The fish are in – the striped bass bite is exploding
The Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament will be held Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, in areas south of Jamestown and Newport Bridges, along Rhode Island coastal beaches to 15 miles south of Block Island.
“We are continuing to fish for nine species in an expanded Tournament fishing area,” said Capt. Chris Willi, tournament director and owner of Block Island Fish Works, Block Island, Rhode Island. “The nine species include bonito, false albacore, bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna and mahi, in addition to fluke, black sea bass, bluefish, and striped bass.”
The tournament will start at 5:30 a.m., Saturday, July 25, and end Sunday, July 26, at noon. There will be an ‘After Party’ at Capt. Nick’s Rock & Roll Bar, Block Island on Sunday, July 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. with a brief tournament awards ceremony.
“This is a length-only tournament. When registering, online participants download GotOne, the Tournament app, on their smartphone. When they want to make a tournament entry, they take a photo of their catch up against the tournament supplied ruler and send their entry into the tournament electronically,” said Capt. Willi. “So, it is not necessary to attend the ‘After Party’ to receive your tournament prize. Winners will be posted online.”
The tournament includes cash cards, swag and sponsor prizes totaling $13,000, and anglers can pick up participant bags at one of seven co-sponsor locations, including Block Island Fish Works, Block Island; Ocean State Tackle, Providence; Sam’s Bait & Tackle, Middletown; The Tackle Box, Warwick; Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown; Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown; and Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly.
Register online at BI Inshore Tourney | bi-fishworks (sandypointco.com) or call 401.742.3992 for information.
Rhode Island finalizes saltwater regulations
Terrance Gray, director of the Department of Environmental Management, issued his final decision on several saltwater recreational fishing regulations.
Striped bass full length measure must now be measured from the snout of the fish to the end of the ‘pinched’ tail. Black sea bass minimum size has been reduced to 16” with a May 16 season start and an increased limit to four fish/person/day for the summer period. Bluefish limits have increased to five fish/person/day for private anglers and seven fish/person/day for for-hire vessels. No regulations were approved for bonito and false albacore.
See regulations at https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/marine-fisheries/marine-fisheries-regulations .
Middletown man named Angler of the Year
The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association honored their top anglers Saturday, April 25, at their annual awards banquet.
The RISAA Angler of the Year was awarded to Paul Chapman of Middletown. Paul won eight shore and/or boat division species awards for tautog, fluke, false albacore, bonito, bluefish, and black sea bass. And, a record 4.9-pound black sea bass garnered him a RISAA Hall of Fame award.
The Junior Angler of the Year was awarded to Domenic Bianco of North Providence
Where’s the bite?
“Freshwater fishing for largemouth bass is outstanding, and fish are now in prespawn mode. Anglers are having success with a new lure called fuzzy baits. They look like the Corona Virus, with anglers fishing them off the bottom. One customer left the shop and called back in 90 minutes to let us know he landed a 4-pound largemouth with the lure. The pike bite has been very good too at Little Pond in Warwick, with trout fishing still strong at stocked ponds,” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box. “Warwick Pond had a big herring run last week that created quite a big commotion at the pond with herring splashing all over the place positioning to spawn.”
Striped bass
“Dave Pollack boated a 40-plus-inch striped bass while fly fishing with Capt. Ray Stachelek of Cast-A-Fly Charters,” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence. “Customers are catching fish throughout Narragansett Bay all the way up to Festival Pier in Pawtucket. Fish are most prevalent at the mouth of rivers that have herring runs. Angler Michael Burke caught a nice keeper size bass at Conimicut Point when fishing at night. And angler Giacomo Rossi caught an above slot striped bass when fishing with Capt. BJ Silvia of Flippin Out Characters, Portsmouth.”
Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown, said, “The fish are in, and they are spread across a variety of spots. Whether you are fishing from shore or boat, there are plenty of opportunities right now—and more fish keep arriving.”
Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick, said, “The striped bass bite exploded with a 43” fish being caught at Conimicut Point at night and fish being caught all along the East Passage up into the Providence River. Anglers are catching fish on SP Minnows, soft white plastics, and other lures that mimic herring.”
Tautog
“Cold and damp start to the season Saturday, but still nice to get out. Saw more seals than tautog but still managed to catch five keepers when fishing with James Manzo and David Dube,” said angler and RI Fisheries Council member Greg Vespe of Tiverton.
Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, said, “The tautog bite is still slow with the water still fairly cold at 52 degrees in the bay.”
Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle said, “The tog bite jumped up significantly this week thanks to warmer temperatures. We are not at peak spring togging yet, but we’re getting close. Shore anglers now have a solid shot, and the boat bite is more consistent.”
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@verizon.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com .
