Collecting saltwater critters in Rhode Island

[quonnie]

Has anyone ever collected saltwater fish in RI? What is there to be had? I know about the hermits the pink lady crabs, cunners, I caught pipe fish and small flounder but anything else. Where would you go I am thinking around the breachways. I have snorkel gear but no scuba.

 

[gavinthefish]

I know of a few people that collect off of long island. They get some cool stuff. Check the new york club forum there should be more info.

 

[sean1]

I live in NYC and I have found some cool native fish with a seine net such as sundials, flounder, pipefish, senets, and blackfish. Out on Long Island I have even caught some tropical species that come up on the gulf stream from the carribean and possibly west africa. You don't have to hold any guilt for removing them from the wild because all the tropical species are either invasive, like the lion fish, or will die in the winter months.

 

[SAPseven]

i live in brooklyn ny

to my surprise .. i've caught copperband butterfly fish , triggers, blowfish and koran angels quite often .. i was surprised myyself when these came up but hey.. they exist here too ...and of course the more local fish .. bluefish.. striped bass.. black fish.. seabass.. cunners.. scup .. all sorts of eels ..

i was fishing a few days ago .. and i snagged a flying fish at night .. that was a nice catch never seen one before .. but i let it go ..i have my pic i'll upload it later

but alot of interesting fish do come up all over the place i think the best "kit" for finding them is

small fishing rod + snorkels+ 2x aquarium nets for trapping fish

and you're good to go

 

[Elan L.]

Why would you use a fishing rod under water? And if you catch native fish to the area be careful that they can withstand the temperatures in your tank. they are you usually used to colder waters than the tropical fish aquarium.

 

[vito is hooked]

Grew up in the MINI STATE, as kids living on narragansett bay, we have caught so many baby fish like stripped bass, sea robins(wicked kool looking fish, looks like a dwarf lion fish) monk fish, tataug, flat fish, puffers, Just got back from there (Bristol) fishing off of Block Island and Prudence Island Stripers, and blues everywere/

 

[Sock Puppet]

This is the time of year to do it--go with a seiing net and you'll be surprised at what fish you get. Look out for lionfish though--

 

[AngeloM3]

HEY I'm from Rhode Island..... never collected stuff around here.

I would assume anything collected around here is a "cold water" species.

 

[PL-Reef]

RI is a great place to go net tropical fish during late summer. Many people in my local club have done this. I believe in the Newport and Jamestown area.
The fish come up in the warm gulf stream, and are able to survive while the water is warm.