Fishing Lure

 

Jon Pickering holds a slot fish that was taken from shore.  These larger fish have been hanging around places that have schools of menhaden. The fish was released in good shape.

By now the striper fishing should be humming here in RI.  It's not.  In a few words to sum it up, we are in the midst of a mediocre spring that has been very inconsistent. I thought it would really perk up by now since the water is warming, but it is not happening especially for shore fishermen. There is also a noticeable lack of small bait.

I've been out just about every day/evening for the last two weeks.  While I've had very few skunks, it has mostly been one fish here and there.  The oceanfront has had fair numbers of small fish at times, but no bonanza of fish. Most of them that I have caught there have been schoolies in the 12 to 18 inch range.  I haven't even seen anyone get a fish over 24 inches.

The Bay is fishing better for larger fish.  That is because there are schools of menhaden in various places that are attracting slot and over slot fish. These fish will only take the real thing. The fishing with menhaden is best done by boat or kayak. Find the bait and you tend to find some fish.  Still, I have been able to catch  a number of slots and even an over slot recently but there have been no big numbers.  In places where I get a couple of fish one evening, I'll go down the next evening (with the same conditions) and get nothing.

As for bluefish, I got that one over a week ago, and I've not gotten or seen one since. They have not been around.  They haven't even been around the schools of menhaden.  Maybe too early?

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