Oh yeah, believe me, after fishing the barren waters of Maine I was ready for catching anything. Whenever I headed out, I had poles rigged for bottom or surface fishing, bait, lures, everything I figured I'd need (except experience). I sailed all over the upper Bay rarely marking fish or seeing any bird or feeding action. I tried to spot and observe other fishermen out there but they were few and far between, and no one looked to have much going on. I caught a couple of small fluke off Newport, but that's it. I hear the tautog fishing is good but if you get out too late, all the reliable spots have dried up. I'm a little bummed to learn that I have to chug down to the Newport bridges or offshore for the best fishing spots. I really need to hook up with someone who knows the area, though. I'm flying blind most of the time.

That would be your best shot!! I would offer but I am in Ma. If you ever get up this way give me a shout!!
I owe a few here fishing trips and I am hping I stay healthy next season to get them all out!

Good luck out there, you will get them with some time I am sure

Dinsdale,

Jeez, I would take up skiing if I were you! Seriously though, here is an idea. I would suggest researching the best guides in your area and then booking them several times next season. Tell them straight up front that you own a boat and want to learn techniques for catching fish in your area. My guess is you wil be well received, though I suspect you might not get taken to their choice spots, though nothing is perfect. At least you will have the techniques down that produce fish and then the rest is up to you to get out there and learn, like we all do day in and day out, to become better at the game.

Try taking you wife to a waterfront restuarant if it's available, try spending a day on the boat anchored up at a sandy beach with the kids, those type of experiences build valuable "boat credits". My wife learned to fish in the bass blitz's of the fall when you can catch a fish if you can throw a Sluggo more than ten feet. It was shooting fish in a barrel and as a result, she enjoys being on the water with me.

Don't throw in the towel, boating is getting far more expensive every year, Lord knows that is true, but it still is a lot of fun.

Sold my last bigger boat years ago when Bayliner put all the googans on the wrong side of the bouys!
Now them same yahoos have bought up all the ocean front property and left little room for fishing.
So,,, I've been looking at boats again.
Looking for a 18-21 ft. center console but all I see is junkers or over priced whatevers.
I know the economy sucks, people are loosing jobs, money is tight, and it's the off season.
Unfortunately, people selling boats are not reflecting this in any asking prices that I've seen.
I'm still looking,,, but it's tough finding here in R.I.
Hopefully, by spring I'll find what I'm looking for.

AHHH! The "TIN-CAN" fleet.The only way to go.

Until the wind starts to blow, then it is a nightmare:eek:

(a skidoo....I predict Salty moves to Maine)

Obviously not a ton of good news out there and my thoughts are with anyone struggling with employment, mortgage payments or worse. Hopefully, this inherent, non-taxpayer funded economic boost of plummeting oil and gasoline prices will help turn things around in the long run. Unfortunately, I think we have a long way to go to the finish line. Boating as a hobby may start to look attractive again for next year.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081205/..._ge/oil_prices