Droves of sand eels across Connecticut and Rhode Island are resulting in more fluke, while quality striped bass are knocking on the door, with good reports from the south and west.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Captain Matt, of The Frances Fleet in Narragansett, put together another productive week on the fluke grounds. Sunday’s trip saw the high hookers take home full limits of fish and many other anglers take home at least 3 for the table. Unfortunately, 17-18 inch fish are very common so there are a lot of throwbacks, but plenty of action. Tuesday’s trip was also solid, with some good mid-morning action. High hooks had limits of fish to 10-pounds, and most anglers were only a fish or 2 short of a limit. Wednesday’s trip was more of the same, with some nice fish on some new grounds. There is still some squid in the area and a ton of sand eels; as long as that bait hangs around the fishing should remain solid. Sunday’s night’s squid trip was very productive with full buckets for most anglers. The fleet anticipates sailing for squid Friday and Saturday night this week.
Captain Russ, of The Seven B’s in Narragansett, reported a strong week of fluke fishing with much better quality fish. Quite a few fish in the 8-9 pound range were landed, along with a few over 10 and a 12.5-pound beast. Sand eels are all over the place, which is certainly helping the bite. They didn’t make any squid trips this week, but they may be adding them back to the schedule if the bite picks up. Private charters on the Jeannie B are still available, so be sure to check with the office for a full updated schedule.
Captain Brian, of Big Game Sportfishing in Wakefield, had another strong week of striped bass fishing up in the Bay, with multiple 40-pound-plus fish caught on live bunker. The island is starting to see more striped bass as well, with fish to 38 inches being caught consistently on the troll. Fluke fishing was up and down last week, but seemed to blow open over the past few days. Brian was able to put together some excellent trips earlier this week, with the highlight being a 13-plus-pound doormat!
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that the striped bass fishing is improving all around the area. There are still plenty of bass in the east bay and in the Providence River. Steve Abdow reports excellent black sea bass fishing in Buzzards Bay, with jigs tipped with squid taking fish to 5 pounds.
Mike, at Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, reported that there has been a good striped bass bite on the Watch Hill reefs over the past week. All different sizes of fish are being caught, with most falling in the mid-30 inch range. Word from Block Island is that the bass bite is really starting to get going out there. No monster fish yet, but those trolling umbrella rigs are catching some nice fish. Decent numbers of bluefish are starting to mix in on the local reefs and at the island. Fluke fishing continues to improve daily off the local beaches and at the island, with an abundance of sand eels and squid at both spots.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, told me that the local fluking has been hit or miss in local waters, as it appears that we are still a couple weeks behind schedule. Locally, there are some fish off the Rhode Island beaches and the deeper water off Niantic and East Lyme, but the best results remain around Block. Sand eels are all over the place, so things should be picking up soon. Striper action has slowed a bit in the river, but there are still some decent fish to be had around the Woodlot and around the bunker schools north of 95. Sea bass reports are spotty and we are still a few weeks away from them filling in.
Lou, at Hillyers in Waterford, reported that some striper action is getting going in the area; the bay is loaded with small fish, while the Race and Plum Gut has consistent action of fish from 15 to 25 pounds. Sea bass and scup are starting to show on some of the local spots, but they both remain inconsistent. The shop has weighed some quality fluke over 8-pounds, but most anglers are reporting tough conditions, with a lot of short fish and some dirty water. The fishing for all of the ground species should improve over the next few weeks, with some warmer temperatures in the forecast.
Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, told me that bass action remains strong with bigger fish showing each day. Soft plastics, topwater plugs and flies are producing best, with fast action on most trips. There are bunker in the Western Sound with some large bass on them, it’s just a matter of time before they show up throughout the eastern sound.
Joe, at Rivers End in Old Saybrook, reported that the striped bass fishing has been pretty solid overall. There are some quality fish in the river, including a good amount over 40 inches that were caught in the flats. Plum Gut and The Race are holding some nice bass and some big bluefish, and they should be making their way to the eastern sound reefs soon. It seems that most of the popular fluke spots are now holding fish, but the action is still spotty. Fishing remains strong at Block and Montauk, but those fish should be heading our way soon.
Heather, from the Black Hawk in Niantic, told me that the captains found some excellent porgy fishing throughout the week at Montauk with jumbo scup to over 3 pounds, along with a mix of bluefish, fluke, and even a few striped bass. A lot of seabass, some over 5 pounds are also being caught, but with the NY seabass season still closed (it opens June 27) they were released unharmed. Capt. Matt has been running the night bass trips with excellent results. Bass of all sizes to 45 pounds have been climbing on the “striper snax” bucktails. Starting Saturday June 16th they will be sailing seven days a week at 7 AM, and will have after work specials on Thursday and Friday at 4 PM, along with some more night bass trips. Check with Heather for an updated sailing schedule and times.
Captain TJ, at Rock and Roll Charters, reported some great sea bass action, with limits coming on most trips. There has been some jumbo scup mixing-in with the sea bass which really makes for a fun day of bottom fishing. The striped bass fishing has also remained consistent, with many different sizes represented. Bass over 40 inches are being caught every week, but bluefish have remained very scarce.
The staff from Black Hall Outfitters reported that fishing as a whole is improving throughout the area. Good catches of bass from both surf and boat fishermen have come from the Thimble Islands to the mouth of the river. Dawn and Dusk patrol has yielded good catches on the surface with Texas rigged plastics and light jigs. Fluke are filling in but the lion’s share of fish remains across the sound in NY and RI waters. The western sound does have a nice consistent fluke bite, most likely due to warmer water temps. Gulp!, on a hi-lo rig has helped lots of anglers this week paired with a glass minnow teaser. Sea bass are around the mid-sound, but make sure you aren’t in NY waters, as the season hasn’t opened yet. But no matter where you are, think deep!
Matt, at Cos Cob Charters, was able to get out for a couple of quick trips this morning and told me that the bite is still red hot in the western sound, with fish approaching the 40-pound mark on all trips. A good slug of bluefish has moved in as well, and they are helping to keep rods bent.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
It is still apparent that we are a few weeks behind schedule for most species, but things are trending in the right direction. Slowly but surely more striped bass and fluke are filling in across Rhode Island and eastern CT; while in western CT both species are going strong. There is a plethora of bait, both large and small, throughout the region; so when the fish arrive they will likely be here to stay for a while. The marine forecast looks strong for the weekend so I expect good catches of both fluke and striped bass, even if it means traveling a bit.
Droppers