Rhode Island Fishing Report – December 8, 2016

Pictured above: David Henault of Ocean State Tackle caught sea bass and cod aboard Capt. Rob Taylor’s boat.

Cod and sea bass keep biting off Block Island, while many anglers are transitioning to freshwater fishing across Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

The Frances Fleet in Narragansett had some trouble getting out onto the water this week, but they were able to sneak out for a couple of successful trips Sunday and Monday. Anglers had very strong cod action during Sunday’s trip, with a many keeper cod to the 15-pound mark. Both trips saw near boat limits of black sea bass, and a nice mix of big keeper scup. All the recent tautog trips have been very successful, with plenty of fish to 10 pounds. The tautog trips are also starting to see a nice mix of keeper cod. Tautog trips will run daily to December 15, while cod trips will run Monday, Wednesday, Friday and weekends to December 31.

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, was just in from a very successful cod trip with Newport Sportfishing Charters when I spoke with him. Conditions were very good and the crew ended up with 27 cod, 15 seabass, a few pollock and even a weakfish. Aside from the strong saltwater bite around Block Island, carp are still biting good in the local freshwater rivers, and RI DEM just freshly stocked many local trout lakes and ponds.

At The Saltwater Edge in Middletown, reports of schoolie bass have been strong throughout South County—on the beaches, inside the salt ponds and inside the Harbor of Refuge. Cod action has been good on the East Grounds and around Block Island. The tautog bite is still reliable on Washington Ledge in Newport, as well as most of the deeper ledges of South County.

Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, reports that there is still some action to be had close to home. Ocean herring has made a nice push into South County and can be found in good numbers from Central Beach to Charlestown Breachway. There are good schools of bass to 15 pounds and bluefish behind the herring, and shore anglers have been able to cash in when they are tight to the beaches. The cod and sea bass bite also remains very strong around Block Island, whenever the weather allows a trip.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Hillyers in Waterford reports that scallop season is now open in the bay, and those who have been getting out are finding limits. The larger bass and bluefish have moved out of the area, but reports of schoolies from the local tidal rivers and beaches have been very good.

Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, said things have been quiet on the saltwater front, but freshwater anglers are finding good action throughout the state. The Connecticut River pike bite seems to have really taken off and the pre-ice bite is on. Good catches are coming from the Mattabesset River area, Haddam and Wethersfield Cove. Big live and dead baits, as well as big swimming plugs have been getting the job done. The calico bite also remains strong in the river, throughout most of the coves and marinas. Candlewood Lake anglers are reporting a red-hot smallmouth bite, with good numbers and great size. Those looking for schoolies have had good success throughout most of the Housatonic and lower Connecticut River.

Ian, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, reports that more herring have filtered into the harbor and the bite has been good. Shore and boat anglers are filling buckets with standard sabiki rigs. Striped bass fishing also remains pretty good out west, with small to medium size fish hanging around the mid-sound area. The Housatonic and Connecticut Rivers are now holding some really nice schools of bass, and provide a better opportunity at pulling out a few good keepers. Anglers fishing the rivers for bass are sticking with light jigs and soft plastics, while decent results are also being reported from the fly crowd. Despite the recent rain, the Saugatuck Reservoir remains low and is still fishing very well for walleye, bass and trout.

Torrey, at Upcountry Sportfishing in Pine Meadow, reports that the river is still moderately low but is much improved from where we were a month ago. Winter Caddis in the mornings and Blue Winged Olives in the afternoon remain the main hatches, with tiny Midges also in the afternoon mix. Water temps are in the mid 30’s to low 40’s, which means the trout will be starting to drop out of faster water and move to their slower moving winter lies. Metabolisms start to slow and the fish will be most active in the warmer afternoon hours. Streamers accounted for some good fish over the weekend and things should remain similar until we get some really cold winter weather.

Rhode Island Fishing Forecast

If the weather allows, Rhode Island anglers should look to take advantage of some good cod, sea bass and tautog fishing. Schoolie striped bass should be biting in both states, for boat and shore-bound anglers. Freshwater anglers should take advantage of some excellent pre-winter fishing regardless of the species. Pike, walleye, trout, carp, bass and calico can all be on the agenda this weekend.