The largest saltwater fishing show in the Northeast is this weekend
The New England Saltwater Fishing Show is Friday, March 8, to Sunday, March 11, at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence.
If you like to fish on the salt, you are in for a big treat. The show is the largest saltwater fishing show of its type in the Northeast. The show features tackle, rods, reels, lures, electronics, charter guides, boats, engines, accessories, clothing and much more. More than 300 fishing related manufacturers are represented at the show.
“You won’t want to miss the show specials offered by exhibitors and the great ‘how to’ seminars being offered by some of our area’s top fishers,” said Scott Travers, executive director of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association, show sponsors. “Learn strategies and tactics to target the species that we all love to catch, eat or release … striped bass, summer flounder, tautog and a host of others.”
Fishing show seminars are being given by experts on a wide range of fishing topics, from how to catch larger summer flounder to inshore fishing with light tackle from shore, kayak or boat. Learn about fishing tactics and strategies from top fishermen and charter captains.
I will be speaking at the show twice on tips from the experts on “How to Catch Larger Fluke,” offered Friday, March 8, at 3 p.m. and Sunday, March 10, at 11 a.m. Also, Attleboro native East End Eddie Doherty will speak Saturday, March 9, at 12 noon on “Surfcasters Paradise: Cape Cod Canal Striped Bass,” which will include many colorful photos from his first book, “Seven Miles After Sundown.” Visit Speakers – NE Saltwater Fishing Show (nesaltwatershow.com) for a complete list of topics, speakers and presentation times.
The New England Saltwater Fishing Show will be held at the Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin St., Providence, Friday, March 8, from 1 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets are $15 at the door, and children 11 and under are admitted free and can visit the kids casting area. Friday, March 8, is veterans’ day, and the Veterans Administration is sponsoring the first 200 veterans or active duty personnel attending the show. Sunday, March 10, is Family Day, with all women admitted free.
All adults who enter the show can register to win a Free Fishing Charter Trip with Big Game Sportfishing Charters; visit them in Booths 921-22 for a conversation. In addition, you can purchase raffle tickets for several rods from Crafty One Customs, with the rods displayed at the RISAA membership booths. Visit www.nesaltwatershow for show details.
Cape Cod Salties still hooking up anglers
The Cape Cod Salties held their first ever Open House on Wednesday, Feb. 28. About 150 people attended the evening event that featured a Boy Scott color guard, displays from area businesses and partners, a fund raising raffle and potluck dinner at the Yarmouth Senior Center.
The Cape Cod Salties is a fishing association of primarily recreational anglers, although it was founded in 1959 as a commercial striped bass association. Today the club is open to all.
“We had a great open house that served as a venue for new members to get to know the Salties and for existing members to reconnect during the winter with collaborators, partner organizations and local businesses,” said Jon Ungerland, president of the Cape Cod Salties.
A variety of organizations and businesses attended the open house, including the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Cape Cod Trout Unlimited, Cape Downwinders, Waquoit Bay Fish Company, Ocean Conservancy, the Barnstable Association of Recreational Shellfishing, AnglerCatch (a smartphone fishing application), and a host of others.
Hats off to the Cape Cod Salties and their president Jon Ungerland for a great community event. Anyone who enjoys fishing and learning more from fellow anglers is urged to join the Cape Cod Salties. Visit www.capecodsalties.org .
Where’s the bite?
Freshwater fishing: Anglers are advised that the trout fishing season ended Feb. 29 and reopens again on Saturday, April 13, in Rhode Island and at some Massachusetts waterways. It is time to renew or get freshwater fishing license and trout stamps for the new season too. For freshwater fishing information in Connecticut, visit https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing/Freshwater/Freshwater-Fishing; in Massachusetts visit Freshwater Fishing | Mass.gov; and in Rhode Island www.dem.ri.gov/fishing.
Saltwater
Saltwater fishing has been limited. Some anglers continue to catch school striped bass in estuaries. If you want to try your hand at cod fishing, the bite has not been good. But hopefully it will improve with improved weather. You should call ahead to make a party boat reservation as they often do not fish due to weather. Visit www.islandcurrent.com and www.francesfleet.com.
Dave Monti holds a master captain’s 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 and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verison.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.
