Albie Season!!

Oh, this may be my favorite time of the year for fishing! Striped bass are fun, Tautog put up a great fight and tuna well, they are in a different category, but where else can you get 100 yards of line ripped out of your reel in less than 30 seconds and still be 3 minutes from the boat ramp? No Where!!  For those of you that follow this or if you are a first time visitor, this is the best light tackle rod hands down. They are challenging, fast, picky, and test your patience to no end. Plus, they train you for Blue Fin.   They are up and down from RI to MA and my time is limited this time of the year.  Albies feed during the day so even if you can't do an early morning trip, evening are very much a possibility until dusk. Call me if you have any questions or want to book a trip!

This one was a HUGE Albie landed with an 8 weight Orvis H2 and 250 grain line on an Abel Super 8.  What a fight it gave... and it gets to go home afterwards!

So Much Fun!

After a little break in July (awesome Montana trip my wife got me for my 40th Birthday present), some business personal stuff, I was able to get back into motion and on the water.  My good buddy E.G has been doing great on the ledge and was keeping me informed of his successes.  We had several great trips at the Block and some big bass up in the 40 + lb range.  If you were fortunate to get on that bite, good for you! If not, you better learn the lesson for next season that when someone says its hot at Block, you go.
What I love about RI is that when you get tired of one thing, you can move to another.  Lately, I have had the great fortune of taking out some fine folks. One trip was for a young man that has never caught anything beyond a sunfish in freshwater.  Over the weekend, he was able to land scup, sea bass, fluke and even his first ever striped bass! It was a special trip for many on board, including me. Despite a disability, he hammered fish all day.  That did not stop him from placing bets with the other anglers on board on who was going to catch the next fish!  This is just the beginning this guy.

On Day Two, we took a long...long day of fishing.  The goal was to go look for Tuna down south and maybe fish for Mahi while we were waiting. Upon arrival, it was dead. Some gents did well further south at first light but that was a tad beyond my comfort zone for my boat. We mad the call to head NE toward the Vineyard and fish for Bass and the rumored Bonito. We got to the grounds and just hammered Bass with light tackle. I mean hours of big bass with topwater and metal. Bass were busting on snapper blues at one point!  We fished the backside of the Elizabeths working our way through Woods Hole up to Sippiwissett and over though and to Newport again. Yeah, it was somewhere around 140 miles covered but it was worth it. P.S, only one shot an what may have been Bonito all day. If you don't mind catching 100 blues working for them, have at it. There is tons of bait along the shorelines for Bass, Blues and heck, we even had a sea robin blitz! Go figure.

Newport, Block and everything in between

Upper Bay: you will be limited to school sized stripers at dawn and dusk (still awesome on light tackle)! Small patterns and lures will be best. There are also some mid range blues to be had throughout the day.  Scup can also be taken on the fly but rigs will be your go-to.

Newport: Bass are there, dawn and dusk being your better bet but can be taken mid day with extra effort and some patience. EP flies. Sand eel patterns, poppers, deceiver and clousers are must haves. Spin gear, use some swimmers and metal, and if you have fresh bait, you should do fine!  Fluke and sea bass continue to be a great daytime fishery out to 100ft depths.

Block: big bass, some days were great, other times nights were best. Call for the inside scoop as this changes daily. If you want your chance at big bass, this is where you want to be.  Average fish is in the mid 30 lb range with many over 40 being caught.  My schedule is limited for these trips and I am only booking up through the end of August.

Cape cod: best bet is to get in on a local captain for a half day trip if you want stripers. I will be doing full days in September for the Albacore and Bonito but for the limited hours, I recommend you call the Laura-Jay (if they are even still open for available charters) for half day trips.

I am also still taking names for tuna trips when they get in striking distance. The stick boats have had a great season with giants so let's hope their little brothers show close for some top water and jigging action! They were in off block a couple weeks ago so now it's just a matter of time!

In other words, pick your species and lets get after them! Remember, if you have larger groups, I can help arrange for other quality captains to get involved so you have the best day on the water!

Summary and next steps

Well we enter July with great expectations; Fish are moving south out of the bay (although there are sill some being caught), Newport has been doing extremely well with certain techniques and now Block Island is the place to be.  The Block has been getting a great run of 40+ lb bass and with most of them released, there is a great chance for the next person to land one.

Fly: There is a great mix of small baits as well and the old standby fly patterns will work just fine. Intermediate lines up to 350 on windy days works great. Bring some old flies too, as the Blues are mixed in the schools. Deceivers, Clousers, sand eel patterns and EP flies work great.

Swimmer and small topwater plugs have produced decent fish. As the sun comes up, getting deeper is the ticket.

Bottom fishing is great right now as well as long as you can find new waters. The popular spots have been worked over pretty well and the quality is not as good.  Either way, a day on the water is still a great day so don't delay!

Call me if I can get you on the water!

Capt. Brian

Getting through the 4th with all the Works

This has been my company's best early season thus far. To have fish as close as we did, for as long as we did was just remarkable. If you were one of the lucky ones to have been on a local trip and saw what we saw, put it in your journal as I am going to do. These seasons don't happen often and when they happen to another person, you shake their hand and ask them to send the fish your way next year. We were that person this season.
The temperatures are creeping up to the point where we start to look further south (although there are still great reports of mid bay fish - passed along from friends so they are off limits to charters). Newport and Block Island are heating up so all those boats that had to travel to us now get a fuel break and we will switch spots.

The good: Lots of smaller baits working the area so the fish have a wider diet to choose from.  The winds are dying down this weekend so we can all get out and explore a little more.  Things will start improving in all areas such as fly, light tackle, spin, fluke, blues and the early morning striper bite.  Block got its first flurry of 50's so that is the go to spot for the consistent fish. If you want in on that trip, I am out to August already so please call ASAP!

The cons: Temperatures keep creeping up and the fishing reports in some otherwise steady spots are not staying to steady.  You must move and stay on top of them, learn the tides and the the wind and you will increase your chances.

On a side note, my albie and bonito list is now up to 27 people so if you want to get that phone call when they show, you better get me an email or a phone call so I can get as many of you on them before the weekenders find us!

Just in time

Early morning, first on the water, hours spent finding where the bass went- It paid off for this crew as they now have in two charters caught over 21 striped bass (14 last trip and 7 this trip) averaging 21.7 lbs.  The fish are there, but you need to put in a lot of time to get on top and stay on top of them.  There are tactics that work and some that don't.  These guys learned last time and kept with it. Nice job fellas.

Tough/Love

Well it had to happen at some point. We did not fair too well on Saturday. Finding fish was easy. Getting them to eat... different story. We worked our tails off too only get a few knockdowns and quick run off maneuvers. Ah well, fortunately for me it was with a charter that has booked me 3 times in the past where the finished like rock stars every time so they too knew it was not always a "great day". Now, Sunday was a different story.
I am typically the first one on the water. That is not a boast, it is is just that I like some "me" time. Plus, being fathers day, I am now making it a tradition to spend it with the memory of my father. I do believe he has been with me for the past two years on this day.  I made 14 casts at bait and got 12 menhaden. Northwest wind, easy call. Fish, fish and more fish. Done by 5:30 am.  Got some of my friends on the fish. They ran out of bait in moments. Winds cranking, did not matter. Just a fishy kind of day. Thanks Dad.
Spent the rest of the day with my son and hopefully next year it will be the three of us.

Incredible weekend of fishing

I have not experienced a fishery like I have this year. I hope it continues but for now it is nothing short of amazing.  All of the stripers so far have been from 18-38 lbs and with the amount of menhaden in the bay, they will get heavier quickly.  Water temps are creeping up to the low 60's ( surface) so our window is as open as it gets.  I have not seen many small bait blitzes in the upper bay so we continue to focus on the large baits for live/lure and fly.
This weekend was just incredible: 9 fish on Saturday and 14 on Sunday. The best part was seeing 16 released for another angler. Great sportsmen have battled stripers this weekend and each caught their largest stripers to date, some even their first stripers ever!  Thanks to both charters for a great weekend!

Big, strong and picky

The big boys and girls are in and they are the largest class of bass I have seen in the upper bay in years! We have not caught Any bass below 20 lbs ( I am sure that will have just ended that streak).  We have put in countless hours finding and working these fish and even learned what techniques work best. Last years methods have caused more lost fish so adaptation is key.  Hopefully you have had your chances and got to know your neighbors in the fleet.  Unfortunately I only have two days left open in June so if you want in on this action, time is limited.  I can't even take my own friends out with how the calendar is filled.  I am considering 2 hour pre work trips if I can get the interest. Let me know as this will only be good for the next two weeks. The cost will be $200 for the boat (3 anglers max)

That Just Happened!

I say some people are just fish magnets. AJ jumped on board and I have to say his quote of the day was "if we can't get to Block Island I am going to bring Block Island to us!". Yeah, that just happened.   We were able to pick out a gorgeous 37.5 pound bass out of the upper bay this morning on what appeared to be acres of menhaden.  Random, yes. Lucky, no. This guy knows how to fish and did everything right to assist in the landing of this prize.  Patience is key with this type of fishing. There were some other boats getting good bites with 11-20 lb fish on a key tactic that has been happening the past few days. All the more reason to make a call or two.  May is full, June has a handful of days.  This could be you!

Game on!

Keepers are coming! I am sorry my post is a few days late but yes they are in and so is the bait the bass are feeding on.  In fact, there is so much bait that it is the main problem finding the fish; no need for the bass to surface.  Get on the water and have at it, the game is on... If you know where to go. There are also many school fish up to 28 inches blitzing so top water plugs and flies will do the trick. The next few days will make the long winter seem like a distant memory

Let me know if I can help.

Its beginning to look a lot like fishing

While we all expected a little later start than normal due to the long winter, we are actually only 5 days later than last year.  There is lots of bait, there is an extremely large amount of squid in the south bay area now (some say the most in 10 years), numerous school size bass and now a mix of blues. Yes, it is the beginning of a great season! Now, we do have a couple of days of winds and rain that will keep my boat off the water but there is always shore action! School stripers are being taken up in the bay readily on both fly and spin. Gotta love it when I see charter guys from other areas of RI in my waters- shows I picked the right spot to live and fish! Anyway, Its getting better each day.

My sources from the south tell me that the consistent fishing is on fire right now, and I am so happy for those guys as they needed a light at the end of the tunnel after Sandy.  The point is... Its go time.

As always, call me if I can be of service.

Capt. Brian

All Systems Go!!

To say that I am excited for the season to get underway is an understatement! I have upgraded my already upgraded gear, streamlined some parts of my business, focused on what I love to do and rewarded those that have stuck with me year after year.  This year WILL be extraordinary for many reasons. I hope to get some of you into the fish of your dreams (and what I love is that fish may just be a keeper bass, a tog on a fly, a bluefish state record, an Albie in September and/or a first time tuna)!  I decided to not chase the decisions of other boats, but rather stay true to what I do best, fish hard and try my hardest to give the customer a trip that I, myself would want to be part.

With that said, the boat is getting wet this week, looking for fish in the upper bay and for those that sent me an email for early bird fishing options, phone calls will be on their way!  I have a couple of days left in May and the same for June.  I am not stressed, because if I am not booked, I get to finally fish on my own to try to break some of my own records.   Either way, this year is going to be about fun, fish and experimentation with new tactics.   So for those of you that are reading this and are as passionate about this sport as me, lets get this shindig started and put some pounds on our lines.   Good luck to each of you and if I can help, I am just a phone call away.

Share with me your goals, I think a little inspiration goes a long way!

Fish on,

Capt.  Brian

Home Stretch

The shows are over.  The time to prep your gear should be almost done. New line is spooled, reels oiled and greased, boats are getting prepped and the chatter begins!

I have my email lists loaded, the "emergency" list sits in front of me as I type and the calendar is filling up quickly for early season stripers.  There are still some spots, but it is on a first come first serve basis.

No worries if you don't have a full party as there is also a running list of open boat members that are willing to share the cost upon your request.

If you signed up for my email list, you will be getting the early alerts for the fishing reports (one of the benefits of seeing me at the show).  So lets get our game faces on and start to be extra nice to our significant others.  Dinner, movies, special date nights... whatever it takes! They need to be ready to not see too much of us for the next 7 months!  Game on.


Capt. Brian

Last Show and Then Game ON!!!

Just a reminder to those that are planning on attending this weekend:

This weekend is the 2014 New England Saltwater Fishing Show. Come visit me at booth 1205! This winter has been long and cold and I'm sure you feel the same excitement as I do regarding the upcoming season. Stop by and lets discuss how I can help you create more memories on the water - Fly Fishing - Light Tackle - Casting Lessons, PGS is the place to look. I will have Lowrance units on display, authentic Fish Prints, Gift Certificates for a limited number of guests and a whole lot of excitement for turning your next fishing trip into one of your greatest experiences.

Here are some things that are not posted on other sites (i.e FB)

Gift certificates just for joining the Fish Report List

Open Boat dates

"Fish Emergency" short list

Fish Prints done for your trophy fish... By me. Examples will be at the show.

I encourage you to visit other booths, check them out and ask a ton of questions. Then come and visit me.  At the end of the day, I know I work harder and offer you more which is why I love my job!  

New! Saltwater Sportsman's Show 2014 Providence RI

O.K, so you have seen the overly redundant presentations offered that give you the tidbits, the "enter a raffle for a free trip" gig, the "show Special thing" and so on and so on.  Well, I am not going to do that. Thanks to all of my great clients of the past and thanks to their referrals, my company stands behind its quality and productivity moving forward.

However...

You are going to have to stop by booth 1205 on March 28-30 to find out!! This is fun, big and worth your price of admission to the show! If you know anyone who is into fishing, have them stop by, say they saw the post on my site and get the benefits!  Everyone who mentions this will get a nice surprise to say the least.

The only reason I am not posting it on here is that there are too many followers. Trust me, it will be worth your time to stop by and just say hello.  That I guarantee.


Sincerely,
Capt. Brian

Fly Rod is done!

Here are just a couple of shots of the completed fly rod. This kids gonna have one unique rod when he is older!

Rod Building time!

So as part of my blog, I figured I would take you through my journey of building my son's first Fly rod and Spin rod for his first birthday in April. Yes, I know he will be too young to use them but this is kind of a tradition in our family so I wanted to continue it. With this being my first rod build, I am sure I will be making some mistakes along the way. I am not going to bore anyone with how to build a rod, rather just share some photos of the progress.

The Fly Rod will be a 5'7 small stream rod (just like my dad made me). I chose the St. Croix SC2 Graphite, fast action 4-8 lb blank.  It is a solid blank that I won't mind putting some split shot on if he wants to dunk a worm every now and again! This rod was purchased from Anglers Workshop.

The spin rod is a Batson Rainshadow (IS661) in 5'6" 2 piece. Rated for 2-6 lb test, this will be a dual fresh and saltwater rod so the components will match.  I purchased this rod from CMS tackle in New Bedford with the help of Eric (great guy to work with and very patient with new builders).

If you have any questions on any of the photos, let me know. Otherwise, just enjoy the images of the progression as I am sure I am going to!

Bryce, the soon to be owner of my first custom rods. I am hoping to have them completed in time!! 

Sounder Setting on the Lowrance Gen 2

So a great follow up question came in after the structure scan blog went out. How about some general information on the Sounder settings?
Good Idea. I think the best way to show this is by example.  I will use two of my screen shots to discuss this topic.

In the above photo, taken from Mt. Hope Bay, you can see on the screen some of my settings. I am at 200 KHz, common for fishing. I also keep my sensitivity at -2% to -3%. To me, this gives the best clarity on screen to "weed" out background noise and pull fish images clearer. Since the fish were in depths of 70 ft (you can actually see my sinker bouncing at 75 ft prior to the strike on live Pogi... the point where all of the fish converge), I needed to get a gauge on their exact location as we were in a channel. So I combined my sonar with my structure scan/downscan to identify they were moving to my starboard (towards the edge of the channel on an incoming tide).  If I showed you my other images of my chart (which I won't for secrecy purposes), this will all confirm this point.

Here, we identified the Pogi/Bunker ball in the middle of the channel. On my structure/side scan you can see clearly the ball, where it is on my boat and the depth of it. This goes along with my last blog as to why you absolutely need structure scan if you want to find fish.  This ball is over 25 feet in depth, yet on my sonar, it barely shows up. Why? Well, looking at my side scan, you can see that the ball is off to my port side. The image you see on my sonar is what is captured "underneath my boat". The bait however is NOT underneath my boat so all I am seeing is the last edge of the ball! Remember, the side scan uses a different transducer so the cone angle is different on each one.

One of the biggest areas to play around with is your sensitivity and Palettes. Find the best one for your environment. When I bass fish, I like the sepia color with -2%. Tuna fishing, I switch to the blue palette and go to -1% or 0 as I want to pick up as much as possible.  

I hope this shed a little more light on your sounder settings and can get you into fish with your new Lowrance Gen2 unit.  Remember to hit up the boat shows and speak to a pro staffer in person. Nothing beats hands on training!

Thanks for the great feedback on the blog. I hope I am helping at least one of you!

Capt. Brian

Providence Boat Show Article by Dave Monti

I have to admit it always feels nice to be quoted by a reporter and have it done correctly. Dave Monti did a nice job with the article and actually quoted me word for word on how to use and learn your new electronics. Thanks Dave!  If you buy new equipment, don't wait until the season starts. Hook it up, grab a drink and learn it! You Tube is a great resource. For us, Navico has some very helpful videos and we will be putting out more this year. With the great deals going on now and the cold nights, there really is no excuse not to learn your equipment.

http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/content/20140205-fishing-report-boldwater-tv-is-new-window-to-all-things-on-water.ece