New regulations for striped bass, black sea bass and tuna

Last week, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) enacted a new regulation to help prevent the illegal harvest and sale of Atlantic striped bass. The new rule requires recreational anglers to clip the right pectoral fin of striped bass 34 inches or larger at the time of harvest.

The new regulation was adopted with considerable public input to help prevent “stockpiling,” which occurs when fish are harvested on a day closed to commercial fishing and then offered for sale on an open day; they also address fish being illegally transported and sold in neighboring states.

“Our local harvest supports the health of our families, economy and way of life. And protecting the viability of our stock and ensuring fish are legally harvested and sold are responsibilities we take very seriously. These new regulations are critical to supporting the continued vibrancy of the striped bass fishery, and I thank the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council for its leadership in engaging the public around this important topic and working to protect our state’s marine resources,” said DEM Director Janet Coit.

Black sea bass

Many recreational anglers are not happy with black sea bass total allowable catch limits, however, many are praising what will likely be the new recreational regulation here in RI this year. The minimum size will now be 15” with a three fish/person/day limit between June 15 and August 31, and a seven fish/person/day catch limit between September 1 and December 31.

Both the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association and the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association agreed on this option at the last public hearing and it was recommended by the RI Marine Fisheries Council at their last meeting.

New catch limits for tuna

Effective April 23 through December 31, the recreational bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit for highly migratory species (HMS) angling-permitted vessels is two school BFT 27” to <47” and one large school/small medium BFT 47” to <73”. For charter/headboat permitted vessels the l limit is three school BFT and one large school/small medium BFT. The recreational yellowfin tuna retention limit is three/person/day or trip. The minimum size for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is 27” curved fork length. There are no recreational limits for bigeye, skipjack or albacore tunas. For details and permits visit https://hmspermits.noaa.gov.

West Bay Anglers Striper Tournament

The West Bay Anglers will hold their annual 2016 Striper Tournament from 12 a.m., June 11 to 9 a.m., June 18. First place prize for the largest fish is $500 with $200 for second and $100 for third place. Prizes awarded at the Warwick Firefighters Association, 750 Warwick Avenue, Warwick at 1 p.m. on June 18. Applications, tournament details and weigh-in scales will be located at Ray’s Bait & Tackle and the Tackle Box Bait Shop in Warwick.

Where’s the bite

Striped bass fishing continues to improve. On-the-Water magazine’s striper migration map shows that the Chesapeake Bay spawn is done and “those big post-spawn striped are moving out and heading up the coast with schoolie stripers as far north as New Hampshire.” Bass over 30 inches are being caught in Rhode Island (and as far north as the Cape Cod Canal).

“Our customers are ecstatic over the volume of school bass. They are everywhere and if you are on them you could catch a hundred of them. We did have some larger fish this week to 38”caught in the upper Bay on squid. The school bass are going for artificial lures with 4” and 5” shad begin very popular,” said Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren. Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “We have heard of fish up to 40” being caught with a lot of school bass in the Bay.”

Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly said, “We are on our third wave of striped bass. The first batch were small and them we had fish in the 30” range being caught and this weekend we got 4” peanut bunker along with a wave of school bass in the 8” to 10” range. All the fish are in the Pawcatuck River as the water there is in the 50’s and out in front it is still 48 degrees. Once the water warms the striped bass will be moving out in to the ocean,” Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence said, “Customers have caught striped bass to 42” in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers with the large fish being caught on worms and live pogies. The worms are working for the bass as we have so much bait in the water (Atlantic menhaden) that a worm seems to be appetizing for the bass and they are going for them.”

Tautog fishing is starting to explode. Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait said, “Tautog fishing was crazy good this week. It opened up over the weekend with fish being caught at the Stone Bridge, at Fog land and we had some reports that there is a Newport bite too." Dave Henault of Ocean State said, “We have a lot of customers starting to use tautog jigs now more than ever before.”

Angler Travis Barao of East Providence and his father Gil boated three nice keeper fish and released two. “Travis hooked into a brute that seriously peeled off line. It was a 9.1 pound female likely loaded with eggs so we took a quick photo and released the fish. The other fish we caught were 5 and 6 pounds,” said Gil Barao. The Baraos were using Asian crabs as bait.

Ken Landry of Ray’s Bait & Tackle said, “Tautog fishing was hit or miss early last week. Some days customers were limiting out and then other days fishing was terrible.”

Squid fishing slowed a bit this week but anglers were still catching squid at Newport and Jamestown with Yo-Zuri squid jigs being the jig of choice that seems to be working the best.

Fresh water fishing was good this weekend as it was Free Fishing weekend. Additionally, DEM stocked area waterways with brown, rainbow and brook trout and put golden trout into the water (take your photo with a golden trout and DEM will send you a pin). Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said, “Freshwater anglers were very happy with the golden trout and the restocking program. It really brought a lot of anglers out this weekend. Meadowbrook and Carolina ponds were popular ponds in the Westerly area this weekend.” Visit www.dem.ri.gov for a complete list of stocked ponds.

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 www.noflukefishing.com.