Better than CT ?

   A few months ago, I attended a huge saltwater sportsman's show in Rhode Island at the Providence Convention Center - http://www.nesaltwatershow.com/. The event was put on by the Rhode Island Saltwater Angler's Association. I caught wind of it through one of the many fishing magazines that I subscribe to ("On The Water" Magazine - http://www.onthewater.com/).

   Lots of vendors were there, as it took me nearly 5 hours to fully walk around the entire area. There were Truck dealers, Boat dealers, a Hobie Kayak dealer (not the one that I bought mine from), Custom fishing rod builders, Offshore fishing guides, Beer tasting booths (RI is home to "Narragansett Beer Co."), a small "pond" for kids to fish, and other activities.

   I picked up a newsletter magazine from RISAA (Rhode Island Saltwater Angler's Association - http://risaa.org/ ) and found out that they had a club inside the organization that was made specifically for people who fish out of kayaks! It was called the "Kayak Committee" and it was run by David Pollack, the club president. They also listed a calendar of events of all the outings planned by the committee.

   * * * NOTE: In order to attend the club outings, you have to join RISAA in order to be on their private email list, otherwise you won't be notified of any upcoming club outings or changes to the outing itinerary.

   I had gone to the first "Meet & Greet" at Goddard Memorial Park in East Greenwich,RI. and noticed that there were guys who had kayaks that were just as fully rigged as mine was. A few people remarked about the custom made gear basket I made from 3 milk crates that had separate holsters for my pliers and lip gripper tool, as well as a lighted mast with safety flag. It was a great turn out on a overcast day with slight drizzle.

   After that first meeting with Dave, I was asked if I'd like to be a member of the KC, with that, I said, "yes!".  I was then added to their email & phone list. The purpose of the email list was to let you know of outing changes due to bad weather. These are not mentioned on RISAA's Events Calendar - http://risaa.org/events.html .

   Since then, I have been on a few outings and only caught one fish - a 22" bluefish off the coast of Block Island,RI. I have had more fun with this group, than with my so-called friends who can't even spare one day to go fishing with me! I am learning a lot as to what rigs work and what baits to use. Eagerly awaiting for my first night outing, maybe by next year!

   I have fished in Connecticut for nearly 40+ yrs, but haven't caught anything in over 20 yrs.!
   I took a chance about joining the club in RI and have found that I made a good decision by getting out and finding a lot of great fishing spots.

   Some of the things I did notice is the fact you can fish at night in Rhode Island for as long as you want without the Conservation Police kicking you out. As long as you have a fishing rod in your hands, they leave you alone.
   In CT, they give you a ticket if you're found at the parking area after hours. You can still fish up to 1 hour before sunrise, and 1 hour after sunset. These are the primary feeding times for fish!

   The port-o-jons in CT are absolutely filthy! I'll take my chances taking a crap out in the woods or peeing behind a tree before I'd step in one of those hazardous waste stalls!
   Now RI, on the other hand, have some of nicest & cleanest port-o-jons ever! I had to take an emergency crap before going out yesterday on the Sakonnet River in Tiverton,RI (our last group outing for the year) and found out the portable bathroom was one of the cleanest I've ever been in!

   I've also noticed that a lot of RI's state parks are FREE to enter - even if you're an out-of-state resident! And, because the beach access property is deeded differently from CT, most of RI's beaches are made accessible to the public.

   NOTE: * * * Beach access roads are accessible to the public is you have a valid Beach Access Permit, $100 for a Resident Pass, $200 for a non-Resident Pass - http://www.riparks.com/info.htm#4-WD Vehicle Beach Regulation: .
 
   CT would benefit it's outdoor sportsmen (and women) if they didn't charge a hefty price for out-of-state vistors looking to launch their kayaks from the beach - which is either state owned, or privately owned.

   The more I visit my neighboring state of RI, the more I dream about someday retiring there. Still researching my options as to where I will retire one day, but I know I want it to be somewhere near the water.

Mornings & Nights

   In my last post, I mentioned that I tried my hand at a little kayak fishing at night at Quonchonataug Pond in Charlestown,RI.. One of a few saltwater ponds that border Rhode Island's southern edge along the Atlantic Ocean. You would figure that other kayak anglers that fish at night would be a little more safety conscious by adding a light to their kayaks at night.

   Well, after getting lost on the water for nearly an hour, I decided to head back in and rethink my fishing strategy. I figured that the best possible way to see where the drop off lies would be to go during the day on Saturday, Sept 1, 2012.

   So, I set out to drive to Quonny Pond Fishing Area & Boat Launch during the day - not knowing what lies ahead. I know most of the saltwater ponds that border Rhode Island's southern edge are a hot spot for kayak activity, so I don't know what to expect when I arrive.

   I finally arrive at the entrance to the fishing area around 3pm. So far, so good......until I drive about halfway down the dirt road entrance.....

   Apparently, Quonnie is a very busy place during the day!!! When there just isn't enough room to park your vehicle at the parking area, people just seem to park on the left side of the road (when entering the launch area), leaving just enough room for 1 vehicle to pass if they're entering, or leaving the launch area!

   It's a good thing I didn't have my kayak with me, because finding a place to park my truck would've been impossible. I didn't stay long because of the people coming and going. It made me think about the incident at Monahan's Pier in Narragansett a few weeks ago where I was almost blocked in by people double & triple parking just to surf fish off the rocky ledge. 

   I didn't stay long, which was a good idea, because once I finally left the fishing area, a Environmental Police patrol unit was on his way down to the parking area. I'm pretty sure he won't be pleased to see the double parked cars/trucks lining the side of the road! Just hope his pen has enough ink for all those tickets!

   I figure the best times to arrive here to get out on the water, is either very early in the morning around 4am, or in the evening around 5pm. For me, it's about an hour drive from where I live in eastern CT. Actually, it's like that to anyplace I drive in Rhode Island!

I thought the moon would be a lot brighter.....

   There's something about fishing at night on the water. Whether it's the solitude, the quiet, the calm, whatever. I decided I wanted to go kayak night fishing on a saltwater pond in Rhode Island. I chose Quonny Pond in Charlestown,RI (aka Quonchonotaug Pond) to do a little fishing out on the water. I did it once up in New Hampshire on a small pond near my Aunt's cabin.  But the black flies ruined any chance of catching something.

   The waters were calm, a slight breeze, high tide came in at 9pm, and the full moon was out to help light my way. I started out at the ramp and got situated in my kayak's seat. Once out on the water, I got my Eagle Cuda 350 FF/GPS set up, lighted my mast, and clicked on all 4 LED lights on my ball cap.

   It's amazing how easy it is to lose one's way around in total darkness and on the water no less! Now, granted the moon was out and was quite a nice sight out on the water, the incoming tide had set me adrift almost a a half a mile in a matter of minutes!  As big as the moon was, I really thought it would be a lot brighter!

   Not far from the launch ramp after setting out, I almost hit another kayak fisherman, who sat in total darkness WITHOUT a lighted beacon. There was at least 3 other fishermen that were fishing out of kayaks that night. I could barely see his yellow kayak sitting in the shadows. Next, as I was drifting into the larger portion of the pond itself, I narrowly missed a marker buoy that also wasn't lit up either!
 
    At one point, I paddled around closer to an outcropping of a raised grassy area and saw what looked like another unlighted beacon. As I approached closer to try and get my bearings straight, a man called out to ask if I caught anything yet. I won't lie here, but I nearly crapped myself when he spoke!!! Of course I said "no." to catching anything. I told him I was unfamiliar with the area. He said, "You'll get used to it the more you do it..."  I thought, used to what? Fishing in total darkness on a saltwater pond? Or, crapping myself in my kayak in the middle of the dark on the water? Seriously, what could be funnier than that???
 
   After paddling blindly for nearly an hour, I decided that this would be more fun if I just came out during the day so I can search for deeper waters without being spooked by other kayak anglers, fishermen, other oddities at night on unfamiliar ground.

   Going back there this afternoon to get a better feel for the area. Maybe I can can catch something other than a good scare!