Strange Spring...so far

[Clammer]

RIR

there is waaaaaaaay over 2 million # of pogies in the bay ......... Ark bait started working last Monday ..

either its gonna be late cuz the water temp or we are alot closer to the end .

ya can only keep them once ><><><

[Redsoxticket]

How many lbs of bunker are allowed to be harvested in total for all pogey boats the bay?
I assume without digging up the regulations that it is likely an infinite amount as long as some are left behind

[piemma]

I don't know the poundage but I do know they cannot go North of Conimicut Light, into Wickford, East G or Bristol harbors. Not sure about Mt Hope Bay.
There is a s *#@ load of them but all south of Conimicut which make them fair game for Ark Bait.

[piemma]

The Atlantic menhaden advisory panel of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council recommended that fish managers leave a small amount of fish in the state's quota (13 percent) to ensure that commercial fishermen on small boats can continue to fish throughout the spring and summer seasons. These small boat fishermen supply bait shops with menhaden to use as bait for striped bass. The council voted to approve recommending that director Janet Coit establish a set-aside for this fishery.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission established Rhode Island's quota at a very low level, 78,000 pounds, based on historical landings in Rhode Island -- not fish caught in Rhode Island. However, the DEM's Narragansett Bay Atlantic Menhaden Management Area monitoring program (one of the best in the nation) has determined that millions of pounds of menhaden are caught in Rhode Island but landed in Massachusetts. The advisory panel has recommended that Rhode Island's marine fisheries commission members advocate for an increase in quota based on this catch data.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by piemma

You gonna fish this year??????

Probably start this week. Canal and points west should pop any day now if it hasn't already. Been busy with work, home improvements and coaching both kids baseball teams thus far so no fishing yet.

[Sgt Striper]

Bunkah everywhere, Blues also and big ones, from S. Jersey all the way to LI as Zeno said!! 30's and a 42 this week with tons of schoolies.

[timmah]

A lot of pogies have made it past the trap, but no takes yet.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Probably start this week. Canal and points west should pop any day now if it hasn't already. Been busy with work, home improvements and coaching both kids baseball teams thus far so no fishing yet.

I'll call ya Monday.

[bart]

Originally Posted by cheferson

Sounds about right . May 15th a few years back , I got a low 30lber . I thought it was may 3rd , but rob reminded me , heh ! Planned on an early season spot with a short tide that I liked and forgot my boots . I didn't wanna waste my eels so went to a summer spot ....
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I remember getting that call, and then seeing the head on that fish sticking out of the cooler. It was May 16th, 35#s

Eels, early and often....

[ProfessorM]

So strange I have not even wet a line yet
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[nightfighter]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

So strange I have not even wet a line yet
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Same here, Paul. Nor have I even had a chance to uncover the boat....

[redlite]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Same here, Paul. Nor have I even had a chance to uncover the boat....

Geez and i thought i was bad having only made 30 casts so far this year
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device