No Fluke

‘Spring Aboard’ campaign promotes boating education

By Captain Dave Monti
Posted 4/28/16

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is teaming up with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to promote boating education.

An informed …

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No Fluke

‘Spring Aboard’ campaign promotes boating education

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The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is teaming up with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to promote boating education.

An informed and knowledgeable boat operator is much more likely to recognize hazardous conditions on the water and avoid a mishap. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, only 12 percent of deaths occurred on vessels operated by those with a boating education certificate; 77 percent of boating deaths occurred on vessels where the boat operator never received boating education instruction.

Remaining boating courses include ‘About Boating Safety,’ being offered on May 14, Cross Mills Public Library, 4417 Old Post Road, Charlestown and on June 18 at the Neighborhood Guild, 325 Columbia Street, Peace Dale, Rhode Island. To register call (401) 789-9301, or for more information contact David Johnson at dgjdive1@verizon.net or call (401) 783-1170.

DEM also offers an online boater education course. Participants must pass a proctored exam to receive certification. For more information on Rhode Island boating laws and boating education courses, visit www.dem.ri.gov.

Forty-nine states and U.S. territories require proof of completion of a boating education course for operators of some powered vessels. In Rhode Island, successful completion of a boating safety course is required for all boaters born after January 1, 1986, who operate a boat with a motor greater than 10 horsepower; and for all operators, regardless of age, of personal watercraft.

 

Newport Boat Show call for entries

Newport Exhibition Group, owners and producers of the Newport International Boat Show, are accepting applications for the 2016 Newport For New Products (NFNP) Awards.

Judged by a team of marine-industry experts, NFNP winners for best new powerboat, sailboat and multihull, best new navigation product, and best new product for boat operation, maintenance and safety will be announced on Friday, September 16, at the Industry Awards/Press Breakfast.

In addition, attendees present on Opening Day will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite new boat as part of the ‘People’s Choice Award.’

The Newport International Boat Show will take place September 15-18, on the Newport Waterfront, America’s Cup Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island. The Show is one of the largest in-water shows in the country, with an assortment of boats of every type and style, plus a variety of accessories, equipment, electronics, gear and services for boaters.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.newportboatshow.com.

Frank Blount of Frances Fleet to leave Council

Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet, Narragansett, will be leaving the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) this year after multiple terms of service as a councilperson.

John Bullard, chief administrator of NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, said, “Frank has chaired the Ground Fish Committee for years. It’s a committee that has seen a lot of controversy (due to the poor status of ground fish in New England) and Frank has done an outstanding job. He will be missed.”

At last week’s NEFMC meeting in Mystic, Connecticut, Capt. Blount said, “I’d like to make a motion to ask NOAA to check fishing Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs) and fish processor/dealer landing reports.” The system was established by NOAA as a check and balance to make sure fish processors and fishermen are reporting landings factually. I heard Frank make the motion and was overcome with a sense of pride to have such a great fisherman from Rhode Island represent us on the Council for so many years.

Congratulations Frank! You have done a great job serving Rhode Island, New England and the fish working on the New England Council.

Cod fishing tips from the pros

“A couple of years ago, we wouldn’t be having this seminar on small boat cod fishing close to shore because there were no cod,” said Capt. B.J. Silvia of Flippin’ Out Charters at a R.I. Saltwater Anglers Association seminar he and fishing partner Greg Vespe gave Monday night.

The commercial cod fishery in New England has suffered major blows with recreational fishing north of Rhode Island being off, too. In fact, for a couple of years you could not take any cod from the Gulf of Maine, and this year recreational anglers are allowed to take one fish.

However, in Rhode Island we have quite a different story with anglers catching multiple cod while tautog fishing this fall with some early reports that cod fish are mixed in with the tautog this spring, too.

The fall bite was so good that some were targeting cod close to shore off Newport and very close to Block Island at the East Fishing Grounds, in addition to fishing in and around Cox’s Ledge. By no means do we have a robust recreational cod fishery, however, it does seem to be rebuilding here off Rhode Island.

Some cod fishing tips from Capt. Silvia and Greg Vespe:

Cod fish for the past couple of years have been small, so no need for heavy rigs, Capt. Silvia said, “For cod, we have been suing the rigs we use to fish for summer flounder.”

To avoid tangles and absorb shock, Vespe suggests using a 20-foot, 50-pound monofilament leader.

Avoid dog fish by moving, sometimes just a bit further up on a ledge, and switch to jigs rather than using bait.

Bring plenty of bait… sea clams, crabs, as well as squid, so you can take advantage of scup, black sea bass, cod and tautog that may be in the area. “We have been on top of some huge sea bass when fishing for tautog or cod, but the bite only picks up when we put on some squid,” said Silvia.

Target structure… ledges, mussel beds etc., however, some of our best cod fishing has occurred where dolphins and whales are feeding.

ASMFC to meet May 2-5

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will meet May 2-5, 2016, at The Westin Alexandria, Alexandria, Virginia. Meeting materials are available on the Commission website at http://www.asmfc.org/home/2016-spring-meeting.

Agenda highlights of interest to recreational anglers include a meeting of the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) Coordination Council, Shad and River Herring Management Board, a Climate Change Workshop, Interstate Fisheries Management Program Board, Weakfish Management Board and a Coastal Shark Management Board meeting.

Where’s the bite

Cod fishing is down from what it was a month ago, but some boats are still fishing and doing OK. Cod fishing usually declines in April, some years very little fishing occurs in April. However, last week some larger fish were taken. Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “This weekend, we boated a 28-pound cod and the top angler took home a total of eight cod. Other days this past week were good too.”

Striped bass fishing is exploding. “Customers are catching fish in the 30 to 40-inch range this week. It started last Thursday when a large amount of Atlantic menhaden arrived in the Pawcatuck River. Anglers are live lining and using chucked Atlantic menhaden as bait along with eels,” said Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly. Noted striper fly fisherman Ed Lombardo said, “We got into stripers last Thursday at Narrow River. The school of bass were small, but still a lot of fun and so nice to feel that strike after a long winter! The tide was outgoing at 5:30 p.m. and then changed to incoming. Small white over purple flies and all pink tide with craft fur worked well, size 1/0.” Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “School-size bass are being caught in Greenwich Bay and in our coves.”

“We have a huge volume (1,000 of fish) of small school-size striped bass in the six to 12-inch range at the Hurricane Barrier in the Providence River this week. One of my employees caught two 20-inch fish there this week. I predict we will have keepers in the Bay next week,” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence.

Tautog fishing really has not picked up in Rhode Island yet. Mike Wade of Watch Hill said, “This weekend, a 15-pound tautog was weighed in at River End in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. And, actually, that is where the fish are being caught. Rhode Island waters are still just a little cold for the tautog, but in Connecticut, it is a bit warmer and the tautog bite is strong. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait said, “Ken Landry gave tautog fishing a shot off Narragansett Saturday and did pretty good and then fished for school striped bass in the Bay on the way back.”

“The squid are in and a customer caught fifteen pounds of squid this past weekend,” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle. Newport, Jamestown and the Sakonnet area all had large amounts of squid this weekend.”

Freshwater fishing is excellent. Rhode Island DEM has restocked trout a second time in some locations. For a list of stocked and restocked water ways, visit www.dem.ri.gov. “The State of Rhode Island did an outstanding job stocking ponds this year, as all fishermen seem to be very happy. We have some customers that have been fishing Carolina Trout Pond and have done well. Anglers are starting to switch from hatchery bait types to natural baits, such as night crawlers and spinner baits,” said Mike Wade of Watch Hill. Trout is not the only freshwater fish biting… “I have already weighed in more five-plus pound bass than I did all of last year,” said Dave Henault of Ocean State.

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. He is a RISAA board member, a member of the RI Party & Charter Boat Association and a member of the RI Marine Fisheries Council. Contact or forward fishing news and photos to Capt. Dave at dmontifish@verizon.net or visit his website at www.noflukefishing.com.

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