SWE Fishing Report: 9.6.07

[Pete_G]

Albies continue to tear up the Southern New England Coast



The albies have returned and seem to be making up for the past few years where they’ve been scarce around Rhode Island, at best. Inshore light tackle and fly anglers that have been on the water in the past 2 weeks have enjoyed the best albie fishing that has occurred around here in many years. While the albies often displace the bonito, the bones have stayed in the area as well and some anglers are catching just as many of these tasty fish as they are false albacore. On many days these fish have fed from dawn to dusk, only taking a brief pause around the slack tides.

As great a year as it has been so far for these inshore speedsters, they have been very frustrating for many anglers. The fish were feeding on miniature bait and also the boat pressure has changed them since they arrived. Many schools require a stealthy approach, and sometimes won’t even tolerate a flyline over them. Anglers even had incidents where just a piece of metal landing in the middle of the school caused the fish to instantly sound. Speaking loudly as you approached the school was often enough to send them down into the depths. Stay quiet, minimize the run and gunning, and possibly most importantly try and find albies eating bigger bait. They’ll usually be much more willing to eat if they’re focused on larger bait.

Albies running scared



On the fly we’ve been throwing Dave Skok’s Whitebait Mushy at albies and bones that are on smaller bait. On spin we’ve had success with a variety of offerings, in particular the Yo-zuri Live Bait Minnow Jig as well as the Rebel Jumpin Minnow. If you find albies that are extremely spooky try the edges of the school instead of the center. And definitely try to stay low profile in all ways around the schools.

While many of us have been distracted by the albies and bonito, the bass fishing has quietly been very consistent. Nothing particularly large, just lots of nice fish between 5 and 20 pounds. The blues continue their usual later summer routines of marauding the shoreline anywhere there are baitfish. Activity has increased throughout Narragansett Bay as well. Traditional bluefish hot spots such as Barrington Beach, Colt State Park, and Conimicut Light should turn on the next few weeks if they haven’t already.

One of many albies



Baitfish, bunker in particular, have been numerous this year. It’s interesting that there are various size classes of bunker around, from little tiny ½” fish right up to 4 inches. There are also some schools of adults that are still exiting Narragansett Bay. If you find one of these schools, be sure to keep an eye on it. As always, big adult bunker can result in VERY big stripers and bluefish. Down towards South County the baitfish are similar, but you can throw some more big silversides in the mix as well. In some areas there have been some sardines as well. These are another fairly large baitfish, coming in around 6 inches long. Krill are around as well, tunring some areas red due to the vast amounts of these small crustaceans.

Jigging the bottom during slack tide



Look for the albies to stay as long as the bait does, but eventually falling water temperatures or a big storm will chase them out. Water temps that scare off albies could easily be a month or further away though. We’ve heard many reports now of big bass off to the East, so look for some of these schools to be passing along the Rhode Island coast in the next week or so. Bluefish will of course be on the rampage for many weeks to come. Enjoy it while it lasts, for inshore light tackle anglers it’s about as good as it gets out there. This is an albie run that will be the benchmark for some time to come.

Jim's 9 pound bonito



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[rijimmy]

pete, thanks for the report, you guys have the best, non bs report out there. I will be out there trying for some bones/albies!

[Mako13]

My theory as to why the albie and bonito fishing is so epic this year: I just moved down to Louisiana this past June. You're welcome, I guess.


After the last few seasons of busting my hump to rarely even get a look at them from shore. But Im not bitter.......wait, actually yes I am!!

Keep the youtubes comming! They help keep me sane down here in swamp world.

[7milebridge]

Is it heard of to catch albies from shore. I have seen some amazing schools of albies on the run just along newport coasts, but nothing within casting distance. I was just curious.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by 7milebridge

Is it heard of to catch albies from shore. I have seen some amazing schools of albies on the run just along newport coasts, but nothing within casting distance. I was just curious.

It's not hard, it's just not easy, either. Some spots are VERY productive. Some are very well known (certain RI jettys) and others aren't known mostly because people just don't try.

Generally look for something that juts out into the ocean a bit where bait gets trapped. Being in deep water or at least adjacent to deeper water often helps. Usually at some point albies will make an appearance.

Newport's not the ideal place to intercept them from shore, but it happens, especially in a good year like this. Earl caught one earlier this week from shore. We had a close encounter with a school this evening as well.

[Pete_G]

Make sure you're ready to throw if you're throwing the fly.

If you're using spin make sure your offering is heavy enough to easily blast through a headwind or reach way out in case a school is staying out of range.

[Mako13]

Don't be afriad to blind cast either if they aren't showing. All of the albies and bonito I have ever hooked from shore i hooked blind casting when they were not showing on the surface...ironically I have never actually hooked up from shore when they were up and putting on a show.

but things usully work backwards for me like that for some reason

[Frightnight]

How do you all know what is in the water? I see bait jumping, and have no idea if it's stripers, blues, or aliens chasing them. Never even seen an Albie, Albacore, or any of these rare fish you all mention. What is the attraction to the fish? Are they good eating? Better than striper? Are they bigger than stripers? Or is it just the challenge of catching something different?

[Mako13]

Bonito = great to eat
Albies = Horrid, cats won't touch them

I think the main attractions are the fight (you'll be amazed how fast and strong they are, especially an albies first run) + the novelty, they are only inshore for a small part of the season and they can both be really challenging to hook up with. Or at least thats why i like em.

[turbodgto]

Not sure if they were albies or bonito but we were following and they were not hitting anything. Its true though if you tried to blast right next to them they were gone right away.

Also what is the easiest way to distinguish between an albie and a bonito (once i catch one....)