Rhode Island Fishing Report 7-24-14

An extraordinary striped bass bite of mainly jumbo fish in the waters around Block Island has dominated the fishing chatter across the Ocean State. Black sea bass, jumbo scup and a few doormat fluke are still abundant across New England, as just about all our saltwater options remain open and are going strong.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

The word across most of Rhode Island is of a fierce striped bass bite at Block Island, and it was more of the same at Quaker Lane Bait and Tackle in North Kingstown, where Steve informed me that 40-pound fish have been common enough for most anglers to make the trip over. Quality bass have been coming both day and night, but quality and quantity seems to improve after dark for anglers drifting live baits or bucktails. The Block Island surf also remains consistent, and 20-pound fish have been easy to come by for local rockhoppers. Locally, some hefty bass were taken in the upper bay this week, as bunker numbers remain very good. With the bass keyed in on bunker, a live or chunked offering has produced the majority of the fish and has also fooled a few gator bluefish. Big scup have been easy to come by from the boat and shore in the bay, and a few large black sea bass have been taken on the deeper rockpiles.

At Galilee Bait and Tackle in Narragansett, Howard reported that most of the local striper hunters found their way out to the island this week and the results were generally very successful. Again, most of the common methods have worked day and night; while live eels after dark have accounted for the largest fish, including a few over the 50-pound mark. Black sea bass continue to be easy to find in local waters and around the island, with more quality fish coming from the deeper rockpiles around the island.

Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, reports that it was a good week for striped bass anglers, and it’s no surprise that anglers fishing Block Island fared the best. It was not uncommon to hear of 5 or more fish over 40 pounds per trip at the island this week, and it was pretty uncommon to hear of a skunking. Locally, striped bass fishing also took a bit of an upswing on the Watch Hill reefs, where 30-inch class fish seemed to have filtered in nicely. Surfcasters reported some better catches at the mouths of the breachways after dark; while Napatree Point continues to fish well for those willing to make the hike. Fluking has hit its tougher summer stages where shorts dominate the catch but some better fish were taken in the deep water outside of Weekapaug Breachway and Misquamicut this week. Jumbo scup remain easy to locate across South County and the shore crew is still finding them with regularity at the lighthouse.

Fishing Forecast

A dismal and scary early striped bass season has given way to much better fishing as we fall deeper into the summer season. Another banner bass bite is taking place at Block Island and if you have the time and means to make the trip, it will almost certainly provide your best chance for a cow.