Fresh and salt bite hot, so it’s your choice

 Double Gold:  Ted Zack, Aquidneck Island Rod Builders, with two golden trout caught one after another this week. Visit www.dem.ri.gov for trout stocked waterways and golden trout program details.

 First freshwater license: Elisa Cahill of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown, shares her success at freshwater fishing with four trout caught in South County. 

First keeper:  One of the 23” to 28” school bass Jon Pickering caught from his kayak earlier this week.  Photo from www.ristriper.blogspont.com .

Fresh and salt bite hot, so it’s your choice

This week anglers have been fishing both fresh and saltwater with success. Ponds stocked with trout in Rhode Island and Massachusetts (see links below) have been exploding with good size trout and spring striped bass have invaded our southern coast shore, ponds, bays and inlets.

Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown said, “In addition to PowerBait and worms, customers are now using spinners and silver spoons for trout.  One of our customers caught a 3.85 pound rainbow trout.  Barber Pond and Silver Spring Lake have been yielding great trout.”

On the saltwater side anglers are getting keeper tautog but fishing has been sluggish.  Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly said, “School striper fishing has exploded along coastal beaches, up the Pawcatuck River and in coves, bays and estuaries. We have an abundance of jumbo silversides in the water with shad (herring) all the way up the Pawtucket River that is attaching stripers.” Dave Pickering, expert striper fisherman and author said, “My son, Jon, got the first keeper in the family in this new year early in the week from his kayak… he landed quite a few decent fish from 23 to 28 inches.”

Enhance you catch & release skills

The 2020 fishing regulation for striped bass is one fish/person/day in the slot limit of 28” to < 35”.  National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data shows that 90 percent of the striped bass caught by anglers are released back into the water.  This is good for conservation, however, NOAA urges anglers enhance their catch & release skills to decrease the mortality rate of released fish. 

Use the right gear and tackle

A single inline hook on lures is recommended.  If your lure has treble hooks consider change them or snapping down the barbs on each of the hooks with a needle nose plyer.  You’ll minimize the damage to a feisty fish with fewer hooks.  I also try not to muscle in these fish as their lips and mouths are small and weak.  Take it easy on them but bring them to the boat as quickly as possible to minimize fish exhaustion.

This year in Massachusetts circle hooks are required when targeting striped bass with bait and next year Rhode Island will likely have the same regulation.  Circle hooks tend to hook fish on the corner of the mouth rather than hooking them in the gut or throat like ‘J’ hooks.

Other catch & release tactics include keeping fish in the water as much as possible when removing hook; use gloves and/or wet your hand before handling the fish as dry hands remove the fish’s protective slime layer and leave it open to infection; gently remove the hook to minimize damage; return fish to water quickly and place them gently in the water in upright horizontal position.  Move it back and forth in the water holding its tail to force water across its gills.  Once fish revives, allow it to swim away.

Lighten-up

My personal favorite in the early spring is to use lightweight rods and reels as they provide anglers with the most challenging fight. I have a couple of light Penn rods and reels ready to go along with a couple of  St. Croix Mojo light and medium inshore spinning rods  paired with Shimano Stella 4000 reels.  The Shimano Stella reels are spooled with 20 pound braid and 20 pound fluorocarbon leaders just like the Penn rigs (use these for bonito and false albacore too).

When a bass smacks your lure and runs with it there’s nothing more exciting.  With an abundance of small fish around the past couple of years most experts expect that fishing for school bass will be hot once again this year.

Where to find the fish

Like most fish, finding spring striped bass is all about the bait.  Much of the bait in the spring is herring, or Atlantic menhaden.  So if you find the bait, the odds of finding the fish are dramatically improved.

An incoming tide is my preference.  Casting around jetties, sandbars, holes, ledges or small pieces of structure has been successful.  The idea is to cast into eddies, and just beyond them, that have been created by the incoming tide whirling around the structure.  Often times we cast in front of the structure, or if a sandbar in the low water on top of it, and then pull the lure away from the structure.  In this way your lure is acting much the same way a bait fish acts when it gets pushed up on the structure.   

Where’s the bite?

If fishing this week stay COVID-19 safe.  Keep six foot social distancing, no groups of more than five, and wear a mask or scarf when near others. State parks in Rhode Island are closed, so there is no parking. Call ahead to find out how your bait shop is servicing customers.

Freshwater.  Lorraine Danti of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said “Customer Ted Zack of Aquidneck Island Rod Builders caught two golden trout this week”.  Zack said, “What a way to start the day. First golden ever then another one on the next fish! Going on the smoker now.”  Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said the trout bite is outstanding at Barber Pond and all stocked waterways.” Visit www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife for a list of stocked ponds and regulations in Massachusetts and if in Rhode Island visit www.dem.ri.gov .

Striped bass. Anglers are catching school bass where there is bait (Atlantic menhaden and herring). Neil Hayes of Quaker Lane said “The school bass bite is good at the West Wall, on coastal beaches and in bays and estuaries.”

URI puts ocean wind on front burner

URI’s ocean wind role:  Jessica Willi, executive director of Block Island Tourism Council and Meg Kerr, senior director of policy, Audubon Society of RI, listen to fellow panelists at URI’s ocean wind workshop.

Bluefish bite arrives:  Chris Boutin, Marine and Army Guard combat veteran, service dog Freya, and Capt. Monti fished Project Healing Waters as a team.  Chris’s fly hooked up with multiple bluefish.

URI puts ocean wind on front burner

The University of Rhode Island (URI) reached out to ocean wind stakeholders last week at their ‘Preparing for Offshore Renewable Energy’ workshop held at the Coastal Institute, URI Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett. 

Jennifer McCann, workshop facilitator and director of US Coastal Programs for the Coastal Institute/Sea Grant said, “This is not a prioritizing exercise, but rather an effort to identify information needs, technology questions and workforce gaps created by offshore renewable energy growth.”

The goal of the workshop was to identify how URI can fulfill needs contributing to the appropriate growth of offshore renewable energy.

URI offers a broad range of multidisciplinary expertise to understand the impacts of renewable energy siting, construction and implementation.  David Bidwell, assistant professor of URIs Department of Marine Affairs said, “To date URI has received about $20-million in grants in regard to ocean wind farm industry research.”  The idea would be to engage a variety of URI departments moving forward.

Highlights of the workshop included:

Fred  Mattera, president, RI Commercial Fisheries Center, said, “I see safety as a big concern, our experience with the sinking of the Mistress off the Block Island Wind Farm was that Coast Guard helicopters had to call off the air search due to high winds fearing that they would come too close to wind turbines.  We also see safety as an issue within planned wind farm transit zones.  The planned two mile wind transit zone is simply not wide enough. We are advocating for a four mile wide zone.”

 

Grover Fugate, executive director, RI Coastal Resource Management Council (CRMC), said, “All data and science needs to be shared, who better than the University to provide an independent, non-bias voice, on the impacts of ocean wind farm development.”

Andrew Gill, principle scientist, Center for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (in the United Kingdom) said, “The inclusive philosophy of your Ocean SAMP program worked well.  I would suggest building the spirit of this program into the development of ocean wind.  For example in Belgium (the gold standard for ocean wind development), all stakeholders have a voice at the table and collectively stakeholders come up with the best solutions to challenges.”

Gill continued, “Additionally, in Belgium, they address research continuity and cumulative impacts by having one central source to decide how research funds are spent, key learnings from the past year are used to set the research agenda for the following year.” In this way research learnings are able to be applied to future wind farms immediately.

Key recommendations made at the closing session on how URI should contribute to appropriate growth of offshore wind included: URI as a consensus builder/facilitator, like the SAMP program prior to the development of the Block Island Wind Farm; serve as a research, communication and education resource like a ‘Center for Offshore Wind’ that engages all stakeholders, the ‘Center’ would aim to educated, communicate and serve as a funnel for all research.

Additional recommendations included the coordination of all research by one entity which would allow research money to be pooled for greater impact and apply both good and bad cumulative impacts of multiple wind farms immediately; explore benefits of tower foundations and anti-scour pads to develop habitat for recreational fishing;  develop research protocols for all wind farms; the need to educated the public about renewable energy to help build an understanding and a ‘pipeline’ of qualified work force.

Bluefish arrive for Project Healing Waters

Last Saturday was a good day for fly fishing wounded Veterans participating in the Project Healing Waters event out of Allen Harbor, North Kingstown.  Ten boats took twelve fly fishing anglers out for a morning of fishing on Narragansett Bay from 6:00 a.m. to 12 noon.  The trip was followed by a cookout on shore at Allen Harbor Marina.

The vessels found a good bluefish bite in Greenwich Bay, Warwick in front of the Buttonwoods area. 

For a little more than a decade Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, part of the Stars & Stripers initiative, has focused on healing those who serve. 

Fibromyalgia Striped Bass Tournament

The 2019 Fishing for Fibromyalgia Striped Bass Tournament will be held July 19, 6:00 p.m. to Sunday, July 21, 12:00 p.m. at Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown.  The waterway boundaries for the tournament extend from the Westport River, MA to Watch Hill Lighthouse, including Block Island.

The $10 donation/entry fee goes directly to researching the safe and effective treatment of fibromyalgia/chronic pain by the Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Rheumatology.

Tournament organizer Richard Geldard said, “We have four tournament division… shore, boat, kayak and a 12 and under division.” First place trophy for the heaviest fish in each Division with tie decided by length and/or girth.  Second and third place fish will receive gift subscriptions and/or a special edition almanac form On The Water Magazine.

For information visit www.fishingforfibro.com  or contact Richard Geldard at geldard.richard@gmail.com and 774.930.7098. 

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass fishing was hot at the Cape Cod Canal and mixed everywhere else this week.  Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick said, “Some larger fish in the 30 pound range have been caught in Mt. Hope Bay.”  Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said, “The large fish were in Mt. Hope Bay in the Somerset and Bristol Street Bridge areas.  Last week we had an east passage bite.”  Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle said, “We have some anglers still catching school bass in the coves in Rhode Island.”

Fluke fishing.  Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait said, “Anglers are catching keeper size fish in front of Warwick Country Club.”  Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box said, “Some nice fish are being caught at the 12’/32’ depth break in front of the Warwick Neck golf course.”  Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “Fluke fishing had its peaks and valleys last week. The bite that we had earlier at the Island seemed to have thinned out. Hope it picks up this week.”  

Scup fishing has improved throughout the Bay,  “Customers are catching scup to 14” at Colt State Park, the Narrows and under the Mt. Hope Bridge.”, said Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait.  Tom Giddings said, “Scup are moving into the Bay as well as sea bass.  Customers are catching some nice black sea bass but are having to throw them back as the season does not start until June 24.”

Freshwater fishing for largemouth bass is hot.  Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box said, “The largemouth bite has been outstanding at Tioque Lake, Coventry, Stump Pond and at Warwick Pond.  Some pickerel are being caught too.  The bass are now post spawn, the fish are nice large fish but they don’t have those sagging bellies as they did a couple of weeks ago that were loaded with eggs.”

Striped bass under attack, anglers need to take a stand

Spring bass a hoot: Steve Brustein with a 25” spring striped bass caught on an Al Gag’s soft plastic white lure in five feet of water near the Godard Park boat ramp, Warwick.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Program, part of the Stars & Stripers initiative, will take place Saturday, June 8 at Allen Harbor, North Kingstown. Donations of all types are welcome.

Striped bass under attack… anglers need to take a stand

Striped bass are under attack.  The recent stock assessment indicates they are overfished and are subject to overfishing. Think of the striped bass in the water as bank account, we are not only earning less than we are spending (overfishing), but the account is overdrawn (overfished).

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), that regulates striped bass coastwide, recommended an Addendum that aims to reduce harvest by 17 percent to lower mortality and bolster Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB), females in the water that can spawn.

Yet some government officials are advocating to take more fish for short term economic gain, rather than rebuilding the stock growing it to abundance so there are more fish in the water for all to catch, eat and/or release.

Additionally, some special interest groups want to move an Amendment (different than the Addendum mentioned above) forward that would move the goal post. So rather than fishing within the scientifically arrived at target to insure a sustainable fisher, they aim to lower the bar on ‘ecological reference points’… the amount of spawning stock biomass that is required to be left in the water.

In a May 21, 2019 press release Rep. Lee Zeldin (R) from New York District 1 (which includes the Montauk, NY area) said, “New York fishermen faced a major blow due to ASMFC’s decision to cut the Atlantic Striped Bass fishery by up to 17% next year and maintain the current ban on striped bass fishing in the Block Island Sound Transit Zone. Rather than rooting these decisions in local stock assessments,… the ASMFC used flawed data that measures the Atlantic Striped Bass stock based on the entire eastern seaboard,”

First, the recommendation to reduce the striped bass catch limit was based on a stock assessment that was peer-reviewed by respected fisheries scientists, not a U.S. Representative that wants to take more fish to satisfy constituent fishermen in his District.  Striped bass migrate and they tend to spawn in the same places so it is important to have a coastwide assessment and not just use local ‘alternate data’.

In regard to fishing in the Block Island EEZ, Representative Zeldin said he would like to use “Alternative data that shows the Striped Bass stock is in a better place outside the 3-mile limit”.  We should all be concerned about ‘Alternative data’ developed locally as it often comes to a conclusion that is in line with the local political situation.  In this case taking more fish, for short term economic gains of special interest groups in the Congressman’s District. 

Don’t get me wrong, an abundance of data is a good thing (local and national).  However, when Congressman Zeldin uses the term ‘alternate data’ it raises a red flag as it sounds like the term ‘alternative facts’ we often hear today.

Taking more fish for short term economic gain rather than long term stock rebuilding of striped bass is wrong. Sacrificing environmental concerns for economic gain is characteristic of Rep. Zeldin.  Whether you like to bird watch, be outside in open spaces, or fish… beware of Rep. Zeldin’s environmental record.  His lifetime score (voting record) on environmental legislation has earned him a score of 10 percent (out of 100) which is the lowest score of any NY Congressman from the League of Conservation Voters (http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/lee-zeldin).  By comparison twelve of the fifteen congressmen from New York have lifetime scores of 89 percent or better.

The fish in the ocean belong to all the people of the United States of American and not a select few.  We need to grow fish to abundance for all the people.

The ASMFC’s next meeting in August will consider Addendum options that will go out for public comment.  The goal is to have an approved Addendum in place for 2020 regulations.  Anglers need to comment on the Addendum when it is put out for public comment after the August meeting and oppose an Amendment that would move the goal post on Spawning Stock Biomass.

For a four part article series on the history of striped bass, regulations and recommendations visit www.saltwaterguidesassociation.org  for Rep. Zeldin’s May 21 press release and a more detailed rebuttal to his claims visit www.oneanglersvoyage.blogspot.com . 

Project Healing Waters Supports Veterans

On Saturday, June 8 disabled veterans, local volunteers, businesses, and civic organizations will gather at the Allen Harbor Marina in North Kingstown for the second annual Narragansett Bay ‘Stars & Stripers’ fishing event. 

Over a dozen disabled veterans and their families from Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing programs in New England will be hosted for the day on the Bay by professional guides and local experts to fish for striped bass and bluefish.  Thanks to local businesses and civic organizations a special shore lunch will be provided for all at this invitation-only event.

Donations of all types are welcome to make the day more memorable for veterans and their families.  To make a donation contact Keith Tanner, event coordinator, at keithtanner@sbcglobal.net or 203.521.2457.

Where’s the bite?

Freshwater.  John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside said, “I sold a ton of shiners this week to anglers targeting largemouth and everyone was catching a quantity of fish.  Echo Lake in Bristol County was particularly good for anglers.”  Capt. Tom Pelletier of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown said, “DEM restocked some of the area ponds so the trout bite is very, very good.”

Summer flounder (fluke) fishing picked up a bit this week as the water warmed along the coastal shore, in the Bay and offshore.  Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “The fluke fishing is really starting to pick up. Saturday was picture perfect conditions and fluking was red hot. We had the best day of the year so far with over 60 keepers. We had five fish around eight pounds. Water temperatures have really risen with the warm week.”  Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick said, “The fluke bite in the middle to upper Bay has really not started yet.”  Don Smith, expert angler and longtime RI Saltwater Anglers member, said, “We have been doing good with fluke on the south side of Block Island in about 70 feet of water.  Last week and this week we caught fish to 8.5 and 10 pounds.  There is a lot of bait around… sand ells and mackerel but no bass feeding under them.  We did start to catch dog fish when we moved to the East Grounds.”

Striped bass and bluefish fishing continues to get stronger with school striped bass and larger fish.  Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box said, “We weighted in a 30 pound bass this weekend caught on an umbrella rig in the Bay.”  John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside said, “The striped bass bite was good this week with a 42” fish caught in the upper Providence River and several keepers caught from shore at Colt State Park mixed in with school bass.  Anglers are catching as many school bass as they want in the Lavin’s Marina area in Barrington.”  Capt. Pelletier of Quaker Lane said, “Keeper striped bass being caught mixed in with school bass.  And it was nice to hear this weekend the bluefish arrived in force in the mid and upper-Narragansett Bay areas in Greenwich Bay as well as in the east passage north of Prudence Island.”

Tautog fishing season ends May 31 and reopens again August 1. 

How do fish feel about warming water?

 Capt. Tom Pelletier, Quaker Lane Outfitters, demonstrates fishing rod and reel at the fishing show.

 Steve Medeiros, New England Saltwater Fishing Show producer said, “Show attendance broke 15,000.”

How do fish feel about warming water?

I can only imagine how the fish must feel.  The water is warming and acidification is taking its toll.  They all feel the difference, but how they react to it is key. 

Some species have the ability to move away from the effects of warming water and others don’t.  And then again, some species like the warm water and it produces greater abundance (like black sea bass), yet others do not like warm water and leave the area if they can (cod), those that cannot leave the area become less abundant and could eventually disappear from the area (sea scallops and quahogs). 

A study released by the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) last month titled the “Northeast Climate Vulnerability Assessment” now sheds some light on how 82 species in northeast waters (many fished by recreational and commercial fishermen) are impacted by climate change.

Fortunately for us Dr. Jonathan Hare, one of the world’s most respected scientists studying climate change and its impact on fish, lives right here in Rhode Island.  Dr. Hare, fisheries oceanographer at NOAA Fisheries’ Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), is director of NOAA’s Narragansett Lab and is the lead author of the study.

“Our method identifies specific attributes that influence marine fish and invertebrate resilience to the effects of a warming ocean and characterizes risks posed to individual species. The study will help us better account for the effects of warming waters on our fishery species in stock assessments and when developing fishery management measures.” said Dr. Hare.

The study method for assessing vulnerability categorizes species that are “generalists” as less vulnerable to climate change than are those that are “specialists.” For example, Atlantic cod and yellowtail flounder are more generalists, since they can use a variety of prey and habitat, and are ranked as only moderately vulnerable to climate change. The Atlantic sea scallop is more of a specialist, with limited mobility and high sensitivity to the ocean acidification that will be more pronounced as water temperatures warm. Sea scallops have a high vulnerability ranking.

The study also goes a long way to further explain what is happening in our area with warm water fish being more abundance and cold water fish less abundant in our area.

The study’s summary of results helps put the species rankings into contest.  The specie summaries, that discuss what is known about the effects of climate change on the species, will be covered in future articles, particularly those species commonly fished by recreational and commercial fishermen in our area.

The study appears in its entirety on PLOS One, an online scholarly science journal at http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0146756.

Saltwater Fishing Show Big Success

The New England Saltwater Fishing Show held this weekend at the Rhode Island Convention Center was a huge success.  Steve Medeiros, show producer and president of the sponsoring RI Saltwater Anglers Association said, “Attendance was the best it has been in thirteen years. Preliminary numbers indicate that Friday, Saturday and Sunday all were attendance breaking days.  Initial estimates have put attendance at over 15,000 people and the best part for our exhibitors… a lot of product… fishing rods, reels and tackle were sold.”

Capt. Tom Pelletier of Quaker Lane Outfitters, North Kingstown said, “It was so crowed this weekend that many times you could not see across the aisle.”  Greg Vespe of Flippin Out Charters and fluke fishing rigs said, “People were buying fluke rigs in large numbers and asking a lot of questions on fishing tactics which is great.  It was wonderful to see so many people coming to the show this year.”

One of the shows headliners was Capt. Dave Carraro who gave a presentation with his mate on a behind the scenes look at the National Geographic Network program Wicked Tuna.   Capt. Dave Carraro said, “We attend a lot of shows all over the country and this is by far the best show we attend.  It was wall to wall people this weekend.  In fact I had to leave the booth just to get a little “me” time because it was so crowed.”

Hats off to Steve Medeiros and the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association for a successful and very special fishing show.

How to land spring striped bass

“Fishing for Spring Striped Bass” was the topic at Monday night’s panel discussion at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick. Striped bass experts Capt. Randy Bagwell of River Rebel Charters, Capt. Eric Thomas of Teezer 77 Guide Service and local striper surfcasting expert Dennis Zambrotta conducted the panel discussion on how to land striped bass form shore and boat at the Rhode Island Saltwater Angler Association meeting.

Four seminar take-a-ways:

First, you have to make it happen.  Be prepared to do a number of different things to catch spring striped bass as every day is different.  What works one day may not work the next day.  Be prepared to live line menhaden, fish with chucked menhaden, soft plastics, troll with umbrella rigs, etc. What appeals to the fish today may be far from what they want tomorrow.

Second, most spring bass are in skinny water… two to five feet close to shore when casting lures and up to 25 feet when fishing with live bait, fresh chunked bait or when trolling.

Third, fish early morning or at night.  Night brings darkness and poor visibility so bass feed aggressively as they believe they are safe from predators.  Dawn provides still water so you can actually see the bait and fish movement on the surface.

And fourth, fish where there is a lot of water movement.  Ledges as well as channel edges or channel pads where fish may be staging to ambush bait.  Fish choke points where the land narrows and water rushes through pushing and tossing bait around. Like the channel pads of the shipping channel from Sandy Point Prudence Island to downtown Providence.

Where’s the bite

Not much fishing has occurred as bad weather continued to keep boats in port.  When they got out the fishing was only fair.  Party boats sailing for cod fish at this time include the Frances Fleet at www.francesfleet.com , the Seven B’s at www.sevenbs.com, and the Island Current at www.islandcurrent.com.

How to buy a boat

Chris Catucci of Warwick, RI with the largemouth bass he caught on Gordon Pond using crank baits. With the warm weather, both fresh and saltwater fishing seasons have gotten off to a great start this.

Pam Tameo (right), president of the West Bay Anglers with Mike Dumsar of Westerly, RI. Mike won the big prize Saturday at the West Bay Anglers annual Fish Game dinner fundraiser.

Bob Monti of Charlestown, RI and his wife Audrey wanted a boat that their children and grandchildren could enjoy with them. But they also wanted to travel to Block Island and fish. So they settled on a 23” Scout twin console with a head and an enclosure from Ocean House Marina, Charlestown. The vessel has plenty of seating in the bow and plenty of room in the cockpit for fishing and additional seating.

So you want to buy a boat

So you are interested in buying a boat. No matter if it’s your first or twenty-first boat purchase it pays to shop around, look at vessels at boat shows, at boat dealers and check them out online on Craigslist and other boating portals. Most importantly, before you purchase, take your desired boat for a test run on the water under the conditions you intend to use the boat. For example, I like to troll at a slow speed at or below two miles per hour. So, when I test drive a boat I want to see how it runs at two miles an hour, at recommended cruising speeds and how it handles rough seas.

Determine the use of the boat
One of the first steps to buying a boat is determining what you want to use a boat for i.e. what type of fishing, family outings, swimming, overnight or day cruising or a combination of uses. The use of the vessel will dictate the type of boat you should buy. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has a great online tool to help you determine the type of boat you might be interested in. It can be found at http://www.discoverboating.com/. This web site will ask you the intended use and relate the advantages and disadvantages of each boat type recommended.

Should you buy new or used
Another major decision in the boat selection process is whether to buy a new or used boat. Like automobiles, new boats come with warrantees. If something goes wrong (and with boats something often goes wrong) you want a warrantee behind you. New boats and warrantees are important, particularly if you do not want to spend your time repairing and restoring a boat yourself. Often times old boats need more time to prepare for the season and will have a greater frequency of repair due to their age. A higher frequency of repair means more time off the water.
However, used boats cost less and are an option for those who are uncertain about boat use. A used boat is also a good option for those who cannot afford to purchase new. Make sure you add the cost of repairs to the purchase price of used boats. A helpful way to determine repair cost and insure you are not buying a lemon is to commission a boat survey. A boat survey is similar to a home inspection. Surveys are conducted by certified surveyors who closely examine the vessels hull, structure, electrical system and engine(s). Engine tests are conducted and running time hours are verified. Surveys will not only tell you what is wrong (and right) about the boat but can give you estimates on repairs which you can use to further negotiate the sale price.

Marine survey seminar
The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association’s (RISAA) May seminar will focus on marine surveys. So if you are thinking about a used boat consider attending this Monday, May 21, 2012 seminar at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick, RI. Visit http://www.risaa.org/ for details.

Custom rod and squid fishing seminar
The RISAA seminar Monday, April 30, 7:00 p.m. will feature Robert Jenkins, owner of Local Hooker Rods and three local squid fishermen Dave Fewster, Bob LeBlanc and Chuck Dore.

Where’s the bite
Fresh water. Maridee Bait & Tackle, Narragansett, RI, reports good fishing for customers at Barber, Warden and Tucker Ponds in South Kingstown, RI with night crawlers being the most popular bait for trout anglers. Angler Justin Fisette of Coventry, RI landed a 19, 18,17 and 12 pound carp at lake Tiogue. He also netted five catfish and one bullhead, all fish were caught in a span of 45 minutes. Chris Catucci of Warwick has been hammering largemouth bass at local ponds. Chris said, “Fished Gorton pond and slayed the largemouth… I got two really nice bass and also broke one off about the same size at the boat. I was rotating between different brands of chrome and black lipless crankbaits in an attempt to "match the hatch" of the alewives that migrate into Gorton Pond .” Ponds, lakes and rivers stocked with rainbow and brown trout continue to provide a lot of fishing fun for anglers too. Visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/ for a list of over a hundred ponds that have been stocked with trout.

Striped bass. Anglers continue to land fish at the West Wall at the Harbor of Refuge. Mary Dangelo of Maridee Canvas-Bait & Tackle in Narragansett, RI said, “Customer Tom McGuire caught over 100 fish last week on the wall with several keepers to 30” mixed in. All fish including the keepers were released. A popular bait for shore anglers continues to be Cocohoe lures with ½ once jig heads.” Angler Tom Pelto reports fishing the particularly large herring runs at rivers. Tom said, “I used a pink and purple Dawia Slider plug and landed three bass by dusk. They were between 28 to 30 inches. Each fish was fat and deceptively heavy.” Bob Olberg said, “I fished the upper bay (Friday) in my kayak… (with) tube and worm to search for fish, with soft plastics in reserve if I found a honeyhole. Caught three bass, one just over 28 inches, one just under, and one around 20 inches…caught one 28 incher last week in same area, the earliest I have caught a keeper in RI. All strong, healthy fish.”

Squeteague have already made their presence known this year with two caught in Greenwich Bay said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence. This dark olive green fish was once very popular in Rhode Island waters then almost disappeared for several years. For the past few years more and more are being caught. Squeteague is a great eating fish, know as salt water trout. Legal size in RI is 16” with a limit of one fish/person/day.
Squid are in according the Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle. “Customers have found them in Jamestown, Newport and Little Compton.”, said Dave. Squid and striped bass often arrive together so if you find one, your find the other.

Cod fishing remains soft said Captain Drew Dangelo of Maridee Charters, Narragansett, RI.

Tautog fishing is good with keepers caught this week at Conimicut Light, Plum Light House, Coddington Cove, General Rock, Hope Island and other favorite places. Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle said, “They have not moved to low water yet, they are still in deep water.” I saw Ken Thursday as he was clearing three nice keepers in the 20 plus inch range. He said, “We caught them with clam worms.” This is the bait of choice for many tautog anglers this time of year. Jeff Barker of Warwick and avid angler and member of the West Bay Anglers said, “We fished in the lower bay last week and had great luck. We keep ten fish but released all the females.” Asian crabs are present in the Warwick Neck area as anglers search the beaches turning over rocks for this favorite tautog bait.

Tautog bite excellent, striped bass make their presence known

Peter Nilsen of Barrington, RI and a member of the Rhody Fly Rodders caught this 24” school striped bass on a chartreuse and white Clouser streamer in the Narrow River in Narragansett last week.

Chris Catucci of Warwick caught this 9 pond tautog in just four feet of water off a dock in Warwick Neck. Chris said, “This fish hit a green crab with the legs and claw cut off on a 5\0 Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp octopus hook.”

Lary Norin of Cumberland, Rhode Island with the 10 pound, 25” tautog he caught along Narragansett, RI’s rocky coast. Lary caught the fish in 30’ of water while using green crabs as bait.

Tautog bite excellent, striped bass make their presence known

The tautog bite improved a great deal this week with some big fish in the nine and ten pound range being caught (see “Where’s the bite” below).
An important tip when fishing for tautog is chumming, attracting fish to the area with your bait of choice in addition to what is on your hook. Kevin Bettencourt from the East Bay Anglers and his Dad Albert have been fishing for tautog in Narragansett Bay and southern coastal water off Newport, Jamestown and Narragansett for many years. Kevin said, “Chumming is a critical part of tautog fishing. If you want to land numerous tautog, you must establish an effective chum line. This can be accomplished with grass shrimp or crushed Asian/green crabs. Don't be afraid to feed them! If you don't, they won't stick around long!” Robb Roach of Kettlebottom Outfitters from Jamestown said chumming is very important… “I chum with crushed mussels or crushed periwinkles.”
When fishing alongside a bulkhead or pier, barnacles and growth attached to the structure can serve as a great natural chum bait. Take an oar and scrape the structure allowing barnacles to fall in the water below serving as natural chum bait.
I like to use a mixture of crab legs and sea clams cut up into small pieces. One of the most useful tips for getting the chum where you want it appeared on the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) blog last year. Place chum in a small paper bag with a heavy rock inside at the bottom of the bag, secure the top of the bag with a line and place the bag in the water where you want the chum. The bag sinks to the bottom, wait a minute or two, the paper bag gets soaked, yank on the line a couple of times… the rock breaks through the bag and the chum lands under the vessel where you want it rather than having strong currents taking it away from the boat before it reaches the bottom.

New black sea bass and squid recommendations
The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) met last week to address the black sea bass fishery which has been designated as an overfished species. The council voted to recommend to DEM director Janet Coit a daily black sea bass limit of fifteen fish with a minimum size of thirteen inches and a season of July 11 to December 31. DEM’s preferred option was ten fish so the director may override the council’s recommendation. The council also recommended a proposal to require a saltwater fishing license when fishing for squid. Steve Medeiros, president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, said the topic brought much discussion at the council meeting, “…if squid was exempt, anyone out fishing without a license, who didn’t have a fish in the bucket yet, would just say they were fishing for squid.” The council also recommended that anglers should not be required to carry a photo ID in addition to a salt water license. Medeiros continued to say that the council recommended that shore-based spear fishermen had to have a license available “within a nearby car or other locations that is within in a five minute walk from the point of exit from the water”. Director Janet Coit is expected to consider RIMFC recommendations and rule on regulations this month.

Senate action on fisheries
Last week two bills hit the RI Senate floor pertaining to fishing. Bill 2011-S 850 titled “Senate Resolution Respectfully Urging Congress to Support the Marketing of Rhode Island Seafood” and bill 2011-S 846 titled “Senate Resolution Respectfully Urging the Rhode Eland Congressional Delegation to Give Rhode Island Representation on the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Council.” Both bills were recommended by the Environment & Agriculture committee chaired by Senator Susan Sosnowski.
This Wednesday the Special Marine Fisheries Task Force chaired by Senator Sosnowski was held in the Senate Lounge. The topic discussed was the establishment of a Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative. This is a good next step to brand and market Rhode Island fish to consumers in and out of the State of Rhode Island.

Economic impact of fishing being assessed
The port of Galilee in Narragansett, Rhode Island is undergoing an economic development assessment May 9 through May 11, 2011 by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and other federal agencies. The assessment team will hold meetings with local leaders to help identify economic development challenges and opportunities facing local fishing industries and communities. The goal of the visit is to provide customized technical assistance to the region, which has experienced reductions in ground fish fishing revenues in recent years. After the assessment, the EDA will present a report that captures economic development best practices and customized strategies for the region’s long-term strategic economic development. Narragansett is one of six fishing communities in the Northeast selected to participate in the economic development assessment project. The other communities are Portland, ME; Seabrook, NH; New Bedford, MA; Gloucester, MA; and Montauk, NY.

Where’s the bite
Tautog fishing improved a great deal this week. I received reports of good sized tautog being caught in the lower, mid and upper bay regions. Lary Norin of Cumberland caught a number of tautog including a 25”, 10 pound tautog when fishing along the rocky Narragansett coastline. The big tautog (and two 23” cod) were caught in about 30 feet of water using green crabs. Chris Catucci of Warwick landed a 9 pound tautog using green crabs while fishing off a dock in Warwick Neck. Reports of tautog being caught off Hope Island, General Rock in North Kingstown, and at the Bullocks Point concrete marker in Barrington.
Striped bass fishing continues to improve with school bass being caught in Greenwich Bay, the East Passage of Narragansett Bay and along the Rhode Island coastal shores. Fish are spotty but they are here. No reports of big fish being caught yet. Chris Catucci reports catching school bass off Rocky Pont. Chris said, “School striped bass are in. I caught a 20 inch bass on my first cast with a Yozuri.” Dave Sweet reports catching twelve school striped bass in the Narrow River, “...tagged and released 12 school stripers for the ALS, all about 14" long. I'm sure they were all winter hold-overs, no sea lice present. Fishing in 3-10 feet of water, low to slack low tide in the upper river. All fish caught on either a 3" Storm shad, a chrome Tony Acceta #14 spoon with yellow teaser feather, or a Cocahoe minnow.” Sunday night, I caught my first striped bass in Greenwich Bay and, believe it or not, my first bluefish of the season.