Frances Fleet - Rhode Island
March 19-20, 1999
1-800-66-CATCH
There's nothing like driving to a place that I have never been before...in the dark...down long twisting roads with signs the size of coffee cups. While your driving at 55 mph., say to yourself "that probably was the turn off, but I'll just go one more mile, maybe, just maybe the turn will be up ahead" as you bite your lip. Saying a few choice words to yourself, you realize that you have over shot your exit by 30 miles, so you turn around, tie the crow a little tighter around the hood ornament of your chevy and back track. Oh the fun of finding your destination! Well that's how I got to the Frances Fleet in Rhode Island.
I don't mind going the distance for fish...BIG FISH...if you get my drift boys and girls...and the Gail Francis did not disappoint my expectations. I finally got my shot between weather fronts...I'm sure that the Captains must be pulling their hair out with this March from hell. But on this day we managed to sneak out between fronts. The boat has bunks for everyone...just get there early and claim your spot. I always appreciated getting some sleep on those long trips out, so that I can be fresh to hammer some puppies when we get there. I crashed out after having a great meal at their restaurant located right at the dock. Had some great clam chowder, New England style what else!
Anyway, let's get to fishing. The first stop was a pick. A few her a few there...so the Captain
picked up and left to the next wreck. We were picking away at some nice hake and cod. These hake were scary...we're talking 30 pounds and better. We were not hammering yet, but doing a fine job. The Captain said "not what I'm looking for" so the anchor came up and off we went again. This next wreck was the ticket to the show.
As soon as I dropped my line wham-bam-thank-you-sir...one nice plump cod! I know this tune, so I rebaited immediately and dropped her right back and smack I was on again. Up came a nice 20 pound hake. One of the guys next to me slammed a hake that was close to 40 pounds. This thing was definately hanging around 3 Mile Island! We were slamming nice cod in the twenties and monster hake for over an hour and a half.
You don't need numbers, just use your imagination. St. Peter had answered our fishing prayers! The boat was immaculate...sleeping quarters get three stars. The mates were polite and very helpful throughout the trip especially for those guys who are into tangling anything that they come close to. The Captain was a true pro getting us over those wrecks in that wind and tide. No easy task for sure. They have a great set up that makes for a clean easy fishing trip. The Gail Francis has a large variety of trips throughout the week, plus local Block Island day trips. Well worth those travelling miles to a destination that produced.
Some of the count went like this...Brian D. with 45 fish including a 20 pound pollack...Emil S. with 20 fish including a 20 pound pollack...Wayne R. from Staten Island with 10 cod, 2 pollack and 10 hake...the largest cod caught on the trip was 34 pounds.