Fishing Report | EastBayRI.com - News, Opinion, Things to Do in the East Bay

Rick Wise of Wakefield with a striped bass he caught this week in Salt Pond using a white soft plastic lure.

We still have a lot of larger holdover striped bass in the 20- and 30-plus-inch range in the area. These are the fish that decided not to migrate south and ‘hold over’ here for the winter … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 4/18/23

Nick Papa of South Kingstown, captain of the vessel Ruthless, took first place in the Boston Bluefin Classic with this 788-pound giant bluefin tuna caught off Scarborough Beach, R.I.

Rhode Islanders dominate giant tuna tournament

If you are a woman, and think you want to learn how to fly fish, now is the time to give it a try at the Women’s Introductory Fly Fishing Clinic, Saturday, Sept. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 9/12/23

Veterans often charter River Rebel Charters of Bristol to fish for free as part of the Veteran Angler Charters program.

Trout fishing is the ticket this month

Rhode Island lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams designated as trout-stocked waters are currently closed for fishing. However, the season opens Saturday, April 8, and runs through Feb. 29, … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 3/28/23

Capt. Monti with a spring striped bass caught when fishing with fresh Atlantic menhaden chucks on the channel pad or edge in front of Poppasquash Point, Bristol.

Ten favorite places to catch spring striped bass

The spring migration run of striped bass will soon be underway. The water temperatures off Narragansett at press time was 41 degrees. Traditionally 55 degrees is the temperature when the fish are … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 4/2/24

Tom Houde of West Warwick with the 39” striped bass he caught trolling tube and worm with his kayak off Newport at Brenton Reef.

With water temps this high, fishermen need to change tactics

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has completed the second phase of a two-year project to develop an evaluation model on the operational costs of on-demand fishing gear technology … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 8/7/23

John Migliori with an Aquidneck Island largemouth bass: “Sunday morning I caught this nice, 17-inch largemouth using a Kastmaster lure.”

DEM announces winter programs and reopens shellfishing area

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced its winter season of outdoor programs, from fly tying to wild game cooking classes. The Aquatic Resource Education, Hunter … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 11/14/23

Jonathan Stone, former executive director of Save the Bay, was presented this year’s person of the year award by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse at the 14th Annual Energy, Environment and Oceans Leaders Day.

Hats off to Senator Whitehouse for another great Leaders Day

Hats off to Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and his staff for putting together the Energy, Environment and Oceans Leaders Day, Friday, Dec. 1, at the Rhode Island Convention Center. This is the 14th year the … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 12/5/23

Researchers from U. Mass Amherst placed acoustic tags on Hammerhead Sharks and Tarpon as part of their shark depredation study.

Killing sharks to reduce depredation is not the answer

Shark depredation, the full or partial consumption of a hooked fish by a shark before it is landed, is an increasing source of human and wildlife conflict in recreational fisheries. This summer and … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 1/30/24

Katie Spier shows appreciation for her first keeper, caught last year while fishing with uncle Greg Spier of Portsmouth. The striped bass regulation is one fish/person/day in a slot size of 28” to less than 31.”

How to preserve and cook your catch

If you are fortunate enough to catch a striped bass in the allowable slot size of 28” to less than 31”, and plan to keep and eat it, here are some tips on how to preserve and cook the … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 6/20/23

Claire Hodson with a healthy black sea bass caught on the charter fishing vessel Snappa. Both RI and MA will determine catch limits for black sea bass next month.

Rhode Island announces outdoor programs for the public

The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced spring programs scheduled to connect Rhode Islanders with our state’s beautiful natural resources. From vernal pool night to … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 2/20/24

Mark Tracy of Barrington caught striped bass to 29” this weekend in the East Passage from the shipping channel to Potters Cove, Prudence Island. File photo.

It’s getting fishy out there

Freshwater and saltwater fishing in Massachusetts and Rhode Island are outstanding. Both trout and salmon fishing in stocked ponds is particularly good with an explosive largemouth bass … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 5/2/23

Joe Rochira of Warwick, with one of the three striped bass he caught this weekend trolling tube & worm on the east side of the shipping channel in front of Barrington Beach.

Fall fishing just keeps getting better

Fall is a great time to fish, and it is getting better every day. Last week the tuna bite for school tuna was outstanding. Reports had as many as 40 school tuna being caught and released by one … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 10/10/23

“Capt. Kurt Rivard of K & M Coastal Charters caught this 14-pound tautog last week with a jig when fishing off Newport,” said Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren.

Tautog bite has been outstanding – get out and fish

Fishing for tautog (also called black fish) has been outstanding in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The fish are abundant and quite large. Anglers are allowed just one trophy fish, … more

By. Capt. Dave Monti | 11/7/23

Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren, with the two false albacore he caught at the same time while working two fishing rods off Brenton Reef, Newport.

Strong reports on stripers throughout the region

Striped bass , bluefish and false albacore. East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said, “Experienced surf rat Andrew Kuznarowis from Centerville had a very … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 9/5/23

This map depicts current marine heat wave conditions for June 2023. Observations show marine heatwaves are occurring across vast regions of the planet, including: the tropical North Atlantic, the Northeast Atlantic along the Iberian coast as far northward as Ireland and the UK, the equatorial Pacific, the Northeast Pacific, the Northwest Pacific in the Sea of Japan, the Southwest Pacific just southeast of New Zealand and the Western Indian Ocean southeast of Madagascar.

The world's ocean water is heating up fast

As scientists around the world sound the alarm about record sea surface temperatures, a new experimental NOAA forecast system predicts that half of the global ocean may experience marine heatwave … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 7/11/23

The New England Saltwater Fishing Show is March 8, 9 and 10 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence. The Marlborough Fly Fishing Show is this weekend.

Rhody Fly Rodders celebrate 60th anniversary

The Rhody Fly Rodders, the oldest chartered saltwater fly club in America, is holding a 60th Anniversary Banquet Celebration Saturday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m.at Wright’s Farm Restaurant, 84 Inman … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 1/9/24

Elisa Cahill and her bother Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown.  Elisa said traffic at the show was outstanding.

Fishing show a big success, great start to season

The excitement was building outside the New England Saltwater Fishing Show exhibition hall at the Rhode Island Convention Center earlier this month as hundreds of anglers waited in line for the show … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 3/21/23

Black sea bass are fun to catch and eat; minimum size will likely be 16 1/2” this year.

Black sea bass fishing will soon heat up

Black sea bass are fun to catch and great to eat. The Rhode Island state record for black sea bass is 26”, about 8 pounds, 7.25 ounces. The minimum size for black sea bass will likely be … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 4/11/23

The New England Saltwater Fishing Show is March 8, 9 and 10 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence.

The largest saltwater fishing show in the Northeast is this weekend

The New England Saltwater Fishing Show is Friday, March 8, to Sunday, March 11, at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence. If you like to fish on the salt, you are in for a big treat. … more

3/5/24

Jim Lundy with a spring striped bass caught in the East Passage of Narragansett Bay off Prudence Island.

Clarification on new striped bass regulation

Currently, the striped bass regulations from last year are still in effect, meaning Rhode Island and Massachusetts anglers can retain one fish between 28” and 35” until the new … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 5/16/23

Alewife and Blueback Herring are collectively known as River Herring. Locally many call them ‘buckies’.

Atlantic Herring hurting, fish mangers look for solutions

Atlantic Herring numbers are down — way down. According to NOAA Fisheries, the stock is overfished. In 2022, overall commercial landings totaled 9.3 million pounds. By comparison, a decade … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 3/26/24

Tautog fishing is strong, and cod fishing is just heating up.

Goodbye, to a good friend – and there’s still time for fishing

I have made a lot of friends fishing but have made just as many at coffee shops. Sorry to say my coffee friend Marc passed away Saturday after fighting pancreatic cancer for over a year. Fishing … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 11/28/23

Greg Vespe at the stern, with his father Ric Vespe at the helm, as cousin Stephano Leoni reels in a thresher shark. Greg’s son Shawn Hayes Costello was also part of the crew.

Sharks stealing your fish?

Anglers have reported (more than usual) sharks attacking their catch before they are able to bring it to the boat. Anglers are urged to use caution when reaching in or near the water to bring in … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 8/29/23

Angler Dave Hanuschak caught multiple striped bass to 29” that were feeding Sunday on the surface in Greenwich Bay.

Rhode Island waterways are stocked with trout

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is conducting fall trout stocking, in advance of the Columbus Day holiday weekend, in selected areas in Rhode Island from Thursday, … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 10/3/23

Kayak angler Tom Houde said, “Caught a stringer of keeper tog last week in the West Bay, including this 21” female which was released after a quick photo. Water temp 60 degrees, depth 20 feet.”

NOAA releases updated report on endangered Right Whales

NOAA Fisheries has released a comprehensive population viability analysis for North Atlantic right whales, along with 2023 population estimate. The analysis allows users to project how the total … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 10/31/23