NOAA Fisheries adjusted the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational fishermen. The adjusted limits took effect June 3, 2025 and extend through Dec. 31, 2025, unless modified by later action. 

NOAA Fisheries may need to take other action(s) later in the year, if appropriate, to further adjust the retention limits or close the fishery.

The adjusted limits for private vessels with a HMS angling category permit is one school fish 27” to less than 47”. For charter boats with a HMS Charter/Headboat permit fishing recreationally two school fish 27” to less than 47” are allowed. In both cases no large school/small medium fish 47” to less than 73” are allowed and no giants over 73” are allowed at this time.

This January tuna fishing in North Carolina was not allowed to close due to an Administration rule making executive order. The freeze allowed overfishing which has meant reduced quotas for New York and New England fishermen as the fish migrate north. For the past three years, anglers have caught an abundance of bluefin tuna close to shore. Many believe robust bait/forage profiles are here close to shore in great abundance due to warming water. This climate change impact points to the need for enhanced stock assessments and climate research to keep tabs on fish stocks.

For information and updates visit the NMFS Permit Shop.

Catch and release best 

practices for striped bass

Striped bass fishing is good, so good for this time of year that we have to make sure we use catch and release best practices to help ensure the survival of the fish we release. More striped bass die after capture and release than those legal-size fish we take home to eat.

Fishing at the Cape Cod Canal has been very good too with anglers catching fish to 41”. East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said, “On Wednesday “Bill on the Grill” Prodouz landed a 40-inch linesider that fell for a herring Mystic glider and then a 41-inch powerhouse with a Yo-Zuri bone hydro twitch bait.”

On my charter boat Tuesday the fish were on the bottom. Jason Mills of Cranston caught a 39” striped bass on a tube & worm on the channel pad at Poppasquash Point, Bristol when fishing with Richard Hellwig of Providence. And, Steve Brustein of Warwick caught a 34” fish in the same place earlier in the week. There were no signs of fish on the surface but they were there in the lower water column and on the bottom.   

The striped bass stock is overfished, with overfishing occurring, so we all need to be ready to safely catch and release these fish giving them the best chance of survival.

Striped bass regulations are one fish/person/day in a slot size of 28” to less than 31”.

Catch and release tips 

Gaffs are not allowed and inline circle hooks must be used when fishing with bait for striped bass, tube and worm fishing is an exception.

Bring the fish to the boat quickly, extended fights deplete oxygen and reduce survival. 

Avoid putting fish on deck and letting it flop around, keep it in the water as much as possible.

Wet your hands or gloves before handling the fish, dry hands remove the fish’s protective slime layer and leave it open to infection.

Handle fish carefully. Do not put fingers into gill cavities or eye sockets.

Gently remove the hook to minimize damage. 

Use lures with single hook, barbless hooks (I snap them off), or circle hooks.

Return fish to water quickly. Place gently in water in upright horizontal position. Move it back and forth in the water to force water across its gills.  Once revived it will flip its tail when ready to be released.

Introduction to the 

“Hex Hatch”

The RI Department of Environmental Management Division of Fish & Wildlife Aquatic Resource Education program will hold their introduction to the “Hex Hatch” program Thursday, June 12, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the DFW Outdoor Office, 1B Camp E-Hun-Tee Place, Exeter, RI.

The three-hour workshop begins with a presentation about the mayfly and its habits, when it emerges to spawn, what gear to use to mimic the hatch, and how to catch a trout during the hatch. All fly-tying equipment and materials are provided. 

Cost is $10 per person. For more information and to register, email kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov.

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass/bluefish. Tom Olson of Ponaug Marina, Warwick, said, “The striped bass and bluefish bite has been good for anglers they are catching fish trolling with tube & worm, umbrellas rigs or using live bait.”  

Ed Lombardo fly fishing expert and guide, said, “Fishing slowed on Narrow River, Narragansett Tuesday. I fished and moved many times to the more productive spots up, down, and across the river until 12 noon. Fished again at 1 p.m., now an incoming tide, and caught two small bass and one hickory shad.” Striper fishing in the East Passage of Narragansett Bay has been good. Last week anglers on my charter boat hooked up with bass to 40” with reports of a 52” fish being caught by RISAA member Dave Sweet’s son at Anawan Cliffs, Narragansett. Lay off the big fish if you have other options as more striped bass are killed after being release than those we take home to eat (see above article on bass catch and release practices). Sherri Kanelos of Warwick boated her largest fish ever Sunday, a 24” bluefish off Bear Point Prudence Island.

Black sea bass, summer flounder (fluke), squeteague and scup. Summer flounder fishing has been good in the lower Narragansett Bay with anglers catching keepers.  

Tom Olson of Ponaug Bait & Tackle said, “We had two commercial rod & reel customers catch monster fluke in the East Passage around the Jamestown bridge, one fish they boated was over 30 inches.”  

This weekend we caught multiple scup, fluke and squeteague in the Warwick Neck area. Marc Carvalho of Warwick caught a 20” squeteague. Most of the fluke were under 19 inches.

Freshwater. The freshwater bite for largemouth, pike and trout remains very strong. For ponds restocked with trout visit Freshwater Fishing | Mass.gov and in Rhode Island Fish & Wildlife | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

Dave Monti holds a captain’s master 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. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verizon.net, visit www.noflukefishing.blogspot.com or www.noflukefishing.com .