No Fluke

700 pound giant almost gets away

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Nick Blount, deck hand on the Frances Fleet (and son of owner Frank Blount), landed a 700 plus pound bluefin tuna off Cape Cod last week.

“It was amazing that they were able to land this fish.” said Cory Blount (Nick’s brother). “Nick jumped on the rod when the fish first hit and it came to the boat in about an hour and was darted. Once the dart was in the line off the rod broke and the fish ran. So they hooked another rod to the polly ball and then hand lined the fish in. The giant bluefin dressed out at 640 pounds.”

Nick Blount was fishing with Fish Chatham Charters of Chatham, Massachusetts. Congratulations to Nick and crew as this is a fish of a lifetime.

Learn how to catch false albacore

False albacore fishing will take center stare at a RI Saltwater Anglers Association seminar Monday, December 18, 7 p.m. at West Warwick Elks, 60 Clyde Street, West Warwick.

Capt. Ray Stachelek of Cast-a-Fly Charters, a false albacore expert, will talk about how to increase your odds of catching one of these speedsters. Capt. Stachelek has been a guide for twenty years and specializes in light tackle fishing and fly fishing. The seminar should help you improve your odds through a combination of shared knowledge, photos, overhead drone photography as well as underwater photos.

Capt. Stachelek said, “These tackle busting footballs always seem out of casting range. When not expecting them, they frequently appear a few feet from the boat… (You need) the patience and fortitude to cast a hundred times. But the dividends are worth the effort with reels screaming deep into the backing, long runs, and great theater (fish jumping).”
RISSA members attend free; non-members are welcome with a $10 donation to the RISAA Scholarship Fund. Food served 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. by the Elks Lodge which is a separate fee. For information visit the calendar section at risaa.org.

Where’s the bite?

Tautog fishing season ends this week, Dec. 15. The bite has been good so if you are able to get out before then, you should do well. Capt. Frank Blount of the Francis fleet said, “Water temperatures are still in the 50's and there are plenty of fish to be had. High hooks left this week with limit catches to 8 pounds. The herring have showed up on the beaches and more cod fish have been coming over the rails.”

Cod fishing is getting better every day. Anglers Bob Murray and Rich Hittinger fished for cod in the wind farm area off Block Island last Monday and landed over a dozen nice market size cod. Capt. Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “Saturday’s trip saw the best action on the cod. Four fish around 20 pounds battled for top pool honors. Some anglers left with three to four cod a piece. The scup and sea bass are still out in force with limit catches of both being able to be caught.”

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shellfishing for over 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. Visit Captain Dave’s No Fluke website at noflukefishing.com or e-mail him with your fishing news and photos at dmontifish@verizon.net.

Dave Monti

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