29-03-2015, 09:20 AM
BillG, excellent response. I will add a few tidbits about boat squidding since that's how I fish.Â
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Party boats like the Frances Fleet out of Point Judith are an excellent way to learn (mates and other fisherman are happy to help) and a nice way to spend a spring evening. The frances Fleet boat will usually leave the dock around 7pm th-su depending on how strong the run is. They may only run Fri-Sat to start, and then add nights when it picks up. Usually, they head in around midnight. When the squid are in, it's combat fishing. You will be elbow to elbow with other fisherman and tangles will unfortunately occur - but that will happen on shore as well.
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The advantage the boats have is they can move around and find the squiddies, they have plenty of bright lights, and they have mates tossing chum. On a good night, you can fill a 5 gallon bucket.
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The Frances fleet used to fish over by the Newport bridge when the fishing off the beach was slow, but I haven't seen them do that in years. Nowadays they patrol the beaches just west of point judith. Their are usually plenty of squid there though, so it gives you more fishing time and keeps costs down. They used to charge about $50 a head. Not sure about current pricing. You can buy jigs from them or use your own.
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If you don't want to put up with the party boat crowds, you can also take a charter. Not as bad as you think, many do open boat trips and it is just slightly higher than the party boat rate.
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Fishing from the boat is very similar to shore, except almost no chance to break a lure off on the bottom. You will be in 30-50 feet of water, and the squid won't (usually) be on the bottom.  You may need an assist weight if the current is ripping (1 oz is fine). But otherwise, you are just jigging (called squidding) the upper water column.
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You do have to put up with crappy weather though. Seems like April through May is one constant blow and choppy seas.  That gives the party boats an edge.  Bigger boats are more stable and you can go into a heated cabin to warm up.
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Party boats like the Frances Fleet out of Point Judith are an excellent way to learn (mates and other fisherman are happy to help) and a nice way to spend a spring evening. The frances Fleet boat will usually leave the dock around 7pm th-su depending on how strong the run is. They may only run Fri-Sat to start, and then add nights when it picks up. Usually, they head in around midnight. When the squid are in, it's combat fishing. You will be elbow to elbow with other fisherman and tangles will unfortunately occur - but that will happen on shore as well.
Â
The advantage the boats have is they can move around and find the squiddies, they have plenty of bright lights, and they have mates tossing chum. On a good night, you can fill a 5 gallon bucket.
Â
The Frances fleet used to fish over by the Newport bridge when the fishing off the beach was slow, but I haven't seen them do that in years. Nowadays they patrol the beaches just west of point judith. Their are usually plenty of squid there though, so it gives you more fishing time and keeps costs down. They used to charge about $50 a head. Not sure about current pricing. You can buy jigs from them or use your own.
Â
If you don't want to put up with the party boat crowds, you can also take a charter. Not as bad as you think, many do open boat trips and it is just slightly higher than the party boat rate.
Â
Fishing from the boat is very similar to shore, except almost no chance to break a lure off on the bottom. You will be in 30-50 feet of water, and the squid won't (usually) be on the bottom.  You may need an assist weight if the current is ripping (1 oz is fine). But otherwise, you are just jigging (called squidding) the upper water column.
Â
You do have to put up with crappy weather though. Seems like April through May is one constant blow and choppy seas.  That gives the party boats an edge.  Bigger boats are more stable and you can go into a heated cabin to warm up.