Projo Fishing: HotBytes

Charter boat skipper Jim White, the author of Monster Shallow Water Stripers, still has openings for his three-day series of seminars on catching striped bass.

He is calling the weekend "Shallow Water Striper University." It will include a panel of experts known for their ability to catch big bass on light tackle. The series of seminars is scheduled for Mar. 12-14 at the Sheraton Motor Inn in Warwick.

"This weekend-long event will be the first of its kind ever held where the entire focus is totally on how to find and catch more striped bass," White said.

"An all-star line up of experts will teach you how to become a better angler as they share their secrets for success." Several of White' fellow charter-boat captains will appear, including Joe Pagano, Blaine Anderson, Pat Rena, Ed Hughes, Jack Sprengel, Jerry Sparks, and Dave Cheiffo, as well as big-bass specialists Mike Laptew, Dave Pickering, Billy "Eel Man" Nolan, "Crazy" Alberto Knie, and Steve McKenna.

"Topics will include rigging and fishing soft plastic lures, fishing live bait, live eel fishing, menhaden fishing, fly fishing, kayak fishing, controlled depth fishing, tube and worm trolling and a lot more," White said.

Friday evening will feature a pool demonstration on fishing soft plastic lures effectively by White and Herb Reed, owner of Lunker City Lures and the creator of Slug-Go, Fin-S and other lures. Hot dogs and beer will be free on opening night.

The event is scheduled to start March 12 from 4 to 9 p.m. It will continue March 13 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and March 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The cost is $89. Proceeds will benefit RI Kids Special Olympics. Seating will be limited to 130 people, and White said, "Everyone who registers will receive a tackle bag worth at least $35 in value."

Register by mail by sending a check, payable to Shallow Water Striper University, to Wood Boat & Motor, 3630 West Shore Road, Warwick, RI, 02886 or stop by Ocean State Tackle in West Greenwich or Quaker Lane Outfitters in North Kingstown.

For more information, call Jim White at 828-9465.

On Barber Pond, left to right, Mike Barner, Nick DelBrocco, and Don Culp found fishing relatively slow today.

An icey breeze of preparations for Super Bowl parties -- something kept fishermen off the ice today. Several ponds in South County were virtually abandoned.

Two 8-pound trout reportedly came theough the ice at Barber Pond, according to Don Culp of North Kingstown who fished there today.

His friend, Mike Barner, hooked a large salmon today, but he couldn't get the fish out of the hole. The fish had taken a shiner.

Nick Del Brocco, another member of the North Kingstown ice-fishing trio, caught chain pickerel on shineres. On a jigging rod, he fishes a rig that resembles a tautog set-up, with a sinker on the bottom, and two dropper hooks above the weight. One of the hooks is about 12 inches off the bottom, and the other was higher.

Barber Pond, on Route 2 in South Kingstown, was stocked with Atlantic salmon and trout earlier this winter.

Hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts have the opportunity to earn an "advanced degree" in outdoor knowledge during the 34th annual Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition, Feb. 11-14, at Worcester's DCU Center.

"For 34 years, outdoor enthusiasts in New England have looked forward to the Worcester show to help them get ready for the upcoming season," said show director Jonathan Sauers. "The wealth of experience and knowledge represented in our seminars and clinics is second to none.

"Whether it's the all-star line up of nationally known guest speakers or the hundreds of guides or factory representatives, there are easily 500 lifetimes of hard-earned "smarts" represented. Every exhibitor and guest speaker is here to help you succeed in the upcoming 2010 outdoor season."

Bass fishing, a favorite among many expo-goers, is well-represented. Mark Zona of ESPN's Greatest Fishing Show, and Tim Horton, one of the top all-time money winners on the professional bass circuit, will share their secrets of success.

New England's own father-son bass team, Steve and Joe Lucarelli will be on hand Sunday with techniques from novices to tournament anglers. "Steve and Joe are fresh off another incredible tournament season with over $300,000 in career earnings," said Sauers."Everyone can learn something from this great line-up of bass angling pros.

"Saltwater anglers have the opportunity to learn new tips and techniques from many of the best teachers that New England has to offer.Capt. Jim White, the monster fish expert; Mike Laptew, the underwater videographer and Dave Pickering, Rhode Island's poet laureate of saltwater angling will all hold court at the expo."

The American Sportfishing Association's "Advanced Saltwater Seminar" is scheduled for Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Instructors include nationally recognized experts such as Blaine Anderson, Mike Laptew, Jim White, "Crazy" Alberto Knie [pictured here] and Dave Chieffo.

"This is a hands-on approach to saltwater fishing." sauers said. "Everything from the boat to the surf will be covered." Advance registration of $50 is required. The $50 includes a four-day pass to the Expo. Go to www.sportshows.com under Features to register.

Show hours are Thursday and Friday from 12:30 to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.. and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $11 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Children under five are admitted free. Discount coupons are available on the show's website.

Outdoor enthusiasts are spotting bald eagles in Coventry, Providence and several communities on the east side of the Bay.

Rick Cady saw a pair of eagles at Lake Tiogue over the weekend, and Thom Pelletier found a pair roosting near his house on Black Rock Reservoir. Both lakes are in Coventry.

Yesterday, birdsonthe.net reported a bald eagle sighting over the Providence River, near Bold Point in East Providence.

There have been more sightings in the skies above Warren, Barrington and Bristol.

Eagles come to southern New England ahead of fish that spawn in the spring, such as American shad, herring and alewives. Bald eagles prey on the fish.

The largest concentration of eagles in southern New England is at the mouth of the Connecticut River near Essex, Conn. Occasionally, golden eagles soar among the bald eagles in Connecticut.

Addieville East Farm in Burrillville, rated among the top 10 sporting reserves in the United States, is bringing back Fireside Fly Tying classes at the lodge there. "It's a great event to bring us right up to spring and the start of the 2010 fishing season," says tying instructor and guide Ed Lombardo, pictured here.

The program is scheduled to start Feb. 15, and it will continue for seven Monday nights from 6 to 9 p.m.

"There will be six Monday nights of fly tying instruction in all, and on the seventh night we will hold our annual fly fishing spring party at the clubhouse," Ed says.

Instruction will cover freshwater and saltwater flies, and all tying materials, tools if needed, will be supplied.

The classes are open to everyone. The cost is $20 per night, and participants are not required to attend every class. "Come at your leisure, your choice," Ed says.

For more information and to register please call 401-568-3185.

High winds kept a large chunk of Watchaug Pond from feezing

Ice fishermen who braved the icy weather found a mixed bag of fishing contitions today.

Though nighttime temperatures fell dramatically, high winds Friday and Saturday kept large patches of open water on Watchaug Pond in Charlestown and many other large lakes in Rhode Island.

There were a few fishermen on Worden Pond in South Kingstown today, but the cold wind across the big pond made fishing uncomfortable for many anglers who fished elsewhere or went home.

Nearby, the much smaller 30 Acre Pond, pictured at right, had safe ice that attracted a handful of fishermen, but the bite was slow around noon.

Down the road, Hundred Acre Pond had so much open water that no one was fishing.

At Barber Pond in South Kingstown, Joe Rovinski said the bite had been very slow, but the ice was safe.Nearby, John Roderick agreed that the fishing had been slow, but he caught a few trout on mealworms.

Ken Johnson said he fished Carbuncle Pond in Coventry this morning and caught some action early, but the bite quickly died.

Pat Abate, the owner of Rivers End Tackle in Old Saybrook, Conn. has invited Bob Sampson, the well known outdoor writer, to talk about catching winter stripers, Saturday at 11 a.m.

"While most of us think all the stripers are enjoying a southern vacation, there's quite a few bass that can't afford the trip," says Pat. "They're resigned to spend the winter in quite a few New England estuaries. Nearby, we have the Thames, Housatonic and Connecticut Rivers. Bob is going to tell you how you can have never ending striped bass fishing."

Add the Providence River to that list.

"Rod building class starts Feb. 17," Pat says. "This three session class covers all the basics and beyond. At the end of the class you'll have a custom 7-foot spin rod. Cost is $40 plus parts, which are discounted to recover the class cost. Space is limited to 8 students and reservations are a must. Call me at (860) 388-2283 for details."