Pictured above: Thomas Quartararo with a solid top-water Block Island striper.
Bottom fishing remains as strong as ever and it finally appears that the striped bass are no longer lagging behind. Good catches of linesiders are coming in from CT and RI, along with plenty of heavy bluefish.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Captain Frank, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, reported another week full of easy sea bass limits for most boats. The overall size of most sea bass has been extremely large; so much so that some anglers aren’t keeping fish under 5-pounds. Fish eclipsing the 6-pound mark has also not been uncommon. Most trips have also had varying numbers of good sized fluke in the mix. Last Friday and Saturday in particular saw quite a few big fluke, with hi-hook landing over the 9-pound mark. The fluke are spread out and finding good ones often takes some searching and multiple tactics. If you take a trip on the fleet, be prepared to fish varying depths and varying weights, as that could change from spot to spot.
Pete, at The Saltwater Edge in Middletown reported that things have really started to pick up for local striped bass anglers. The local reefs are holding good numbers of quality bass; while Southwest Ledge seems to have come alive once again. Even on some of the slower days, anglers at the ledge are reporting large schools of bass on their electronics and at least a handful of fish ranging from 30-50 pounds. Big bluefish have been holding steady around the Providence River; while throughout the Newport area they seem to come and go on a daily basis. Things have been slower for the surfcasters, but those relegated to the late night shifts have found some good bass from Newport to Narragansett. At least lately, surfcasters are finding much more success with live eels over artificials. Scup, sea bass and fluke have remained steady; while news of some bonito caught in the fish traps has the funny fish anglers gearing up for their arrival.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reported that the fluke bite has been steady for Rhode Island anglers from Misquamicut to Newport. Doormats have become a bit more uncommon, but anglers are finding fish to 8-pounds with little difficulty. Gator bluefish can be found crashing the surface inside the Providence River, with a few taping out all the way over the 40-inch mark this week. Striped bass anglers are still finding a few fish around what’s left of the bunker schools in the upper bay, but the mid to lower bay has been much more consistent of late. The offshore shark bite has been very good and relatively close to home. Longtime customer Cody Trostel took the Snug Harbor shark tournament with a monster 343-pound thresher. Dave also mentioned not to overlook summer freshwater fishing, as the largemouth bite has been very good at most of the local lakes and ponds.
Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, reports that life on the Watch Hill reefs picked up exponentially over the past week. Large schools of small bass can be found throughout the area; while a few over the 40-pound mark have also started to show up. Anglers taking to Block Island have also started to find a steadier pick of 40-pound class fish, although things have been slower for shore bound anglers on the Block. Misquamicut remains the best bet for local fluke fishing, but action is reportedly much more hit and miss than in previous weeks. The southeast side of Block Island seems to be a better bet for large fluke, if you can get past the dogfish. Black sea bass and scup is strong across the board, with shore anglers having no problem getting in on the scup bite as well.
Connecticut Fishing Report
At Hillyers in Waterford, John reports that fluke fishing has been pretty steady locally, although most have to weed through a good number of shorts. Moving from spot to spot seems to be a strong tactic, along with looking for 30-35 feet of water. Black sea bass has picked up throughout the eastern sound, and the few anglers who have been out after blackfish have reported good results. Striped bass action has picked up at Black Point and Bartletts, including a few big fish that have fallen for the tube and worm at Black Point. Keeper bass and big bluefish have also been pretty prevalent at The Race; while locally dawn and dusk has provided the best opportunity at finding some blitzing blues.
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, reported that the striped bass action in the sound has finally improved to a fairly steady level, but a good majority of anglers have made the run to Block Island for a shot at a 50. Gator bluefish have invaded the area around the mouth of the river, and anglers have had fish from 8-18 pounds at the DEEP Dock and Dock N Dine. Keeper fluke can be found throughout the sound, but action has been up and down. Andy suggests moving around throughout the local hotspots, including but not limited to; Long Sand Shoal, Sarah’s Ledge, Black Point and the mouth of the Connecticut. Scup and sea bass catches have been strong, with shore anglers finding keeper scup at Harkness and Bluff Point.
At Rivers End in Old Saybrook, word is that a fresh push of striped bass has recently moved into the sound from Madison to Saybrook. Quite a few of these fish have been large and covered in sea lice. Locally, the best bite has been around the mouth of the river, where these fish have been harassing some schools of adult bunker. A good pile of smaller bass has also moved into the Watch Hill area; while at Block Island anglers have been pulling some cows at Southwest Ledge. Some of the best local fluke fishing is now coming from the mouth of the river, including a 10-pound beauty that was landed right at Saybrook Point. Long sand shoal and Soundview has also had a steady pick of short and keeper fluke. Scup is strong at Hatchets, Bartletts, Black Point and Hens and Chickens; while the best sea bassing is now coming from spots off the beaten path.
Captain TJ, of Rock and Roll Charters, also mentioned that the black sea bass bite has slowed down just a bit in the more common spots, but they are still relatively easy to locate if you move around a bit. Fluke and scup have started to pick up the slack for bottom fishermen; as good fluke now seem to be spread out all over the sound, while the scup bite is red hot all over. TJ also noticed that the striped bass bite has taken a turn for the better, as more fish seem to have settled into their normal summer haunts. Bluefishing has also become very consistent, so it is now a great time to book a multi-species trip.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
Based on reports from both Connecticut and Rhode Island, it would appear that the striped bass pushed in with a vengeance this week and can now be found in most of their usual summer locales. Whether it’s Long Island Sound, the Watch Hill Reefs or Block Island, it seems that striped bass trips this weekend will be much more fruitful than a week ago. Sea bass, scup and fluke catches also remain steady and will anchor things for the bottom fishermen.