Block Island Info - Scouts Camping

[JohnR]

We'll be camping with the Scouts on Block Island in early August. One thing I will be doing with the kids is the Fishing Merit Badge.

Seeing we will likely be on bikes and one truck, I'm looking for suggestions on places to bring the kids fishing fresh or salt.

One option is to spend a long day at the steps just west of the SE Light as there is plenty of stretch of, ahem, beach with the chance for a great day along the salt though it is doubtful how far the younger kids (or the older for that matter) will be able to cast for fishing.

Another option is to look into Freshwater fishing which might be more conducive to the kids.

So looking for some advice WRT taking off the big fish hunting cap and putting on the "Parent" where to take the kids fishing hat - thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,

John

[tattoobob]

I suggest the Coast Guard station that time of year they should do well with schoolies in the channel 5/6 inch sluggo's on small jig heads
also Snake hole not bad to get to and if you have them jig up some squid in old harbor then go there and use it for bait I think they would like it pretty good

DZ should be able to help on the fresh water scene

[Hardcore]

The stairs didn't go all the way down to beach the last time I was there in 2011. There is a good chance those stairs may have been damaged by the recent storms. I also suggest the coast guard station. Porgies are an easy and plentiful target.
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[Tagger]

Yea ,, Stairs don't go all the way down , If you do get down in one piece going left is a good place to break a leg ,,Watch out for the bluffs . Don't let the kids stand under them , Boulders up above perched in the sand clay mixture . We had a slide come down one night in a place we had been fishing earlier. Could have buried ten men alive . The island is loaded with deer tick ,, Deet ,, Sorry to be Mr. negative but that's the conditions I found there . Coast Guard Station and beach out front .. less hazards .

[onecastmike2003]

Your à Nice guy dude... Bring motrin and hook removable stuff
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[PaulS]

Yes, check with DZ on the freshwater fishing. I think I still need my fishing Merit badge.

[DZ]

Hi John,
The few times I've seen scouts camping on the island was adjacent to the New Harbor Channel in the dunes. That place is perfect for salt water fishing in August - probably plenty of fluke, scup, and occasional bass/bluefish. Freshwater ponds in August may be pretty choked with weed. Not sure how many scouts you'll be able to get into some of the ponds because of limited access areas. Here are a few that have good populations of panfish, occasional largemouth/pickeral. John E. Tug Hole off of Pilot Hill Road - you'll be fishing just off the dirt road so use caution because of other vehicles. Mitchells Pond off Lakeside Drive - caution again for cars/mopeds. There is also a pond I call the Airport Pond which is just SW of the airport off the west side of Center Road. This area is off the road and has room for maybe two/three vehicles. Well, there you have my sweet water spot burn - teach them C&R. Oh, very important - bring your own worms! - the island soil is too sandy to find many. Call me if you need any other details.
DZ

[The Dad Fisherman]

My 2 cents......bring other things to do to kill the time. Some boys will fish, others will lose interest quickly. Bring a frisbee, a wiffle ball and bat, rope...maybe get them to do a pioneering project with the drift wood they find.

These are great campouts to work on Cooking skills....no time constraints to have to be anywhere at any specific time. Good time to bust out the dutch ovens, maybe Trash can up a turkey.

or if you are limited on what to bring you could work on Back Packing skills...Pack in Pack out.

I'm taking our group out ice fishing in a couple of weeks, we'll be doing Ice Pick races and may set up a make shift Curling court on the ice (Frozen milk jugs and a couple of brooms)....us old timers have no problem sitting, sipping on coffee and waiting for flags...but the boys may get a little antsey.

[PI guy]

Jig up some squid in New Harbor and put it right back out.....and put as much emphasis on the coolness of catching the squid so if no one hooks into a bass they will still have had a blast!! As the other guys said between that and the Coast Guard channel you have some of the safest fishing on the island...
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[Steve K]

I suggest taking them to Mansion Beach to fish. You can park in the lot and the surf is not nearly as rough as the south side. I would go early enough to avoid the beach goers though. I always see stripers cruising there within a few feet of the beach in August although they are very finicky.

[zacs]

I can't offer any advice, but I have fond memories as a young scout camping on the Block. Cooking, Biking, exploring the Island and hanging with the guys are what I remember most. You will have a blast!!!

[Clammer]

hey big guy .............. cLAMMEr don,t know #^&#^&#^&#^& ............................................BUT if you go down the road near the dump on the west side ......... then walk north a couple of hundred yards . there ia a landlock ,right on the crest of the sand .................................................. .................................................. .....loaded with WhiTe Perch ......... so many they are stunted , but not like RWP .
Big enough to eat / but small enough to liveline ><<>;;

Oh conditions are great right now .going to the city fishing for a couple of hours ><>><>

[tattoobob]

Ink fights are always fun too

[JohnR]

Thanks guys!

[Fishpart]

John,
Scouts have property on the block, I think it is at the swampy end of the airfield. My brother tells me it is infested with misquitos and reminded my of the blood thirsty ticks packing lyme..