Fishing America

STATE #38 - RHODE ISLAND

SEPTEMBER 2018 - THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

SPECIES CAUGHT - False Albacore, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, Dogfish, Sea Robin

My sister Debbie flew in and met me in Boston joining me for the southern New England part of my 5 state fishing road trip. After driving to Rhode Island and staying in West Warwick we got up early and met Captain Jack Riley, owner of Maverick Charters at the Snug Harbor Marina in Wakefield.

Launching into the Point Judith Pond and also into the wind aboard Jack’s 38-foot boat named Maverick, we headed toward the Atlantic. I had a bad feeling early on about this morning. But before this morning was over I would be reminded just how much experience means.

I spoke with Jack this morning reminding him of how much I appreciated the way he handled everything about our fishing charter with him that I booked before I heard the name Hurricane Florence.

He called me before I left Texas warning me of the possibility that the hurricane that was inland at the time could overturn our charter plans. I remember thanking him and asking him to keep my appointment up to the last minute allowable because I would be there anyway.

My plan was to stay inshore even out of the body of the Atlantic if need be to prevent cancellation. As it turned out we didn’t have to cancel, but Florence still had the mighty Atlantic slightly upset ten miles offshore where we started fishing.

I have enough experience fishing with and without guides to know when things don’t look good. A wind shifting directions was one of the factors that concerned me. These variables present caused me to be resolved at simply enjoying a day on the Atlantic with my sister.

This charter being complete with first mate Tom had us ready to fish a couple minutes after our first stop. Our first catch came when something hit my line like it was angry, frantic, impulsive, and completely crazy.

I was curious as to what I had caught while fighting and reeling in this wild powerful fish that remains to this day the hardest fighting fish (pound for pound) overall that I have caught. As this fish fought for dear life, it would be information from the captain that saved it.

When I finally boated this 5 pound False Albacore that fought like it was 25 pounds, Jack informed it was not edible allowing this awesome sportfish the privilege of living to fight another day. This fish may be accused of being false, but it was for real the hardest fighting fish I ever got a hold of.

It was sure fun having a blood relative cheerleader in the boat while I caught this fish. And then it was her turn. Debbie informed me she had a fish on and so I cheered her on watching her reel in her first catch that was one of our targeted bluefish.

We were fishing separately but still couldn’t help but stop at times to cheer each other on. The bluefish also fought us well with plenty of time to do it pulling them up from over 150 feet. On this day Debbie gained a knack for catching two at once, repeating this several times.

Mixed in with all our bluefish catches, were some black seabass. I also caught a dogfish (shark) along with a couple of sea robins before the day was over. This charter that started with a warning from the captain days before I arrived was one enjoyed so much by myself and my sister.

While Tom cleaned and filleted our fish, Jack gave us a recommendation for lunch only 5 minutes away. The late lunch we enjoyed at Matunuck Oyster Bar was one for the ages. The seafood was absolutely awesome along with the atmosphere.

We dined outdoors on a deck overlooking the edge of Potter Pond which is connected to the Atlantic. After going solo on many fishing trips it was such a treat to enjoy this day with my sister. The breeze off the water combined with the perfect temperature, service, food, location, and table company is one of my favorite family memories now.

Jack informed me this morning that his engine blew in his Topaz boat near the end of 2019. Due to social distancing restrictions regarding Covid-19, he decided against cranking back up for this past season opting to instead retire in 2020 at 79.

His experience gained from 15 years of chartering, another 15 at catching Tuna commercially, along with his prior fishing ventures was appreciated by us. He is giving his boat to a friend and helping him fix it to set forth Drifter Too Charters and put the Maverick back to work. Jack was truly one of the best I fished with while Fishing America.

I later read in separate RI tourism articles that the Matunuck Oyster Bar was rated the number 1 restaurant in RI and Maverick Charters was rated the number 1 fishing charter in the state. My sister and I can second those ratings from firsthand experience.