Right whales still foraging in the area

Two voluntary Right Whale Slow Zones were put into effect by NOAA this week as whales were detected Southeast of Nantucket, Southeast of New York, NY and redetected by the New England Aquarium Southwest of Martha’s Vineyard.  Both slow zones are in effect through September 8, 2024.

These Right Whale Slow Zones may be extended as they often are when these large animals are redetected.

Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside Dynamic Management Areas (DMA) where right whales have been detected. Please visit Reducing Vessel Strikes to North Atlantic Right Whales | NOAA Fisheries for coordinates and more information.

Where’s the bite?

Freshwater.  “The largemouth bite is good in the lower water column as the water is warm on the surface.  Gorton and Little Pond in Warwick are producing,” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick.  Parker Mandes of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly, said, “Freshwater anglers are having difficulty as the water is very warm, cloudy and weedy.”

Striped bass, bluefish, bonito.  Anglers have started catching school size striped bass and keepers in the Seekonk River using Atlantic menhaden chucks and top water lures with success,” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence. Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, said, “The striped bass bite is improving with a good bite still on in front of Newport and at Block Island.” East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said, “Rain bait continues to sprinkle the surface, but the Canal has slowed down considerably, producing some 26-32 inch bass with a few exceptions.” Parker Mandes of Watch Hill outfitters said, “We had reports of false albacore at the East Wall this week with bonito being caught all week on the fringes of mackerel schools that surface.  The striped bass bite is good along the beaches with the same 28” to 38” fish trolling our salt ponds at night and early mourning.”  Tom Olson of Ponaug Bait & Tackle, Warwick, said, “We have more bait in the Bay and in coves including skip jack bluefish so everyone hopeful that with this cooler weather things will improve.”

Fluke (summer flounder), black sea bass and scup.  “Anglers are hooking up with keeper fluke at Rocky Point and Warwick Light with weakfish being caught there too.  Large scup are still being caught in the mid Bay area,” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box.  The black sea bass bite off Newport was good this week with keeper size fish being caught in the Brenton Reef area and off the Sakonnet River.  “Fluke fishing has slowed down a lot, I think it is almost over for the season, “said Parker Mandes of Watch Hill Outfitters.

Tautog.  “Keeper tautog are being caught at Hope Island, for an early season bite it is fairly good, we even had a customer catch a keeper tautog at Rocky Pont Fishing Pier,” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box.  Tom Olson of Ponaug Bait & Tackle, said, “Not many tautog fishing yet, but customer and kayak angler Tom Houle has been hooking up wit tautog off Jamestown this week.”

Bluefin tuna.  “We now have school bluefin tuna in the 28” to 40” range being caught at the Gully with larger medium sized  fish  now appearing too,” said Parker Mandes of Watch Hill Outfitters.

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.