House bill would weaken fisheries act

 

Anthony Mecurio Jr. from Coventry RI with a fine brace of fluke he buck tailed onto the deck of the Gail Frances party boat last week.

 

 

Michael Fotiades of Narragansett, RI with squid caught last week on a recent RISAA trip.  His son George is in the background.



House bill would weaken fisheries act

A U.S. House of Representatives bill (H.R. 1335) titled "Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act," that would reauthorize the Magnuson –Stevens Act is scheduled to come before the House next Monday. 

The Magnuson–Stevens Act (MSA) is the primary law governing recreational and commercial marine fisheries management in the United States. It was originally enacted as the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 and amended many times.  The two recent amendments were the Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 and then the MSA of 2006.

The supporters of this version or the reauthorization bill, which was authored by Alaska Congressman Don Young (R-AK), stated in a support letter that the bill will maintain the successful aspects of fisheries management under Magnuson-Stevens, while providing much-needed flexibility and economic relief to hard-working fishing communities.

According to Save Our Seafood (a seafood industry advocacy group comprised of commercial fish processors, fish brokers and boat owners), the support letter was sent last week to the House Natural Resources Committee Chair.  In a press release this week, Save Our Seafood said, “supporters of H.R. 1335 believe the bill will strike the appropriate ‘balance’ between addressing the ecological needs of fish stocks, the conservation goals of management, and the economic needs of fishing communities that are not being met by the current Act's rigid stock rebuilding requirements.”

However, there are two sides to every story.  Conservation minded fishermen and conservation groups throughout the country (including Pew Charitable Trusts and the Environmental Defense Fund) feel that this bill if passed will reverse much of the good that the MSA currently provides our fisheries.

Last year US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI and our congressional delegation, held an fisherman’s input session at the URI Bay Campus.  At that meeting Rhode Island fishermen and Janet Coit, director of the RI Department of Environmental Management, testified in support of Magnuson-Stevens saying it has rebuilt many of our fish stocks and much of it should be left intact when it is reauthorized.

Meeting attendees complemented the MSA for establishing Allowable Catch Limits (ACLs) that facilitated the rebuilding of fish stocks.

In an issue brief (pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis) Pew Charitable Trusts said, “(The bill) would significantly undercut the nation’s progress in preventing overfishing and rebuilding depleted fish populations. This shortsighted legislation would undermine the act’s core conservation provisions, jeopardizing the gains made in rebuilding and sustainably managing U.S. fish populations. It also would fail to advance a comprehensive approach to fishery management.”

Pew continued to say, “The Magnuson-Stevens Act should be updated in a way that promotes a comprehensive, 21st-century approach to managing the nation’s fisheries. But H.R. 1335 would move the country in the wrong direction, threatening the health of U.S. oceans and fish populations.”

NOAA seeks sanctuary volunteers

NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is seeking applicants with recreational fishing expertise to fill vacant seats on its advisory councils at Flower Garden Banks, Monitor and Stellwagen Bank national marine sanctuaries.   It is vitally important that recreational anglers participate in sanctuary advisory panels as their point of view is not often heard due to a lack of participation.  The recent New England Council vote on allowing recreational fishing in the Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary area was critical to recreational fishing and the charter fishing industry. It demonstrates the importance of angler participation on these sanctuary panels.   A sanctuary advisory council is a community-based advisory group with representatives from various user groups, government agencies, and the public at large. The role of the council is to provide advice to the sanctuary superintendent on the designation and/or operation of a national marine sanctuary. Council members include fishers, divers, teachers, boaters, business people, activists, protected area managers, scientists, and elected officials. A successful candidate for the positions noted above will advise the sanctuary superintendent on the recreational fishing perspective. Nominations are due June 30.  For information contact Russell Dunn, NOAA National Policy Advisor for Recreational Fisheries at Russell.Dunn@noaa.gov or 727.551.5740.   Where's the bite “Cod fishing at the East Fishing grounds has been fair when anglers have been able to get there. Anglers are catching shorts with keepers mixed in.” said Al Conti of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown. Striped bass. “Keeper bass are being caught with tube and worm and with chunks of Atlantic menhaden in the East Passage near Bear Point, Prudence Island.” said Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick. On RISAA‘s blog angler Bob Malouin said, “We motored over to Conimicut Light (Saturday). We didn't have any success throwing plugs and I was marking bass so around 0730 I decided to live line a pogy. In less than a minute I hooked into and ended up landing a 30 pound bass. After letting her go we ended up landing four more cookie cutter fish around 30". All fish were caught on live pogies directly south of Conimicut light.”    “We weighed in a couple of nice fish, not particularly big but in the 33” to 34” range.  Anglers are catching fish with top water lures such as SlugGo and Cohoes.  Some anglers are live lining and chucking pogies.” said Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren. “The worm hatch in Potter and Salt Ponds has been good with anglers landing bass there but things are pretty slow out in front.” Said Al Conti of Snug Harbor.  No bass report from Block Island yet. Summer flounder (fluke) fishing is picking up.  “They are catching fluke right off Warwick Light.” said Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick.  This is the third spring in a row that we will have had a decent fluke bite at Warwick Light.  This spot has not been this active in years.  Al Conti of Snug Harbor Marina said, “Customers are landing fluke and it is going to get better as the water warms. We had a 9.9 pound fluke caught along the coastal shore and a 10 pound fish caught on the Southwest side of Block Island but the bite has been very soft… the fish are still lethargic due to the cold water.  As it heats up this week the fluke fishing should improve.” Angler Mike Swain of Coventry said, “We are landing fluke off Jamestown and Newport with a three to one keeper ratio.” Roger Simpson of the Francis Fleet said, “We are catching fluke both on half and full day trips. Fish were spread out better around the boat on some days verses others. Those with experience using buck tails seemed to still have an edge over those using bait rigs on most outings. Always be prepared to fish both.” John Stavrakas said, “We arrived at the NW corner of Block Island (NE of "duck head") to find a fleet of boats working. The day started with a light westerly breeze and ended with a steady 15 knots gusting to 25. We worked the incoming tide for a half dozen keepers to 24" and twenty or so shorts. We were using 4/0 circle hooks with a buck tail skirt tipped with squid and spearing. Pink seemed to out fish white and green.” Tautog season closes May 31.  However, if you can get out before then it might be worth a try as keeper tautog are being caught. Many Macedo or Lucky Bait said, “We have and 22” and 24” fish caught by customers this past week.  Don’t get me wrong, they are catching a lot of shorts by keepers are mixed in.  Their bait of choice this spring seems to be crabs rather than worms.” Squid fishing has improved. “Customers are landing big tubes not just in Newport but they have traveled up the Sakonnet and all the way up to Bristol.” said Manny Macedo or Lucky Bait.  I fished the Frances Fleet Saturday night and it was a slow pick.  Top angler caught nineteen squid.  Roger Simpson of the Frances Fleet said, “Wednesday night was the best last week with generally one half to one full bucket per angler. Friday night was right behind with quite a few anglers doing one half to three quarters of a bucket and just a handful of fishers doing 20-30 pieces. Thursday and Saturday nights were slower with hi hooks both nights doing 30-40 pieces with most having less.” Angler Kevin Robishaw said, “Headed out last night (Saturday) aboard the Frances fleet for squid on the RISAA charter. Went out in front by Nebraska Shoal and anchored. Squid were coming over rail on first drop for me in the bow. This tapered off quickly and it was a pick all night for most in the boat. I never figured out a particular color or depth. I seemed to get them off bottom 4-5 feet but never really keyed in on them. I believe most people got at least a few. I got 10 tubes and between three of us in bow we got maybe a third of bucket full.”                                                                                       #

Worm hatch strong, bass can be elusive

 

Squid are in:  John Migliori of Newport with a squid he caught on the Goat Island Bridge in Newport last week.  Migliori said, “Squidding at Goat Island is better than it has been in a few years.”

VIP fishing:  Visually impaired persons fish aboard the Frances Fleet party boat.   The 7^th Annual VIP Tournament will be held on June 22 this year.

Where’s the bite

With warmer weather and a lot of bait (Atlantic Menhaden and squid) in Narragansett Bay and along coastal shores fishing broke wide open this week with tautog, fluke and striped bass.  Here’s what is going on.

Striped bass bite for smaller school bass was very strong all along coastal shores and in Narragansett Bay.  Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly said, “Many fish were caught in the River (Pawcatuck) this week with s 28” keeper caught from shore at Weekapaug.”  Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “There were more striped bass in Greenwich Bay this week than in years.  Everyone was catching school bass with an occasional keeper (one in fifty fish).”  Last week’s warming water combined with bait fish (Atlantic Menhaden) being in the Bay in large numbers seemed to be the combination of conditions needed to activate the bass.  Dave Pickering, noted author and shore striped bass fisherman said, “The hot artificial combination that has been scoring big time has been a Red Gill teaser set up on a leader along with a white, 7 1/2 inch Slug-Go at the terminal end.  The leader that holds this all  together is made with 30 lb. test mono and is about 2 1/2 feet long.  The teaser (Red Gill) dangles about 6 inches off the leader's swivel.  This is cast out and twitched along with short pulls of the rod tip as you retrieve at a slow to moderate speed.  The Slug-Go moves erratically in the water and stripers simply cannot resist slamming it.”  Several anglers have reported worm hatches in coves and rivers in both the east and west passages of the Bay with striped bass feeding on the surface.  Reports have been from Allen Harbor, East Greenwich Cove and areas in the Mt. Hope Bay area.  A few warm days have created ripe conditions for worm hatches. Fly fisherman Ed Lombardo said, “Fished the Barrington and Warren Rivers last week… we did very well in the Warren River with dark olive streamers and black colored streamers as well. A lot of mummy chubs showing in the river. The bass we caught had sea lice and where in the 12" to 18" class, lots of fish and lots of fun!”

Tautog fishing was heated up this week too.  Angler Larry Norin said he fishied off shore this week for tautog, “Left Point Judith at 7:00 a.m. Three guyes fished for two and a half hours and we caught eleven fish, nine keepers to six pounds, all on crabs in 30-40 feet of water.” Ken Landry and friend caught tautog to 11 ½ pounds using both clam worms and green crabs. “They fished at Plum Point Light, General Rock and Ohio Ledge.” said Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait.  Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said the tautog bite has been slow as not many anglers are targeting them this spring.

Fluke fishing is heating up with commercial fishermen starting to land fish along the southern coastal beaches.  Noted fluke angler Cathy Muli said, “Got the word there's small fluke on the beach  here, draggers are working out front.”  So Cathy and her husband Pat gave it a try this weekend. “There were only three boats out (ours being one of them) from Watch Hill to Weakapaug Breachway.” They picked up a few fish, all under 18” (recreational minimum size is 18” this year, 8 fish/angler/day).  Cathy said, “I used the Jackpot Digger Jig with a new addition to the line… a fluorescent squid skirt on a glow jig head. That's what I was using tipped with a strip of squid.  Pat, on the other hand, was using the white/red bucktail jig. We got out late 12:30 p.m. stayed 2 hours… Nothing to write home about but at least we know they're moving in.”  Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet reports that, “(Last week) hi hook took home six fine keepers with everyone on board getting at least 2- 3 fish apiece to take home. Pool fish was 5 lbs…. This past Saturday's fluke fishing was also pretty good with a nice pull of keepers... From mid week on they have been marking increasing amounts of bait as well.”

Squid fishing has blown wide open with the Frances Fleet reporting great squid trips, “Patrons are landing a half of bucket (five gallon pail) each which is equal to last year’s best trip,” said Roger Simpson.  John Migliori of Newport said, “Squidding at Goat Island is better than it has been in a few years.”

Worm hatch strong, bass can be elusive

Several anglers reported worm hatches in rivers and coves in Narragansett Bay this week. All it took was a few days of warm weather. Reports are from both the East and West Passages of the Bay and we can expect worm hatches in such places as Salt Pond in Narragansett, East Greenwich Cove, Allen Harbor, Wickford Cove, the Barrington and Warren Rivers in the West Passage as well as areas in Mt. Hope Bay.

As related in an earlier column this year, fishing worm hatches for striped bass can be exciting and frustrating at the same time. Cinder worms are small spawning worms almost tadpole like in their movements.  They have a wormlike body up top with a tail that wags through the water propelling them in an erratic fashion at fast speeds in circles through the water.

Striped bass (bluefish too) key in on the spawning worms (often in May and June) and feed actively on the surface, close enough to the shore to be well in range of anglers casting with spinning reels or wading fly rod fishermen.  They are also fished from boats on saltwater ponds, coves and in saltwater estuaries of all types.

When the worm hatch is at its peak using a fly or bait that resembles a cinder worm may not be a good idea.  If there is too much bait around the bass may not bite, however, if you present something different to the bass, to gain their interest, you could hook up with some nice striped bass.  It’s all about getting the bass interested in what you have to offer and they can be finicky and difficult to catch during a hatch.  However, when the hatch starts to slow down it may be a good idea to present bait that looks like a cinder worm as the bass may be hunting for the worms as they are getting scarce. 

Fluke fishing seminar this Friday at Watch Hill Outfitters

Watch Hill Outfitters, 157 Main Street, Westerly, will hold a free seminar on summer flounder (fluke fishing) Friday, May 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Mike Wade, owner of Watch Hill Outfitters, said quest speakers will be Capt. Tom Logan of Fish-On-Charters and Cathy Muli of Jackpot Digger Jigs. Fishing gear and rig manufactures will be on hand as well.  Call 401.207.4952 for reservations and information.

Fluke fishing and cooking seminar May 19

A RI Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) summer flounder (fluke) fishing and cooking seminar will be held Monday, May 19.  Captains Ron Hartman and Rich Hittinger along with local fluke expert Bob Murray will share tips from over their combined sixty years of fluke fishing experience.  Chef Ralph Battista, executive chef and owner of Luigi’s Restaurant & Gourmet Express, Johnston, will talk about cooking fluke.  Chef Battista is an avid angler who also loves to fish aboard his vessel Hook’n & Cook’n.  Seminar at 7:00 p.m., West Valley Inn, Blossom Street, West Warwick.  Non-members are asked to make a $10 donation, RISAA members attend free.

Fishing Tournament for visually impaired adults

The RI Lions Sight Foundation (RILSF) will host their 7th Annual VIP Fishing Tournament for Visually Impaired Persons (VIP’s) of Rhode Island on June 22, 2014.

The Tournament, which takes place on a party fishing boat out of Galilee, RI, is supported through donations from RI Lions Clubs and individual donors. This year, the Tournament will also receive support from the Pabst Brewing Company through the Pabst Blue Ribbon Northeastern Fishing Tournament held from June through September (visit www.pbrfishing.com).

The event includes breakfast and a half-day of fluke fishing followed by lunch and an awards presentation.  Participants vie for the opportunity to represent Rhode Island at the Lions National VIP Tourney being held in October in North Carolina. 

The event is free of charge to all VIP’s and their guides. To be eligible participants are must be legally blind, at least 17 years old, are physically able to fish from a party boat, and must be accompanied by a guide (transportation and/or guides will be provided if needed).

VIP’s and guides must fill out an application to participate.  Visit http://www.lions4sight.org/index.htm or call Ken Barthelemy at 401-529-6173 for information.

DEM and DOH to Kick off Great Outdoors Pursuit this Sunday

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the RI Department of Health (DOH) will kick off their Great Outdoors Pursuit (Pursuit #1) Sunday, May 18, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Lincoln Woods State Park.  Subsequent “Pursuit” events will take place the same time of day on June 22 and July 27 with the final “Pursuit #4” taking place Saturday, August 9.   The aim of the program is to encourage Rhode Islanders to reconnect with the great outdoors, get active and have fun.

“Our Great Outdoors Pursuit gets families outdoors, where they can enjoy nature, get fit and have fun.  Reconnecting children and families with the natural world will ensure a healthy future for our children and for our planet.” said DEM Director Janet Coit.

Four of the Pursuits take place on specific dates in set locations and are guided by DEM staff and their partners. Guided Pursuits include free outdoor adventures such as biking, hiking, nature walks, fitness challenges, kayaking, fishing and rock climbing. They also include music, environmental and health-related exhibits and free raffles, give-a-ways and samples.

Teams of children and adults will be challenged to visit different facilities and take part in outdoor adventures and learn about environmental and health issues over a 12-week period. They earn points for each “Pursuit” event they attend and can win prizes valued up to $1,000 at the Grand Finale. Each team must include a minimum of two people – one member over age 18 and one member under age 18. There is no limit on the number of members that each team may have.

This year program partners include United Healthcare, Verizon, Clivus New England, Fort Adams Trust, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, the YMCA, and Coast 93.3.

For more information contact Robert Paquette at (401) 667-6200 (robert.paquette@dem.ri.gov) or Terri Bisson at (401) 222-2776, ext. 4402 (terri.bisson@dem.ri.gov).

Tautog tips and spring bass

Captain Dave Monti holds the first striped bass of the season caught on No Fluke Charters last week in East Greenwich Cove. The fish was caught with a YoZuri Crystal Minnow swimming lure. Photo by Virginia Magnan-Monti.

Captain Robb Roach with a Narragansett Bay tautog caught last week. Tautog fishing has been great in the Bay.

Bob Matteson and Joe Amaral with Narragansett Bay tautog caught aboard Capt. Sheriff's Fishing Charters.

Frank Gionfrido of Narragansett, RI caught this nine pound, 28.5 inch lake trout jigging a Swedish pimple in 50 feet of water on Lake George, NY.

Tautog fishing if great… here are some tips

Spring tautog fishing which started two weeks ago has been outstanding. Tautog are going for Asian crabs and clam worms in a big way with anglers easily limiting out this week. Fishing at most favorite Narragansett Bay spots has been good… Conimicut and Plum Point Light Houses, General Rock in North Kingstown, Hope Island and Coddington Cove. Also reports of nice fish taken off Point Judith and Narragansett. But before sharing some tips from the experts, here are 2012 regulations for tautog from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM).

Tautog have to be sixteen inches or more. The catch limit for recreational anglers from April 15 through May 31 is three fish/person/day. The season is closed June 1 thru July 31 (during spawning) and reopens August 1 to October 14 with a three fish/person/day limit. The limit jumps to six fish/person/day on October 15 through December 15. However, there is a ten fish per boat limit during all periods. The boat limit does not apply to charter and party boats.
Here is what the experts have to say about tautog fishing.

Where are they biting this spring? Captain Robb Roach of Kettlebottom outfitters said, “(We have) been hitting the West and East passage a little bit this week for tautog. The fish are there and seem to prefer the sunny, warm, high spots. We caught a couple of limits in 18 feet of water in the mid to upper West passage on Sunday afternoon. The fish liked Japanese fiddler crabs (Asian crabs) on strong, small hooks. We were also chumming with crushed mussels. We found quite a few spots holding fish including Hope Island, Halfway Rock, the Navy Base, Castle Hill and Plum Beach Light. We concentrated on finding the warmest water (55 deg) and watching the depth finder for marks before setting anchor.”

Boat placement is important. Use electronics to find structure, estimate wind/drift direction and anchor up current from where you want to fish and drift back to the spot as the anchor is setting. Once in position, fish all sides of the boat casting a bit to cover as much area as you can. If still no bites, let some anchor line out a couple of times to change your position, if still no bites it is time to move the vessel.

Fish lodged in structure. Here is a tip from George Poveromo’s “Rock’em Sock’em” article that appeared in a back issue of Saltwater magazine. When a fish is hooked and it has muscled its way back to structure, apply pressure forcing a respectable amount of bend in the rod. If the fish is not moving, hold the rod vertically to the water, tighten the line and pull or pluck the fishing line like a banjo string. The sharp vibrations emitted work their way back down to the fish through the line and irritate it. The fish, in a state of confusion, may back out of the hole to free itself from the irritation. Once you sense this has happened start reeling in the fish. If this does not work try letting the line just go limp for a minute or two. With no pressure on the fish, it may dislodge itself. The rig often frees itself, the fish may get unhooked, or you may still catch the fish.

Feel the bite… tap, tap and then get ready for a tug of war. Captain George Cioe said, “I believe with the first tap the tautog is positioning the bait for consumption.” So at the second tap I raise the rod up firmly feeling for the weight of the fish (no need to jerk the rod up hard). Once the fish is hooked, keep the rod up and pressure on so the fish is not able to run for cover. Captain Rich Hittinger, RISAA vice president and a long time angler out of Point Judith said, “If you get two bites with no hook-up your bait is gone. Reel in and re-bait.”

What type of bottom should you look for. From shore, look for rocky coastline like Beavertail Point on Jamestown, locations off Newport, Point Judith and off jetties at South County beaches. From a boat, I have had good luck at Plum Point light house next to the Jamestown Bridge, rock piles off Narragansett Beach, the jetty at Coddington Cove in Middletown, off Hope Island at rock piles and mussel beds on both the north and south sides, around Brenton Reef in Newport, Whale Rock, Ohio Ledge in the East Passage and any other places there is structure, debris, rock clusters, wrecks, etc.

Bait and chumming. The bait of choice for tautog this spring has been Asian crabs and clam worms. In the fall it has been Asian crabs and/or green crabs (with legs taken off and cut in half). Chumming for tautog will enhance your catch dramatically. Kevin Bettencourt from the East Bay Anglers 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 or 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.”

Where’s the bite
Freshwater. “Fishing is good for customers with nice sized rainbow trout being caught at Silver Spring Lake in North Kingstown and Beach Pond at Arcadia State Park.”, said Craig Castro of Erickson’s Bait & Tackle of Warwick, RI. Visit www.dem.ri.gov for a list of ponds, lakes and rivers stocked by DEM.

Striped bass fishing is good. Bass to 38 inches being caught in the West passage with school bass being caught in covers, at the month of rivers and on the troll. Last week I caught my first keeper of the season in East Greenwich Cove. It was 29”, healthy with a medium sized girth for this time of year. All the fish this spring have been very aggressive. This one took a Yozuri Crystal Mino plastic swimming lure just before it was pulled out of the water. Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence, reports a good bass bite in the Seekonk and Taunton Rivers. Customers catching bass on the troll up to the mouth of Omega Pond in East Providence.

Tautog. Captain Steve Sherriff reports tautog at several Bay locations “We fished the upper Bay for Tautog on Saturday morning with no luck. Very dirty water. Moved to lower bay North of
Jamestown Bridge near General Rock and Hope Island. (We) caught 17 keepers on Asian and Green crabs in 10 to 20 feet of water. 5.5 pounds was largest fish.” Captain Robb Roach experienced similar good luck last week in the East and West passage of the Bay (see above report). A 16 plus pound tautog was caught last week by Captain Billy Silvia of Can’t Imagine Charters, Bristol, RI.

Squid fishing has been mixed this week. Captain Rick Bellavance said, “We are exploring squid fishing trips in the next week or two at a special rate”. Many anglers catch squid and freeze it for use as bait throughout the season. You can reach Captain Bellavance at www.priorityfishingcharters.com . Francis Fleet and Seven B’s vessels out of Galilee, RI are also taking anglers fishing for squid.