Everyone is talking about the big bass bite at Block Island this week, but there are loads of other options as well, including some very good fluke fishing.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Daytime beachgoers are enjoying a run of small bluefish along the beaches and up insider Narragansett Bay. Small metal lures like Kastmasters are working well. There are still good-sized bass in Upper Narragansett Bay chasing bunker, so it seems like the warming waters haven’t chased them out of the bay quite yet. We should be entering a transition period soon, where larger bass will drop out of the bay and head for cooler water on the reefs across Jamestown and Newport.
Fluke fishing has been solid. Fishermen have been finding keeper fluke with relative ease at all the usual local hotspots, including the Jamestown and Aquidneck Islands, and plenty of keepers have also been reported from the upper bay.
Surfcasters were doing well around Block Island around the full moon, but that bite has slowed down this week. It’s the same story for boat anglers, who had a phenomenal week following the new moon, catching numerous big bass including countless 40s, quite a few 50s and even a few 60-pounders in Block Island waters. Live eels accounted for many of the fish, and fishermen are hoping the action picks back up on the new moon this weekend.
Out on the Seven B’s V patrons are enjoying great fluke fishing. Experienced anglers are hitting limits and first-timers are connecting with keepers. Expect some sea bass to come aboard once the fishery opens on June 29.
Fishing Forecast
An incredible bite out at Block Island cooled off a bit this week, but it could be a different story as we approach the new moon this weekend. Trophy-class fish are around in Rhode Island, but it might take some time to connect. Hedge your bets by taking advantage of the great fluke fishing and the opening of sea bass season this weekend.
Hey Kevin,
Great report!
I’m from Michigan and will be visiting friends in Little Compton over the 4th of July weekend.
I’m mailing a couple rods out and going to try some surf fishing.
A few questions from a primarily freshwater guy?
I have a 10’6″ Med action rod with a Shmano 4000 series reel spooled with 20lb Suffix Braid.
Overkill? Am I better with Mono?
Should I bait bounce or cast artificials like a squid type or a plug?
Many thanks and keep up the great reports!
Kelly Johnson
Went out 3am Sat morning and fished Block island…marked tons of fish and bait…struggled all day never got a bass…bluefish blitz for a mile and had a hard time hooking up with them..wouldn’t even eat a eel…downsized to 4 inch jerkbaits to hook up..went flukin with same bad results…went home with 2 nice black sea bass and 2 nice fluke..everyone we talked too reported the same struggles..