Fishing Report | EastBayRI.com - News, Opinion, Things to Do in the East Bay

Tom Hood with a false albacore caught off Narragansett from his kayak last fall.

The U.S. House Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2024 will have a devastating impact on fish and habitat, as it reduces funding by 14 percent for NOAA Fisheries, a cut of $900 million. Yet our … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 9/19/23

Nick Papa of South Kingstown, captain of the vessel Ruthless, took first place in the Boston Bluefin Classic with this 788-pound giant bluefin tuna caught off Scarborough Beach, R.I.

Rhode Islanders dominate giant tuna tournament

If you are a woman, and think you want to learn how to fly fish, now is the time to give it a try at the Women’s Introductory Fly Fishing Clinic, Saturday, Sept. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 9/12/23

Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren, with the two false albacore he caught at the same time while working two fishing rods off Brenton Reef, Newport.

Strong reports on stripers throughout the region

Striped bass , bluefish and false albacore. East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said, “Experienced surf rat Andrew Kuznarowis from Centerville had a very … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 9/5/23

Greg Vespe at the stern, with his father Ric Vespe at the helm, as cousin Stephano Leoni reels in a thresher shark. Greg’s son Shawn Hayes Costello was also part of the crew.

Sharks stealing your fish?

Anglers have reported (more than usual) sharks attacking their catch before they are able to bring it to the boat. Anglers are urged to use caution when reaching in or near the water to bring in … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 8/29/23

Greg Vespe of Tiverton, brings a thresher shark to the boat, caught with a bluefish fillet.

Tips for a great fall tautog season

Tautog (or blackfish) is a great eating fish with a white delicate meat. They are not often sold in fish markets because they are difficult to harvest commercially. They are usually caught by rod and … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 8/22/23

Full limits of black sea bass and summer flounder (fluke) from youth and adult anglers on the Frances Fleet party boat this weekend.

New regulations in effect, and the strong bites continue

NOAA Fisheries has established recreational fishing measures for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock and Georges Bank cod for the 2023 fishing year. All measures are effective Aug. 14, 2023, through … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 8/15/23

Tom Houde of West Warwick with the 39” striped bass he caught trolling tube and worm with his kayak off Newport at Brenton Reef.

With water temps this high, fishermen need to change tactics

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has completed the second phase of a two-year project to develop an evaluation model on the operational costs of on-demand fishing gear technology … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 8/7/23

Best Team Photo in Block Island Tournament was awarded to team ‘Defiant’ for this photo taken in the Block Island Wind Farm. Some nice fluke caught by youth anglers.

Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament big success

The Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament ended Sunday, July 23, with a winning striped bass measuring 48”, caught by team ‘Frayed Knot,’ led by Capt. Richard Lipsitz of North … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 7/24/23

Paul Philips of North Kingstown with the nine-pound summer flounder he caught in deep water off Newport last week on ArchAngel Charters.

Strong reports on tuna and large fluke

There is still time to register for the Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament which takes place within the three-mile limit around Block Island. This year the Tournament starts Saturday, July 22, … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 7/20/23

This map depicts current marine heat wave conditions for June 2023. Observations show marine heatwaves are occurring across vast regions of the planet, including: the tropical North Atlantic, the Northeast Atlantic along the Iberian coast as far northward as Ireland and the UK, the equatorial Pacific, the Northeast Pacific, the Northwest Pacific in the Sea of Japan, the Southwest Pacific just southeast of New Zealand and the Western Indian Ocean southeast of Madagascar.

The world's ocean water is heating up fast

As scientists around the world sound the alarm about record sea surface temperatures, a new experimental NOAA forecast system predicts that half of the global ocean may experience marine heatwave … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 7/11/23

Tony Lombardo and grandson AJ (in photo) boated four large bluefish Saturday at the shipping channel off Popasquash Point, Bristol.

NOAA and URI agree to explore effects of offshore wind energy

NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, Mass., and the University of Rhode Island (URI) have signed a five-year formal partnership agreement to research how offshore wind energy … more

7/3/23

Saltwater Anglers appoint new executive director

Scott Travers of Coventry, R.I., has been appointed executive director of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA). He replaces Greg Vespe, who took the helm to bolster the … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 6/27/23

Katie Spier shows appreciation for her first keeper, caught last year while fishing with uncle Greg Spier of Portsmouth. The striped bass regulation is one fish/person/day in a slot size of 28” to less than 31.”

How to preserve and cook your catch

If you are fortunate enough to catch a striped bass in the allowable slot size of 28” to less than 31”, and plan to keep and eat it, here are some tips on how to preserve and cook the … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 6/20/23

Angler Bob Donald of North Kingstown caught bass to 33” trolling tube & worm north of Conimicut Light. An influx of pogies enhanced the striper bite last week.

Block Island Tournament grows with partner tackle shops

“The Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament doubled the number of participants with tackle shop partners last year and added a fly fishing shore and boat division,” said … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 6/6/23

Tim Rounds, of Idaho, here on vacation, caught this 38” striped bass (his first ever) fishing with light tackle at Popasquash Point, Bristol on No Fluke Fishing Charters.

Mount Hope Bay opens to shellfishing

Great news for recreational and commercial quahoggers, as 515 acres in Mt. Hope Bay are now open as conditional rather than a prohibited shellfishing area. The area can be fished … more

5/30/23

Jim Lundy with a spring striped bass caught in the East Passage of Narragansett Bay off Prudence Island.

Clarification on new striped bass regulation

Currently, the striped bass regulations from last year are still in effect, meaning Rhode Island and Massachusetts anglers can retain one fish between 28” and 35” until the new … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 5/16/23

Fred DeFinis of Middletown caught multiple bass in the East Passage last week to 34”.  Soft plastic lures are working well.

Agency takes emergency action on striped bass

Last Tuesday, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved a new emergency slot size limit to be implemented this year of 28” to less than 31”, one fish/person/day. Presently … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 5/9/23

Mark Tracy of Barrington caught striped bass to 29” this weekend in the East Passage from the shipping channel to Potters Cove, Prudence Island. File photo.

It’s getting fishy out there

Freshwater and saltwater fishing in Massachusetts and Rhode Island are outstanding. Both trout and salmon fishing in stocked ponds is particularly good with an explosive largemouth bass … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 5/2/23

Peter Jenkins, chairman of the board of the American Saltwater Guides Association and owner of the Saltwater Edge, Middletown, says striped bass in trouble and asks anglers to take action.

Striped bass are overfished and still in trouble

The striped bass fishery on the East Coast is overfished and overfishing is occurring. The fishery experienced a significant increase in harvest in 2022, as the eighth-most abundant year-class on … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 4/25/23

Rick Wise of Wakefield with a striped bass he caught this week in Salt Pond using a white soft plastic lure.

Favorite ways to catch striped bass

We still have a lot of larger holdover striped bass in the 20- and 30-plus-inch range in the area. These are the fish that decided not to migrate south and ‘hold over’ here for the winter … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 4/18/23

Black sea bass are fun to catch and eat; minimum size will likely be 16 1/2” this year.

Black sea bass fishing will soon heat up

Black sea bass are fun to catch and great to eat. The Rhode Island state record for black sea bass is 26”, about 8 pounds, 7.25 ounces. The minimum size for black sea bass will likely be … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 4/11/23

John Migliori with a 25.5-inch pickerel he caught on Aquidneck Island last week.

Opening Day for fishing season is this Saturday

O pening Day of the freshwater fishing season in Rhode Island is at 6 a.m. this Saturday, April 8. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has stocked 100 waterways, many … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 4/5/23

Veterans often charter River Rebel Charters of Bristol to fish for free as part of the Veteran Angler Charters program.

Trout fishing is the ticket this month

Rhode Island lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams designated as trout-stocked waters are currently closed for fishing. However, the season opens Saturday, April 8, and runs through Feb. 29, … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 3/28/23

Elisa Cahill and her bother Matt Conti of Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown.  Elisa said traffic at the show was outstanding.

Fishing show a big success, great start to season

The excitement was building outside the New England Saltwater Fishing Show exhibition hall at the Rhode Island Convention Center earlier this month as hundreds of anglers waited in line for the show … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 3/21/23

Jeff Sullivan, with a 10-pound tautog he caught off Bristol. The spring tautog bite was good last year.

The spring tautog fishing season can be great

O n April 10 last spring the water temperature at Narragansett Beach was only 45 degrees, but as soon as it warms a little this year, the spring tautog season will begin in earnest. Dave Henault … more

3/13/23