Is there good spearing off Block Island?

[LwrKzUndrH2OHunter]

I might be traveling to Block Island at the end of August and was wondering if there is any decent spearing off Block Island. I was hoping to do some beach freedive spearing while there, is that possible? What size gun would best be suited for spearing in that area? Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

PJ

[Mike F]

PJ...Block Island is a GREAT spearfishing spot. I was up there a few years ago. When the conditions are right it does'nt get much better than Block Island...clear water and plenty of fish..Striped Bass,Tautog(Blackfish),Summer Flounder(Fluke) are abundant...there are great shore spots with easy access all around the Island....
As far as spearguns something in the 44 inch range is standard for the Northeast. I use a riffe mt2 with a 9/32 hawaiian flooper shaft,and two 9/16 bands with one wrap of 400 mono. You'll also want to use a floatline/bouy setup with a DIVE FLAG! Block Island is a big boaters vacation spot.
I'm sure there are other board members who have fished it more than I have and can give you more info. If the weather cooperates you are going love it. One of the fishiest spots on the East Coast.

[jackpine savage]

I agree, you should be able to go after Stripers and Tautog right of the shore. I use either my Mares Cyrano 700 or a JBL Explorer 20 with two bands. I prefer using the smaller guns because both of those fish tend to be in the more rocky sections of the coast. Good Luck

[loOse1]

Hey PJ, what dates will you be there? I'm going to be up that way visiting family late Aug/early Sept, maybe we can do some cold water spearing together for a change of scenery. I know a few great spots for tog/bass, if the timing doesn't work-out I'll get you directions. I'm planning on coming your way next weekend, you up for some diving?

Adam

[milhouse]

Shooting stripers with a jbl explorer 20?

How many bass tear off each summer?

[jackpine savage]

I use the JBL for Tautog, never had a problem with them tearing off. Don't get the chance to shoot Stripers unless I am in RI.

[LwrKzUndrH2OHunter]

I've got a few guns I think will work... a 90 cm Sporasub Black Viper, a 110 cm RA with reel, and a 115 cm Sporasub Black Viper. Of those guns which do you think will work best?

I have a homemade floatline and floats and will buy a flag to add to the set up but do you use the floatline as a breakaway of just attached to the gun?

Any info on exact spots would be very appreciated, thanks!

[milhouse]

The 90 cm Viper will make a good job (not with a single 16mm). The RA and the 115cm will be a bit long if the vis isn't perfect.

[Sergio DaSilva]

I've got a few guns I think will work... a 90 cm Sporasub Black Viper, a 110 cm RA with reel, and a 115 cm Sporasub Black Viper. Of those guns which do you think will work best?

I have a homemade floatline and floats and will buy a flag to add to the set up but do you use the floatline as a breakaway of just attached to the gun?

Any info on exact spots would be very appreciated, thanks!


For shore diving I'd probably go with the 90cm since the vis might be reduced due to any surf action. If you get a chance to get away from shore a bit (DIVE FLAG MANDATORY) then the RA 110 would be better. It's the same gun that I use out there with good success.

No breakaway setup needed. Just attach to the end of the gun. Bass have one, maybe 2 good runs then they're pretty easy to manage.

I've never shore dove at Block so I'm not sure about shore access but generally speaking good fishing can be had anywhere from the SE side all the way around to the SW side. To start maybe try navigating your way down the staircase near the SE lighthouse. Enter the water just under the lighthouse and swim amongst the boulders. I think you'll probably run into a bass or 2.

If at all possible, try and arrange a boat dive with the locals on the island once you get there.

[LwrKzUndrH2OHunter]

Both the 90 and 110 have 7mm Tahitian shafts and use a single 20mm band, should I drop down in band size to 2 16mm bands? Will this set-up work for both stripers, summer flounder and tautog?

I was thinking of trying to go out of Mohegan Bluffs beach, what do you think?

Thanks for all the help and advice

[Charlie45]

I actually just bought a JBL 38 Special Northwest that I'll be using for fishing off of Long Island. I'll be up there in August as well. Let me know if you want to get in touch.

[Sergio DaSilva]

Both the 90 and 110 have 7mm Tahitian shafts and use a single 20mm band, should I drop down in band size to 2 16mm bands? Will this set-up work for both stripers, summer flounder and tautog?

I was thinking of trying to go out of Mohegan Bluffs beach, what do you think?

Thanks for all the help and advice

Your gun setup is just right as is. I don't even know where Mohegan Bluffs beach is so I've no idea about the fishing there. I will say that I'd focus on the southern half of the island if I were you.

[LwrKzUndrH2OHunter]

"Mohegan Bluffs" = South East Lighthouse......the beach with the 10 million steps you have to walk down/up to get to.

[Diver Dude]

"Mohegan Bluffs" = South East Lighthouse......the beach with the 10 million steps you have to walk down/up to get to.

My buddy dove the Lightburne last week. Its a wreck that is very close to that beach. He said he saw quite a few trigger fish there.