SWE Fishing Report: 5.22.07

[Pete_G]

More of the same in Bay, but even bigger, plus big fish from shore.



The fish in Narragansett Bay continue to spread throughout the Bay and get even larger. The South County and Newport whitewater along the coast are following the trend of Narragansett Bay: more and bigger. Schoolies can be caught in most spots in the surf, and several larger fish came out of the suds this week, most notably Craig "end of the fence guy" Stockwell's 41 pounder caught from shore on the 18th with a live eel. Pencil Poppers are producing well for Danny Oakley along Newport in the late evening and early morning.



Last night (5.21.07) Steve McKenna also found fish from the surf. Just a few hours fishing produced 7 fish between 20 and 30 pounds, all falling to the trusty black Sluggo. Nightime is starting to be the right time from shore...

The fish in the Bay have definitely begun to take interest in the bunker schools. Being in the right spot at the right time can result in some amazing sights, with adult bunker running for their lives from stripers both big and small. Weekdays are the preferred day to be on the water due to reduced boat traffic. Weekends are very intense right now in the preferred spring spots. You won't be alone out there. On Sunday, the first hour of fishing was epic with a 22 and a 24 pounder both coming over the gunnel mixed in with other good fish. Once there was 3 dozen boats running over the fish, the fun was over.

We're still seeing squid occasionally jumping out of the water, and even mantis shrimp fleeing the hungry stripers. The bass have had several all day non-stop feeding binges, ignoring both tides and weather. Big Tsunamis shads, the trusty bucktail with pork rind, and at times topwaters have all been safe bets. The fly rod also caught some good fish approaching 20 pounds. A big Skok Mega Mushy 2 was responsible for the biggest fish.



This week we saw the gulls starting to show more interest, which is a sure sign the bunker are getting nervous. As expected, that's exactly what was going on. Prior to this it seemed to fish were pre-occupied with squid, as most schools of bunker were enjoying peaceful times. Not now. Generally we ignore most bird activity such as terns in May, but seagulls really like bunker and herring, and of course big bass do to. If you see seagulls checking something out, or even sitting on the water, it's always worth taking a peek to see what might be keeping them there. The payoff can be huge.

While the fishing is rarely not good at this point for boat anglers, this has really been some incredible shore fishing for the past few days. Take a day off, go into work on two hours sleep, or whatever else it takes. It doesn't get much better then this.

[7milebridge]

Is there a trick to hooking the shad. or do you buy pre hooked shad. I bought some of the 7inch shad like the ones you are using, i bought them at walmart, and haven't really found a good hok to put in them. Thanks for the reports it brings a nice excitement to the fishing days. The bite in the middle bay by the navy base has been awesome for some nice 30-26 inch bass.

[Pete_G]

The Tsunami's I like come pre-rigged. My favorite being the 11/0 equipped 9 incher. Big, heavy, and deadly, although I wish they made an even bigger one.

Once big fish are in the Bay it's really all I use. Guys have a lot of success with the big 10" Fin-s-Fish too.

http://www.saltwateredge.com/TSB02.html

[doc]

excellent video...send some of those cows up here to the north shore!

[Frightnight]

Hey Pete,
As far as the big 9" shad, do you let it sink to the bottom or just retrieve it? I have one, but it sinks so fast, I find myself retrieving it right away, cuz I think I will get it hung up on the bottom. Any advice you can give me to methods for that shad, would be appreciated. Thanks Chip

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Frightnight

Hey Pete,
As far as the big 9" shad, do you let it sink to the bottom or just retrieve it? I have one, but it sinks so fast, I find myself retrieving it right away, cuz I think I will get it hung up on the bottom. Any advice you can give me to methods for that shad, would be appreciated. Thanks Chip

It's tough to get hung up in the Upper Bay. I like the shad on the bottom, and I drift with the tide or if needed use the engine to stay with the tide so that I can fish the Tsunami shad with little or no drag on the line from the current.

Once it's down there I just kind of jig it along, getting the tail to thump back and forth by jigging.

[Chain]

Pete, on the pre-hooked Tsunami shad, do you tie your line to the top or front hook eye?

[cchobot]

Hi Chain,

I'm sure Pete will chime in w/ why but it swims REALLY nicely from the top

[Pete_G]

I've never tried swimming it from the front loop. I think the only reason that loop is there is because of the hook they used; it just happens to be there.

[Frightnight]

LOL, I did not know there were two eyes. First, Pete, thanks for the info. I am going out tomorrow, most of the day. Took day off work, and if I catch, I do, if not, great day on the boat. I hear the blues are in, hope it does not bite my 9" shad. LOL