NOAA Fisheries is using fish DNA to analyze forage and predator relationships. Environmental DNA—eDNA—is loose genetic material shed by organisms in the environment. This can include mucus, feces, and tissue particles. It can be collected from seawater, extracted, and compared to sequences in reference libraries to identify species or marine communities that were present where the water sample was collected. 

NOAA is using a similar approach to reveal predator and prey relationships by analyzing DNA found in the feces or stomach contents of marine animals. This innovative technology is a game-changer. For information on how NOAA is using DNA to improve ecosystem and habitat research and stock assessments visit Northeast eDNA Research | NOAA Fisheries. 

Spring tautog season in full swing

The spring tautog season in Rhode Island opened April 1 with a 16-inch minimum size, only one fish may be greater than 21. The season runs through May 31 with a three fish/person/day limit and a ten fish per boat limit (does not apply to charter boats). 

The season closes during peak spawning and reopens once again with a three fish/person/day limit on Aug. 1. There is a certain knack to tautog fishing as it takes a lot of concentration and a quick hook set.  However, in spring the bite is often subtle. Here is what experts are saying this spring.

“Shore anglers fishing the jetties have not been doing as well as those anglers fishing the reefs off Watch Hill.  The bait of choice that seems to be working best are white crabs if you can get them,” said Paker Mandes of Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly.

“The tautog bite is just getting better. I have been catching fish in the mid to upper Narragansett Bay for about a week. They are in shallows with a sandy bottom around structure to warm up. They’re hitting Asian crabs and clam bellies best,” said Capt. Brandon Hagopian of B-Hagz Baits and Adventures charters. “The smaller the bait the better this time of year. The end of the incoming tide and beginning of outgoing tide has been the magic tide.”

Capt. Dustin Stevens of Rhode Island Kayak Adventures, who fished earlier this month around opening day, said, “It was windy and cold but I can’t complain about a successful opening day for Tautog! Two keepers, two shorts, not too shabby.”  

Justin was fishing in 15-31 feet of water and his average time from drop to bite was about 10 minutes. Justin said, “I like to use half of a green crab with legs off in the spring as the fish seem to like softer baits.”  

Some of my favorite tautog fishing tips learned from the experts. 

• Keep rig simple to reduce tie ups, I prefer an egg sinker rig with one hook extended below the sinker on a swivel, or a one hook conventional rig with a dropper loop and sinker.  Today the most popular rig for anglers are jigs of all sizes and colors, particular this time of year the smaller/lighter the better.

• Anchor over or near structure, and fish the entire boat or area, even casting a bit as tautog are territorial, a few feet make a difference, also let anchor line in and out to change position unless you have and electric motor

• Be prepared to chum as needed, I use a mixture of cut-up sea clams and crushed crabs

• I use 30 to 40 pound braid line with a fluorocarbon or monofilament leader of equal value to enhance a direct connection to the fish and the line does not stretch when the fish tries to run back into structure, my fishing rod is a medium action rod.

• Your rig should be on the bottom, be patient particularly in the spring as the bites are not as frequent, pay attention and be prepared to set hook quickly

• Be prepared to fish different types of rigs and bait presentations depending on conditions and what fish want i.e. jigs with bait, green crabs as bait, Asian crabs, conventional rigs, clam bellies, etc.

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass fishing for holdover striped bass (fish that did not migrate south) continues to be very good with anglers catching keeper striped bass 28” to < 31”.  

East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author said, “The water temperature, in the 40s, is still too cold for the first good arrival of striped bass, but anyone following the northern migration knows that the first school is getting closer.”  

Capt. Brandon Hagopian of B-Hagz Baits and Adventures charters (bhagzbaits@gmail.com), said, “I am catching new striped at the herring runs on big swimbaits and rubber shads in Narragansett Bay.”  Herring run rivers or waterways include Apponaug Cove, Warwick; Narrow River, Narragansett; and the Barrington and Warren Rivers to name a few. 

Tom Olson of Ponaug Bait & Tackle said, “Still now action in Apponaug Cove and Greenwich Bay area, no birds feeding and not much bait in the water, things should break open soon as the water warms.”

Tautog fishing is getting better every day and should until the season closes for spawning on May 31.  “The tautog bite is just getting better. I have been catching fish in the mid to upper Narragansett Bay for about a week. They are in shallows with a sandy bottom around structure to warm up. They’re hitting Asian crabs and clam bellies best,” said Capt. Hagopian of B-Hagz Baits and Adventures charters. “The smaller the bait the better this time of year.  The end of the incoming tide and beginning of outgoing  tide has been the magic tide.” 

Angler Richard Reich of Narragansett and his fishing partner caught eleven tautog in 20 feet of water off Narragansett last Thursday.  Their largest fish was 24 inches and 7.24 pounds caught on jigs with Asian crabs.

Freshwater trout fishing is still a good bet with trout stocking recently occurring in RI and MA waterways. For complete regulations, a list of stocked ponds, and a copy of the RI Freshwater Fishing Regulations and Guide visit Fish & Wildlife | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and in Massachusetts visit Freshwater Fishing | Mass.gov.