2008 Block Island Fishing Reports
September 26, 2008
So it's been a little windy on Block Island for the past
week. NE and 15-20 consistently with 25-30 a couple days. We did get out on
one evening for some product testing... First product was the 23' Regulator with
twin Yamaha 150's. Seas were 3-5's and stacked on the SW corner, Black Rock was
gross but the boat was fantastic, dry ride and the boat rode well in the swell.
2nd product was a 'Wave Spin' 5000 spinning reel, a Doug Hannon (as in the Bass
Professor) creation. Fished the bottom with soft plastics and found big bass
stacked up. We boated and released three fish over 38" in the first 30 minutes
then a slob hammered us that went 44" - the reel was awesome and will probably
pick a few up for next season once we are done putting it through our torture
tests - it retails under $90...
Last weekend was the 8th Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament. We had 40
anglers participate and good weather. We want to thank our sponsors which are:
Old Harbor Outfitters, Hula Charters, Linesider Charters, Wave Spin Reels,
Datasport Inc, Paynes Dock, Block Island Boat Basin, RonZ Lures, Surf Casting
RI, The Beachead, Pizza Plus, J&B Tackle, Edwards Marine, and Peter Vican (who
provided some awesome sports memorabilia for the raffle). The results are
listed below with winners noted. We also appreciate all the participants that
make the effort each year - this year over $1300 was raised for the National
Childrens Cancer Society.
2008 RESULTS
Boat Division
Bass Peter Vican
33.8# winner
Bill Homan 32.8#
Glen Skalubinski 22.4#
Blue Durbin Wells 8.29# winner
Bill Homan 8.04#
John Gadrow 8.0#
Shore Division
Bass Al Pellini
16.75# winner
Blue Ted Loughman 6.0# winner
Bait Division
Bass Don Smith
37.0# winner (3 year
winner)
Jack Linton 34.4#
Rick Brochu 30.6#
Fluke Durbin Wells 2.67# winner
September 2
The first report of an albie
caught is in... at the CG channel. Bonito are still being picked off here
and there, mostly blind casting with small, yozuri's, Pt Judes, and Maria's.
The SW ledge was glass last week for about 4 days and we took advantage of it
from the small boats fishing LT and Flies catching plenty of bass in the 20#
range and big blues on both topwater and deep. Near shore topwater has
slowed a bit but fish are still taking swimmers and soft plastics. No
offshore report other than it's very slow... our good friend Chris Benin
of Old Harbor Outfitters made a run to Chatham and landed 3 bluefin up to 150
lbs, the keeper was very tasty! Water temps are cooling and bait is
abundant so this fall may be way better than last year!
Don't forget ~ BLOCK ISLAND INSHORE FISHING TOURNAMENT, SEPT. 19, 20, 21.
August 21st
The first weekend in August was
the J&B Tri State Canyon Shootout, a very well run and well attended tuna
tourney. I was fortunate enough to fish on the Black Card, a 38'
Fountain with trip 300hp Verado's.... I think this boat could peel the
skin off your face at full speed. We fished the tails and flats with
little to show for it and as it turned out many of the boats didn't do well.
Fished a second day and the weather went from bad to worse in a hurry.
3-5's went to 5-8's and by the time we were homeward they were 8-12's, add in
thunderstorms, heavy rain, and a water spout two miles away and you have a
interesting 70 mile journey.... oddly enough the worst water was at SW
ledge/point of BI... stacked high and steep. Anyway the winning fish were
all bigeye but the most interesting catch were the Mahi that were 40, 36, and
30lbs... huge for these waters! Went back to some light tackle and fly
fishing which was a bit slow for the second week of August, all the bigger fish
moved off to the deep stuff probably because the water was 72 degrees...
but they moved back in this week with the cooler temps and it has been very fun.
Topwater plugs and white deceivers are consistent winners. Fluking also
has been good with an unusual amount of 8lb + fish being caught... big boys.
Returned offshore on the Island Lady on Thursday. Little
action or life in the 75 degree water out there - we saw more life 50 miles from
the Island than 90 miles away. Managed to get a small yellowfin, a blue
marlin, and a mess of Mahi up to 15lbs. This morning was decent on
the south side with plenty of 28"-36" fish for the inshore anglers, The
Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament is scheduled for September 19-21 and
benefits the National Childrens Cancer Society. We are always looking for
sponsors and participants! Email me for more info or visit the website
tournament page (www.bifishworks.com).
July 25, 2008
Worked the East side of the Island
on the 18th and found fish from Scotch Beach to North Light under a perfect
sunset and moon... still contended with he big swell. Next morning hit the
South side with great success again. Bent one to many hooks on very clever
bass... once hooked they hit the rocks below, not much time to stop them in only
15ft of water. Time to switch to the 5x Gorilla hooks. All on
topwater plugs and the ol' bait and switch with the fly. The 22 and 23rd
slowed a bit but pink sluggo's and 'squid' RonZ's got fish close to the bottom.
The 24th was tough weather but SW point and Dories had some birds working with
bass and blues under them feeding on sandeels. Notable catch of the week
was the new state striped bass record of 75.4lbs caught by Peter Vican during
the BIVFD fishing touney. Peter and Don Smith fish the 'Happy Executive'
around the Island often, and put their time in - congratulations to Peter on a
nice fish and new record.
July 16, 2008
The big swells have brought the
bigger fish in close and fishing has been very good. Fly guys have been
successful with large flies in the early morning form Old Harbor to New Harbor
via the south. Fish over 40" on the fly are being landed. Plenty of
blue fish at the harbor entrance and gobs of bait everywhere - Squid and
sandeels. Haven't had to many offshore reports but there is lots of 'life'
out there now. Soft baits and stickbaits are the light tackle favorites
now with a regular change in colors being most productive.
July 7, 2008
Fishing was pretty good the past 5
mornings. While fishing with Lou Eagle in Graces he landed his largest
bass on the fly at 39" and over 25#'s, on his own purple fly... we caught
fish at Groves, the Poop Chute, Cormorant Cove, and Channel. SW point held
lots of fish for the LT fishermen - all doing well with the RonZ in silver
or purple haze...
largest fish this morning was 37" but most
were 30ish.
July 2, 2008
Early birds are finding the most success from
the beach around the Island with the bite slowing once the sun is up. The
East beaches seem to be the only 'daylight bite' aside from the CG channel.
Still lots of sand eels and squid in the harbor but the boat traffic this
weekend will make this virtually unfishable. The charter boats are still
finding large bass south of the Island and plenty of bluefish are around
especially off Clayhead and the N Light.
June 19, 2008
Everyone is still enjoying good
fishing around the Island. More bluefish the past few days and they are
BIG. Feeding on small shad today - fished near 1BI under birds then moved
in toward the light for bass up to 32"... sluggo's and Yozuris today.
The channel has been holding fish, especially at night... one customer tallied
20 small bass last night while dodging lightning... as long as the weather
holds and doesn't switch North we should have a good upcoming week.
June 12, 2008
This was the week for it to
turn on, on Block Island for the Fly and Light Tackle fans....'blue bird' days
and Bass on top across the west side of the Island even at slack tide. Most
fish were up to 32". Several big bass over 40# have been taken south of the
Island by the bait boys and some trolling. Spearfishermen took two 58#'ers SW
of the Island as well, and the reports from the guys swimming with the fishes
are that there are large schools all over. There should be no problem taking
fish from the beach or boat for the next week... come enjoy the fun!