The 6th annual Fishing For A Cause Tournament, fundraiser and dinner raised $200,000 to benefit children and families of The Schwartz Center. The annual event featured more than 100 anglers and over 300 guests at the seaside dinner, making it once again the largest annual fundraiser for the Schwartz Center, which is Meeting Street School’s Dartmouth campus.
Fishing For A Cause has raised more than $800,000 in its history. The June 25-26 two-day catch and release tournament was held in the waters of Buzzards Bay. This year, three local anglers took winning honors. Brian Combra of Newport took first place in the striped bass category; Rob Taylor of Newport first place bluefish; and Jack Sprengel of Warwick took first place in the summer flounder (fluke) category.
Pilot fishing camp a
success
The pilot youth fishing camp, sponsored by the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA), ended on a high note last week as children received certificates of completion for the three-day fishing camp held at Rocky Point Park. Children ages 7 to 14 learned about fishing gear and tackle, marine biology and how to fish from shore and from a boat. By far, the camp’s most popular program was fishing, as children enjoyed catching fish from both shore and boats.
Capt. Rich Hittinger, who coordinated fishing on nine volunteer vessels that took children fishing on Greenwich Bay and in the Warwick Light area, said, “Fishing from the boats was great. We caught summer flounder, sea robins, scup and black sea bass to name a few. The children were very excited to fish and catch fish, applying what they learned.”
Topics included fish identification, fishing laws, use of spinning and conventional tackle, basic marine biology, how and why to use different baits and lures, casting and fishing from shore as well as boating safety and fishing from a boat.
Camp partners include the City of Warwick, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Brewers Marina and the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM), which will provide fish identification and marine biology components for the camp.
Where’s the bite
Striped bass fishing opened up at Block Island this week. Capt. Rick Bellavance, president of the RI Party and Charter Boat Association said, “Charter boats have been having great success with striped bass around Block Island with full limits on most trips. There are loads of bluefish around for those who like fresh blue to grill or smoke.” Angler Eric Appolonia said, “I fished the southwest side of Block Island Sunday and had no trouble landing bass in the mid 20-pound range, trolling a green umbrella rig. My brother David did well too, catching three fish in the 20 to 30-pound range.” Angler John Stavrakas said on the RISAA blog, “Got out early Monday morning and ran to Block to troll umbrella rigs – we caught a dozen or so stripers and a half dozen bluefish. The stripers were all small, though we managed a couple of keepers, and the bluefish were brutes.” Mike Wade of Watch Hill outfitters, Westerly said, “Montauk seems to be the place to fish for bass as anglers are boating fishing in the 30 pound range. Another hot area is the Cerbeus Shoal area (about half way between Fishers Island and Montauk).” Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle, Warwick said, “Striped bass fishing continues to be good in the Bay. There are just as many bass up the Providence River as there were earlier this spring.” Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said, “Bass are still being caught in the Bay. However they are on the move, Providence was off and then it lit up for a couple of days so they can be anywhere on any given day.”
Summer flounder (fluke) fishing is heating up. “Anglers are still catching keeper fluke in the Warwick Light (red bell) area. Areas south of the Jamestown Bridge have been good for customers too.” said Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle. “The Sakonnet River area is hot with some reports of fish being caught in the Mt. Hope Bridge area and in the Newport area.” said Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait. Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said, “Fluke fishing along the southern coastal shore has been outstanding so far. Smaller fish are holding in the 30-foot range but the larger ones are in 60 to 80 feet of water. You will catch fewer fish in deeper water but they are more likely to be larger fish.” “Fluke and black sea bass fishing has been good south of Block Island where we landed several fish this weekend.” said Erick Appoloina. Capt. Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet said, “Fluke fishing was solid this past week with respectable pool fish in the six to eight pound range on most trips.” “Fluke, black sea bass and porgy (scup) have all been great this week at Block Island. It’s been the best week for charter boats so far.” said Capt. Rick Bellavance.
Black sea bass fishing is outstanding. “Customers are catching black sea bass and scup at Ohio Ledge, Pine Hill, Prudence Island and south of the Jamestown and Newport Bridges.” said Ken Ferrara of Ray’s Bait & Tackle. Anglers are having no trouble limiting out (3 fish/person/day) when fluke fishing. Black sea bass have been caught in the Bay as well as all along coastal shore and at Block Island. “Black sea bass fishing was great this week with most anglers limiting out on fluke trips and sizes angina to five pounds.” said Frank Blount of the Frances Fleet.
Scup fishing has exploded in Narraganset Bay and along coastal shores. Mike Wade of Watch Hill Outfitters said, “The big shore fish right how is scup as anglers are landing large scup shore with ease.” Manny Macedo of Lucky Bait said, “Scup in the 18 and 19-inch range are being caught at Colt State Park, off Ft. Adams, Newport and in Mt. Hope Bay.”
Captain Dave Monti has been fishing and shell fishing 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
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