Rhode Island Fishing Report | September 11, 2014

Large schools of bait have resulted in big bluefish feverishly hunting in Rhode Island waters, while false albacore and bonito are knocking on our door from the east.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

It’s been more of the same for striped bass anglers around Narragansett, where fishing remains very spotty. Howard, at Galilee Bait and Tackle in Narragansett, had some good news, as local surfcasters reported some decent keeper bass coming from the beaches after dark, but that seems to be the extent of the bass bite right now. Fluke fishing is winding down as the migration kicks off, which is translating into an inconsistent bite but some very large fish for those who could find a bite. False albacore and bonito continue to show themselves around the West Wall, but sightings remain sporadic. Larger concentrations of albies are at points east and around Block Island and should be in local waters very soon. Tautog fishing is really catching steam on the local reefs and rockpiles, but with large numbers of scup still in the area it is difficult to get a bait down.

Steve, at Quaker Lane Bait and Tackle in North Kingstown, reported that a bright moon and some tough seas have made it difficult for local surfcasters over the past week. Those who have battled conditions and put their time in have taken some bass on the rocks from Narragansett to Watch Hill, but locating a fish over 15 pounds remains difficult. Large schools of peanut bunker, silversides and bay anchovies are keeping bluefish and small school bass busy on the South County beaches. False albacore and bonito reports have been sporadic and widespread across the state, with the more consistent reports coming from the Newport-Jamestown area.

Bluefish and bottom species dominate the catch across western South County according to Breachway Bait and Tackle in Charlestown. Large schools of bluefish chasing small bait are all over the beaches and around the mouth of the breachways. Striped bass are far from plentiful, but some small schoolies are mixed in among the bluefish and some larger specimens are still residing on the Watch Hill Reefs. Fluke fishing has died down in the area but black sea bass remain as plentiful as ever, both locally and around the island. Scup fishing has been very good on all local rockpiles and shore anglers are finding keeper scup and some tautog at the breachways, around east beach and in front of the lighthouse.

Fishing Forecast

While the bulk of the false albacore and bonito reports remain to the east, it does not take these fish long to cover some water. An over-abundance of small bait should get these fish here soon, and keep them here for a while. If the weather permits it may be worth covering some ground and searching for blitzes this weekend. If the funny fish can’t be located it is a safe bet that you will be rewarded with some blitzing bluefish and schoolie bass for your efforts.