No Fluke

Gifts for the angler

Captain Dave Monti
Posted 11/25/15

If you have a special someone on you holiday gift list that enjoys fishing, here are some gifts to consider. As a fisherman, I wouldn't mind receiving any of these items as a holiday gift.

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No Fluke

Gifts for the angler

Posted

If you have a special someone on you holiday gift list that enjoys fishing, here are some gifts to consider. As a fisherman, I wouldn't mind receiving any of these items as a holiday gift.

Chef's Choice Marine Sharpening Station for the ultimate fisherman's sharpening. This marine device had three sharpeners in one compact unit: a knife sharpener for fillet and bait knives, also good for all other household and sport knives… straight edge or serrated; a scissor sharpener; and a hook sharpener that can handle most types of hooks. The sharpening station is water resistant and resistant to the saltwater environment and is cleanable with a low pressure hose spray. It can operate on 120 AC or 12 volts DC (both adapters included). Visit www.chefschoice.com. $129.99.

Personalized engraved fishing lures by www.personalizationmall.com (search fishing lures on website). The Personalization Mall has twelve different fishing lures that can be customized with messages and engraving for your favorite angler. Prices state at $12.95.

SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger. SPOT Gen3 keeps you connected even when you're off the grid. Using the power of satellite technology, SPOT works virtually anywhere in the world. My wife gave me a SPOT a few years ago so she could track my location on Google Maps when on the water alone. Check in with your personal and professional networks and send custom messages. In an emergency, transmit an SOS with your location to GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center. Annual fee for SPOT's Basic tracking service is $99.99 and the purchase price for the SPOT at West Marine and other stores is $149.

Great Grates shellfish cooking grates. Great Grates was invented by owner Tim Gilchrist of RI. They allow you to cook serve and enjoy the tastiest, juiciest, clams, oysters, quahogs and mussels you've ever had plus you don't need to open them yourself. Set includes triangular rack that can hold sixteen shells, comes with hardwood serving tray and sauce cup. Visit www.greatgrates.com or email inventor/owner Tim Gilchrist at greatgrate@yahoo.com . $65 for two sets (includes shipping).

Waterproof charts. I use these to plan my fishing trips the day before fishing to find structure for tautog fishing or to select spots for fluke fishing. The charts I have include Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island and Block Island Sound in a handy large spiral bound book with soft plastic case. These waterproof charts are great on the boat and cover fishing areas in complete detail, and pinpoint dozens of fishing areas and the fish caught in each area. Choose areas from Maine to the Bahamas, and points inland too. Available at West Marine stores or online at www.westmarine.com. $26.99

Saltwater Sportsman and On the Water magazines, $18 and $25. Saltwater Sportsman, $18 for ten issues and On the Water, $25 for eleven printed or digital issues. My favorite saltwater fishing magazines. Both feature how-to articles, regular features on fishing gear, tackle and tactics. Visit www.onthewater.com or www.saltwatersportsman.

com.

Membership in the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA), $50. Purchase a gift membership for a family member or friend. The association is created by and for recreational saltwater anglers and the monthly seminars and education programs on fishing techniques and tactics are outstanding. Visit www.risaa.org .

General fishing or learn how to fish charters, $450 to $800 (depending on number of people, species targeted, boat size, duration of trip, etc.). Hire a charter to help teach adults or children how to fish or to take experienced anglers fishing. Visit www.rifishing.com, the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association website for a list of boats and captains. Can also find party boat trips there for under $100 per person.

Striped bass fishing

on Block Island

Capt. John Sheriff of Captain Sheriff's Fishing Charters, LLC will give a RI Saltwater Anglers Association presentation on tips and techniques for catching striped bass with a focus on Block Island on Monday, November 30, 7:00 p.m. at the West Valley Inn, West Warwick. Non-members welcome with a $10 donation to the RISAA Scholarship Fund, RISAA members attend free. Dinner offered by the West Valley Inn between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Visit www.risaa.org for information.

Where's the bite

Tautog fishing continues to be strong. Stormy weather and dirty water did slow the number of angler trips last week but the water settled and anglers were out the fishing was good. Capt. Charlie Donilon of Snappa Charters said, "Black fish off Newport has been very good with our largest fish averaging 7 or 8 points and last week during the big blow we managed to fish off Narragansett with angels limiting out." Ken Ferrara of Ray's Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, "Things are slowing down in the Bay with a tautog bite weakening. Customers that went south this weekend to Beavertail and the Kettlebottom area off Jamestown as well as off Newport did pretty good catching tautog and a cod every now and then. I fished with Roger Tellier, secretary of the RISAA board of directors this weekend and he caught a 26" cod while fishing for tautog in the Seal Ledge are off Newport. Angler Chris Jalbert from South County said "Went Monday morning (last week). Most finicky/delicate bite of the season so far. I missed a TON of fish. We got our limit in 3-4 hours. Most fish 4-6#. Also got one of the biggest of our season - 10+#. Fish were biting in multiple spots, still <30' depths with water 57 degrees." "The tautog bite seems to be best in 80 feet of water with anglers still catching in lower water too. Fishing the edge of the Pinnacle off Narragansett at 70 feet, off Brenton Reef on the edge and in areas at the mouth of the Sakonnet has all been good." said Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown. Capt. Frank Blount, of the Frances Fleet, said, "Tautog fishing continued to be good even after a couple days off due to heavy southerly winds. Pool fish generally in the 8 to 11 pound range with many limit catches recorded. Tremendous amounts of short tog provided long lasting action in between the keepers. The sea bass have definitely become fewer but there has been a slight increase in the number of keeper cod fish being caught and more of them are gaff-worthy. In fact on a couple trips cod fish in the low teens took the pool honors of tautog trips."

Cod fishing remained very strong, even in some areas close to shore this past week. Capt. Charlie Donilon of Snappa Charters said, "Last week we did very well with cod and sea bass south of Pt. Judith and southeast of Block Island. We caught 31 keeper cod, the best in years. We dropped anchor and it was like the way it used to be. We limited out on black sea bass too with 42 fish. It was definitely like the days of old. In fact, we had to just stop fishing. The largest cod were 10 and 11 pounds cod and 6 pound black sea bass." Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina said, "Cod fishing has been good with angler's dong well at the East Fishing Grounds, Cox's Ledge and at Shark Ledge."

Striped bass fishing has taken a back seat to tautog and cod fishing. However anglers are catching migrating fish. "Schools of herring were off the southern coastal shore this week with garnets diving on them so I'm sure some are picking up bass feeding on the herring ." sad Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marine.

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing for over 40 years. He holds a captain's master license and a charter fishing license. Visit Captain Dave's No Fluke website at www.noflukefishing.

com or e-mail him with your fishing news and photos at dmontifish@verizon.net.

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