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Block Island outlook bright for 2008

Striped-bass fishing at Block Island probably will be great this season, according to the experts, but one of them says it will be expensive for mainlanders.

"By the time you pay for eels and gas, it’s a $100 trip," said Johnny Martini, a commercial rod-and-reel fisherman, known for catching trophy stripers on live eels. Last season, he caught a 53-pounder. In 2007, gasoline cost well over $3 a gallon at marinas on the mainland and between $4 and $4.25 on the island. Anglers like Martini, who trailer their boats, will save money by fueling at inland stations, but the trip to Block Island will still be expensive.

Basing their forecasts on the last three years of fishing, experts believe the cost of traveling to Block Island should be an investment that pays off for anglers looking for large bass. Last season, nglers fishing aboard Fred Bowman’s charter boat, Bottom Line, caught three bass over 50 pounds, 30 fish over 40 pounds, and many more in the 20- to 40-pound range. Fred fished with hickory shad and eels as bait, and trolled his signature tube-and-worm rigs.

Posted by Tom Meade  at 8:54 AM | Permalink