Rhode Island Fishing Report – July 28, 2016

Block Island continues to put up doormat fluke and cow bass on a steady basis, while those staying closer to home have to work harder, but are finding good results for all species.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

Captain Frank, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, has had another strong week of fluke fishing, including one of the best trips in years at the tail end of last week. That trip saw an entire boat limit of fluke and was back at the dock by 2:30! Of the sixty or so keeper fish during that trip, the vast majority fell into the 5-8 pound range. No fish hit double digits this week, but again the great number of fish around the 8-pound mark is an excellent sign. The full day trips had a bit more luck than the half day trips, but all trips have produced good numbers. Black sea bass also remain relatively easy to find, with many of those fish going over the 3-pound mark. The nighttime striped bass trips remain a bit hit or miss, but things seem to be trending in the right direction. Each trip last week saw an increased number of fish in the 20-pound class. Those nighttime bass trips will continue to sail on Wednesday thru Saturday at 7 PM, by reservation.

Pete, at The Saltwater Edge in Middletown reports that the striped bass bite has hit a bit of a summer lull for local surfcasters, but the same cannot be said for the boat anglers. Block Island has been on fire, with quality bass all over the ledge; while local results have also been very strong. Drifting eels has been the go to method at the island, while local anglers are actually still seeing good results on large topwater plugs as well as bait. Black sea bass and fluke are both very steady around Newport, especially if you find some lesser fished water; while the island continues to hold the biggest of each species. Everyone is also patiently waiting the arrival of the first bonito, as quite a few have been seen in the local fish traps and caught around the Vineyard.

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reported that the fluke bite has been outstanding at Block Island, including a 14-pound beauty weighed in by Brandon Hagopian. You don’t have to travel all the way out to the island for keepers though, as Jamestown and Newport are producing just as well, minus some of the hefty doormats. Bluefish are now readily available in the Providence and Seekonk rivers; try soaking some fresh menhaden or mackerel and toss some large topwater plugs while you wait for them to hit your bait. It’s no surprise, but great numbers of bass are hitting eels and umbrella rigs at the ledge. Scup and sea bass fishing remains very productive for anglers in the mid to lower bay, as well as around the South County breachways and rockpiles. Solid bluefin tuna reports are starting to come in more and more each day and aren’t too far from home.

Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, also mentioned that the fluking around the island is excellent and quite a few anglers are cashing in on the bite. Large schools of big sea bass are also all around the island and 30-40 pound striped bass are common at the ledge. Locally, anglers are still finding fluke and sea bass around South County, but weeding through the shorts is a bit of a chore. If you’re not up for a trip to the island, some quality striped bass can also be taken on the watch hill reefs; with the night bite greatly outfishing the daylight. Slab scup remain easy to find all over the local hard bottom.

Connecticut Fishing Report

At Hillyers in Waterford, John reports that fluke fishing remains steady around Black Point and the Bloody Grounds. Doormats are few and far between, but there seems to be a decent pick of 20-25 inch fish. Block Island and Montauk are seeing some excellent fluking; while inside the bay and around the Waterford shoreline, shorts dominate the catch. Sea bass catches picked back up this week; while the best bluefish and bass action has been at The Race. The few guys who are targeting blackfish are still reporting good results from Groton to Niantic.

At Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, a good majority of customers are picking up fresh bunker and heading to the mouth of the CT River for some excellent bluefish action. Big blues are taking chunks and topwaters at all the usual hotspots. The sea bass and fluke results for most anglers remain pretty good, although most are reporting that they have to work for them and keep moving around. Blue crabbing has really taken off in the lower river as well and provides an excellent option during the summer doldrums.

At Rivers End in Old Saybrook, most have reported continued success for striped bass locally, due to a good push of bait around the mouth of the river. Most of the local haunts around the river mouth are holding fish at one point or another, the key is just locating those bait schools, as they don’t appear to have a set pattern. The Race has also seen a good uptick in bass activity and has been a bit more consistent than the inshore reefs. Fluke has become a bit tougher locally and it is time to start looking deep at places like Black Point and Long Sand Shoal. At Block Island however, the fluke fishing has been lights out, with great numbers of fish around the 10-pound mark. Scup fishing has been excellent at Bartletts, Black Point, Hatchetts and Hens & Chickens. Big bluefish can be found cruising in and out of the river mouth; while loads of blues are being taken at Plum Gut on topwater plugs and jigs.

Captain TJ, of Rock and Roll Charters, had a good week on the water, with the main focus being striped bass. Action has been very steady for 25-32 pound fish, while many more large schools of bluefish have filtered into the area over the past few days. The local black sea bass bite has slowed down some, but scup has picked up the slack and has been excellent.

Ian, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, reports that the bunker schools remain thick out west and bluefish from 3-pounds to the mid-teens are all over them. School striped bass are being taken around the islands at dawn and dusk, on small plugs and flies; while the big bass bite appears to be confined to the nighttime hours with fresh bait. Scup fishing is great on the shallow rockpiles, while the excellent fluke season continues to get better.

Rhode Island Fishing Forecast

If you haven’t heard, there are big striped bass all over Block Island. It has been worth the ride for whoever is willing to make it, but if you prefer to stay close to home, think about hitting the reefs after dark. If you do head out to the island, bring the fluke gear as well and you should have a good shot at a doormat.