Let's brand our fish... ocean state fresh

Senator Susan Sosnowski aboard the fishing vessel Darana R assesses the catch for scientific data collection purposes. Senator Sosnowski is the chair of the newly formed Rhode Island Senate task force on fisheries. The task force aims to ensure high-quality local seafood products are available for all Rhode Islanders.

There is nothing like a fresh Rhode Island lobster at a summer picnic, or fresh littlenecks, claims casino or stuffed quahogs. Pasta with fresh Rhode Island mussels or some wonderfully tender fluke (summer flounder) fillets are great too. And then there’s grilled striped bass, tuna steak and baked cod (scrod), a Rhode Island staple. All of this comes from waters off Rhode Island from Rhode Island fishermen… recreational anglers as well as the commercial and charter fishing industries. These fish are treasures not found off the coast of other states so why not brand our fish… brand them with a reputation as being fresh, wholesome and affordable. Why, because our fish are fresh, wholesome and affordable.

If we enhance awareness about our fish it will create a demand for more Ocean State fresh fish that will cultivate a strong and stable fishery. A stable fishery will have a strong economic impact on our state… on commercial fishing, recreational fishing, tourism and much, much more.

This vision of branding our fish as Ocean State fresh is something I believe we should hang on to. If we lose the vision we will never achieve it. I hope this is where we are headed with our new State Senate Fisheries Task force established to track the status and trends of the recreational, charter and commercial fishing industries in Rhode Island. A task force announcement related that “Commercial and recreational fishing in Rhode Island are important industries that support not only the vessels and fishermen on the water but also fish markets, ship repair shops, ice houses, marinas, restaurants, grocery stores, and dozens of other shore-side businesses.” Fisheries management is a very complex issue. The more I learn, the more I realize I need to learn more. We first need a stable fishery before we try to enhance its image. I hope we do not lose this vision of marketing our fish to ourselves and to others as we continue to work our way through the best way to manage our fishery… something we have been working on for many years.

Task Force Chairwoman Senator Susan Sosnowski said, "This Task Force will work cooperatively with management agencies, educational institutions, environmental organizations, businesses and fishermen to meet the challenges ahead and recommend viable ideas and solutions for protecting the fishing way of life. As a long-time supporter of the commercial and recreational fishing industries, I will continue to work together with my Senate colleagues to ensure high-quality local seafood products are available for all Rhode Islanders' tables."

Senator Sosnowski has gotten off to a good start. She held her first task force meeting on Monday, December 6. Commercial, charter fishing and recreational fishing leaders in Rhode Island attended and testified at the committee meeting. Most of those testifying at the meeting seem to be advocating for an enhanced fishery with state help to market local fish, much like the state helps to market locally grown farm products. Many testifying also seemed to want tougher laws and punishment for those that violate fishing laws. One common complaint was for better research on fish populations as the research is used to manage fisheries in Rhode Island. So if we have little research and data our ability to manage our fishery is hampered.

Steve Medeiros, president of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) said when he testified he, “stressed the economic value of recreational fishing ($160 million)… stressed vigilance in maintaining public access and how a little more access is lost every year... how we should not abandon the plan of a pier at Plum Point… and should plan to build one at Rocky Point, … and mentioned artificial reefs and how it could enhance recreational and character fishing, lobster fishing, scuba diving and tourism overall.”.

Rich Bellavance, president of the Rhode Island Party and Charter Boat Association said, “I am very excited to participate in the Senate Task Force on Fisheries. I think the Task Force will be a great tool to pass along useful and accurate information to the General Assembly, and I am delighted that Senator Pavia-Weed created the group. Senator Sosnowski is a great choice to Chair the Task Force, she has always taken an active role in fisheries issues and is well versed in fisheries management. With a new administration taking office and some very challenging times facing the fishing community ahead, I think the Task Force will prove valuable as we work towards solutions to these challenges.”

In a December 8, 2010 Providence Journal article Chris Brown, president of the Rhode Island Commercial Fisheries Association, said the New England ground fish industry has declined from 1,200 vessels to about 477 in 30 years. But with all the cutbacks in fishing effort, he now expects big increases in fish stocks and catches. He called on the committee to make sure no port areas are converted to condominiums or hotels, because the state is going to need more space to serve the fishing industry as it’s reborn.

The Senate Task Force on Fisheries heard testimony from the executive director of the Department of Environmental Management as well as the Rhode Island Lobsterman’s Association, the Rhode Island Shell fishing Association. Senator Sosnowski and senators on the task force continue to meet with the fishing community to identify key issues and trends. Public comment will be accepted at a time to be announced.

I hope this committee is the start of a State of Rhode Island initiative to not only help identify fishing trends, but an effort that helps market locally harvested fish with the vision to brand our fish as Ocean State fresh. The effort would have a snowball effect that would enhance tourism and our economy in Rhode Island.

Most task force committee persons represent towns that border the Rhode Island coast and they are the senators you should express your point of view to as the committee does its work. Joining Chairwoman Sosnowski on the Task Force are: Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere (R – Dist. 38, Charlestown, Westerly), Senator David E. Bates (R – Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol), Senator Louis P. DiPalma (D – Dist. 12, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton), Senator Walter S. Felag, Jr. (D – Dist. 10, Bristol, Tiverton, Warren), Senator Michael J. McCaffrey (D – Dist. 29, Warwick), Senator James C. Sheehan (D – Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) and Senator William A. Walaska (D – Dist. 30, Warwick).

NOAA supports catch shares as fisheries management tool

Dave Pickering, who has landed more than 50,000 striped bass from shore, will be one of the guest speakers at the East Bay Anglers’ Fishing Expo scheduled for Sunday, January 30, 2011. The event will take place at Barrington High School starting at 11:00 a.m. For information visit www.rifishshow.com.

Early last month the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fisheries Service issued a press release announcing a new NOAA policy that encourages the consideration and use of catch shares as a fishery management tool.

Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator said, “NOAA’s policy encourages fishery management councils and stakeholders to explore the design possibilities of catch shares to tailor programs to best meet local needs.” The announcement was met with praise and criticism from the recreational angling community.

What are catch shares?

I have seen a number of definitions… what catch shares use to mean versus what it commonly means today. This week, I checked NOAA’s definition in their recent press release and Wikipedia’s definition.

According to Wikipedia, “The term ‘Catch Share’ has been used more recently to describe the range of programs similar to ITQs (individual transferable quotas). Catch shares expand the concept of daily catch limits to yearlong limits, allow different fishers to have different limits based on various factors, and also limits the total catch. Under catch share approaches, threatened fisheries became sustainable by keeping the totals low enough and enforcing the limits.”

NOAA relates that catch share programs, which include limited access privilege programs and individual fishing quotas, dedicate a secure share of fish to individual fishermen, cooperatives or fishing communities. Catch shares are used in 14 fisheries managed by six fishery management councils from Alaska to Florida and are being developed in additional fisheries. Both here and in other countries, catch shares are helping eliminate overfishing and achieve annual catch limits, improve fishermen’s safety and profits, and reduce the negative biological and economic effects of the race for fish that develops with some traditional fishery management.

Wikipedia relates that, “… a crucial element of catch share systems is how to distribute/allocate the shares and what rights come with them. The initial allocation can be granted or auctioned. Shares can be held permanently (owned) or for a fixed period such as one year (rented). They can be salable and/or leasable or not, with or without limits. Each variation has advantages and disadvantages, which may vary given the culture of a given fishing community.”

The Center for Coastal Conservation (CCC), a coalition of leading advocates for marine, recreation fishing and boating supports many aspects of the new NOAA catch share policy. CCC members include the American Sportfishing Association, The Billfish Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, International Game Fish Association and the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

In a CCC press release Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association, said, “It’s clear that NOAA’s leadership was listening at its Recreational Fishing Summit last April when the entire spectrum of the recreational angling community, form guides to tackle manufactures to charter boat operators, voiced its apprehension regarding this policy… A number of significant improvements called for by participants at the summit and in subsequent dialogue with the agency are reflected in this document.”

The recreational fishing community feared catch shares would be applied to individual private recreational anglers. In a recent ESPNOutdoors.com article by Robert Montgomery, Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Coastal Conservation, said, "Our No. 1 victory seems to be that the new policy says that Catch Shares has no place in recreational only fisheries,"

In their recent release NOAA sated, “The policy does not advocate individual catch shares for private recreational anglers. Councils will have NOAA support to consider catch share programs for charter boat and head (party) boat sectors to explore recreational catch share programs that could benefit the health of the resource and the charter industry.”

NOAA took public comment and input into consideration in some important guiding principles to the policy including a recommendation that regional fishery management councils periodically revisit allocations (particularly between the commercial and recreational sectors). The fear was that catch shares would underestimate the benefit and economic impact that the recreational industry has vs. the commercial fishery, establish fixed and unchangeable allocations and have anglers chasing an ever decreasing amount of fish in severely declining fisheries with no hope of reallocations.

The practice of changing sector allocations is not new. In fact in the 80’s and 90’s the striped bass fishery in Maryland was severely challenged by a declining and weakened striped bass fishery (just as most of the east coast was). So much so, that a total moratorium was applied as well as “a combination of closures, size changes, creel (bag) limits and quotas to reduce fishing mortality and promote spawning stock recovery.” said Harley Speir, former assistant director, Maryland Fisheries Service and former Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management council member.

Spear said,”…in the early 1990’s (they) separated the recreational fishing sector into charter boat and private recreational sectors as we reopened the striped bass fishery. The sectors would have separate harvest quotas and different seasons and creel limits. …We managed the two sectors for five full seasons before merging the two again.”

When coming out of moratorium private recreational anglers and recreational anglers fishing on for-hire charter boats had different allocations to help bolster the charter fishing industry. Once the striped bass fishery rebounded, allocations were revisited and changed allowing both private recreational anglers and recreational anglers fishing on charter boats a two fish/person/day limit (similar to what exists in Rhode Island today). The sector separation and reallocations were a success for private recreational anglers, the charter fishing industry and the striped bass fishery which rebounded to sustainable levels.

One group that has consistently been opposed to catch shares is the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). "We've fought too hard and for too long to keep this Catch Shares policy out of our sector. We cannot let NOAA continue to ramrod this policy through (regional fishery management) councils in direct contradiction to the wishes of our fishing community," said Jim Donofrio, executive director, in the recent ESPN.com story.

The idea of catch shares as outlined by NOAA in their new policy seems to be a good management tool for some of the challenges our fisheries face. So far, the case studies I have read lead me to believe that catch shares work with controls customized for specific management areas. It promotes conservation, responsible harvesting and yet allows fishing businesses to be run more efficiently and effectively. It fosters a sense of community between participating fishermen. It is proven to allow fishing communities to flourish rather than die a slow death as we have all witnessed with many past and present policies.

Tautog fishing difficult in dirty and sandy water

Angler Rick Sustello (left photo)caught this bruiser tautog off Narragansett once water started to settle down this past Sunday. He and angler Larry Norin caught thirty tautog between 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Several weeks of storms and gale force winds created turbid and dirty water that decreased tautog fishing and the quality of the fishing. Anglers hoped fishing would pick up this past week as weather cleared, things seem to get better at the beginning of the week after the water settled down.

I fished Saturday and the weather was outstanding. There was little wind and seas were flat and calm seas. However, the tautog fishing was not good. I caught eight tautog and the largest was 15”. Reports of poor tautog fishing came in all week through Saturday. On the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association’s blog, Bart Wagner of Little Rhody Tackle said he caught “Two small keepers (tautog) and three shorts. Good conditions and company but terrible bite”. Art Marshall fished Castle Hill to Buzzards Bay Tower and said, “The tog were not cooperating on any drop I made … from 30' depth to 95'. I should have listened to words of wisdom from an old timer "4-5 days after a gale". If you were in Newport today you saw everybody moving from spot to spot,

Captain Rich Hittinger said, “We got out for a half day on Saturday morning and the tautog were not biting off Newport or Narragansett. We marked fish, but they were not biting because of the dirty water. In 3 hours we caught 0 tautog even though we stopped at five spots. We did catch a 39" 25 pound striper that we tagged and released. That was on a green crab. Other guys went out to Block Island and the water was cleaner out there. They did well on tautog on rock piles off Clay Head.” Captain Rick Bellavance of Priority Too Charters said, “We fished on Saturday and Sunday for tautog. The fishing was very good on both days. We fished on several wrecks and rock piles along the south shore of Block Island and found 40 fish up to 10 pounds each day. Most of the Charter Fleet has been staying away from Newport and the South Shore due to the poor water quality, getting further offshore has been the ticket…”

Tautog are very sensitive to dirty water. Sand in the water kicked up by storms irritates their gills and reduces visibility so waiting until the water calms down after storms is a good idea. Last Sunday, things did seem to settle down a bit, the water cleared and anglers started to catch fish. Rick Sustello of North Kingston fished off Narragansett Beach Sunday and said, “Well, after not getting a bite on Saturday, Sunday afternoon came out OK. Larry Norin and I caught about 30 tog off Narragansett from 1 to 3:30 p.m.”

Fisheries Commission rejects striped bass expansion

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission rejected a proposal to increase the coastal commercial quota of striped bass. Only two state, Rhode Island and New York voted yes to the increase The final vote was six in favor and nine opposed. The recreational angler community testified against the increase saying that the striped bass fishery was not healthy enough to increases commercial limits.

Tautog tournament winners

RISAA’s tautog tournament was held October 29 to November 7, 2010. Winner in the adult boat division was Arthur Marshall with a 10.55 pound tautog, the Junior boat division winner was Raymond Vincent, III with a 6.51 pound fish. Winner of the adult shore division was Thomas McGuire with a 5.6 pound fish. Congratulations to all.

Herrings on Massachusetts saltwater fishing permit program

Last year (2009) the Massachusetts legislature passed a bill approving a State saltwater fishing permit in order to stay in compliance with national requirements for licensing. To meet deadlines for the upcoming permitting and fishing year, the regulations have been enacted under the Director’s emergency authority. Through the public hearing process, the public can review and make comments on adjustments to the rules. The law requires a state saltwater license for all those fishing recreationally with the exception of those fishing on party and charter boat, persons under 16 and several other exceptions. The annual fee for the permit is $10. Public hearings are scheduled for December 8, 2010 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Gloucester Public High School Auditorium, 32 Leslie O Johnson Road, Gloucester, MA and December 15, 2010 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Plymouth South High School Auditorium, 490 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, MA. Copies of proposed regulations and information may be obtained at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf , by contacting Jared Silva by e-mail (jared.silva@state.ma.us) or phone (617.626.1534),

New England Saltwater Fishing Show

The RISAA sponsored New England Saltwater Fishing Show will be held March 10 through 13, 2010 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Exhibitors are encouraged to visit the RISA web site at www.risaa.org or call 401.826.2121 for information.

Power Surge at DEM North Kingstown hatchery kills 30,000 trout

An early-morning power surge at the Department of Environmental Management’s Lafayette Trout Hatchery in North Kingstown on Saturday resulted in the loss of about 30,000 rainbow, brook and brown trout. The fish ranged from six months to two years old.

It is believed that an electrical surge caused two of the three pumps at the hatchery to fail. The pumps circulate cold water throughout the outdoor raceways at the fish hatchery, bringing oxygen and the appropriate level of water flow needed for the fish to survive. The pumps are fitted with surge protectors and feed into a central alarm panel that is monitored by a local alarm company. The alarm did not sound when the pumps failed, and it was later determined that the power surge burned out the alarm panel and the surge protectors. The pump alarms are tested on a weekly basis, and the most recent test found no indication of a problem.

DEM is assuring anglers that this loss will not impact the number or quality of trout that are stocked for opening day of the freshwater fishing season in April.

Where’s the bite

Tautog fishing not good during storming weather but improved when water cleared. Tautog expected to be in normal good spots as water settles down as was the case Sunday afternoon. Good places to fish include rock piles off Narragansett, humps and structure off Newport, Kettle Bottom Rock of Jamestown, Beavertail Point, Coddington Cove jetty and other spots with structure.

Striped bass bite still on at Block Island and in select waters at select times around Newport, Jamestown, and off coastal southern beaches. Few fish reported in the upper and middle portion of the Bay.

The right or privilage to fish

David Westfall out of Warwick Cove, RI caught this ten pound tautog at Kettle Bottom Rock off Jamestown, RI.

Rhode Islanders have a constitutional right to fish. It dates back to 1844. “The people shall continue to enjoy and freely exercise all the rights of fishery, and the privileges of the shore, to which they have been heretofore entitled under the charter and usages of this state. But no new right is intended to be granted, or any existing right impaired, by this declaration.” (Rhode Island Constitution, Article 1, Section 17, 1844).

Last week, three more states Arkansas, South Carolina and Tennessee approved constitutional rights to hunt and fish. This brings the total number of states to thirteen that have a constitutional right to fish and hunt. Additionally, two states, Rhode Island and California, guarantee the right to fish only. So that is a grand total of fifteen states that constitutionally guarantee the right to fish. One other state, Arizona, rejected a right to hunt and fish amendment on their November 2^nd ballot. The Humane Society of the United States spent $250,000 to defeat the effort with additional support from the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Animal Defense League of Arizona. These groups collectively outspent supporting groups by two to one to defeat the effort in Arizona.

Why are states passing right to fish and hunt amendments?

States have made fishing (and hunting) constitutional amendments because citizens fear that animal rights groups may someday successfully sue to shut down a fishery or hunting. Hunters also fear anti-hunter litigation from gun control supporters who may someday try to shut down hunting seasons. And, here in Rhode Island, anglers have always advocated for “access” and “rights of way” to the water to fish and fear that coastal towns and property owners would deny them access or make it difficult to fish with no available parking in the immediate area.

What do we mean by conservation?

In a recent article, New York Times environmental writer Erick Eckholm said many have struggled over the definition of the word “conservation”. The differences in the interpretation of the word’s meaning have created conflicting views about the right or privilege to fish and hunt.

Eckholm relates that what Teddy Roosevelt meant by the word “conservation” was “wise use”. That is the wise use of a resource by protecting habitat and preserving resources but also managing them in a scientific way for recreational and economic benefits. However, this definition of conservation can be conflicting. For example, many citizens support the wilderness areas, yet doubling the take of does in a place where deer are overrunning the landscape (like our islands in MA and RI). Eckholm said, “A fly-fishing group in Arizona, (is another) example, (they) helped impose restrictions that saved a native trout species” but yet endorsed “the proposal on the ballot… to enshrine hunting and fishing rights in the constitution.”

I believe it is OK to support the preservation of a species (like striped bass) yet advocate for the right to fish. I like Roosevelt’s definition of conservation. Anglers and hunters can both protect the environment, and fish and hunt responsibly. As Roosevelt said... conservation is the wise use of a resource by protecting it yet using it for recreational and economic benefit.

But do we really have the right to fish in Rhode Island or is it a privilege?

Rhode Islanders, as in other states do not have a right to fish with no restrictions. We have safeguards to protect species so they are sustainable at healthy levels. In fact, the right to fish and hunt amendment, which Tennesseans approved November 2^nd has safeguards built in. The amendment reads, “The citizens of this state shall have the personal right to hunt and fish, subject to reasonable regulations and restrictions prescribed by law. The recognition of this right does not abrogate any private or public property rights, nor does it limit the state’s power to regulate commercial activity. Traditional manners and means may be used to take non-threatened species.”

So although we may have a constitutional right to fish in Rhode Island and in fourteen other states, it is more like a privilege in that you must observe state and federal laws that protect the fishery. You must also pay a fee for a fresh or saltwater license to fish.

EPA denies petition that sought a ban on lead in fishing gear

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has denied a petition calling for a ban on the manufacture, use and processing of lead in fishing gear. The EPA indicated that the petitioners have not demonstrated that the requested rule is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, as required by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Local teen wins Junior World Championship Bassmaster title

In a hotly contested Junior Bassmaster World Championship, Chris Catucci of Warwick, RI (a Hendricken High School student), recently captured the 11 to 14 age group Junior World Championship title. Bass Publications reports that Catucci managed a 5-pound, 12-once bass to win, which earned him a $5,000 scholarship. This is a very big national tournament. Congratulations Chris!

Where’s the bite

Striped bass fishing off southern Rhode Island coastal beaches was very good this week. Angler Chris Jalbert reports catching striped bass 20” to 34” using surface plugs off Green Hill and Moonstone beaches. Both striped bass and blue fish were feeding on the surface from Newport to Watch Hill. Al Conti of Sung Harbor Bait & Tackle reports a good bass bite on Block Island this week. Stripers still biting on eels, tube and work and umbrella rigs. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle in Warwick, said, “The cool water has slowed the striped bass bite in the Bay.” Hopefully a little bit of warmer weather will enhance the striped bass bite.

Tautog fishing was good this week. David Westfall and Frank Joyal had a great day of tautog fishing at Kettle Bottom Rock off Jamestown. David said, “The best bite was in the 55 foot depth range… (green crabs) with peeled shell and cut in half worked best… Every fish we caught was a keeper. Frank’s biggest was over six pounds and mine was just over ten pounds.” I fished Coddington Cove missing the best part of an outgoing tide last week but managed to catch two nice keepers and about eight shorts. Striped bass were in the area along the wall as I saw several swirls while tautog fishing.

Black sea bass season opened this week and the few reports are good. Tom Pelletier said he, “Fished for sea bass with Ron Enright aboard the Nomad on Tuesday at Nebraska Shoals. Along with full limits of sea bass, we also boated monster scup, winter flounder, fluke, cod, bluefish and tautog. We used sea clams, squid, bucktails and, especially effective, the 2½-ounce Point Jude PoJees.”

Listen to the experts… tautog fishing outstanding

October 18,2010

Captain John Sheriff, with a Narragansett Bay tautog he caught last week, advises using a grapping hook anchor made with rebar so if caught in rock it will bend and free itself.



Anthony Resta of North Chelmsford, MA with a 42” striped bass he caught with his friend Alan Stewart. The pair caught six bass in the high 30” to low 40” range using surface plugs in the Westport River.



Tautog fishing exploded this week with shore and boat anglers catching some great fish. Many anglers caught their limit in fairly short time in Narragansett Bay as well as off southern coastal shores in Newport, Beavertail (Jamestown) and Narragansett.

And, as of October 16 the catch limit for private recreational anglers increased from three fish/person/day to six fish/person/day. However, new this year, is a ten fish per boat limit. The boat limit does not apply to charter and party boats (visit DEM’s website at www.dem.ri.gov for complete salt and freshwater fishing regulations).

With the tautog season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to hear from some “tautog experts”. Over the past month I asked expert tautog anglers, fishing guides, charter captains and bait shop owners for tautog fishing tips. The tips below are the second installment of what they had to say (tips appears in last week’s column which can be found on this publication’s website or by visiting my blog at www.noflukefishing.blogspot.com ).

Positioning over structure
Positioning over structure is important when tautog fishing. You have to be over or near structure (rocks, piers, wrecks, ledge, humps or holes, etc.) to catch tautog. Anglers use a number of strategies to ensure their vessel is properly positioned and stays in position. The trick is positioning the vessel without getting your anchor stuck in rock. Two years ago I lost an anchor on the northern side of Hope Island that got stuck in rock... ouch!!! It cost over $200 for a new anchor and line. I now often use a $1.49 cinder block as an anchor when fishing areas that require anchoring on rocky bottoms. The cinder block holds if current is moderate. Captain Robb Roach of Kettlebottom Outfitters, Jamestown, said, “I use two anchors to get proper positioning over structure.” Robb said that he stays away from crowds and finds his own fish, it also gives him plenty of room to make sure he is properly positioned. Captain John Sheriff of Captain Sheriff’s Charters suggests using a grappling hook anchor make of rebar. The soft rods allow the anchor to bend if it should get caught in structure. Captain Sherriff said, “Many anglers tie a line to the end of their Danforth or grappling hook anchor (opposite the chain end) and attach a float to the other end of the line”. When ready to leave they pick up the float and line which pulls the anchor out of the structure the same way it went in. Captain Rick Bellavance of Priority Too Charters, Galilee, RI said if it takes several times to position yourself properly over structure then so be it. Remember no structure, no tautog.

Rod and rigs
I use a rod with a flexible tip so I can feel the tautog’s first bite, but yet a rod with a lot of background to muscle the fish away from structure. My personal chose is a one piece Penn medium action spinning rod with 30 lb. test brad line. The braid line does not stretch like monofilament line which could allow the tautog to move more easily back to structure. The tautog experts I spoke with all seem to agree. The simpler the tautog rig the better, less hardware means less chance of getting caught in structure. This year my favorite rig was suggested by John Wunner of John’s Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown. It is a very simple rig consisting of an egg sinker, a two-way swivel and a single hook. The egg sinker slides on the main braid line which has a two-way swivel attached to it, the hook with 12" to 15” of line is attached to the other end of the swivel. Bottom snags seldom occur, I have used this rig a few times this year without losing any rigs. Captain John Rainone of L’il Toot Charters, Narragansett, has developed a special tautog rig with a sinker line that breaks if the singer gets caught in structure. You can retrieve the hook (and/or the fish) if the sinker gets stuck. Captain John said, “One hook saves rigs and fish… waiting for a second fish to jump on that second hook makes no sense.” Angler/Captain Kevin Bettencourt of the East Bay Anglers likes to use a three-way swivel rig. The main line is attached to the swivel and then a sinker is attached to the second swivel loop and the third swivel loop has a 24” fluorocarbon (30 to 40 lbs) line attached with either a 3/0 to 4/0 Gamakatus Octopus Hook.

Last week a number of tautog tips were covered in this column, however, one is worth repeating… where to fish for tautog.

Where to fish for tautog
John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, East Providence said, “It may take some looking and experimenting but shore anglers should find a spot that works for them... off wharfs, rocky shoreline and docks”. Popular places anglers have been catching tautog this fall include reefs/humps/holes off Newport; rock piles off Narragansett beach; Beavertail Point, Jamestown (from shore or boat); Whale Rock off Narragansett; Plum Point Light in North Kingstown next to the Jamestown Bridge; Conimicut Light, Warwick; Colt State Park, Bristol; Coddington Cove, Middletown; General Rock, North Kingstown; from shore at Quonset Point, North Kingstown; Ohio Ledge (in the East Passage); Hope Island; and the wharfs along the Providence River.

East Bay Anglers
The East Bay Anglers’ Fishing Expo will be held Sunday, January 30, 2011 (more information to come). I spoke about tautog fishing at their October meeting last week and had a great time. They are a great group. Contact Will Barbeau if you are interested in joining at wbarbo@cox.net .

Where’s the bite
Striped bass fishing continues to improve in Narragansett Bay. Fly fisherman Peter Nilsen of Barrington said, “Finally the bass are moving up into the beaches in the upper bay. Caught two keepers along Barrington Beach and missed a few others. Not much bait showing, just a few very small pods here and there.” Angler Alan Stewart, a member of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, has been hitting big bass in the Westport River using top water plugs in the morning. Last week he caught six huge bass, the largest was over 40”. The striped bass bite at Block Island continues to be hot too. Angler Eric Appolonia of North Kingstown said, “The bass bite off Block Island is outstanding. I picked up three nice bass in an hour using eels on the southwest side of the Island”. Reports from charter boats fishing the Island have been good too.

Tautog fishing is outstanding (see above column). Captain John Sheriff took three clients tautog fishing Sunday off Newport in the reef area and said, “We fished in the NW gusty winds on an outgoing tide. The group caught 35 tautog and 27 keepers. Most of the fish were released”.

Tautog experts share tips

October 11, 2010

Kevin Bettencourt (left) of the East Bay Anglers and his Dad Albert Bettencourt (right) are tautog fishing experts. Last week they limited out north of Conimicut Light in Warwick. Their fish were in the 3 to 7 lb. range. Kevin said, “Chumming is a critical part of tautog fishing.”

Tautog fishing is fun. I like to relax with friends and family, shoot the breeze and enjoy a great Rhode Island fishery all at the same time. Tautog (or Blackfish) is a great eating fish with a dense whitish meat.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) regulates tautog fishing. Fish have to be sixteen inches and catch limits changed this fall. The catch limit for private recreational anglers on and before October 15 is three fish/person/day, which jumps to six fish/person/day on October 16. However, new this year, is a ten fish per boat limit. The season ends December 15. The boat limit does not apply to charter and party boats.

You learn to fish two ways, by personal experience, and by what you learn from others. Over the past month, I have asked noted Rhode Island anglers, fishing guides, charter captains and bait & tackle shop owners in Rhode Island for tautog fishing tips. I plan to share these tips over the course of the season. So here is the first installment on tautog fishing tips.
Fishing in the fall is cold. Dress appropriately. If you dress in layers, you can take them off as the sun warms you.. Do not forget the gloves, I usually have at least four pair with me … water proof neoprene gloves, light cotton gloves, heavy winter gloves… whatever the conditions, be ready, and of course the gloves get wet.

Boat placement is important. Find structure wit electronics, 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 Ferrara and his son Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle in Warwick suggest 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 one of last year’s issues 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. I used this technique last year and it worked. If this does not work try letting the line just go limp for a couple of minutes. With no pressure on the fish, it may dislodge itself. To my surprise, the rig often frees itself, the fish may get unhooked, or you are free and catch a 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, 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.”

Where to fish for tautog. From shore, look for rocky coastline like Beavertail Point on Jamestown, locations off Newport 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, the rock wall 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 places there is structure, debris, rock clusters, wrecks, etc.

· Chumming for tautog will enhance your catch dramatically. Kevin Bettencourt from the East Bay Anglers and his Dad Albert have been fishing for tautog in Narragansett Bay and southern coastal water off Newport, Jamestown and Narragansett for many years. Kevin said, “Chumming is a critical part of tautog fishing. If you want to land numerous tautog you must establish an effective chum line. This can be accomplished with grass shrimp or crushed asian/green crabs. Don't be afraid to feed them! If you don't, they won't stick around long!” Robb Roach of Kettlebottom Outfitters from Jamestown said chumming is very important… “I chum with crushed mussels or crushed periwinkles.”

DEM has groundbreaking

DEM and the US Army Corps of Engineers joined federal, state and local officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Ten Mile River Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project last week at Hunt’s Mill Dam in East Providence. The restoration project will include fish ladders to provide for upstream migration of adult Blue-black Herring, Alewife, and American shad to historic spawning areas on the Ten Mile River and in Turner Reservoir.

DEM stocking rainbow trout
DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is stocking approximately 4,000 rainbow trout in several locations throughout the state for the fall freshwater fishing season. Ponds stock will include Meadowbrook Pond in Richmond, Carolina Trout Pond in Richmond, Olney Pond in Lincoln, Stafford Pond in Tiverton, Barber Pond in South Kingstown, Silver Spring Pond in North Kingstown, Carbuncle Pond in Coventry, and Round Top Ponds in Burrillville. Additional fishing areas will be stocked next week.


Where’s the bite

There is no excuse. Get out and fish this week. The weather conditions look good at press time, the fish are biting and winter will soon be here. Water temperature has dropped and the new moon phase is great for fishing.

Striped bass are on the move and being caught off coastal beaches from Newport to Watch Hill. Many reports of keeper striped bass being caught in the Bay too. Block Island fishing for bass is still very hot.

Blue fish bite off coastal beaches and in the Bay is good. They are finally working bait pods pushing them to the surface, exciting the birds.

Tautog fishing is great too. Many reports of keeper fish taken in the Bay around Conimicut Light, Plum Light, at Coddington Cove, General Rock in North Kingstown and off coastal shores where there is structure.

Block Island Stiped Bass Fishing

September 27, 2010

Tony Henriques of North Kingstown, Rhode Island caught this 40 lb striped bass fishing with eels while with Captain Sheriff Charters off Block Island.

Wind this weekend put a hold on fishing for many anglers and a hold on striper fishing for charter boats too. However, earlier in the week the fishing was great, particularly on Block Island where the fishing has been outstanding all season long. Big striped bass are hitting hard this fall on the Southwest side of the Island. Sea bass, giant scup and now the fall tautog season will be heating up too. Every indication by rod and reel anglers and divers targeting tautog is that the tautog season will be good this year too.

Block Island is a treasure for Rhode Island anglers and those visiting the Island to fish. You can always find fish around the Island. Charter captains and recreational anglers have related great striped bass experiences on Block Island all summer long.

I spoke with Don Smith, an avid angler and active member of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association about Block Island striper fishing. Don said he and his fishing partner Peter Vican have fished Block Island almost every weekend during the season. “We talk regularly to Capt. Matt King of Hula Charters, Block Island….he gives us information about the fishing that comes from his own experience and what he gets from the divers (the divers are a great source of information about the location and size of bass) and other Captains on the Island.”

Angler Smith continued to say, “Between Peter and I we have over 100 years fishing experience and we just kind of know from past experience where to go for the particular weather-tide conditions for any given night. I find that you can fish the Block somewhere in almost any type of wind or tide – you just have to know where to go. You might not be in a spot where the big cows feed but you can always find some bass to fish for. If the bass fishing is bad there’s other species like fluke, bonito, giant scup, trigger fish, etc. to catch. And, the fish follow the bait so there’s always the occasional surprise when you find big fish feeding in an area they usually don’t frequent and you get to catch them all night long with no one else around.”

This year around Block Island the striped bass have switched up their feeding habits compared to other years. Smith related, “It used to be that they (the bass) would hold up on structure at night and you could find them waiting for bait to feed on. This season we have found them to be schooling up and chasing bait at night, not staying on structure. It has made the night fishing much more difficult and not as productive as it has been in previous seasons. The early morning fishing (at daylight) has actually been better than night fishing for the past four or five weeks.”

Fisheries Council meeting
The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) will meet October 4, 2010, 6:00 p.m. at the URI Narragansett Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium, South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI. Agenda items will include reports from the shellfish, the summer flounder, and the scup/black sea bass Advisory Panels. A variety of new business items to be discussed as well. Anglers are encouraged to attend.

Release those big striped bass
Angler Pete Nilsen of Barrington wrote me and asked, “… why are we killing all those large fish? Those big female cows are breeders… it bothers me considering the way the striper stocks are going… why don’t you promote catch and release in your column.” I agree with Peter we should not take the breeders, I advocate for not taking them with anglers fishing on my boat (as other Captains do too). We take a quick photo and then release the fish, after the first photo the fish seldom leaves the water, the hook is removed while it is at the side of the boat and then the fish is released. You can read about catch and release tactics in future columns or on my No Fluke web site (www.noflukefishing.com) and blog were past column appear.


Where’s the bite

Tautog fishing this weekend was good even though the wind made it very difficult to fish. Many reports of anglers reaching their limit. The average seems to be three out to ten fish are keeper size. Reports of fish being taken off Beavertail, Jamestown; Coddington Cover, Middletown; Hope Island, between Jamestown and Prudence Islands; Plum Lighthouse next to the Jamestown Bridge; and a host of other locations. The fish seem to be working their way up the Bay (let’s hope so).

Black sea bass fishing is still good. Fish being caught off Newport (Brenton Reef and Seal Ledge) as well as off Point Judith Light.

Striped bass fishing in the Bay picked up this week. Fish being taken off Barrington Beach on the channel pad in deep water said angler Joe Petuli. Fish also caught, around Half-Way Rock between Jamestown and Portsmouth, and around Hope Island. John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside reports that a customer caught a 30 lb. striped bass at Sabin Point, Providence this week using menhaden chunks. John Wunner of John’s Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown said a 35 lb. bass was taken at Sally Rock early in the week and that the striped bass bite continued to be good at Narrow River for both school bass and larger fish. The striped bass fishing around Block Island remains outstanding with reports of fish over 40 lbs. being taken off the Southwest corner of the Island. Fish are being caught using eels, parachute jigs, umbrella rigs and tub & worm. Earl

Blue fishing in the Bay, off coastal beaches and at Block Island is good. Large blue fish continue to move into the bay with large fish being caught round Hope Island, in front of Barrington Beach on the channel pad, off Poppasquash Point, Bristol and other places throughout the Bay. Although blue fish supply was better it still is not outstanding in the Bay.

Scup. The Rhode Island recreational season for scup ended Sunday, September 26, licensed charter boats are allowed to catch scup until October 11.

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 www.noflukefishing.com or e-mail him at dmontifish@verizon.net .