Five giant bluefin tuna caught this weekend

August 30, 2010

Bluefin tuna weighing in at 866 lbs. caught this Sunday by Dean Venticinque (second from left) of the vessel “Twentyfive” at the Mud Hole about eleven nautical miles off Block Island.

Al Conti of Snug Harbor Marina reports three giant bluefin tuna were caught this Sunday including an 866 lb. tuna caught by Dean Venticinque of the vessel Twentyfive; a 425 lb. fish caught by Alice Petrucci of Duck Soup; and a 666 lb. bluefin caught by Joe Warner on the vessel Shadow Maker. Captain Rick Bellavance of Priority Too Charters reported that two giant bluefin tuna weighing over 800 pounds were caught Saturday. Captain Bellavance said, “The crews of the Monsta and Midnight Rambler scored with giant blue fin tuna over 800 pounds fishing in the Mud Hole on Saturday. “ The Mud Hole is about eleven nautical miles ESE off Block Island. These are the first reports of giants being caught. Let’s hope it is a great season.

RI Party & Charter Boast Association (RIPCBA) charity tournament
The RIPCBA held a charity tournament last week. The first place winner was Ralph Dwine from Lyndeborough, NH with a fish that weighed 33.75 pounds. The fish was caught aboard the Persuader run by Capt. Denny Dillon and Mate Jimmy McWilliams. Second place was taken by Paul Furtado from Warwick, RI with a fish that weighed 33.50 pounds. The fish was caught aboard the Maridee II run by Capt. Andy D’Angelo and Mate AJ D’Angelo.

A night of shore fishing
The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) held a shore fishing workshop this past Monday at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick. At press time Dave Pickering, noted local shore angler was scheduled to speak about Breachway Strategies… or outflows… being some of the best locations in Rhode Island to fish. Fishing strategies for Rhode Island southern shores included the Weekapaug, Quonny, Charlestown, Galilee and Narrow River areas. Dave is a member of the New England Outdoor Writers’ Association and has written hundreds of articles about fishing for striped bass. Visit Dave on his blog at www.ristripedbass.blogspot.com
Pat Abate, owner of River’s End Tackle in Old Saybrook, CT was scheduled to speak about Block Island fishing from shore. Pat’s presentation includes an aerial tour of Block Island showing some great fishing spots, how to get to them and how to fish them once you arrive. For information about Block Island shore fishing visit www.riversendtackle.com (they have classes and seminars too).

Joseph Hartman Memorial Fundraiser a success
The RISAA reports that the Joseph Hartman Memorial Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner held in Coventry on August 25 was a big success with proceeds of the event split between three of Joe's favorite groups: the Coventry Fire District (he was a firefighter), Manchester Lodge #2 and the RISAA Foundation. Dale Hartman, Joe’s wife, said, “Joe was proud to be a member of RISAA … and loved taking part in the annual Take-A-Kid Fishing Day. He would be happy to know that this fundraiser helped to pay for the event.”. Dale Hartman and her daughter, Kristina, presented a check for $633 to the to the R.I. Saltwater Anglers Foundation to be used towards the 2011 “Take-A-Kid Fishing” day.

Where’s the bite
Striped bass fishing on Block Island remains excellent. Stripers are taking parachute jigs and eels along the South side of Block Island, reports captain Rick Bellavance of Priority Too Charters. Angler Joe Daniels of Cranreports landing striped bass off Warwick Neck this past Friday. Daniels said, “…We started trolling out of Oakland Beach by the golf course towards Warwick Light - we were trolling Rapala Magnums at about 23-27 foot depth - picked up a double - one was 28" the other 30". Did a 180 and came back over the same area picked another double both 32" - after that - nothing! - Guess the bad weather cooled the water temperature enough to start bringing them up to my end of the Bay.” Captain Robb Roach of Kettlebottom Outfitters , Jamestown said, “We have been doing well on bass in the Bay lately. Light tackle around Quonset and trolling wire around halfway rock and Prudence Island. The bluefish (gators) are there too!” Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle said action in most of the Bay is slow but some nice sea bass, fluke and bass being caught south of the bridges. Captain Bob Masse of Fishtales II said on the RISAA blog that he fished Block Island Saturday starting at 6 a.m. and the three anglers on board limited out on bass that weighed in the mid-twenties.
Fluke (summer flounder). Captain Rich Hittinger reported Carl Pearson caught an 8.9 fluke on his boat Skipjack as well as six other fluke over three pounds. Captain Hittinger said, “These fish never came into the (Rhode Island) south shore beaches this year. I think that is because the squid were fished out early in the season by very heavy pressure from the draggers, so there is nothing on the beaches for these fluke to eat. At the Island they are eating sand eels.” Hittinger continued, “From this past weekend I can tell you that the NE wind last week blew the fluke off the spot on the North Rip where they have been for weeks. There are some big scup at the SE corner of Block Island and Coxes Ledge is loaded with dogfish.” Captain Robb Roach said, “The fluke have left the bay! Won't see them there in numbers again until next year. Try going out front and anchor up/ chum. You will do better on fluke and get a ton of seabass and scup as well.”

Off-shore fishing. Captain Rick Bellavance of Priority Too Charters said, “We Fished offshore on Friday and Saturday. Fishing 38 miles S/E of Point Judith, we caught three Makos and five Blue Sharks, all were tagged and released. Trolling for Tuna Fish was unproductive everywhere we tried. …We fished Saturday Night where we found Bluefish and Green Bonito biting diamond jigs in the North Rip off Block Island. September and October offer some of the best fishing of the year, many folks wrap it up after Labor Day, missing the best opportunities to catch the widest variety of fish available all year.”

Impact of Gulf oil spill on bluefin tuna fishing in Rhode Island

August 23, 2010



Rob Sperrazza of Suffield, CT caught this 26” fluke (summer flounder) on the vessel Angel Light of No Fluke Charters using a squid rig tipped with squid strip and a fresh water minnow mounted horizontally on the hook which madea big presentation to the fluke.

Scientists have objected to the Obama Administration’s claim that 75% of the oil spilled by BP in the Gulf has been collected, burned, degraded or evaporated. In fact, scientist have refuted this claim and related that much of the oil is still in the water.
News about a 22 mile underwater oil plume 3,000 feet below the Gulf surface was reported by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in a study published in the August 19, 2010 issue of Science magazine. The study enhanced fears about possible damage to bluefin tuna larvae. Bluefin tuna migrate to waters off Rhode Island, so damaged larvae in the Gulf could impact fishing here. The 22-mile plume is actually 1.2 miles wide and 650 feet high. The study’s author, Christopher Reddy, is a Rhode Island native.

Ekos 2 (an environmental/economics blog) reported that Dr. Ronald Kendall of Texas Tech University emphasized how little was known about the impacts of dispersed oil on species such as bluefin tuna, a species that has experienced a decline over the past few decades. He noted that critical spawning areas for tuna are located in the vicinity of BP’s oil releases and plumes of dispersed oil. The spring and summer spill period coincides with the tuna’s egg and larval stages.

I wondered about the impact of the spill on bluefin tuna fishing in RI so I asked Captain John Rainone, L’il Toot Charters, Narragansett and past president of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association (RIPCBA). He said, “…The scientists say that they have no clue as to whether there will be any long term impacts from the oil spill on tuna eggs and larvae. In fact where is the proof (100%) that the only area that bluefin tuna spawn is in the Gulf of Mexico where the oil spill happened. Is that the only place in the entire ocean East and West that Bluefin spawn?” Rainone continued, “…I have one strong feeling … tuna fish are smart, just like most animals and fish they have survival instincts. If they are swimming into the area that has oil… do you really think they are going to stay there and spawn, or move off to a different area in the ocean and spawn there? When the tsunami was coming and all the animals headed for higher ground, did they do this due to instincts and survival feelings, or did they hear the special weather broadcast on the radio?”

Captain Rick Bellavance is a member of the Highly Migratory Spices Advisory Panel of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a charter boat captain in RI and president of the RIPCBA. Captain Bellavance said the NMFS committee has and will again address the effects of the spill on tuna at their September meeting when they have more information. He said, “Prior to the spill, bluefin tuna stocks were not rebuilding sufficiently and as a result NMFS enacted a mid season adjustment to reduce fishing mortality within the Private Angler Sector. Any effect the spill has on this year’s spawn could show up in future stock assessments and result in further regulations… There are some global complications as well. As we try to convince Eastern countries to rebuild their stocks, we are dumping oil and chemicals all over ours. Not too convincing! “

Striped bass regulations
Recently the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) held a public hearing on increasing commercial striped bass quotes. The majority of those attending felt that all is not well with striped bass and we should look to cut back rather than increase the number of fish being taken. Steve Medeiros, president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) presented membership with the question on their blog. Should more or less fish be taken? Overwhelmingly members felt striped bass regulations should be adjusted downward if necessary to preserve the fishery. Many favored slotting, allowing anglers to take fish of a certain length (smaller fish) rather than larger egg bearing fish. Members related they would be willing to take less fish to preserve the fishery if necessary.

New tautog regulations
The RI DEM director has approved new regulations for tautog fishing. There are different regulations for private recreational anglers and party & charter boats.
Recreational angler: 3 fish per person/per day from now through October 15 (status quo); 6 fish per person/per day from October 16 to December 15; and a 10-fish BOAT LIMIT from now to December 15. New changes include a reduction from 8 fish/day to 6 fish/day in the fall fishery, and the new boat limit. This means that no more than 10 tautog may be caught on any boat, no matter how many anglers are aboard.

Licensed Party & Charter Boats with mandatory logbook reporting for all tautog fishing (new): 1 fish per person through October 15 (new); 8 fish per person from October 16 to November 30 (will drop to six fish in 2011); and 1 fish per person from December 1 to December 15.

Where’s the bite
Fresh water bite is good and improving. Angler Kim Bissonnette of South Kingstown said, “Largemouth bass are still relating to cover and structure, but can be found roaming a bit during early mornings and later in the evening as the water temperatures drop a bit. Flat water conditions during either time of day are beginning to produce some very nice strikes on top water baits using poppers and smaller profile propeller baits. Soft plastics are also still catching fish along weed edges close to drop offs. During the day, downsizing has helped to produce some good bites using 4" lizards and stick baits. Good colors have been chartreuse, green pumpkin with flakes and sweet potato pie.

Striped bass bite continues to be good at Block Island with fish being caught in the lower part of the Bay too. Robb Roach of Kettlebottom Outfitters, Jamestown, said, “Surprisingly the Stripers are in the Bay. My eight year old Ethan won the CYC tournament with a 31", 11 lb striper caught at Half Way Rock.” Captain Rick Bellavance of Priority Too Charters said, “Persistent easterly winds have had a negative effect on the fishing around Block Island. We are still catching stripers during the day drifting eels and parachute jigs on wire, but you have to work for what you catch. The North Rip is full of bluefish.” Fly fisherman Peter Nilsen of Barrington said, “Fishing from shore is still very slow. The only action from the beaches on the East Bay side, are "skipjacks". But they are getting a bit bigger than they were a few weeks ago. I've been casting on the shores of Little Compton and along Barrington Beach looking for the occasional striper and have caught many of these pesky little blues. No bass!”

Fluke (summer flounder) fishing is good at Block Island with some fish being taken along southern coastal beaches and in the Bay around the bridges and south. Fish to ten pounds being taken at Block Island with jigs outperforming squid rigs. Last week Rob Sperrazza of Suffield, CT caught a 26” fluke under the Newport Bridge when fishing on Angel Light of No Fluke Fishing Charters. The fish was taken on a squid rig tipped with squid and a minnow (you can purchase frozen fresh water minnows at Erickson’s Bait & Tackle in Warwick, they save them for fluke fishermen).

Fish poaching penalties… and a great shark story

August 16, 2010

Thirteen foot, 288 lb. thresher shark caught on Priority Too Charters from Snug Harbor, RI. Captain Rick Bellavance said Jeff Laroque and the crew from UPS were fishing with him Saturday when the fish was caught.

Last week the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) charged Albert Reeves of Rehoboth, MA with poaching striped bass. They said he had eleven illegal fish in a secret compartment in his boat. The story spread like wildfire through the fishing community. For a while it was the only topic at bait shops, on charter boats and on fishing blogs in Rhode Island.

DEM said they had information that Reeves was illegally taking over limits of striped bass in Rhode Island and selling them in Massachusetts and that he had the extra fish in a hidden compartment on his boat. The officers stopped him while driving on Route 1 in Rhode Island after fishing. Officers found a secret compartment that opened hydraulically with eleven (11) illegal fish (in addition to the two legal fish he had in his possession). The state seized Reeves’ boat and eqipment. His arraignment is scheduled for September 1.
RIDEM officers are familiar with Reeves. He was arrested, charged and pleaded NOLO in July of 2003 for the same offense. He was fined $450.00.

Poaching by anyone, recreational fishermen or commercial fishermen can have a negative impact on a fishery and fishing community. I asked a couple of anglers, charter captains and fishing authorities their thoughts on this poaching incident and if in general penalties should stay the same or be enhanced. Here’s what they had to say.

Captain George Cioe, Narragansett, RI…“I believe that when a vessel is designed to conceal criminal activity that it is a sure indication of habitual offense. Therefore the vessel should be seized and the funds given to DEM for future enforcement efforts or equipment.”
Steve Medeiros, president, Rhode Island Salt Water Anglers Association…“We hope that this time the court will agree to seize his boat and equipment. A day's illegal catch can be valued at hundreds of dollars, and many poachers do this EVERY DAY! It is time for the fines for such violations be increased. It is time for the General Assembly to change the fisheries laws and allow for the increase of such fines.”

Captain Rick Bellavance, Priority Too Charters, president of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association… “I favor a modest fine for first time offenders.( I would suggest a temporary suspension of their commercial fishing license and a fine.) Repeat offenders should be subject to an increasing fine structure, to include forfeiture of their State Commercial Fishing License... Recreational fishing fine structure should also be reviewed with the possibility of loss of Salt Water License. According to MRFSS, Non-Compliance among many species is in double digit percentage of recorded intercepts. Due to the number of private anglers, this equates to a much larger number of illegal fish than are illegally harvested commercially.”


Grand opening for new Mt. Hope boat launch.
DEM held opening ceremonies for the Mount Hope Boat Launch Improvement Project in Bristol on Monday, August 16. The old boat launch located behind the RI Veterans’ Home has been replaced with a new, 60-foot wide concrete ramp and two floating courtesy docks. The new Mount Hope facility is accessible to boaters with disabilities.
DEM said a dredged channel from the new boat ramp location, which is north of the old Mount Hope boat ramp, into deep water will accommodate larger boats brought in by trailer to the new facility. This new ramp is the only public boat launching ramp of its size in the Rhode Island portion of Mount Hope Bay.

Menhaden advisory panel meeting
A meeting of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council Menhaden Advisory Panel has bee scheduled for Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 6:00 P.M. at the URI Bay Campus, Coastal Institute, Hazard Room which off South Ferry Road in Narragansett, RI. Agenda items include the most up to date stock status and a review of current regulations and proposals for any changes to current regulations. Anglers interested in expressing their thoughts about menhaden regulations are urged to attend the meeting.

Clam regulations change back to the way they were
DEM filed new emergency regulations with the Secretary of State while rescinding emergency regulations that were filed the week before relating to the harvest of soft-shell clams from the newly opened shell fishing area near Conimicut Point. Effective immediately, time restrictions on the harvest of soft-shell clams in the shell fishing area near Conimicut Point have been eliminated. The area will be open from sunrise to sunset, as are other shellfish harvesting areas. The emergency regulations filed on August 5 limited the harvesting hours from sunrise to noon. The regulatory change was made after it became apparent that the time restriction had an unfair impact on clam diggers as they claim they usually can only harvest product during periods of low tide.

Where’s the bite
Striped bass fishing off Block Island remains good with blue fish mixed in. Anglers taking fish jigging (Diamond Jigs), with eels and tube and worm. Reports for several anglers and charter captains related that this week the best fishing has been on the south and southwest sides of the Island with the north rip still holding fish too. Fishing off Newport has produced fish too. For the second week in a room I caught a keeper bass under the Newport Bridge while fluking close to the swirling water around bridge piers.
Fluke (summer flounder) fishing has slowed down this past week due to the odd wind direction and juxtaposing tide, high seas. Fish still holding near coastal shores with no major reports of catches in the Bay. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick, said reports of fluke off Newport (Brenton Reef, the Inn at Castle Hill), off Jamestown (Beavertail and in front of Mackerel and Hull Coves). Tom of Erickson’s Bait &Tackle said the sand bar off the south side of Gould Island had been good too. Block Island fluke fishing is expected to improve this week with favorable winds and tides.
A great shark story
Off Shore fishing reports have not included bluefin tuna. Rick Bellavance of Priority Too Charters said, “…I would say tuna is slow and sharking is good. I did see some encouraging signs near Coxes, so the action will soon begin.” Captain Bellavance continued, Saturday “We hooked a Blue Shark which had a NMFS tag in him. After retagging the shark, I removed the old tag and let him go in good shape. … A couple hours go by with nothing, then the short line goes off. .. a 13 foot Thresher Shark comes flying out of the water.. The guys did a great job listening and fought the fish perfectly… the fish jumped a couple more times and after an hour, I stuck it with a harpoon, sunk a flying gaff into it and had a tail rope in place. Done. We packed it in and headed for Snug Harbor, where the fish weighed in at 288 pounds.” Captain Bellavance said, “Thresher Sharks are delicious food (like swordfish) and my customers wanted to eat it … If the shark was not good to eat, we would have tagged it for research and let it go.”

Catching this striped bass was no fluke

August 10, 2010

Captain Dave Monti with the striped bass he caught this week while fishing for fluke (summer flounder). The 34” bass hit a whole squid under the Newport Bridge.


I fished in the Newport area for a couple of hours Saturday during the Newport Folk Festival. Fishing under the Newport Bridge can be challenging… bottom hang ups, fast water, boat congestion and more. I was using an eight oz. fluke ball weight with a buck tail and a second green florescent fluke rig above it, both tipped with squid… in fact whole squid. A second single hook rig was out on another rod too.

The rod bent as I got a huge hit… what a fluke and then all of a sudden this fluke was running. A fluke running ? A minute later a dorsal fin surfaced behind the boat as well as my sea anchor that I had dispatched a few minutes earlier to slow the boat. It was a 34” striped bass that hit the top hook. I managed to land the fish along with everything else that was is one big ball… the sea anchor, its line, most of the fishing line from the two rods and all the squid rigs.
This experience was no fluke because striped bass love squid and feed on the bottom, near structure and fast moving water that tumbles bait around. It is common to get bass hits when fishing for fluke, particularly when using whole squid.

This story is good news… bass are in the Bay. There have been other reports this week about bass in the Bay… so even though water is warm and has chased fish to cooler, deeper water, things did seem to pick up this week,The East Bay Anglers will hold their monthly meeting Wednesday, August 11 at the Riverside Sportsman’s Club on Mohawk Drive in East Providence. Will Barbeau of the East Bay Anglers said promotional plans for the East Bay Anglers 2011 EXPO will be reviewed by member Mike Laptew . The annual EXPO fishing show takes place in January. Reservations to attend the August meeting can be obtained by calling 245-8375 or e-mailing wbarb@cox.net.

Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) is holding their Bluefish/Striped Bass Combo Special Tournament for individual anglers from August 13 to August 22. Anglers must enter a bluefish and a striped bass to qualify. Total weight. Boat and Shore Divisions. Pre-registration NOT required for RISAA members. For more information contact Chairman Mark Paparelli at 401-884-6724.

Commercial striped bass quota hearing. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will hold a public hearing to take comments on Striped Bass Draft Addendum II. This is a proposal to increase the coastal commercial striped bass quota. Recreational anglers are urged to attend the meeting and voice their opinion as the decision to increase the quota would likely impact recreational fishing in a negative fashion. The Rhode Island meeting will be held Tuesday, August 17, 6:00 p.m.at the URI Narragansett Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium, 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI. A Massachusetts meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 16 , 6:00 p.m.at the Holiday Inn in Dedham, MA.

Tautog fall catch limits. The Department of Environmental Management’s (DEM) Marine Fisheries Division proposal to reduce the recreational tautog catch limit this fall from eight fish to three fish per angler per day will likely be recommended to the DEM executive director. Rick Bellavance, president of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association, said “The proposal to allow the Party/Charter Industry to remain at eight fish from October 15th to November 30th will likely vw recommended as well.” Bellavance’s proposal included a provision for one fish per person at all other times besides October 15th to November 1st, for the remainder of 2010. This would allow the industry to fish tautog in the important fall season, yet limit fishing at other times this year. Tautog regulations will be revisited in late 2010 to address the 2011 season.

Black sea bass catch limits. The RI Marine Fisheries Council also recommended to the DEM director to increase the recreational Black Sea Bass season, which would now run until October 11th, would close until November 1st, and then reopen for the remainder of the year. The bag limit would stay, 25 fish/person at 12.5 inches.

Where’s the bite

Striped bass fishing on Block Island and off southern Rhode Island coastal shores remains good. Jim Rogers reports a good fishing night last Friday around the Point Judith Light fishing in ten feet of water with eels. He hooked up almost every cast. The largest fish caught was a 45 inch bass that had a large lobster in its stomach. Angler Don Smith reports great fishing on Block Island with 30 bass caught Friday night, in the mix twelve bass were over 40 lbs. with a 51 lb fish caught by Peter Vican. Bass taken with light tackle and live eels. I caught a 34” striped bass under the Newport Bridge while fluking last Saturday and a RISAA blogger reports catching a 24” bass on the troll with tube and worm near the BP Buoy off Barrington. So this is good news Bay fishing is improving.

Bluefishing seems to be picking up with many reports of fish surfacing both in the east and west Bay passages in the Quonset Point and Half-Way Rock areas. Bluefish taken on surface lures and on the troll with tube and worm off Bullock’s Point and south to Barrington Beach, another sign that Bay fishing is improving.

Bonito. Tom of Erickson’s Bait & Tackle in Warwick reported taking two Bonito off Narragansett last week. He chased them for a while but they did not like what he was casting. He then trolled at three to four knots with an artificial bass lure and hooked up five times and landed two fish.
Fluke fishing is fair in the Bay and better off f Block Island. Saturday fishing around Jamestown and under the Newport Bride produced fish for anglers but plenty of shorts were taken with some keepers mixed in.

Off-shore fishing is good. Robb Roach of Kettlebottom Outfitters in Jamestown reports a good Yellow Fin Tuna bite at the Fishtails and east on the troll. Robb reports he and his team regrettably lost a 300 lbs Bigeye tuna after a six hour fight.

Fresh water. Craig Mancini of Colonial Bait & Tackle in Cranston reports a good fresh water bite with a customer reporting thirty largemouth bass being caught at JL Curran this past week. Shiners were their choice of bait. The other local area ponds were slow, bass were not biting too well on shiners, but night crawlers seemed to spark their interest.

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing on Narragansett Bay for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. Your fishing photos in JPEG from, stories, comments and questions are welcome… there’s more than one way to catch a fish. Visit Captain Dave’s No Fluke website at http://www.noflukefishing.com/ or e-mail him at dmontifish@verizon.net .
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Electronic logbook for anglers well received

Peter Sousa of Warwick caught seven striped bass including this 31” keeper on No Fluke Charters out of East Greenwich Cove. The fish was caught near Conimicut Light in fifteen feet of water.

Today I registered and recorded my fist two tautog fishing trips in the Rhode Island Recreational Online Angler Logbook. It took ten minutes. Anglers can use it free of charge and the system is voluntary.

Some saltwater anglers hold details of their fishing trips close to the vest. The less others know about when, how and where they fish the better, particularly an environmental regulatory agency like DEM. However, information in this logbook is confidential; data will be examined in aggregate form to provide an independent data source for DEM policy makers.
I like the log system and will give it a try this season. It allows me to keep accurate historical data that I can build on year after year while helping the fishery.
Dan Costa, who developed the logbook for DEM’s Fish and Wildlife Marine Fisheries Department, said, “We hope Rhode Island anglers use the logbook to their advantage, to help them fish, while we collect data to improve the fishery.” Dan said that Massachusetts one year old logbook system has about 200 uses. Rhode Island, who announced their logbook program three weeks ago, has 45 anglers signed up at press time.
Visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/ to sign up for the logbook and/or e-mail questions to Dan Costa at dan.costa@dem.ri.gov .

The squid are in
Anglers use squid as bait for fluke (summer flounder), sea bass and many other species. Last week I attended a Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association seminar titled Squid Fishing Strategies, Locations & Tips given by one of Rhode Island’s top anglers and squid authorities Dave Fewster. Squid fishing is part science, part art and very stealthy according to Dave. “You have to put in the time to find out where they will likely be, set up your lights and then be ready to move into action when they arrive”. Dave related that his favorite locations for catching squid are Newport, Jamestown and Narragansett. Usually near bridges, jetties, wharfs and always around light that attracts the squid. Dave related that the season usually starts at the end of April and runs through May. However, last year the season extended well into June. Calm water is ideal for squid fishing as is a full noon and water temperatures around 59 degrees. Dave spoke highly of new Yozuri squid rig that people (and the squid) cannot seem to resist. He found it at Ocean State Bait and Tackle in Providence.

Fishing tournament for visually impaired
The RI Lions Sight Foundation (RILSF) will hold their 3rd Annual VIP Fishing Tournament for Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) on June 27, 2010. The half day tournament will be held on a chartered party boat out of Galilee, RI. Participants are eligible for trophies and an opportunity to represent Rhode Island at the Lions National “VIP” Tournament which takes place on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in October. For information contact Ken Barthelemy, tournament chair, at kenbar123@aol.com .

Kettlebottom Outfitters “Brand X” action sport videos now on Cox
Robb Roach and his Brand X Production Company, has produced a series of adventure sport videos airing five times a week on Cox 3. Programs also air on Video’s on Demand (VOD’s) were Kettlebottom Outfitters has a number of other programs on fishing and hunting. Shows are on a variety of topics from shark fishing to kite surfing. I still use Robb’s recipe for baked fluke… a recipe I like and learned from watching one of his videos. Visit http://www.kettlebottom.com/ for details on Brand X programs.

DEM announced free fishing days
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced that Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9 are free fishing days in Rhode Island. Rhode Islanders and visitors can fish in freshwaters without a fishing license or trout conservation stamp. Free loaner fishing rods and bait are available. Visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/ for locations and details.

Where’s the bite
Tautog. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait and Tackle, Warwick, related that Ken Landry caught a nice white chinned tautog at Ohio Ledge. He also caught a 36” striped bass off Pine Hill this past weekend. Robb Roach of Kettlebottom Outfitters in Jamestown reports a 10 lb fish caught off Narragansett.

Striped bass were all over Narragansett Bay and this week. Robb Roach from Kettlebottom Outfitters reports decent fish caught to 27” in the Narrow River. Angler Peter Sousa of Warwick landed seven striped bass and two keepers to 31” on No Fluke Charter Fishing this weekend. Pete caught his fish trolling with tube and worm on lead line weighted with three ounce sinkers, a method that got the line down low with only 60 feet of line out in about 15 feet of water. The fish were caught between Gaspee and Conimicut Point. Steve McKenna of Cranston and an associate at Quaker Lane Outfitters, North Kingstown, reports many keeper bass to 20 pounds being taken in mid Narragansett Bay area. Steve caught eight keepers using metal lip surface swimmers. His fishing friends used Danny plugs and spook type lures and did just as well. School striped bass with keepers mixed in have been landed in East Greenwich Cove; off Poppasquash Point, Bristol; areas north of Connecticut light, Warwick and Barrington; Pine Hill off Prudence Island: and a host of other Bay and river areas.

Freshwater fishing for trout at stocked DEM ponds is still good, visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/ for listings. Andrew Cahrhoff of Erickson’s Bait and Tackle in Warwick said that fishing has been good and promises to get better now that spawning season is upon us. Andrew will be fishing the shallows as the water warms and fish start to clear their beds for matting. Andrew bass fishes competitively; his favorite places to fish include Beach Pond, Johnson Pond and Indian Lake.

Six favorite fishing spots and methods to catch spring striped bass

Members throughout the State from the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association donated canned goods and cash at their annual dinner which they donated to the Johnnycake Center’s emergency food pantry in South Kingstown, RI.

The spring run of striped bass is underway. We have received reports of small school striped bass being caught off Rhode Island coastal shores from Westerly to Newport. School striped bass have been caught at Narrow River in Narragansett, on the Pawcatuck River in Westerly and on Narragansett Bay. A number of fish have been landed in Greenwich Bay off Chepiwanoxet Point and Old Buttonwoods in Warwick. With the striped bass season underway here are some of my favorite hot spots and methods used to land spring striped bass.
1. Greenwich Cove, East Greenwich, RI (Apponaug Cove in Warwick is good too). This is the first place I ever caught a striped bass. Menhaden seem to find their way to the cove early. And, it is surrounded with vegetation with plenty of insects to start a feeding chain reaction that ultimately leads to striped bass. This is because the bass feed on small bait fish that are feeding around the perimeter of the Cove. I have caught bass at the end, middle and mouth of the Cove near Chepiwanoxet Point in Warwick depending on the location of bait fish in the Cove. My favorite baits are hard plastic lures (both surface and swimming) as well as soft plastics early in the season and once they arrive, menhaden chucked or live.

2. The East Passage of Narragansett Bay between Popasquash Point, Bristol and Bear Point Prudence Island. I have caught many large fish in this area, particularly trolling with tube and worm. Many anglers fish this area with menhaden (live or chunked). I have particularly good luck fishing the pad or bank areas of the shipping channel.

3. The West Wall of the Harbor of Refuge in Jerusalem area, South Kingstown. This area provides shore anglers (and boat anglers) with one of the best first Rhode Island striped bass opportunities as the bass make their run past the Connecticut coastline to Rhode Island. Angler Steve McKenna reported great fishing off the wall for the past couple of weeks. He and fellow anglers landed hundreds of bass using primarily soft plastic lures over the past two weeks.

4. Buttonwoods section of Greenwich Bay, Warwick, RI. The area from Oakland Beach to Apponaug Cove in Warwick has been a good for early spring striped bass area. Many fish have been caught with soft plastic lures, surface poppers as well as swimming lures. Most fish have been caught up against the shore. As the spring progresses, trolling with lures or tube and worm is productive. Trolling is most productive close to shore or at the water depth breaks one to two hundred yards off shore.

5. Providence River in the cities of Providence, East Providence, Barrington, Cranston and Warwick. The area from the Hurricane Barrier in Providence to Conimicut Point has been a very fruitful fishing area in early spring. The most popular method in recent years has been live lining menhaden. The hot areas to fish include:
a. The Hurricane Barrier down to Save the Bay on Fields Point in Providence. Anglers have caught thousands of bass in this area. When the menhaden spawning runs are strong striped bass chase them up the Providence River to the Seekonk River and other Providence River tributaries. Bass over 50” have been caught in this area.
b. The area all around and in front of Save the Bay at Fields Point, Providence is good too. Shore anglers have access to this land courtesy of Save the Bay.
c. The shoreline in Warwick, Cranston, Barrington and East Providence north of Conimicut Point has been hot as well.

6. Hog Island, Bristol, RI. Fishing the depth break two hundred yards off Hog Island on the west side has been good for early spring bass. I have trolled this depth break in spring and seldom get skunked. Two areas of high ground or mounds appear on the west side of the Island. Fishing over these areas or trolling over them produces fish too.
Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association
The Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association (RIPCBA) held its annual dinner at Spain Restaurant in Narragansett. Members donated canned goods and cash at the annual dinner which were donated to the Johnnycake Center’s emergency food pantry in South Kingstown. Over 100 people attended the dinner where Captain John Rainone, past president, was recognized for his service to the organization. Captain Rick Bellavance, RIPCBA president, presented Rainone with an engraved watch.
DEM stocks trout in several ponds
The Department of Environmental Management’s (DEM) Division of Fish and Wildlife stocked trout in several locations not stocked for opening day due to the impact from March floods. Fishing areas stocked last week include Wyoming Pond and the Wood River in Arcadia Management Area from Rt. 165 downstream, as well as several fishing access areas along the Wood River including Barberville, KG Ranch Road, and Dow Athletic Field in Hope Valley. Silver Spring Lake in North Kingstown, Barber Pond in South Kingstown, Frosty Hollow Children’s Pond in Exeter, Olney Pond in Lincoln Woods State Park and Carbuncle Pond in Coventry were stocked last week too. This week DEM plans to stock Eight Rod Farm in Tiverton, Lower Melville Pond in Portsmouth, Meadowbrook Pond in Richmond and Carolina Trout Pond in Hopkinton.

Where’s the bite
Striped bass bite remains strong along southern Rhode Island beaches and the West Wall or the Harbor of Refuge in Jerusalem. Craig Castro of Erickson’s Bait & Tackle in Warwick reports customers continue to take school striped bass on Greenwich Bay at Chepiwanoxet Point. Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle in Providence reports customers taking school bass in the Providence, Seekonk and Narrow Rivers. Angler Eric Feroldi caught a 12 pound and a 16 pound striped bass in the Pawcatuck River midweek.
Tautog fishing started to pick up as the weather warmed and fish moved closer to shore and up Narragansett Bay. Some good sized fish being taken. I took three fish this weekend; my largest was about 21 inches. This is the second week I fished Coddington Cove in Middletown, RI.
Cod fishing has been good with the Francis Fleet out of Galilee, Rhode Island still making regular trips. Rhode Island and Massachusetts anglers report a continued good bite at Stellwagon.
Fresh Water fishing for bass, pike and trout remained good. Particularly in trout stocked fishing areas. Visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/ for a complete list of stocked lakes, ponds and rivers.

Fishing license, new regulations and tautog season all in play this week

Captain Dave caught two tautog this Sunday at Coddington Cove in Middletown, RI. This 22’ fish took a green crab in about 15 feet of water right on top of the jetty.

This was a busy week for saltwater fishing. Rhode Island’s fishing license law took effect Friday, April 16 along with new 2010 fishing regulations. A new volunteer electronic recreational saltwater fishing logbook was announced by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Thursday, April 15 was the start of the tautog season.

State saltwater fishing license
The license is available online at http://www.saltwater.ri.gov/ and will be sold at bait shops starting June 1. The cost is $7 per year for RI residents and $10 per year for non-residents. There is a temporary 7-day license available for $5. The license is free for anglers over 65 years of age and for active military personnel stationed in Rhode Island.
No license is required for anglers under 16 years of age, for anglers fishing on licensed party and charter boats, for anglers who are on leave from active military duty, and for anglers who are blind or permanently disabled.

The RI license enables the holder to fish in RI and federal waters as well as in all state marine waters throughout southern New England and other states that have reciprocal agreements.
The license program is designed to improve the quality of marine recreation fishing data which will in turn help insure that recreational fishing regulations are fair and based on sound science. Data from RI and other states will be put into a national data base allowing the new Marine Recreational Information Program to survey current fishermen.

Here is the part I like… all of Rhode Island’s saltwater license fees will be put in a restricted account and can only be used for marine recreational fishing such as program administration, to improve the management of Rhode Island’s marine recreational fisheries or to enhance recreational fishing access.. This law is good. It was written by DEM in conjunction with the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association.

2010 saltwater fishing regulations
New 2010 saltwater fishing regulations have been announced by DEM The regulations govern fishing for summer flounder, black sea bass, scup, and weakfish (there are no changes for striped bass or tautog); commercial regulations were also announced. Visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/ for details, here are some highlights.

Summer flounder: The season opens on May 1 and runs through December 31. The minimum size is 19.5”, possession limit remains at 6 fish/person/day.

Black sea bass: Season runs from May 22 through September 12. The minimum size is 12.5”, possession limit remains at 25 fish/person/day.

Scup: The fishery has two modes. For the general mode (everyone except those fishing on party and charter boats), the season runs from May 24 to September 26. The minimum size remains at 10.5” with a 10 fish/person/day catch limit. For the party and charter boat mode the minimum size is 11”; the season runs from June 8 to September 6 with a 10 fish/person/day. The possession limit then increases to 40 fish/person/day from September 7 through October 11.

Weakfish: The fishery remains open year-round, and the minimum size remains at 16”. However, the daily possession limit is t 1 fish/person/day).

Striped bass: The regulations for 2010 are the same as last year: a year-round season, a 2 fish/person/day possession limit, and a 28” minimum size.

Tautog: The regulations are the same as last year: 16” minimum size, the season opens on April 15 at a 3 fish/person/day possession limit, then closes for the month of June, and then reopens from July 1 through October 16 at 3 fish/person/day, increasing to 8 fish/person/day from October 17 through December 15.

New volunteer electronic recreational saltwater fishing logbook

DEM’s Marine Fisheries Program and the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program has developed a volunteer electronic recreational saltwater fishing logbook. Information is presented in graphic and tabular format. Anglers will be able to see their catch history in real time. For more information and to sign up go to http://www.saltwater.ri.gov/ .

Where’s the bite

Tautog season opened April 15. Several fish caught at Spindle Rock and Ohio Ledge said Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait and Tackle in Warwick. I stopped by to see Ken for the first time since he was out ill at the end of last season and he is doing well. Ken is an outstanding angler and bait and tackle shop owner. He has helped thousands of anglers with good advice including me. Nice to have you back Ken. I caught two tautog Sunday at Coddington Cove, Middletown (one was 22”). Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence, reports a slow tautog bite in the Bay but off-shore fishing is good with thirty fish being taken off Westport. Dave said that turbulent water with a lot of particles is not good for tautog fishing. It keeps the fish off shore in deeper water.

Striped bass season is underway. Steve McKenna of Cranston and an employee of Quaker Lane Outfitters reports an outstanding school bass bite at the West Wall in Narragansett. Most were caught in the late afternoon and just before dark. The fish were primarily caught on three and four inch pearl Cocohoe minnows and the new Bomber mud minnow in the four inch model. Both soft plastics were fitted on ½ lead head jigs for casting weight. Steve said, “There is a lot of bait in the area. More bait than I have ever seen in many a year.” This is encouraging, especially since Steve has been one of Rhode Island’s best shore striper fishermen for over 30 years. Craig Castro of Erickson’s bait & Tackle, Warwick, reports customers catching school bass off Chepiwanoxet Point, Warwick using soft plastic baits.

Freshwater bite remains good. Craig Castro of Erickson’s Bait and Tackle reports a good trout bite at Carbuncle Pond and all ponds/lakes stocked by DEM… Lincoln Woods, Silver Spring Lake and others noted on DEM’s web site (http://www.dem.ri.gov/ ).