Offshore anglers continue to cash in on some great bluefin tuna and shark action, while inshore anglers tangle with big bluefish as they await the arrival of false albacore and bonito.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Bottom fishing aboard The Frances Fleet in Narragansett was up and down this week, with the weather and poor drift conditions making things difficult. Despite less than stellar conditions, most trips were able to pick away at some nice keeper fluke, sea bass and scup. Monday’s trip was the best of the week, with a nice pile of keeper fluke to nearly 10 pounds coming aboard. A handful of anglers managed limits of fluke, while the majority of anglers were able to take at least 3 to 4. Limits of sea bass were also plentiful on Monday, along with some nice scup to 2 pounds. Tuesday saw some tougher drift conditions, but still saw a few limits of fluke to 7 pounds and plenty of big sea bass. Saturday evening’s striped bass trip was one of the best this season. Striped bass catches in the 15- to 25-pound range were very common, along with the first really consistent bluefish action of the season. Full-day bottom fishing trips will sail daily at 7 AM through September, half-day trips will run from 8-12 and 1-5 until Labor Day and evening striped bass trips will sail Wednesday through Saturday at 7 PM by reservation.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence was on the water with Captain Rene LeTourneau earlier this week and had good light-tackle action in the Newport area. Things weren’t lock and load, but a good pick of bluefish, small stripers and sea bass came over the rails. It appears that the larger schools of bonito are still offshore, as catches have remained very sporadic in inshore waters. Larger striped bass are still being caught at Block Island, as well as the Watch Hill reefs. Cesin Curi found fish from 30 to 40 pounds while drifting eels at the island and a good pick of 40-inch-class fish at Watch Hill. Scup fishing has been very good at Hull Cove in Jamestown and Beavertail. Good numbers of tautog are also hanging around the Beavertail area. Snapper bluefish have moved in well and are keeping anglers busy in East Bay. Largemouth bass catches remain strong on topwater lures and Senkos throughout most of Rhode Island, with the best action coming from Olney Pond and Stump Pond. Dave also mentioned that he will be participating in a river clean up on Sunday the 20th. They will be cleaning up the Woonasquatucket River at the Rising Sun Mills Lofts. They are always looking for more volunteers, so if interested be sure to contact Dave at the shop.
At The Saltwater Edge in Middletown, the strong bluefin bite has kept the offshore anglers busy whenever the weather has allowed. Light-tackle anglers have had some success for small striped bass, bluefish and the occasional bonito around Newport. Block Island remains the safest bet for quality striped bass and fluke action. Sea bass and scup fishing has been strong on all the local rockpiles, while anglers who have started to target tautog are finding some keepers despite the warm temperatures.
Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, reports that the striped bass bite at Block Island remains strong and is probably the safest bet if you’re looking for big linesiders. If you’re looking to stay closer to home, the Watch Hill reefs continue to slowly but surely improve as well. Fish to 25 pounds are being reported from anglers drifting scup around dusk and eels after dark. Fluke fishing has been tough locally due to the abundance of short fish and Block Island remains the best bet for a quick limit. You can probably pick away at some keepers around South County and Fishers, but it may take you a while. Sea bass fishing has been excellent close to home and at the island, while scup anglers are finding dinner plates from both shore and boat. The few anglers who are starting to target tautog are finding some keeper around the lighthouse and the breachways. Tuna fishing remains relatively steady at The Dump and cod anglers are still catching well at Cox’s Ledge.
Connecticut Fishing Report
John, at Hillyers in Waterford reports some spots very close to home for them are producing the best catches of fluke outside of Montauk and Block. Multiple anglers have had good limit catches of fluke around Niantic on the deeper reef edges. The fish are tremendously deep, but most of the work has been done in 70-90 feet. Scup fishing hasn’t been quite as strong as years past, but fish over 15 inches are still being taken. Black sea bass fishing is great and only getting better. Despite the warm water, anglers have still been managing some great striped bass catches. The local reefs have had a few bass after dark, but livelining bunker or scup around Plum Island and Montauk has been best. Big bluefish are all over the area but seem to be moving quite a bit, so don’t count on finding them in the same spots from day to day.
Andrew at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, reports that the water was warmed up to an excessive level, which has slowed down the striped bass bite. The bluefish don’t seem to mind however, as catches for big gators have been excellent all over the area. The mouth of the river is still holding big blues on bunker, while hotspots such as The Race, Plum Gut and The Sluiceway are all holding tons of blues. Fluking has been tough in local waters, with the exception of a few good fish in Niantic. The area just south of Montauk has been very good for fluke, and is worth the run if you’re looking for doormats. Bonito reports are trickling in from Rhode Island, but it has not blown open yet. The lower river tributaries are holding a great deal of snapper bluefish and the blue crabbing is excellent.
Captain TJ, of Rock and Roll Charters, has also cashed in on the strong bluefish bite this week. TJ reports that most of Long Island Sound is now holding big bluefish. Just find some good moving water and chances are you can find some hungry gators. TJ has also found some striped bass in the same areas, during the slower periods of the tide. Cow bass have been few and far between, but solid keeper fish have been attainable and should only get more common when the water starts to cool. Scup in the 14-to 16-inch range are also common and are providing anglers with some good table fare.
Mike Roy of Reel Cast Charters has been rewarded nicely for putting in long hours after dark over the last couple of weeks. Despite the warm water, Mike reports that there are some quality striped bass cruising the shallow eastern sound reefs after dark. The fish have been a bit tougher to locate recently, but generally if you keep moving from spot to spot you can locate multiple fish over the 30-pound mark. Fish have been taking live eels and livelined bunker; while a nice push of big bluefish to 17 pounds have shown up and are taking bait and big plugs around dusk and dawn.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
Not much has changed in terms of the bonito action, as most anglers who have found some in Rhode Island have chalked it up to luck. Big bluefish are patrolling most of their usual summer locales and providing anglers with a chance to fine tune their light-tackle action as they await the arrival of false albacore and bonito. Fluke, scup, sea bass and a few tautog are holding strong for the bottom fishermen in both states.