Singing the Blues!

The later part of August has produced numbers of hungry bluefish all around the islands. Mid-sized fish (6-8 lbs) are thick in Quick’s Hole and are feeding on small baitfish. Trolling or casting bucktails will put all the fish you want in the boat. Al C. was out with his daughter and grandchildren and took blues trolling and bait fishing. The next day, fishing with Frank S. we caught well over 50 fish on a completely catch and release trip. Much larger, gorilla blues were caught using bait rather than jigs. If you enjoy bluefishing, now is the time!

The other side of the coin is that striper fishing has slowed down. Partly because the blues beat the bass to the bait but more so that there are just fewer stripers around. The best part of the tide for stripers is the fist 2 to 3 hours of the incoming tide. Some are saying already that this will not go down as a good year for stripers. One indication is that as of this writing, the MA commercial quota is only 47% filled. Typically, the season has reached its quota and is closed by mid-August. It’s possible that this year will not even fill the quota! It’s hard to tell if the fish are starting a decline or if there are just not as many people commercially fishing for them given the price of fuel. One guy told me that even with a price of $4.00 a pound, its not worth going out to Nomans for the fish. Who ever thought that the high price of fuel would contribute to the conservation of the fish. Given these reports, we should feel really great that our striper fishing has been so good.

So, the weather will soon turn cooler and we share see what September brings. Hope you can make it out this season.

August Slow Down

It’s that time of year when the water warms and the fish bite slows down; unless of course if your a bluefish. Blues in the 5 – 8 pound category have been feeding on the surface early in the morning in Quick’s Hole just about every day. They have also been beating the stripers to the bait when we anchor up. I’m still waiting for the bass to come alive on the slow water at the second half of the tide but, until then we will continue to take our fish early.

Fluke fishing ends August 15th and the bite has gotten tired. Last attempt at the flatties found only a few keepers and lots of under sized fish. There is talk of increasing the quota or lowering the size limit for next year – stay tuned.

For those who like to take a few scup on the slack tide please note season closure below.

August 7, 2008

MarineFisheries Advisory

COMMERCIAL SCUP FISHERY TO CLOSE

AFTER THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2008

The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) has projected that 100% of the Commonwealth’s scup quota for the summer/fall fishery will be taken by Thursday, August 14, 2008.  Consequently, fishermen are prohibited from landing or possessing scup for commercial purposes effective 0001 hours on Friday, August 15.  Note, federally permitted commercial fishermen have been prohibited from landing or possessing scup since NOAA Fisheries closed the summer period federal fishery on June 16, 2008.

The federally-managed Winter II period opens on November 1^st with a possession limit of  2,000-lbs. per trip as approved by NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.  By November, the fishery is predominately in offshore (federal) waters when scup migrate to deeper waters in response to dropping temperatures inshore.

Recreational fishermen are reminded that the scup recreational fishery will be closed beginning  September 18 for anglers aboard for-hire vessels and beginning September 27 for anglers aboard private vessels or fishing from shore. Dealers are reminded that it is unlawful to purchase scup from Massachusetts commercial fishermen when the fishery is closed.

Funforflukin’

July is now in the record books and it was a good month. July 18 & 19 Jerry N and Paul G booked trips targeting fluke. These were our first attempts for the big flatties this year. Jerry’s group had a good catch with a monster doormat of 10 pounds. When Paul G’s group showed up the next morning and I told him of the 10 pounder, his eyed widened because he was entered in his fishing club’s fluke contest. Well, they had a good catch but the best news is that their 7 pound and 5 pound fluke won them 1st and 2nd prize. Congrats to Paul.

Our other trips finishing up July were back after stripers. A good showing of big fish made everyone happy. Check out the photo board for Jeff and Cheryl’s trip. Their son Jay took a really nice fish on their trip that had fish from 35″ to 39″. John K’s group rounded out the month with another nice catch.

For those interested in catching Fluke, heads up the recreational season closes August 15th and I just received the notice below from Marine Fisheries.

July  31, 2008

MarineFisheries Advisory

COMMERCIAL FLUKE FISHERY TO CLOSE TUESDAY, AUGUST 5^TH –

Landings permitted until 8 PM on Tuesday, August 5^th

Current dealer reporting information indicates that the Commonwealth’s 2008 summer flounder (fluke) fishery quota (615,218-lbs.) will be reached on Tuesday, August 5^th.  Therefore, after 8PM on Tuesday, August 5^th commercial fishermen are prohibited from landing or possessing fluke through December 31, 2008.

Texas Two Step

Melissa and Roy L. came all the way from Texas to try our New England striper fishing. A couple of really good sports, they soon got into the action. The photos are of their first stripers. They headed back to the dock with their limit of stripers and some nice size scup. When they get back to Texas, family and friends are all invited to fish cook out. Of course, we talked about some great recipes…enjoy y’all!

Hello July

June is in the books and compares favorably to past seasons. The Big fish showed up just a few days behind schedule. July has started off well. Fished July 3rd and took 7 nice keepers; nothing really big, the fish ranged from 30″ to 33″. Tony and Mike showed off their experience on the boat taking several keepers (see photo) and a bunch of throw backs.

Word is that the fluke are starting to show in pretty good numbers in the usual spots. If we can get a calm day, I’ll be giving the big flaties a try. Stay tuned, I’ll give you a report. Give a call if you want to get some
Fluke fishing in this summer.

Big Fish Move In

Maybe it was all the unsettled weather this past few days or maybe because the fish have been leaving Naragansett Bay, who knows, BUT the big fish have showed up at the islands in good numbers. Our last two trips limited out with fish in the 30 lb class. Each trip we got in under the radar before storms moved in so we all feel lucky to have had such successful fishing. Hopefully the remainder of the week will continue the trend. Stay tuned, I’ll let you know where, when and how we make out.

Remember, if your planning a vacation close to home this summer give me a call. We can customize an outing to meet the needs of your crew.

Clarification of Scup Limits

For those of you who enjoy catching a few scup when the tide drops and when the stripers/blues take a break, the DMF has attempted to distinguish between fishing aboard a for hire vessel and a recreational vessel.

The Division of Marine Fishers Advisory clarifies the recreational scup possession limit for anglers fishing from shore or from private vessels. Anglers fishing from shore are limited to 10-scup per day. The limit is 10-scup per person on private vessels having five or less persons on board. Private vessels are limited to a maximum of 50-scup per day when 6 or more persons are on board.

So what does this mean for you aboard Pro-fishin-sea. We will abide by the 11″ size limit and will be restricted to a 10 fish per person limit. As you know, because scup are a secondary target for us, the new restrictions will in reality not affected us at all. But, there is a controversy and I thought you would like to know.

Starting the June season

I’m starting my first experience with a blog to better communicate with you regarding what’s happening with striper fishing. My goal is to update regularly so you can keep track of how the bite is and where we are fishing. It will be a great way for you to let me know what and how I can tailor a trip for your upcoming fishing charter.

The early June fishing is in the book and the catch compares favorably with past years. Stripers to 25 lbs have showed up in good number in Quick’s Hole. The bite has been best during the fast water portion of the tide. We tried behind the islands a couple of times but with no luck yet. This spot always gives up some big fish so we will continue to give it a try. I’ll let you know when they move in.

Because I’m fishing full time now, and have open dates, remember even if you decide to go fishing last minute, give me a call and I’m sure we can put something together. Don’t pass up on a good weather day, give me a call, that day just might be open.