Tautog fishing good prior to storm

First tautog: Michael Weaver of Plymouth, New Hampshire, with his first tautog caught while fishing with Captain Dave Monti in North Kingstown.  The tautog was 21 inches and weighed about 7.5 pounds. 

Tautog fishing good prior to storm

Tautog fishing remained strong prior to the storm.  Last week while fishing the General Rock, North Kingstown area I met Captain John Sheriff of Captain Sheriff’s Fishing Charters returning from Whale Rock, Narragansett, RI where he landed five nice keepers there. 

I was fishing General Rock with my brother-in- law Michael Weaver of New Hampshire on Friday afternoon who fished for tautog for the first time. He landed four nice keepers, the largest was about 21”.  Michael was amazed (as we all are) at the fight tautog have in them once hooked.  Pound of pound they are one of the strongest fighting fish as they run for cover back into structure (very similar to grouper which are commonly caught off Florida shores). It was such a pleasure to experience his (our) excitement as Michael reeled in a big tautog with his rod bent in half.  As the fish hit the deck I yelled, “Wow! That’s what I’m talking about.”  The fish measured 21 inches and was about seven and a half pounds. Most fish that day were caught an hour after low tide with a good bite lasting until 3 hours after the low tide.  We used green crabs cut in half and occasionally chummed with crab legs and crushed crabs.

Tautog tips have appeared in this column throughout the spring and fall and many of them deserve repeating as to catch this species my experience is that conditions, gear, fishing and boat locations have to be just right.  Often times one angler may be catching fish and another one three feet away may not be catching fish.  So here are some tips.

1.  Find structure to find tautog.  Tautog can be fished from shore or boat and in both cases they like structure (rocks, wrecks, bridge piers, dock pilings, holes along the coast, etc.).

2.  Fish where the fish are.  This is particularly true with tautog because they are a territorial species, you have to find the tautog, they are not going to find you.  So if you get no bites, move to another spot. 

3.  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. 

4. Green crabs and Asian crafts are the bait of choice in the fall, however, in the spring clam worms and clams work well as the tautog seem to like soft baits.  When using crabs make it easy for the tautog to bite and take the bait.  Break off claws and legs, cut the crab in half and hook it through one leg socket and out another. 

5.  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.”  On the second or third tap I raise the rod up firmly feeling 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 in not able to run for cover.

6.  Use braid line with little drag.  Braid line allows you to feel the fish tap.  Monofilament line will stretch allowing the fish to run for cover.

7. Where to fish for Tautog.  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 Conimicut and Plum Point light houses, rock piles off Narragansett Beach and at Whale Rock, the jetty at Coddington Cove in Middletown, off Hope Island at rock piles and mussel beds on both the north and south sides, in the General Rock area in North Kingstown, around Brenton Reef in Newport and Ohio Ledge in the East Passage.

ASMFC to hold public hearing on menhaden Thursday night

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Public Hearing in Rhode Island on Draft Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden will take place Thursday, November 1, 6:00 p.m. at the University of Rhode Island Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium, South Ferry Road, Narragansett, Rhode Island.

The Draft Amendment presents a suite of options to manage and monitor the stock in both the short and long-term. Atlantic menhaden are an important species.  As filter feeders they are good for the environment, are a primary food source for many species (including striped bass) and they are harvested commercially for the production of many products for both human and pet consumption.

Fishermen and interested parties are asked to participate in local hearings and voice their opinions about options presented.  If you fish RI coastal waters, offshore or in Narragansett Bay, now is the time to voice your concerns about this important species.  The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) as well as other recreational and commercial fishing groups are expected to attend the meeting and express their view on management options outlined in Amendment 2. :

Recreational black sea bass fishery closes in Federal waters

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) fisheries division announced that the 2012 black sea bass recreational harvest limit has been reached. Effective 0001 hours, November 1, 2012, no one may fish for or possess black sea bass in Federal waters for the remainder of the 2012 calendar year, unless issued a commercial moratorium permit and fishing commercially.  Recreational anglers may continue to fish in State of RI waters within the three mile limit until December 31, however, federal party and charter boat permit holders may not unless they give up their black sea bass party/charter permit. Party and charter vessels can request to get their permit back later (it is about a 30 day process to get it back). NOAA fisheries said it is different for vessels with a commercial limited access permit, they would lose the limited access permit for good if they gave it up.

In regard to the black sea bass commercial fishery in RI, effective November 2, 2012, DEM decreased the possession limit of black sea bass to 50 pounds per vessel per calendar day.

Council votes to increase commercial quota for spiny dog fish

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted to increase the commercial quota for spiny dogfish by 14% to 40.8 million pounds in 2013.  This increase is good for commercial fisherman and those planning to process the species.  It is also good for recreational anglers in that it will help reduce the number of spiny dog fish (commonly called dog fish or sand sharks) that are caught as a by-catch when fishing recreationally.

Tautog season heating up… here are some tips

 

 

Tautog season heats up:  Captain Dave Monti with one of the tautog (21”) caught while fishing the General Rock, North Kingstown area this weekend.

Black sea bass bite still strong: Quinn (Squid) Antonacci of West Greenwich with the 22” black sea bass he caught on his grandfather Ken Robinson’s boat in the Brenton Tower area in 75 feet of water.

Wakefield resident lands Mako: John Stavrakas (in photo) with the 221 lbs Mako shark he landed last week with his neighbor John Ott on board.

 

Bluefish bite here:  Bill Houle, Jr. of Warwick and his father found the bluefish this weekend off the Prudence Island T Wharf.

 

Tautog season heating up… here are some tips

Anglers are catching great keeper tautog in the Bay and off coastal shores.  The fish are biting Asian and green crabs. The fall tautog season is here.  Go out and fish. Don’t forget to explore and discover your own spots.  Tautog are generally anywhere there is structure… rock clusters, jetties, docks, wrecks, humps, etc. 

 

Tautog regulations.  In Rhode Island tautog have to be sixteen inches or more. The catch limit for recreational anglers from August 1 to October 14  is three fish/person/day. 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.

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. 

 

The bite.  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.

 

Where to fish, what type of bottom? 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, rock piles off Narragansett, the jetty at Coddington Cove in Middletown, General Rock in North Kingstown (we found a great tautog bite at General Rock the past two weekends with fish to 21 inches), Hope Island, around Brenton Reef in Newport, Whale Rock, Ohio Ledge in the East Passage, Nebraska Shoals off South Kingstown.

 

Bait and chumming. Asian and green crabs (with legs taken off and cut in half) are baits of choice. 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!”

John Stavrakas of Wakefield, RI lands 221 lbs. Mako shark
John Stavrakas and his Wakefield, RI neighbor John Ott caught a 221 lbs. Mako shark  last week.    John said, “We set up a chum slick for shark on the warm side of a temperature break at the Suffolk (Wreck) and drifted across the break… We caught two nice blue sharks when Mr. Mako showed up… We didn't realize it was a Mako at first - we thought it was another blue… then he took off. I thought I was going to get spooled… We decided to chase this fish… (after a good fight) we put a flying gaff in him and the harpoon. Dragged his tail through the tuna door and tied him down.”

StriperFest 2012 in Falmouth, MA this weekend

On Saturday, September 29^th at 1:00 p.m., anglers will gather to celebrate another successful striped bass season at On The Water Magazine and TV’s StriperFest.  The event will be held at Falmouth Marina Park and include live music by the Deepwater Blues Band, Budweiser beer, tasty Black Dog fare and games and attractions for the whole family.  The event celebrates the end of the 2012 Striper Cup, a five-month long fishing tournament that attracted thousands of anglers from New Jersey to Maine to compete for over $150,000 prizes.  Bonus Day, Friday, September 28^th, noon to 5:00 p.m. with ongoing seminars and demonstrations.  Visit www.OnTheWater.com .

 

DEM offers saltwater surf-casting and fly-fishing workshops, programs… even a safari

DEM’s Aquatic Resource Education program is offering introduction workshops to saltwater surf-fishing and fly-fishing, a fly-fishing trip via train around Aquidneck Island, and fly-tying workshops.  Contact Kimberly Sullivan at 401.539.7333 or kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov for information.

“Surf Fishing: The Basics, an introductory course was held Wednesday, September 26.

“Introduction to Saltwater Fly-Fishing” Saturday, September 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Kettle Pond Visitors Center, Charlestown.  Learn about fly-tying, casting techniques, and knot-tying. $35 per-person.

“Fly-Fishing Express,” a fly-fishing safari around Aquidneck Island on the Old Colony Train Saturday, October 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop at remote public access fishing areas.  Learn about the best flies to use and fly- fishing tactics. For advanced beginner, intermediate and advanced fly-fishing anglers. Bring chest waders, other equipment provided, $35 per-person.

“Fall Fly-Tying 2012” sessions held on six Mondays beginning October 22 to December 17 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the North Kingstown Community Center. Learn beginner and intermediate fly-tying techniques for fresh and saltwater fishing. $5 for each class or $25 for all six sessions.

Where’s the bit

Tautog fishing improving. Angler Ken Robinson said, “We double anchored on the (Brenton) Tower hump … all tolled we caught about six tautog, three BSB and a half dozen scup… Oh and of course the striped bass.” Ken’s fishing partner Paul landed a 42 lbs striped bass that hit a crab while tautog fishing.  Max DiStoto caught a 6 lbs. tautog in the Nebraska Shoals area said Al Conti of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown.  John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, East Providence said, “Customers are catching small tautog at Conimicut Light, no large ones yet.” 

Striped bass.  Bob Masse limited out on striped bass at Block Island while fishing with friends Saturday.  Angler Mike Swain of Coventry said, “We fished the Bay for stripers Friday night and did not have any luck.”  Al Conti of Snug Harbor Marine, South Kingstown said, “The bass bite slowed this weekend at the Southwest Ledge off Block Island…  the fish are there, the divers are getting them… there is just so much food around that you have to be fishing when they’re feeding.”  Albert and Kevin Bettencourt of East Providence are catching midsized bass at night during tide changes drifting eels.”, said John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait. 

Offshore.  Barry Bordner of South Kingstown landed a 300 lbs. bluefin tuna this weekend at the BD Buoy south/southeast of Nantucket said Al Conti of Snug Harbor.  Reports of one giant hook-up at the Mud Hole this weekend.

Green bonito and false albacore fishing is excellent all along the RI coast from Westerly to Newport.  “Albies (False Albacore) and Green Bonito are all over the place… (anglers) all along the coast are having a blast with them.” said Al Conti of Snug Harbor.

Bluefish. “The past couple of days the schools (of bluefish) have been circling the waters just southwest of the "T" wharf (Prudence Island). No frenzies yet but they have been consistently hitting bright plugs and ignoring natural colors.” said angler Bill Houle, Jr. of Warwick.

Atlantic menhaden.  John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle said, “There are a million pogies in the Providence River… both small and large ones… a customer said you could have walked across them this weekend, but no fish chasing them.” 

Scup.  Scup bite strong a the East Fishing grounds, Brenton Tower area and in the Bay.  Max DiStoto caught a 3½ lbs. scup this weekend at Nebraska Shoals.

Tautog fishing improving, here are nine tips

Captain Dave Monti with the eight pound tautog he caught near General Rock, North Kingstown, RI this Sunday using green crabs.

Tautog fishing improving, here are nine tips
The tautog fishing is improving with larger fish being caught as the water cools. Tautog (or Blackfish) is a great eating fish with nice tasting white meat. Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental Management regulates recreational tautog fishing. The catch limit this time of year is six fish/person/day with a ten fish boat limit (the ten fish boat limit does not apply to charter and party boats). The season ends December 15.
Here are nine tips to help you have a great fall tautog season. Some have appeared in previous columns but are worth repeating.
1. Find structure to find tautog. Tautog can be fished from shore or boat and in both cases they like structure (rocks, wrecks, bridge piers, dock pilings, holes along the coast, etc.). So, no structure, no tautog.
2. Fish where the fish are. This is particularly true with tautog because they are a territorial species, you have to find the tautog. They are not going to find you. So if you get no bites move to another spot. When you find them, you find them and the bite is on.
3. Boat placement is important. 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. Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle suggests casting a bit to cover as much area as you can. If still no bites let some anchor line out to change your position, if still no bites it is time to move the vessel.
4. Green crabs or Asian crabs are the baits of choice in the fall. When using green crabs make it easy for the tautog to bite and take the bait. Break off claws and legs, cut the crab in half and hook it through one leg socket and out another. Tautog rigs are simple many anglers prefer rigs with one hook.
5. Losing rigs is common when tautog fishing due to bottom hang ups on rocks and structure. To save tautog rigs, I use elastics to attach my sinkers so the elastic breaks when caught in structure and you same the rig. I also use egg sinkers depending on the conditions.
6. Fish lodged in structure. Here is a tip from George Poveromo’s “Rock’em Sock’em” article that appeared in this month’s 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, pull or pluck the fishing line like a banjo or gaiter 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 pumping and reeling in the fish so it does not muscle its way back into the structure.
7. Feel the bite… tap, tap and then get ready for a tug of war. I believe with the first tap the tautog is positioning the bait for consumption. So at the second or third tap I raise the rod up firmly feeling 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 in not able to run for cover.
8. Use braid line with little drag. Braid line allows you to feel the fish tap. Monofilament line will stretch allowing the fish to run for cover, braid line does not stretch. It is important to put little drag on the reel and apply continuous pressure so the tautog comes up and does not go back down to hide in structure once you have it hooked.
9. Where to fish for Tautog. From shore look for rocky coastline like Beavertail Point on Jamestown, locations off Newport and off breakwater rock walls at South County beaches. From a boat I have had good luck at Plum Point light house next to the Jamestown Bridge, the rock jetty north of Coddington Cove in Portsmouth, off Hope Island, around Brenton Reef in Newport, Whale Rock, Ohio Ledge in the East Passage and any other place there is structure, debris, rock clusters, wrecks, etc.
Fly tying meeting/workshop
The monthly meeting of the United Fly Tyers of Rhode Island (UFTRI) will be held Wednesday, November 2, 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 475 Sandy Lane, Warwick, RI. President Michael Maddalena said, “We instruct people on how to tie flies of all types, fresh and saltwater as many as five to six per month. This month the popular Peanut Bunker (or baby menhaden) fly will be one of six featured.” Association vice president Peter Burgess said, “The public is welcome to attend, we instruct at the beginner and intermediated levels… if you like participating our hope is that you will join the non-profit club for $30 per year. This includes all the supplies needed to tie at all monthly meetings.”
Banner year for young striped bass
Preliminary results from a 2011 survey conducted by researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIM’S) suggest the production of a strong class of young-of-year striped bass in the Virginia portion of Chesapeake Bay. The 2011 year class represents the group of fish hatched this spring. The results are good news for anglers who fish for this prized species. This year’s class is expected to grow to fishable size in three to four years.
Anglers have expressed concern over the health of the striped bass biomass with fewer fish being caught over the past three years, particularly those fishing in Narragansett Bay and along coastal shores. So the news is good as these fish migrate to Rhode Island and the Northeast. The 2011 study recorded more than 27 fish per seine haul, significantly higher than the historic average of 7.5 fish per seine haul. This is a significant increase from recent years, during which catches of young fish were average.
Although survey results show that numbers of young-of-year striped bass in Virginia have been average to above-average since 2003, results from a similar survey in Maryland indicate that numbers of juvenile striped bass there were below average in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
Where’s the bite
Striped bass bite is slow along southern coastal beaches this week. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “The striped bass and blues have followed the menhaden all the way up Apponaug Cove to my bait shop and all the way up to Post Road.” This weekend anglers enjoyed snagging the menhaden and then putting them right back into the school in hopes of catching a bass or bluefish. Some anglers were cutting them into chunks and weighting the line to send it down to the bottom. Bass fishing on the Southwest side of Block Island remains hot with many fish in the 30 and 40 pound range being caught.
Tautog fishing continues to improve. I caught four keepers at Hope Island and General Rock this Sunday. The largest fish was eight pounds. The eight pound fish took a green crab half in about fourteen feet of water. Francis Fleet reports a good tautog bite this weekend. This Sunday Connie Tu from West Warwick, RI caught five tautog including the nine pound pool winner.
Cod fishing is improving with anglers catching some fish in the teens with no large fish being caught yet reports the Francis Fleet.