Rhode Island Cod and Sea Bass

On December 4th Jim Turner and I had a near perfect day of fishing in an area southwest of Block Island.  We set out at 6 AM on the party boat Gail Frances from Narragansett Rhode Island.  The weather was near perfect for the month of December with a sunny sky, temperatures in the mid 40s, a gentle breeze and relatively calm seas. 

After a two hour ride the boat stopped for the first drift.  Using bottom rigs with 12 oz sinkers we dropped the bait down about 150 feet to the bottom.  Immediately large Black Sea Bass began viciously attacking our clam baited hooks.  For the next few drifts the fishing was fast and furious.  I decided to switch to using some mackerel strips that I had brought along.  I caught the Mackerel the day before in the Cape Cod Canal.  The strips stayed on the hook longer which meant less time wasted baiting hooks.

Jim with one of his Black Sea Bass

By 10 AM most everyone had caught their limit of seven Sea Bass.  Other species caught included Spiny Dogfish, Cunner, and some decent size Scup. However very few Cod came over the rail.  Soon after the captain decided to move and try to locate some Cod.  

People continued to catch Scup, Sea Bass, and Dogfish.  There was no getting away from them.  After a while more and more Cod began to slowly appear.  I decided to try my new speed jig baited with Mackerel.  Jim stuck with using a bottom rig.  In the end we each managed to catch one keeper Cod apiece measuring about 24 inches.  Most if not all of the other anglers on board managed to catch one or two Cod.  The Cod fishing wasn’t great but the fantastic Sea Bass fishing helped to make up for it.  As always the Captain and crew of the Gail Frances gave 100% to satisfy their customers. We both agreed that one more Cod each would have been perfect but it was still a great day of fishing.

Me with a Cod

Jim with a Cod

Benthos Speed Jig

Big Scup were a bonus.

Cunner

Spiny Dogfish

This wasn’t my first time fishing with the Frances Fleet and it won’t be the last.   These trips run right through the winter season offering a rare opportunity to enjoy saltwater angling during New England’s coldest months.  As the water cools down the Scup and Sea Bass become scarce.  These aggressive bait stealers interfere with the Cod fishing.  Some of the best Cod fishing occurs later in the winter.  I’ve experienced some excellent trips when everyone got or came close to getting a limit of 10 Cod.  On the other hand when the Cod aren’t biting in the winter, there’s few other species available to fill your cooler.  On a very slow day you’ll be lucky to go home with a few big Cunners and a maybe a Red Hake.  It’s a chance I’m always willing to take.

Scenes from the ride back to port.