Waterways stocked with trout; tautog fishing exploding

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is stocking ponds across Rhode Island with 6,000 trout in advance of Columbus Day weekend. Because of the extreme drought conditions present in many of the state's freshwaters, the number of waterbodies being stocked is limited; if conditions improve, additional stocking will take place this fall.

The following waters will be stocked: Carbuncle Pond, Coventry; Olney Pond, Lincoln; Silver Spring Pond, North Kingstown; Barber Pond, South Kingstown; Round Top Ponds, Burrillville; Stafford Pond, Tiverton; Wood River and Pawcatuck River, Richmond.

A current fishing license and a Trout Conservation Stamp are required to keep or possess a trout. The daily creel and possession limit for trout is five from April 9, 2016 through November 30, 2016, and two from December 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017.

Visit dem.ri.com for licensing information and additional waterways stocking information.

Bay State wind geotechnical survey in October

DONG Energy has leased a portion of the BOEM Massachusetts Wind Energy Area south of Martha’s Vineyard. They completed a geophysical survey in August and September and a follow-up survey is now planned to begin October 7.

The survey will involve seabed testing at 18 fixed locations; the survey vessel will remain stationary at each location for approximately two to twenty-four hours at a time using dynamic positioning systems.

Fishermen are requested to remain aware of these survey operations and to maintain a prudent distance (half-mile minimum) from the RV Fugro Synergy while the vessel is on station. A local Fishing Industry Representative (FIR), Steve Welch, will act as the onboard fisheries point of contact, advising the vessel master on local fishing activities. Fishermen working in the Survey Area are advised to contact FIR Steve Welch through the RV Fugro Synergy bridge to coordinate activities at RV Fugro Synergy VSAT phone 01131107130581. Also they will be standing by on VHF channel 16.

In advance of survey operations local fishermen with questions may also contact John Williamson, DONG Energy Fishery Liaison at 207/939-7055 or email him at john@seakeeper.net.

Where’s the bite

Tautog fishing is exploding with many anglers catching their limit of 3 fish/person/day (10 fish boat limit). Tautog minimum size is 16”. Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “Tautog fishing is very good. Customers are catching their limit at Plum Lighthouse next to the Jamestown Bridge, General Rock in North Kingstown and the rock cluster on the northeast side of Hope Island.”

Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said, “Tautog fishing is good. Anglers are catching them all the way up the Warren River.” Angler Charlie Prisco of Warwick said, “Another good day on Sunday fishing for tautog. We gave General Rock a try.  It was a brisk day, no sun, and one other boat. Lots of fish, mostly shorts, but Carole and I managed to get three keepers. The large fish (in the low 20’s) put up a good fight. He kept taking drag and trying to get into the rocks. I walked him down one side of the boat and around the engine and back up the other side. What a fight!”

I fished last week at General Rock, North Kingstown and caught by two keepers in about 90 minutes. Anglers fishing off Newport last weekend had no problems landing their limit of good size tautog to 20 to 22” in 30 to 35 feet of water.

Cod fishing is good when vessels have been able to get out. Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “Only made it out Sunday and Monday for codfish due to bad weather. Monday was the better of the two outings with a solid catch of nice green codfish, the majority of which were in the eight to twelve pound range with a few bigger ones into the mid-teens. Jigs and bait were both effective with a number of fishermen taking home three to four nice cod each.”

Bluefish and striped bass fishing is good. “The Bay exploded with bluefish four weeks ago and now anglers are catching striped bass that are mixed in with them. Most of them are school size bass but there are some keepers. One customer caught a 30” bass this past weekend. There is a ton of peanut bunker (immature Atlantic menhaden) in the water. At first you would see the birds with a lot of bait but now there are a lot of blues and bass surfacing too,” said Macedo. Ferrara said, “Barrington Beach is hot for bluefish and there are some nice sized striped bass now being caught in the bay.”

Freshwater fishing may be a good bet this week with a poor weekend forecast at press time. Fishing is expected to be excellent as the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is stocking ponds prior to the holiday weekend with 6,000 trout. Visit dem.ri.gov for details.

Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shellfishing 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 noflukefishing.com.