Over the last few years, it seems like the better saltwater fishing has edged its way into July when historically we might have switched to some largemouth chasing or just caught up on some sleep after a busy salty Spring. This week, striped bass are feeding hard along the south coast and points east and yes, the largemouth are feeding as well. It may be a charter boat captain or it may be a seven-year-old boy (See Aidan Kelley below) who catches the big fish or it may be the foolish who get caught stealing from the rest of us.

Striper fishing is Improving

On the saltwater scene, striper fishing is improving exponentially. There are decent schools of stripers feeding on the surface around the Harbor of Refuge’s center wall so break out the Slug-Go’s and Al’s Goldfish Saltwater Series for the best action. Of course, bluefish are feeding on the same buffets but we remind you to go easy on the bluefish catching and taking since that population just may be in trouble. And pack some wire leaders.

While boats crowd the ledge, where striper fishing continues to be strong, there are typically bass around the island’s Black Rock beach as well. There’s a series of submerged boulders there and deep holes where bass will hold up and await a meal. Throw that Al’s or a white Doc or a big, fat eel and hold on. And watch out for the rocks.

The black sea bass bite continues to be stellar all over., mostly around that 50′ line or in close to Narragnsett’s east side rocks. Squid, squid, squid.

Off Brenton Reef, where Capt. Rene Letourneau of On The Rocks Charters is high lining the fly rod scene for stripers to the lower bay where center consoles are finding an improving number of keeper sized fluke then west to Nebraska Shoals and out to 50’ of water where it’s been a steady pick that seems to be improving day by day off those south facing beaches. Captain Dave Monti’s Fluke Cocktail continues to be the right mix for big fluke.

Another On The Rocks sport, happy with a nice bass

Aidan Kelley Gets His Start

On the sweet water side, Aidan Kelley just started fishing with his Godfather, Aaron Flynn and just as Robert Hunter wrote, the first days were the hardest days.

Fishing does not always come so easily and fish don’t always come to the line. But a bit of patience goes a long way and now, Aidan is reeling ‘em in like no one’s business under the tutelage of his wise Godfather. Catching largemouth on worms in a very top secret West Kingston hot spot, the two have been racking up big league numbers of largemouth and having the time of their lives. “Really,” Aaron said, “I don’t think I’ve ever been this proud.” It takes a good man to spend countless hours teaching young people the joys we already know and just how special a few hours standing on a cool shoreline can be.

And finally, from the “Really?” files, RIDEM Law Enforcement has been busy citing thieves for spearing undersized and out of season bass and tautog, stealing stripers from the EEZ and killing undersized stripers.

A tip of the old camo hat to those officers for trying to enforce regulations that so many of us worked so diligently to create to protect a resource we are so quick to call “ours”. Call 401-222-30740.

And, this just in from Rocky Point: looks like the $1.8 million fishing pier has been quickly filled with trash. That was fast. “The new fishing pier features a 280-foot-long, T-shaped pier with a shade structure, benches, railings, and solar lighting,’ said RIDEM.

Fishermen are complaining of other fishermen and women ignoring the hard work of the RI Saltwater Anglers Association, RIDEM, the City of Warwick and all that money which turned a childhood playground into just another place to discard fish guts, spirals of monofilament, plastic anything and plain old trash for someone else to clean.

To the same folks who poach undersized and out of season fish, who park illegally at public access points so we lose them and who now snake their way to a brand new publicly-funded pier just to kill scup and walk away from their garbage: thanks for nothing.  

Might I suggest you take a lesson from Aaron Flynn, who’s trying to teach young Aidan to catch fish and enjoy Nature and be respectful of our surroundings? It’s time to up the penalties for poaching and littering.