new all-tackle International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) world record. The current world record of 25 pounds was set in 1998 by Anthony Monica fishing out of Ocean City, New Jersey.

Westerfeld said on his facebook page, “Well I can only thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ for bringing me this bite, and Capt. Kane Bounds for putting me on this wreck.” 

Capt. Kane Bounds of Fish Bound Charters, Ocean City, Maryland said, “Ken did it, he managed to land a very impressive 28.8 pound tautog.  We were fishing a small wreck about 20 miles southeast of Ocean City, MD in 75 feet of water.  The water was 47 degrees.  Ken was using 50 pound test braid line and a Snafu rig with a white (Jonah) crab about the size of a large whole green crab (the type of crab we commonly use here in RI and MA).” 

The Snafu rig, often used when targeting large tautog is a double hook rig where two hooks on either end of an eighteen inch line are placed in one crab with the sinker and leader to the main line tied into a loop in the middle so the crab sits on the bottom when fishing.  Visit YouTube and search for Snafu rig to learn how this rig is tied and used.

 Capt. Bounds said, “The fish started to fight about half way up and it took Ken about five minutes to bring it in. What was unusual is that this fish was a male, we have caught a number of large tautog in the 15 to 20 pound range in the past and they have all been female. The second largest fish of the day was 12.8 pounds. ”

It is no longer legal to fish for tautog in Rhode Island as the recreational season ended December 15, 2014, with the spring season scheduled to start sometime in April, 2015.

Narragansett Surfcasters to hold surf day and used tackle sale

The Narragansett Surfcasters is having their 2nd Annual Surf Day and Used Tackle Sale Saturday, January 24, 2015, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Narragansett Community Center, 53 Mumford Road, Narragansett, RI. “This is a great opportunity to pick up quality tackle at a reasonable cost, attend three great seminars and have some food and refreshments.” said Cliff Richer, club vice president.   

 Local plug and lure builders will have items on display as well as rod builders, reel repair technicians, antique/collectible plugs and a lot of new and used quality tackle displays.  Seminars will include Reel

Maintenance by Dave Morton of Beavertail Reel Repair at 11:30 a.m.; Kayak Fishing  by Capt. Howard Reed of Narrow River Custom Rods/Galilee Bait & Tackle at 12:30 p.m. and Fishing the Block and Cuttyhunk by Tommy McGuire at 1:30 p.m. 

Food will include Rocky Point famous chowder & clam cakes, chili, meatball sandwiches, hot dogs, etc.

$3.00 admission donation for adults for the club’s "Take a Kid Fishing Day". For information visit www.narragansettsurfcasters.com .

 DEM stocks ponds with trout

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) plans to stock eight ponds with 3,000 trout this week for the winter fishing season.   Carbuncle Pond, Coventry; Olney Pond, Lincoln; Barber Pond, South Kingstown; Silver Spring Lake, North Kingstown; Upper Melville Pond, Portsmouth; and Round Top Ponds, Burrillville will be stocked with trout.

“Even though there is no ice currently, we have had many beautiful days for fishing this winter. Getting out in the fresh air is a great way to start the New Year and generate excitement for Opening Day in April.” says Catherine Sparks, assistant director for Natural Resources.

A current fishing license and a Trout Conservation Stamp are required to keep or possess a trout. The daily creel and possession limit for trout Dec 1, 2014-February 28, 2015 currently stands at two per day.

How do you know if ice is safe?

Ice must have a uniform thickness of at least six inches before it is considered safe by DEM.  It generally takes at least five to seven consecutive days of temperatures in the low 20’s for safe ice to form.  In addition to the requisite cold temperatures, ice thickness is also determined by factors such as the size and depth of a pond, presence of springs or currents, and local temperature fluctuations. For ice conditions in your city or town check with local police and at Olney Pond in Lincoln Woods State Park, call DEM's Division of Parks and Recreation at 667-6200.  Visit www.riparks.com for an ice safety guide.

Where’s the bite

Cod fishing remains strong with the Seven B’s, Francis Fleet and Island Current party boats reporting good fishing.   Capt. Russ Benn of the Seven Bs said, “Cod fishing was very good Saturday. There were a number of cod in the 8-12 pound range… High hook had 8 keepers and the largest cod was just shy of 19 lbs. High-low bait rigs, with fresh clams, outperformed the anglers using jigs. The Seven B’s will be sailing Friday thru Sunday leaving at 5:00 a.m. Captain Andrew Dangelo will be at the helm for the Cod fishing season. Call him at (401) 788-6012 for reservations.”    Roger Simpson of the Frances Fleet said Saturday they had “a nice turnout and a very good catch of fish. Well over 100 nice green cod on board with the pool fish just over 20 lbs and a dozen other fish right behind in the mid to upper teens.  Hi hook took home eight fish and both bait and jigs did well with the fish spread evenly around the Lady Frances. Fishing in general is very good.”

Party boats sailing for cod fish at this time include the Seven B’s at www.sevenbs.com, the Frances Fleet at www.francesfleet.com and Island Current at www.islandcurrent.com.

Fresh water fishing season off to a good start

Three generations of the Doro family fished Opening Day at Willett Avenue Pond, East Providence. Michel Doro with father Joe Doro and his two children Melanie and Michaela.

Fritz Petsch of East Providence with one of the nine trout he caught on Opening Day using a Kastmaster lure.

Angler Ken Neill III with his 24 pound, 3 once Virginian state record tautog caught March 25, 2012. Rhode Island’s record is 21 pounds, 4 ounces caught in 1954 by C.W. Sunquist of Jamestown, RI. (photo from Eastern Shore News).

Nick Woodbine of Warwick fished Frenchtown Pond, North Kingstown on Opening Day with his two brothers and uncle, Chris Choquette. Nick released this rainbow trout back into the water.

Anglers fish Opening Day Saturday, April 14 at Willett Avenue Pond, East Providence, RI.

Fresh water fishing season off to good start

It does not get much better than this… this Saturday I covered opening day, the official start of the freshwater and trout fishing season; I dug and ate my first Rhode Island quahogs of the season; and I caught my first striped bass of the season.
The perfect weather Saturday drove anglers to ponds, lakes and rivers throughout Rhode Island for opening day Saturday, April 14. The Rhode Department of Environmental Management (DEM) had set the stage by stocking over 80,000 rainbow and brown trout in over 100 ponds and rivers throughout the State and then mother nature took over providing a sunny, mild day with temperatures that reached into the 70’s.
John Wunner of John’s Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown said, “Success on opening day is very much related to the weather. If it is a good day people go fishing, if the weather is bad they stay home. But Friday night and Saturday were great, we stayed open all night Friday as we have for the past 32 years and business was good.” John’s Bait & Tackle is running a week long trout fishing contest for children fourteen years old and younger. “The rules are simple, no entry forms, simply bring your fish here and we weigh it. Next Sunday we will award $40 in a store merchandise credit to the first place winner, $30 to the second place winner and a $20 merchandise credit for third place.”, said Wunner.
Opening day is steeped in tradition; the desire for fishing opening day is passed from mothers and fathers to sons and daughters. I met the Doro family at 6:15 a.m. at Willett Avenue Pond in East Providence, RI where three generations of Doro’s were fishing. Joe Doro said, “We have been fishing opening day for over 25 years and now my son Michael and his two daughters Michaela and Melanie are fishing the tradition too.”
Nick Woodbine of Warwick and his brothers Jacob and Andrew fished opening day at Frenchtown Pond in North Kingstown. Their uncle Chris Choquette of North Kingstown took them fishing, and was very busy keeping all their lines in the water. Every minute or two one would yell, “I got one or I need more bait.” As I walked away Chris said, “Nick, that one is too small, put it back in the water.”
Harold Felder of Providence and his friend Rocco of East Providence said they had been fishing Willett Avenue Pond, East Providence since sun up and had caught about six fish when I caught up with them. They were using both Power Baits and Thompson lures purchased earlier at Archie’s Bait and Tackle in Riverside.
Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said he and his son Kenny had one of the best opening days in a long time. Business was good both Friday night and Saturday. “People were buying everything… licenses, our special trout rigs made in the store, Power Baits, meal worms and all other types of bait.” said Ferrara.
Plenty of trout remain in ponds and lakes so keep fishing this spring and summer as crowds won’t be around like opening day. Traditionally DEM restocks select ponds and lakes and there should be a lot of good fishing throughout the season.
Congratulations to DEM and their Fish and Wildlife Division for another successful Opening Day. Fresh water fishing licenses and trout stamps are needed to fish in Rhode Island. Visit www.dem.ri.gov or visit participating bait shops and retail outlets for details.

West Bay Anglers host Capt. Dave Monti on April 25
The West Bay Anglers will host Capt. Dave Monti on Wednesday, April 25, 6:00 p.m. at the Warwick FOP Lounge, 95 Tanner Avenue, Warwick, RI. Fluke (or summer flounder) fishing tactics, baits, rigs and fishing locations will be discussed. The presentation will also feature exclusive video interviews with Greg Myerson (striped bass 81.4 pound record holder) and George Poveromo (author and famous TV fishing show host). The event is free to all West Bay Angler members and the general public. Capacity limited to 100 people on fist come, first served basis. Call 401.463.7532 for information.

Commercial striped bass tags and fishing landing permits available in Port of Galilee
Commercial striped bass tags and Rhode Island commercial fishing landing permits are now available at the DEM's Division of Coastal Resources office in the Port of Galilee. State regulations require that no striped bass may be sold unless it has been properly identified with a commercial striped bass tag provided by DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife. In addition to the Galilee office, the tags will continue to be available at DEM's Marine Fisheries section in Jamestown located at 3 Fort Wetherill Road.

Record tautog caught in Virginia
According to the Eastern Shore News, a 24-pound, 3-ounce tautog, caught on March 25 by Ken Neill III of Seaford, has been certified as the new Virginia state record. Neill's catch surpassed the long standing record of 24 pounds, caught by Gregory Bell in 1987. The Rhode Island State tautog record is 21 pounds, 4 ounces. It was caught off Jamestown in 1954 by C.W. Sunquist of Jamestown, RI. The world record for a tautog is 25 lbs. which was caught off New Jersey in 1998.

Where’s the bite

Striped bass fishing continues to build. I caught by first bass of the season in the Green (Potowomut) River this Saturday with a Yo Zuri Crystal Minnow plastic swimming lure drifting up the river on an incoming tide. Craig Castro of Erickson’s Bait and Tackle, Warwick, said, “Customers are finding bass at Chepiwonoxet Point in Greenwich Bay.” I tried this area Friday and ran into two seals, as well as one off the northern tip of Prudence Island (they always seem to beat me to the good fishing spots). Anglers fishing the East Passage of Narragansett Bay had mixed results, some catching small bass. The West Wall at the Harbor of Refuge in South County is still being productive for school bass but striped bass action from Galilee to Westerly is slow.

Tautog season opened April 15th. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick was selling worms, clams and green crabs to anglers targeting tautog. “In the spring many anglers believe the tautog prefer softer baits… grass shrimp, worms and clams are often used by these anglers. All these baits and the green crabs have been selling well.” Ken said customers reported a modest tautog bite at General Rock, North Kingstown and Coddington Cove, Middletown, RI.