Register for my fishing Cape Cod kickoff   

‘My’ fishing Cape Cod’s 2025 season kickoff workshop will take place Saturday, Mar. 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hyport Conference Center, Hyannis.    

Public registration for this premiere fishing education and networking event starts Saturday, Feb. 15 at 9 a.m. Registration is limited to 210 so don’t delay, as last year it sold out.  

My fishing Cape Cod is a fishing education portal for and by fishers on Cape Cod. Their purpose is to, “Help anglers of all ages and abilities (residents and visitors alike) to catch more fish, learn the area, and fully enjoy the Cape Cod fishing experience!” Their portal at my fishing Cape Cod, your source for Cape Cod fishing reports & more, features a blog, forum, educational podcast links, trip listings and a calendar of events.  

During the season kickoff attendees will learn from some of Cape Cod's most experienced charter captains and surfcasters. Subjects covered in panel-style discussions will include various types of fishing. This is a great opportunity to network and access information you can't get anywhere else.  

Speakers at the kickoff will include: Cape shore fly guide and fly Tyler Chris Kokorda of flywalker; surfcaster Calvin Toran-Sandlin of my fishing Cape Cod; surfcasting Ian McPartland of the goose hummock; canal diehard Tony Navarro; 90 year old local expert Carl Johansen; Captain Mike Fowler of bad dog sportfishing; Captain Cullen Lundholm of cape star charters; Captain Tyler Putney of flatliner charters; Captain Tyler Macallister of the F/C cynthia C; off the charts sportfishing; and perhaps a few others.  

Tickets are $25 per person with all profits donated to the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center and Fishing for the mission 22.   

Attend the kickoff and you will be doing something good for our local veteran community while having a great time talking about fishing. To register visit my fishing Cape Cod for tickets for the 2025 season kickoff; tickets are going fast!  

Fishing tips you can use all season  

This year the salt water sportsman national seminar series brings its 2025 New England edition to the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Saturday, Feb. 22. Hosting the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. event will be George Poveromo, host of George Poveromo's World of Saltwater Fishing on Discovery. Rick Mola, a legendary Connecticut and New England fishing authority, will co-host.  

Courses for the Feb. 22 seminar will encompass the how-to and where-to of catching the regions inshore, near shore and offshore saltwater game fish.   

To purchase tickets and learn more about the seminar, visit: www.nationalseminarseries.com.   

Council seat opens, step up your game  

The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council has a commercial fisheries seat open.    

I served on the council for eleven years; it was one of the most gratifying positions I have held; and was an honor to serve the state of Rhode Island and the fishing community in this fashion. Council persons learn the science behind fishing policy and regulations and get to interact with thousands of Rhode Island fishers.    

So, if you are thinking of kicking things up a notch on fishing policy, I suggest you consider exploring applying for this council seat.  

Candidates are currently being sought to fill a commercial fishing industry seat.  

The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council makes recreational and commercial fishing regulation recommendations to the department of environmental management director.    

The RIMFC is composed of eight individuals and the DEM director or their designer. Council members are chosen from among those with skill, knowledge, and experience in the commercial fishing industry, the recreational (private and for-hire) industry, and in the conservation and management of fisheries resources and/or marine biology. Members are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Rhode Island Senate.   

Members are appointed to four-year terms, are expected to attend up to eight meetings per year and serve without compensation. Additional background information on the council can be found on the DEM division of marine fisheries website: https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/marine-fisheries/about-council.  

Submit a letter of interest and resume to: Molly Ogren, environmental policy analyst, DEM, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908; at Molly.Ogren@dem.ri.gov or call her with questions at 401.439.8852.  

The deadline for submittals is March 31, 2025. All candidates will be forwarded to DEM director Terrance Gray and Governor Dan McKee for review and consideration.  

Where’s the bite?  

Cod.  Party boat fishing and a few smaller charter boats continue to fish for cod south of Cape Cod and off Rhode Island waters. Fishing machine charters, Point Judith, Rhode Island at www.fishingmachinecharters.com has been hooking up with cod in the Cox Ledge wind farm area and is running open boats so you might be able to get a single spot on the vessel. Angler Jeff Sullivan, an associate at Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren, that opens Mar. 1, said, “Cod fishing has just been fair at Nomans Land Island off Martha’s Vineyard.” Larger party boat vessels generally sail between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. and return in the afternoon. Visit www.islandcurrent.com and www.francesfleet.com.Fishing . Full day rates for party boat vessels are generally $130 to $135 per adult and around $80 for those under 12 years old.   

Freshwater fishing. Check ice conditions with local cities and towns to make sure ice is safe for fishing or skating. Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait & Tackle, said, “I have been fishing on 8” of ice but now with weather a bit warmer some of that ice is down to 4”.  However, I have been able to get out for the past twenty days catching trout, black crappie and perch. My bait of choice has been a Tunsten jigs tipped with a wax worm. Kastmaster jigs, and Swedish Pimple jigs have been working well too.” For stocked ponds in Massachusetts visit Mass Wildlife at Trout stocking report | Mass.gov.  The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management stocked thirteen waterways last  week for updates visit Designated Trout Waters | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.  

Dave Monti holds a master captain’s license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verison.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.