Easter holiday in RI: what to expect

[Arzic Olivier]

Hi guys,
I'll fly to the US for a holiday in Portsmouth, RI, at the end of april/beginning of may.

I had the oportunity to fish the area in summer '04, alone but also with some kind persons that post on this forum (Dennis, Basswipe), but I guess the conditions (air and water temp) must be quite different in the spring ?

I'm trying to figure out what kind of plugs will be the most efficient at this time of year :
- top water or swimming ?
- metal, soft platics to go deeper ?
- what size (length, weight) ?

Please try to be specific, as the notion of "large" or "big" is not the same here in Brittany where I mostly fish for European Seabass, a 10 pounder is considered a specimen by most fishermen ! And people consider me a fool when I throw 2 oz spook-like lure !

Like all of you, I'm waiting for the spring and join you a little picture from last autumn !

Don't hesitate to PM me if you don't want to be too specific "over the air".

These pieces of information will guide the choice of rods/reels/plugs I'll bring along...

Thanks for your help,
Olivier

[striprman]

Those look like "unstriped" stripers

[Fishpart]

Late April, Early May I usually fish small plastic on jigs. Queen Cocahoes (Surfcasting RI has a good selection) , Storm Shads, Tsunami small split tails, Fin-s Fish. Jerkbaits on top in certain areas rigged Texas Style.

Good Luck!!!!!

[RIJIMMY]

AO, you should find decent amounts of fish, schoolies in the 8" - 20" range, hitting on jigs, flies, cocahoes, small swimmers. There may be some larger fish up to 30" around but they'll be rare. The fish may be hitting any time during the day. I would try to concentrate as far south in RI as possible. The salt ponds and channels may be good options as well as beaches. I would avoid deep water areas as they will still be pretty cold. Have fun!

[piemma]

Should be some fish up in the Bay by then. Try around the river mouths over on the East side of the Bay

[Pete_G]

Usually, sometime in the time frame you will be here and often around a moon, an obscene quantity of fish between 24 and 36" and larger will move into the Bay. Don't be afraid to fish some larger baits as that would be exactly what these fish will be looking for. From the boat I fish nothing but bigger baits in the Upper Bay; 9" Tsunamis and Storms, Danny Plugs (2 1/4oz), Spooks (as long as it's big), etc. From shore drop down to slightly smaller Tsunamis depending on where you are fishing as the 9 finds the bottom very quickly.

If it's cold or the bigger fish are late, you'll want to have plenty of tiny offerings as the initial fish are VERY small. 3" Storms, Cocahoes, etc. Don't think the opportunity for bigger fish isn't there though, be prepared. After several VERY cold winters in the recent past where the Upper Bay froze over between Bristol and Prudence Island we have had schools of quality fish (above keeper size) mauling 9" mantis shrimp and adult herring on the surface complete with birds working them in the last week of April. This winter has been mild, but we've also had mild winters where the better quality fish were as late as the 2nd week of May. We'll just have to see what happens.

I know that doesn't help you in regards to what gear to bring, but that's what can potentially be going on in the Upper Bay in late April and early May.

[chipwood]

Fishing is hit or miss depending on Mother Nature. Schoolies should be abound on the Island by then. Do yourself a favor and buy some squid jigs. Jig up some squid for bait and for the table. If your not catching fish on the plugs don't be afraid to baitfish and save the trip because we all know they want the bait not the plugs this time anyway.

[JohnR]

AO - send me a PM when you are in the neighborhood - would like to meet you and go fishing. You are usually too far away for any of the site's get togethers ...

[jkswimmer]

your fish look like giant white perch.

[Arzic Olivier]

Thanks to everybody for their help

If I try to sum up :
depending on the weather and how it turns, I can get schoolies or bigger fish.
In the first case I'd rather fish small plastics on light tackle.
In the second case, I'd better try bigger offerings to draw the big fish attention.

I can either fish as south as possible, or try the river mouthes upper in the bay.

To PeteG : I'll try to visit the shop as I did during my previous visits ! And thanks again for the remote orders I was able to place before christmas, before my sister-in-law came to France etc...
I'll be interested in 2oz spookstyle lures, local production when I come !!!

To JohnR : I'd be glad to fish with you or any of the members. But as I don't bring my car in my case we'll have to see how it's possible.

To Chipwood : by squidjigs do you mean these lures that target squids, to be later used as bait ? If so, yes I can do that !

To everybody : I cleaned my PM inbox, you can send now if you wished to !!!