Current Fishing Report:
This year the Fishing Regulations are supposed to be Status Quo, or basically what they were last year. At least there will not be any more cuts or changes to our fisheries this year. Hopefully some of the fish have grown to the sizes that we need to be keepers this year, so that you can take home some delicious fresh fish for dinner. Striped Bass has a slot limit of 28 -31. It seems that last year the Stripers caught from late May through early July were mostly keepers, but as the water warmed up in late July through September all the Stripers caught were huge, 30-50 lbs. and had to be released. There was a tremendous number of sharks around Block Island at that time feasting on all the bass as they were being reeled in and when they were released back into the water. This is a total waste of the resources as far as I am concerned, especially since we are supposed to be protecting the breeders over 31. Bluefish are fine and you are allowed 5 fish per person. Scup (porgies) stock is fine. Fluke fishing was tough last year everywhere. It was very hard to catch keeper Fluke, but there were plenty of shorts that hopefully have grown to be keepers this year. Sea Bass stock is very abundant, and I feel they are mismanaging this species. They keep raising the size limit and keeping the bag limits and seasons low. Other states take seabass at 12” which to me is too small, but I believe 15” is a decent size to keep. We are at 16” but it would be nice to have no closed season and a 5-6 fish bag limit. Codfish is opened till May 31st, and closed till Sept 1st with a bag limit of 5 fish @ 23”. Black fishing (Tautog) is open in the spring till May 31 at 3 fish per person 16”, then it closes till August 1st where it is 3 fish again till October 15th. Then we are allowed to catch 5 fish per person till the end of the year. Offshore fishing with the Sharks, Tuna, Mahi-Mahi and Bonito is good, but the new regulations will not allow fishing for Mako Sharks. You can still catch Blue Sharks, Threshers and Hammerheads. Tuna fishing has improved greatly over the past few years allowing us to catch Bluefin & Yellowfin tuna just south of Block Island. Bluefins were 27” up to 47” 3 fish per boat. And 1 fish 47-73”. Hopefully they will come into our waters again in July through September. There are still plenty of choice dates available. Give me a call and we can discuss your fishing trip. Don't forget we have gift certificates for birthdays, anniversaries, or any celebration you want. We also do Ash Burials for your loved ones, and Sunset or Harbor Cruises. We also have shirts and hats, which make great gifts. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to send me an email, text or give me a call. I do take credit cards and PayPal, as well as checks for your deposits, and you can do them on my web site if you desire.
