Captain Chris Willi reports
September 17th, 2006 by Fishing admin
Swells from Hurricane Florence pounded the coast early in the week. The strong northeast winds took fishing in the boat off the list of options. Surfers (mostly from New Jersey, it seemed) were in their glory with waves peaking at eight feet. Fishermen who braved the wash and slippery rocks did well on the West Side with fish up to 30 pounds caught off the rocks. The false albacore made their way through the cut and into the Great Salt Pond. Spotty at best, but at least they are around. When things settled down there was some great bass fishing on the south side. The Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament is this weekend. I wonder how the weather will be.
Captain Chris Willi reports the bottom fishermen have been doing well. From Clay Head to the West Side beaches, there are good size fluke and black sea bass. He recommends fishing in the deeper waters. Athree-way or a high-low rig baited with squid and/or minnows should do the trick.
The crew of the Island Lady had beautiful conditions for their overnight trip to the canyon last weekend. They caught four yellow fin tuna up to 70 pounds and a nice size albie on the troll. On the night bite and chunking, the captain and the boys caught and released yet another swordfish. I think that makes three or four this season.
Rick Hall and Sparky with swordfish.
Off the boat, striped bass fishing went off mid-week. The few boats that made it out were treated to some spectacular fishing. The saying that fish feed before and after a storm proved true. Eels appear to be working better and better these days. One boat fishing Black Rock late afternoon reported catching 19 fish all over 20 pounds, with the biggest two being over 40 pounds. Look for the eeling to get better and better as it gets later in the season. Good news for Twin Maples, because that is where you can buy your snakes.
Pete Farrell reports the action has been slow in the channel and along the beaches. Pete says there is still a lot of bait around, so the fishing should get better ounce the water cleans up from the big swell. The bonito and falsies have pushed through the pond with several sightings. If you head down to the channel to fish for them, consider bringing your fluke rod for two reasons: 1. You might be waiting a while for the hard tails to come through, and 2. A four-pound fluke was caught there last Wednesday.
The sixth annual inshore tourney will begin today at 6 p.m. Prizes for largest striped bass, bluefish, fluke and bonito will be handed out on Sunday at the awards banquet. There are categories for bait, artificial lure, as well as beach and boat divisions. There will also be a juniors division. With the $40 registration fee comes a tourney t-shirt and a ticket for the all-you-can-eat barbecue. This is a non-profit event and all the money raised will go directly to the Children’s Cancer Society. For more information call 4665392. See you there!
This is a glorious time of year to be a fisherman. There is a variety of fish to target, and by this time the fish are fattening up for the ride home to the south. The weather - as usual - is unpredictable, but one thing is for sure: the fall is here and so are the fish. Let’s make the most of the time we have left this season and get out there and do it. Just make sure to pack your raincoat, warm clothes, extra socks and your snow shovel. You never know, it’s New England. See you at the tourney banquet.
Aloha, Captain Matt