What's your battle plan for this spring?

[Pete_G]

Mid May through late June last year produced some of the best surfcasting of the year for many in RI, myself included.

What's your plan of attack during this time period this year?

Over the years, I've often heard that Newport doesn't produce well prior to approx. June 15th, but the past few years have completely and without question blown that theory out of the water. I'll be starting to fish the open ocean even earlier this year (mid-May) at a relentless pace. I don't want to miss anything...

I'm going to spend a more time at dusk throwing Pencils and Spooks, that really produced large for me last year in late May as much as fishing at night did.

Prior to that it's going to be my usual 9" swim shads w/ the shark hook from the boat in the Upper Bay. I can't wait...

Spring... the new fall run...

[Frightnight]

Hey Pete, did I understand you right? That prior to mid May, you will fish the upper bay with 9" shad? Are they in the upper bay prior? I am still a fishing moron, and trying to learn what those bass are doing, and thinking. Normally I would think they would be farther away from the bay as they make their way back to out area, or are they trying to spawn? Educate this dumb ass beginner if you don't mind. A lso, seen a show today about Fishers Island in NY, and something about "The Ruins"? I know where Fishers Island is, but have you heard of the Ruins? If so, where is it? Thanks.

[Pete_G]

Usually in the first week of May, or a week prior, the first quality fish tend to move in. Not giants, they're usually around 10 to 20 pounds, but not little 14" fish.

The main reason the bass move up into the Bay is to take advantage of the feast that is there in the spring. Herring will be falling back out of the rivers, adult bunker are usually around, silversides, squid, mantis shrimp, worm hatches.

Many people liveline bunker for them or throw Black Saltys, but I like my Tsunami Shads. I just seem to catch more fish working the bottom with them then I do with bunker. But, it's definitely a lot of fun seeing a live bunker get crushed on the surface by a bass.

Tsunami Shads

In mid May or shortly after bigger fish start to arrive in the Bay. 25+ pound fish. And by late May there's usually a few 40's moving around. Early June, and if the bait sticks around, even later in the season the striper fishing can stay good in the Bay.

My favorite place to be is in the whitewater and/or open ocean whether it's on shore or in a boat, so as soon as there are good fish outside the Bay, that's usually where I end up fishing. The Upper Bay often literally starts to stink as summer settles in.

Can't really tell you much about Fishers Island, it's an area I haven't fished more then a few times.

[cchobot]

My Battle Plan is to actually get out from in front of the computer and GO FISHING this Spring!

But seriously... I always hear about people catching decent fish in the upper bay that time of year.

[rirockhound]

I start may 10 or so locally.
By that I mean nights, in SoCo.
I may do an occasional day trip in april but I hate the crowds at the usual spots in April-May1-ish

[snake slinger]

iam going to start mid may nites

[ChiefLinesider]

I didn't fish May as hard as I would have liked last year. My biggest fish of 06' was caught in May. Along with some of my more notable catches of the year. The new moon fell in late May as I remember last year, So I will be out in full swing by at least the 10th, to catch the waning moon phase leading to the New moon.

[Kevin J]

early/mid-may, daylight fishing with soft plastics at LT to get accustom to new spots. Mid/late may, I turn the lights off.

[cumberlandflyguy]

May 15th - memorial day weekend we were killing them in the upper bay at sunset. One 2 hr span saw 6 fish between 36" and 42", 3 of these were over 40". Used Chartrusse Shad's, lost another monster the same night on my flyrod.

[tlapinski]

My spring is pretty much set in stone from past experiences. Early April has fish to mid 20 pounds at a certain spot. This is a nice after work spot that really gets the juices flowing. Then, some time in early May depending on the winter snow fall, my real fishing begins. This is the beginning of my nocturnal behavior followed by grumpy days at work behind the computer. As this fishery slows down in June I move to the next stage of the game and the start of the summer season. I do plan to try to intercept the fish on the way in this year, though. Haven't done that in years, but too many 40's were taken "there" last spring to let me sleep knowing that I didn't tangle with them in May.

I always mean to hit the Hunk and Canal in June. 2 years ago I had an awesome night on the little island the first week of July. Took some vacation time in June so I may do it again this year too. Who knows, though. My plans seem to change more often than my undies.