Make sure ice is safe for fishing

Cod and haddock fishing are just about the only saltwater fishing game in town this time of year. Capt. Dave Monti and angler Steve Brustein with cod caught off Block Island last year.

Make sure ice is safe for fishing

Ice fishing is underway at northern New England ponds and lakes that have ice thick enough to support anglers. However, even with the frigid weather earlier this week at press time the ice has not been safe for fishing and skating in many areas.  For example, as of yesterday, there were no Rhode Island authorities declaring safe ice in state owned lakes and ponds. The Mass Wildlife field office in Westborough, MA suggested contacting local police departments for safe ice conditions in your area.

So before you put yourself, family and friends at risk check with local cities and towns to find out if ice on a local pond or lake is safe. 

Ice must have a uniform thickness of at least six inches before it is considered safe by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM).  It generally takes at least five to seven consecutive days of temperatures in the low 20s. 

Safe ice is determined by a number of factors.  First, you can't judge ice conditions by appearance or thickness alone; many other factors like water depth, size of waterbody, water chemistry, currents, snow cover, age of ice, and local weather conditions impact ice strength. 

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife offers these ice tips:

New ice is stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially thawed ice may not.

Ice doesn't freeze uniformly. Continue to check ice conditions frequently as you venture out onto it.

Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often more dangerous. Avoid traveling onto ice-bound rivers and streams, as the currents make ice thickness unpredictable. Many lakes and ponds may contain spring holes and other areas of currents that can create deceptively dangerous thin spots.

What to do if you fall through the ice? 

Don't panic: Call for help if there are people nearby.

Don't remove winter clothing: Air trapped in your clothes can provide warmth and help you float.

Turn the direction you came from: Ice you previously walked on should be the safest.

Place your hands and arms on an unbroken surface and kick your legs: If you have ice picks or a pair of nails, use them to pull yourself up onto the ice while kicking.

Lie flat and roll away: Once your torso is on firm ice, roll toward thicker ice to distribute your weight.

Find shelter and get warm: Change out of wet clothing and find warm, dry coverings. If you are in a remote area, get to or start a campfire. Otherwise, get to a car or house. Seek medical advice from your physician on medical attention.

If someone else falls in:

Remember the phrase "Preach-Reach-Throw-Go."

Preach: Call 911 if you can. Shout to the victim to reassure them help is on the way.

Reach: If you can safely reach them from shore, extend an object like a rope, jumper cables, tree branch, or ladder to them.

Throw: Toss one end of a rope or something that will float to the victim.

Go: If the situation is too dangerous for you to perform a rescue, call 911 or go to find help. Untrained rescuers can become victims themselves.

If a pet falls in:  Do not attempt to rescue them, go find help. Well-meaning pet owners can easily become victims themselves. Remember to always keep pets leashed while walking on or near ice. 

Call local cities and towns for safe ice conditions in your area. The Rhode Island Division of Parks and Recreation provides information about Lincoln Woods State Park in Lincoln, Meshanticut State Park in Cranston, and Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick on its 24-hour Ice Information telephone line, 401.667-6222.  The Mass Wildlife field office in Westborough, MA suggested contacting local police departments for safe ice conditions in your area.

Climate change brings us new fish to catch, seminar Monday

Last year our oceans were the warmest ever.  In fact, the past five years are the warmest years on record.  This warm water has caused a shift in fish populations.  We know black sea bass, scup and summer flounder are more abundant in the north and we now often fish these species.  But what about fish like king mackerel and triggerfish that are now consistently caught in New England? 

Learn how to fish these species and others at a Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) ‘New species’ seminar Monday, January 28, 7:00 p.m., West Warwick Elks Lodge, 60 Clyde Street, West Warwick. Noted On-The-Water magazine author and fishermen Jimmy Fee will be the guest speaker.

Dinner served by the Elks Lodge starting at 5:30 p.m.  Visit www.risaa.org for details.

Trout Unlimited meeting January 30

The Narragansett Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU225) will host a monthly meeting and its first annual Chili Cook-Off on Wednesday, January 30, 6:30 p.m. at the Coventry / West Greenwich Elks Lodge, 42 Nooseneck Hill Road (Rte. 3, Exit 6 off of Rte. 95), West Greenwich, R.I.

In addition to regular business, educational event planning and networking, members will assemble the line boxes that were constructed by members in the fall of 2018.  Additionally, members are invited to bring a pot of their favorite chili recipe for tasting and judging by members and guests.  The “2019 Anglers Choice” award will be given to the winner.

For additional information, to reserve a seat for the line box assembly, or prepare a pot of chili for our distinguished member/guest judges, please contact chapter president Glenn Place 1-401-225-7712 or TU225President@gmail.com. 

Where’s the bite?

Cod fishing.  The Frances Fleet reports it has not sailed most of the week due to high winds and rough seas. However, as weather clears they will be fishing. Party boats (inspected vessels that take more than six anglers, often 50 to 75 anglers) out of Rhode Island fishing for cod this winter include: the Seven B’s at www.sevenbs.com, the Frances Fleet at www.francesfleet.com and Island Current III at www.islandcurrent.com.  Rates per angler for cod fishing are about $100.

Charter boats (six or fewer anglers) range from $750 to $1,200 per vessel depending if the cod trip is close to shore or offshore (and length of trip).  Charter boats fishing for cod weather permitting are in flux this time of year.  Check  Big Game Sport Fishing Characters, Captains Brian and Peter Bacon, www.biggamefishingri.com; Booked Off Charters, Captains Tony Guarino and Wade Baker, www.bookedoffcharters.com; Drifter Charters, Capt. Richard Chatowsky, www.drifterchartersri.com.

Fluke and tautog tips from the experts

Captain John Rainone says “Keep your tautog rig simple to avoid getting snagged on the bottom... one hook and a sinker.” and you might catch tautog like this one, caught by Matt Medeiros when fishing on Lil’ Toot Charters, Point Judith, RI.

Fluke and tautog tips from the experts
Last week we shared striped bass and tuna fishing tips from expert anglers and captains who appeared on stage with George Poveromo at the Saltwater Sportsman’s National Seminar Series. Here are some fluke and tautog tips from local and national experts.
Fluke fishing tips
· Best place to catch fluke is where you normally fish for striped bass as they both like current, structure, squid, silversides, etc. Try fishing in your favorite striped bass spots and you are likely to catch fluke too.
· In Spring, fluke tend to be in low water, they like feeding on sand eels.
· Captain John Rainone of Lil’ Toot Charters said, “Start shallow in spring and move to deeper water as the water warms.”
· Captain Rainone’s favorite places to fish for fluke include many spots around Block Island… the North Rip area, the northeast side of the Island as well as the south side. Other spots include Cow Cove, Clay Head and the mouth of New Harbor. Off the center wall at the Harbor of Refuge is a great spot too.
· Wind and current should be going in the same direction, ideally start from shore or the high spot and outward toward deeper water
· Use pink squid rigs if squid is in the water, some like to use whole squid in the spring
· Look for bait pods and you will find fluke, just as you would when striper fishing
Tautog fishing tips
· Tautog usually show up in the spring when the water turns about 50 degrees
· Many use soft baits in the string, like worms or grass shrimp and fish in shallow water
· Expert angler “Crazy” Alberto Knie said, “If you get multiple taps the tautog is sensing the bait is not natural. After the first tap I let the rod drop, say the word “barracuda”, and then I cross its eyes setting the hook.”
· Captain John Rainone said, “Keep your rig simple, one hook and a sinker. Two hooks only add additional hardware that can get caught on structure.”
· George Poveromo said, blackfish often take advantage of the slower stages of a tide to feed. The slower stages of a tied also enable anglers to effectively fish difficult structures.
· George Poveromo introduced a simple tautog rig designed to fit in-between structure and rocks… The “knocker-rig” can be used on a 30 pound braid main line with a fluorocarbon leader, an egg sinker (2 oz.) slides on the fluorocarbon that is tied to a circle hook. The sinker and the hook tangle less frequently because they work their way into structure together … and here is the best part… you can attract the fish by tapping on the structure with the sinker and bring it right to your bait… thus the name “Knocker-Rig”.

Important recreational fisheries meetings
Now is the time to let your voice be heard at important Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) meetings that impact recreational fishing. For more information on these meetings contact Jason McNamee, DEM Marine Fisheries Division at 401-423-1943. Meetings take place in the Hazard Room at the URI Coastal Institute (Bay Campus), South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI.
Thursday, January 19 - RIMFC Scup/Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel Meeting - 6:00 PMFriday, January 31 - RIMFC Summer Flounder Advisory Panel Meeting - 6:00 PMTuesday, February 6 - RIMFC Tautog Advisory Panel Meeting - 6:00 PM
Wednesday, February 15 – RIMFC Menhaden Advisory Panel Meeting – time TBD
Wednesday, February 22, Public Hearing for input on policy/regulations for many species. Agenda to include proposed changes to the Management Plans for most species. Visit www.dem.ri.gov for agenda, meeting time and place.

Safe ice for fishing and skating
At press time, there were no “Safe Ice” postings on the Department of Environmental Management’s website regarding the three State Parks they monitor including Goddard, Lincoln Woods and Meshanticut State Parks. DEM says it takes five to seven days of temperatures in the low 20 degree range before ice may become safe. And, this is no guarantee that it is safe. Call your local city and town to check local ice conditions or DEM for the State Parks they monitor at 401.222. 2632. Visit DEM’s Parks website for an ice safety guide at www.riparks.com .

East Bay Anglers spring fishing flea market
Mark your calendar. The East Bay Anglers will hold their Spring Fishing Flea Market on Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. the 12:00 noon inside at the Riverside Sportsman’s Club, East Providence, RI. The cost of a table to sell your stuff is $25, the cost to attend the flea market is $2 (children free). This is for both fresh and saltwater gear. Call Dave Fewster for information at 401.230.8201

RISAA seminar on Clean the Bay and Tarpon fishing
Two topics will be featured at the Monday, January 30, 7:00 p.m. Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) meeting this month… the “Clean the Bay” organization will present on its activities in Narragansett Bay and a humorous view of Tarpon fishing will be given by Al “Gag” Gagliarducci, noted fishing lures maker and popular East Coast presenter. RISAA members can bring a friend at no charge; non-members are asked to make a $10 donation. Seminar starts at 7:00 p.m. at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick, RI with optional dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. Visit www.risaa.org for details.

Question and comment from reader Paul Johnson
Question: “Hello Dave, I really enjoy your column… (and) have a question and comment for you. Every day recently you can see several large commercial fishing boats within in stone throw of the rocks off of Narragansett. I assume they are getting herring and squid. Are they under any regulations or can they just take all the bait fish out of that area? No wonder the game fishing as died off Narragansett. I think a couple of the boats are pair trawling…”
Answer: I responded to Paul’s e-mail this weekend… Yes, there were pair-trawlers off Narragansett this past week fishing for herring (we think). Bob Ballou from DEM’s Marine Fisheries Division was addressing the issue, exploring with his legal group what could be done short term, and long term DEM may explore regulating via legislation.