Rhode Island Fishing Report
The Frances Fleet in Narragansett found some more quality fluke this past weekend on both the full-day and half-day trips. The full day trip saw bait everywhere they stopped and there were many limits of fluke to 7-pounds. The half-day trip also found a stack of bait, with plenty of hungry fish underneath. They caught keeper fluke, scup, stripers, bluefish and some quality sea bass, which is a good sign for the opener on the 24th. The squid fishing also remains steady, with many anglers filling buckets on the Sunday night trip. The fleet also announced a limited load full-day fluke trip set for July 2. The trip is limited to 40 anglers and will run from 5 am – 5 pm, make sure to make reservations. If the trip is a success they will be adding more dates as the season rolls on.
Captain Russ, of The Seven B’s in Narragansett, reported some tougher drift conditions this week, but when he was able to sustain a decent drift, they found some nice fish. A good pick of keepers to 10 pounds came over the rails, and again the sea bass numbers seem very strong for the opener. Full day fluke trips will continue to run 7 days a week and private charters are available on the Jeannie B.
Captain Brian, of Big Game Sportfishing in Wakefield, reports that conditions got a bit tougher around the island this week, as the dogfish have invaded the island in huge numbers. Last weekend’s Fluke till ya Puke tournament was still a success, with many anglers running toward Montauk and/or finding some good fish inshore. The tournament had its largest turn out to date as it continues to grow. While the dogfish have hurt the fluke bite at the island, the striped bass bite out there continues to improve and remains steady in the bay.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that the load of big bass that have been up in the East Bay are still there and can be found harassing the bunker schools. There are also some quality bass around Newport, and the south shore beaches are fishing well due to an influx of sand eels. The fluke fishing has been great around the bay and has picked up quite a bit along the local beaches. The scup fishing also greatly improved this week, with fish to 15 inches taking squid, worms or clam necks. The squid guys are still reporting good numbers in the area, with the best catches coming from Block.
Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly reported much better fluke fishing along the local beaches this week, with pretty consistent catches of 6- to 8-pound fish. The fish can be found at varying depths, but the best catches seem to be in 30 to 50 feet of water. There are plenty of striped bass along the Watch Hill reefs, but they are feeding on sand eels, which has made them quite finicky. Surf anglers throwing sand eel imitators after dark are finding a bit more success. The scup fishing has improved greatly, with fish to 15-inch fish being caught by both shore and boat anglers.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, reported that slowly but surely the fluke fishing is coming to life locally. The deep water of Hatchets, Black Point and Millstone are producing, along with Fishers and the Rhode Island beaches. Dogfish have invaded Block Island, making Montauk a safer bet for a giant doormat. The sea bassing is red hot in the central sound around Six Mile and most other pieces of deep structure in that area. Striped bass action has slowed locally, while scup action has picked up from Saybrook to Madison.
Lou, at Hillyers in Waterford, reports that The Race has still been the best bet for bass to 40 inches, but they are starting to see some better fish around Bartletts after dark. Some decent fish are also being reported in the lower Connecticut River. The fluke bite picked up along Fishers and in local waters, with some quality fish taken at Outer Bartletts and Black Point. The deep water off Black Point is holding a few keeper sea bass, but overall it is still slow. Scup on the other hand, are being caught pretty well at Pleasure Beach and Black Point.
Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, reports that he is starting to find some really nice bass on bunker and large topwater plugs. There are also massive sand eels schools which have set up some nice schoolie and bluefish blitzes. Overall, action is very good for all sizes of bass and blues so call today for a trip!
Joe, at Rivers End in Old Saybrook, reported that the striped bass fishing has been tricky locally, with a lot of anglers reporting finding fish that were unwilling to bite just about anything. A few decent bass came around the new moon for anglers fishing after dark, but the best action has been around The Race. Millstone outflow is loaded with bluefish and they are starting to spread across the eastern sound. Fluke fishing has been a bit slow but rather steady with some decent catches off Black Point, Two Tree and Fishers. Scup are starting to bite all over the place, while the sea bass remain concentrated on deep structure in the central sound.
Heather, from the Black Hawk in Niantic, told me that the scup fishing was excellent once again this past week. A nice mix of jumbo scup, a few fluke, bluefish and striped bass were all caught on most trips this week. Limits of scup have been common on most trips and the night striped bass trips also remain very steady. Reminder – the bass trips are limited to 20 anglers so a reservation is required.
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 things really got going this week for most species. A nice body of fluke has moved into the shoals and reefs closer to shore and catches have increased significantly. Sea bass are mixed in with the fluke but can be found in numbers in deep water still. Limits are common with lots of 3- to 4-pound fish coming over the rails. Bass fishing is steady and improving. Fish are leaving the western sound while chasing bunker east, and the mouth of the river and surrounding reefs are holding nice fish. Try the “DOC” for surface fishing or shads jigged vertically or slow retrieved in deeper water. Offshore, shark fishing has been the way to go as the tunas have only just knocked on our “local” canyon doors. We did see a confirmed big eye caught in one of the eastern canyons. Not many boats have headed out yet, so reports are still scarce
Fishing Forecast
After a slow start to the season, it seems that things are starting to get going. Fluke reports are no longer strictly coming from Block and Montauk, with some bigger fish entering the sound and around the Rhode Island beaches. Striped bass fishing is steady in most locations, with only the eastern sound lagging a bit behind. Scup fishing is strong in both states, while things are shaping up nicely for the Rhode Island sea bass opener on June 24.