HARTFORD SURF TO AFFILIATE WITH RISSA- I am in the process of forming a formal affiliation( per RISSA's requirements ) with Rhode Islands largest and most environmentally active club. What does this mean? It means we can add our voice on issues concerning fisheries management and shoreline access as well as other issues. These folks do a heck of a job getting out the message of the fishing crowd to the people in local, state, and national government and make sure we're heard! I'll have more information at the September meeting for those who'd like to know. Thanks, Steve
Weekapaug Surfcasters take the top honors as Kings of the Surf in the 2009 Fall Surf Fishing Club Challenge!
It was cold and windy at times but the show went on with eleven clubs crawling the rocks and dunes of South County looking for striped bass and blues.Here's how it played out: STANDINGS AND INFORMATION SURF CLUB CHALLENGE 2009
1) WEEKAPAUG SURFCASTERS ------------------------------------------------------ 84.85 LBS. 2) CONNECTICUT SURFCASTERS ------------------------------------------------------ 83.10 LBS. 3) PIONEER VALLEY BOAT & SURF CLUB ------------------------------------------ 82.95 LBS 4) NARRAGANSETT SURFCASTERS --------------------------------------------------- 73.36 LBS. 5) STRIPED BASS . COM -------------------------------------------------------------------- 50.90 LBS. 6) HARTFORD SURF FISHING CLUB ---------------------------------------------------- 44.90 LBS. 7) RHODE ISLAND MOBIL SPORTFISHERMAN -------------------------------------- 42.35 LBS 8) MASS. STRIPED BASS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 35.30 LBS. 9) NEWPORT COUNTY SALTWATER FISHING CLUB ------------------------------- 34 LBS. 10) RHODE ISLAND SALTWATER ANGLERS ASSOC. ------------------------------ 21.65 LBS. 11) MASS BEACH BUGGY ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 0 LBS . LARGEST STRIPED BASS --- EARL EVANS -- 34 LBS. -- CLUB -- NEWPORT COUNTY SALTWATER FISHING CLUB
LARGEST BLUEFISH -- PHIL PARLAPIANO -- 12.05 LBS.-- CLUB -- HARTFORD SURF FISHING CLUB
AVERAGE WEIGHT OF STRIPED BASS --16.525 LBS.-- BASED ON 24 FISH
AVERAGE WEIGHT OF BLUEFISH -- 9.165 LBS. -- BASED ON 38 FISH
DONATION TO M/S $1150.00
The 213 Shuffle
As the fall inches closer and the realization sets in that you haven’t nearly had your share of fishing time this summer, you’ll inevitably start to think of the Fall Migration and the improvement of your chances at some table fare or maybe a trophy! But as usual fishing time comes at a premium, but hey- you’re a long time dead, so when time is tight try doing the 213 shuffle. Easily accessed from I-95 in Waterford near the junctions of Rts.1 & 156, Route 213 makes a leisurely loop through the area making up the West End of the Thames River. Starting south from its junction with Rt. 156 go approx. 1.5 miles and go right onto Goshen Rd.. Stay straight as the name changes to Shore Rd. and look for the Boat ramp signs (Dock Rd.). If you have a small boat or a kayak this is a super spot to put in. If you’re shorebound there’s some nice rocks and beach area. There’s even a smelly Port-O-Let for your comfort. Deep water within easy casting distance and structure to pen up bait can lead to fast paced action with False Albacore and Blues in the Fall that can happen any time of the day. There’s enough room for flycasters to work unencumbered also. Weekends will bring Porgy fisherman with bait lines during the day, but evenings thin out nicely. Heading further south and east on 213 will bring you past Harkness Memorial Park. On weekend days you might have to pay for parking till sometime after Labor Day , at night you can park outside the gate but it’s a hike. Travel light with a cart or backpack for gear or bike it. The beach can be worth the price of admission when a blitz of blues is on. There’s also a rocky point at the East Side to set out a chunk or toss some tin. From the rocks you can see down to our next stop. Ocean Beach Park just inside the New London line is accessed by going south on Ocean Ave. from its junction with 213. Again, during the day they might charge, but evenings you might slip in. During the day fishing is limited to the rocky area but after the bathers vamoose go nuts. Last stop heading north in the downtown area is Fort Trumbull Park. I’ve only been there once but was impressed with the nice pier the city built. Baitdunkers & Bullshooters heaven. The forts kinda cool too. So there you have it. Only an hour from Hartford, four spots within minutes of each other so you can stick and move to find action or hunker down and hope.
