Eastbayri.com

OK, this column was supposed to be all about cod and cod fishing. However, I have to share with you that I spoke with one of my fishing idols this weekend, George Poveromo, and he was a true gentleman.

George will be in New England next month with his saltwater fishing seminar which I have attended three times and will do so again this year (tickets would make a great holiday gift for any angler). The Salt Water Sportsman’s National Seminar Series is one of the nation’s premier educational seminars on recreational marine fishing tactics. It will take place Saturday, Jan. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mohegan Sun Casino’s Grand Ballroom (1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, Conn.).

The presentation will be led by George Poveromo, host of “George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing” on VERSUS, and editor-at-large for Salt Water Sportsman magazine; and Tom Richardson, noted authority on fishing the coastal waters of New England and a prominent fishing writer and editor. George and Tom will share the stage with nine local charter captains and expert anglers including Capt. John Rainone, past president of the Rhode Island Party & Charter Boat Association and a distinguished Point Judith-based charter captain of the vessel L’il Toot. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.nationalseminarseries.com or call 800/448-7360.

Cod fishing is fun

The striped bass will all be gone soon — on their way south except for a few fish that decide to winter here — and the tautog fishing season ended Dec. 15 in Rhode Island. So how about targeting cod fish?

Cod is an ideal species to target if fishing with children because all they have to do is drop their line to the bottom. And, it’s one of the most popular eating fish in New England.

Cod are bottom fish that are basically lazy. They’re not aggressively hunting and they pretty much stay on the bottom, often near structure (underwater wrecks, rock piles, holes, humps and drop-offs), waiting for prey to come by. So you have to go to where the cod are to catch them; they’re not likely going to come to you.

Rigs and bait

A hook, sinker weight that holds the bottom and sea clams are often used as bait to catch cod. Jigs of various sizes, color and weight depending on conditions are used, too. Cod will generally eat anything in front of them, but you have to get their attention and jigs usually do a good job of this.

A common rig used is a diamond jig with a colored teaser buck tail tied about 12 inches above the jig. Anglers often tip the jig and buck tail with live bait (a piece of sea clam). Most anglers use a traditional boat rod and reel to catch cod. A short, sturdy 30- to 40-pound test rod of five to six feet is common with a traditional real of similar weight capacity. A 50-pound test line (both braid and monofilament) is used.

Captains that lead you to cod

“We have had a couple of great seasons the past couple of years and this year promises to be good, too,” said Christine Blount of the Francis Fleet out of Point Judith. “I know Capt. Cory Blount called in today and said they were hitting a lot of sea bass too.”

When Capt. Blount returned he said, “Once the water cools and the black sea bass leave so will the dogfish, and the cod fishing will improve. A real good sign this year is that anglers have been catching keeper cod close to shore.”

The Francis Fleet runs cod fishing trips from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The trip rate is $85 per person until Dec. 31; rates after Jan. 1 are to be determined. Visit www.francesfleet.com or call 800/662-2824.

Capt. Charlie Donilon of Snappa Charters of Point Judith has been getting some great fishing in on Snappa. This past week Adam Durant wrote, “We had the pleasure of heading out with Capt. Charlie Donilon on Tuesday. The weather was perfect, calm sea, light breeze and mostly sunny. Started on the East Grounds and landed six keeper cod with a least three times as many shorts. Another five black sea bass and a couple good scup. All caught on crabs and clam, jigs accounted for two cod. Best part was ZERO doggies! Charlie runs a very clean comfortable boat and this trip will no doubt become an annual outing. ”

“We will keep fishing throughout December as long as the weather holds and people are interested in fishing,” Capt. Donilon said Saturday. “We are going out this week and hope to the week after Christmas, too. The cod fishing has been OK — a lot of fish that are just short by a half inch or an inch. Now that the tautog season is over we will likely fish Cox’s Ledge. Up until this point we have been fishing at the East Fishing grounds.”

Visit Snappa Charters at www.snappacharters.com or call 401/487-9044.

Capt. Russ Benn’s Seven B’s vessel is a party boat with a capacity of 120 people and is also out of Point Judith. The boat has a gallery but you can also bring your lunch. Capt. Benn is an outstanding captain; I fished on his vessel this summer during a West Bay Anglers/Seven B’s Take a Kid Fishing trip and he and his crew did an outstanding job of putting the kids (and adults) over fish.

Cod fishing trips started Dec. 17 and they sail from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The rate is $85 per adult. Visit www.sevenbs.com or call 800/371-FISH for reservations.

Capt. Dave Monti has been fishing and shellfishing on Narragansett Bay for more than 40 years. He holds a captain’s master license and a charter fishing license. Your fishing photos in jpeg form, stories, comments and questions are welcome. Visit Capt. Dave’s No Fluke website at www.noflukefishing.com or e-mail him at dmontifish@verizon.net.