The Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament ended Sunday, July 27 with a winning school bluefin tuna measuring 42.5” caught by Evan Page of Connecticut. For the third year in a row, the largest striped bass caught from shore was by angler Colin Mansfield, a 29” fish. There was a tie for the largest striped bass from a boat with both anglers Josh Faria and Pat Walker landing a 43” fish.

The First Place Team this year went to team “Hot Time” led by Evan Lepage of Connecticut. The team took the largest fluke and largest bluefin tuna species categories.

Capt. Chris Willi of Block Island Fishworks, tournament director, said, “The Tournament expansion this year to nine species and an expanded area from the mainland off Rhode Island to about 15 miles south of Block Island made it the best ever. Our use of the GotOne fishing smartphone app made this possible and we had about 110 anglers participant, the most ever. The Tournament was held in loving memory of Wendy Northup, a longtime supporter of fishing and conservation on the Island. Thanks to Ørsted (owners of the Block Island Wind Farm) and our co-sponsor tackle shops we were able to donate 100 percent of Tournament fees to the Fire & Rescue Department.We make a $6,180 contribution to the Block Island Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, half of that in tournament fees and as in the past Capt. Nick’s Rock & Roll Bar matched the gift.”

Over $10,000 in prizes, gift cards and tournament swag were awarded at the “After Party” on Sunday at 2 p.m. 

The Tournament included shore, youth, and boat divisions. Striped bass and bluefish for all divisions plus black sea bass and fluke for boat and youth divisions. New this year were five combined youth/adult pelagic species categories including bluefin and yellow fin tuna, bonito, false albacore, and mahi-mahi. There was also a team prize and photo division prizes awarded for best fish, best scenic and best team photos taken with a wind farm in the background. 

Tournament co-sponsors were Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren; Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown; The Tackle Box, Warwick; Ocean State Tackle, Providence; Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown; and Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly. 

Visit www.SandyPointCo.com/bi-inshore-tourney for full Tournament results once they become available.

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass, bluefish, and false albacore. “We have seen a lot of ‘half bass’ lately, and I am not fooling around! The warm water means sharks are around, and many anglers this week have reeled in bass only to find half the fish gone. If this happens to you, I suggest moving to a new spot, as they will likely return,” said Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown. “In the salt ponds, a good amount of bait including silversides, bunker, and mummies are gaining size. The ponds have been fishing really well on same days but can seem almost lifeless on others.”  

East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert, said, “If you like catching schoolies, the Canal is the place for you. Bob ‘Bull’ MacKinnon brought so many to the rocks during a marathon session over several hours mid-week with his small Tsunami shad, that he lost track. Rain bait including silver sides are dominant now. Success hinges on matching the hatch with small swimmers like the Daiwa SP Minnow. The slot bite has diminished after the positive effects of the full moon, probably taking up temporary residence in Cape Cod Bay.”  

This weekend at the Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament shark predation was a major challenge for anglers trying to land both striped bass and bluefish. The fish were there, but so were the sharks.

Bluefin/yellowfin tuna, false albacore. Ryan Collins of My Fishing Cape Cod, said, “This week one of our group trips headed nearly 100 miles offshore to the Northeast Canyons. Despite some crazy weather they had a great trip landing bigeye, yellowfin, bluefin and a white marlin.” 

See the complete story at The July 20-21 MFCC Overnight Canyons Adventure: A Dream Trip Finally Realized - My Fishing Cape Cod. The bluefin bite continues to be strong offshore and in wind farm areas. Angler Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren said, “Last week we caught 22 bluefin tuna south of Block Island.”

Freshwater. “The trout bite is still good in stocked ponds with a lot of top water action in vegetation for largemouth and shiners are working well too,” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle.

Dave Monti holds a captain’s master license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verizon.net, visit www.noflukefishing.blogspot.com or www.noflukefishing.com