Kayak fishing basics and more

I have always felt privileged to interview Rhode Island’s best fishermen and charter captains and then write about the expert fishing strategies and tactics they relate. Todd Corayer, a great fisherman and award-winning fishing writer, is one of those Rhode Island fishing experts.

This month Corayer will share his kayak fishing expertise at a Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) online seminar. He has fished with his kayak throughout the region and his fishing writing appears in weekly newspapers in Rhode Island, On-the-Water magazine, as well as radio, TV and podcast fishing reports.

On Monday, May 24, at 7 p.m. Todd will speak about “Four seasons of Kayak Fishing.” Visit www.risaa.org if you are interested in attending. Todd will talk about how to properly rig a kayak for fishing, water safety as well as rods, flies, lures and electronics you might want to consider.

RISAA members attend free. Non-members are welcome with a $10 donation to the RISAA Scholarship Fund. For information contact Steve Medeiros, president, at 401/826-2121 or steve@risaa.org.

Quahoging in lower Providence River

The Providence River has been too polluted to dig quahogs in areas north of Conimicut Point, however, a portion of the lower river will soon open as a ‘conditional’ shellfishing area.

The Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council (RIMFC) recommend, and DEM has approved, that the lower portion of the Providence River from Conimicut Point to Gaspe Point, Warwick change from a ‘prohibited’ to a ‘conditional’ area. The lower portion of the River is now clean enough to be open on a conditional basis.

The challenge writing about this topic is that the some members of the public will take this news too enthusiastically and fish there whenever they want to shellfish, which is illegal. The truth is that the new conditional area will be open just a total of 27 days in spring and summer.

Conditional areas are subject to closures after heavy rain events. If closure occurs the next approved day on the calendar will be open until all 27 days of fishing are allowed to occur. Recreational anglers will have to check daily if the new conditional area is open as it will be illegal to fish there on most days.

Congratulations to DEM, the RI Shellfisherman’s Association, Save the Bay, the Narragansett Bay Commission and all who worked hard for many years to make the lower Providence River clean enough to quahog. It is a great day for clean water, a clean bay, and those fishing for quahogs.

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass. Mike Hallowell of the Tackle Box, Warwick, said, “We had a customer catch a 40” striped bass off Godard Park using an SP Minnow floating lure. And, the school bass bite has intensified too.” Sam Toland of Sam’s Bait & Tackle, Middletown, said, “We had two fish caught off 2nd Beach, Middletown in the 32” range but for now most of the fish are school size.” “Bass fishing is just starting to pick up with some keepers being caught but fish are still small,” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle.

Tautog. “Some customers are catching very large fish ready to spawn with many of them being released by customers. The bite is on at Fort Adams and other places along the bay coast,” said Sam Toland of Sam’s Bait. Other anglers are reporting a number of fish to 19” being caught with a lot of shorts mixed in. Expert catch & release tautog angler David Garzoli said, “Launched out of Wickford Sunday and bounced around between Prudence, Newport and Jamestown. Picked up 19 tog in 15-40' of water, 25' being the most productive, with 9 keepers to 19". All tagged and released. Fish bit Asian and green crabs. Jigs and rigs.” Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle said, “The tautog bite is just starting to pick up out in front of Newport, but the bite in the bay remains strong.” Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “Tautog are all over the bay, both Asian and green crabs are working for anglers.”

Squid. Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle said, “The boat bite for squid subsided this weekend but the shore bite continues with small squid instead of the larger squid caught for the past couple of weeks. This is a good sign as the fluke usually follow the smaller squid runs.” Sam Toland of Sam’s said, “Squid fishing this weekend was hit or miss at the bridges and off the Goat Island Causeway, Newport.”

Freshwater largemouth bass bite remains strong with minnows and artificial worms. Dave Henault of Ocean State said, “Stump Pond in Smithfield, Turner Reservoir in East Providence and even Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods continue to yield some nice largemouth bass for customers.”

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 and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verison.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.