Rhode Island Fishing Report
The Frances Fleet in Narragansett had some steady fluke action once again this week, along with some decent sea bass catches following Sunday’s opener. Drift conditions were poor last weekend but Captain Rich reported a decent day on the full boat trip. A few-dozen keeper fluke to 6 pounds came over the rails, along with nearly a full boat limit of sea bass to 4 pounds. Tuesday and Wednesday’s fluke trips were quite successful, with Captain Rich reporting fish at every spot they tried. High hooks took home limits of fluke, and the sizes remain excellen, including 2 fish over 10 pounds and five others in the 8- to 9-pound range.
Captain Russ, of The Seven B’s in Narragansett, reported that the fluke fishing picked up nicely last weekend. Each trip saw a good number of limits and some large fish in the 9- to 11-pound range. Starting in July, they will be running half-day trips Monday through Saturday with an extended Sunset trip on Sunday running from 1 to 8 pm. The Jeanie B is available for private charters of up to 6 people and they still have some weekend dates available.
Captain Brian, of Big Game Sportfishing in Wakefield, reports that the fluke fishing has been pretty good off the local beaches, and there are now plenty of big sea bass mixed in. There is still some solid fluke fishing out around the island as well, where the quantity and sizes remain better. The striped bass fishing around the island hasn’t really gotten going yet, but they have been picking up a few decent fish around the north end on diamond jigs. Offshore trips are starting to get planned as well and Brian anticipates getting out soon after sharks and possibly tuna.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that the Seekonk River has been pretty productive for striped bass over the past few days, with anglers scoring some nice fish on bunker. The Block Island fluke bite has been very strong over the past few days, if you can work around the dogfish. Locally, the fluking in the bay has remained steady and the sea bass bite has been very good on Gulp, squid and worms. Scup action is steady all over the rocky coast, with good reports from Rocky Point, Conimicut Point and Sabin Point. Freshwater anglers are reporting good catches of largemouth bass across the state on shiners and jigs.
Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly reported that the larger bass finally started to show up locally in pretty good numbers. 30- to 40-pound fish were caught pretty consistently last week from Watch Hill to Fishers and even a few eclipsing the 50-pound mark were in the mix. Some rather large schools of bunker have moved into the area, so it is no coincidence that the larger bass were right behind. Fluke fishing is decent off of the beaches, but you have to pick through a good number of shorts at this point. Sea bass action is heating up in the area and some large scup to 18 inches have been reported locally.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, told me that the bass fishing has been pretty slow for most of the month of June, despite more bunker showing up in the river. There have been some a few decent fish caught by anglers fishing around the mouth after dark, but overall it’s a tough bite. Anglers pounding the fluke grounds are finding some fish, but it also hasn’t been as productive as it usually is in June. In order to find a good haul of keepers you need to be willing to put some time in and often move spots quite often. Fishers, Two Tree, Black Point, Sara’s Ledge and the RI beaches are all producing from time to time, but none are very consistent from day to day. Those fishing the Misquamicut area are getting pretty steady catches of sea bass; which helps make up for the tough fluke bite at times.
Lou, at Hillyers in Waterford, reported that some better fluke were picked up off Hatchets and Black Point this week. While the bite may not be lock and load, there have been a nice mix of fish in the 8-10 pound range for those who put some time in. Sea bass action has been steady around the Dumping Grounds and is starting to pick up around Bartlett’s; while the best striped bass catches remain around The Race and Fishers.
Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, told me that some better fish have started to show in eastern CT, as the bunker have made their way over from the western sound. Good numbers of quality bass are still holding in the Western Sound and this upcoming heat wave should help push a good number of them east. Mike has also done a few bottom fishing trips and said that the sea bass and scup fishing is strong out in the deeper water.
Joe, at Rivers End in Old Saybrook, reported that bunker has moved into the river in better numbers and it has gotten slightly easier to find live bait over the past few days. There are a few nice bass in the lower river that are willing to eat, but overall the bite is still rather slow. The Race and Fishers seem to be fishing well after dark; while a good slug of nice bass seems to have moved into the Watch Hill area and along the RI beaches. The fluke bite has been good at Block, with fish to 10-pounds if you can get past the dogfish. Fishers is also producing some nice fish, but the consistency isn’t great from day to day. Sea bass is starting to get going in the eastern sound; while scup fishing has been great for shore and boat anglers.
Heather, from the Black Hawk in Niantic, told me that the scup fishing has been excellent and somehow seems to be improving each day! Full boat limits of jumbo scup have been easy to come by, and the sea bass fishing is also going strong and is now open in NY waters. Captain Matt also reports that the night striped bass trips have also been productive, with a steady pick of fish to 25 pounds this week. They anticipate running night trips Thursday, Friday and Saturday. They are still running trips daily at 7 AM, and Heather noted that the weekend schedule may change a bit in July so be sure to check with her in the office.
Captain TJ, at Rock and Roll Charters, reported that the bass fishing has slowed down a bit, with more short fish showing up this week. Despite the influx of schoolies, there are still some small tide windows where fish to 30-pounds have been popping up. Sea bass action remains very good and there are jumbo porgies in the mix most days.
Matt, at Cos Cob Charters told me that the bass bite has remained steady in the Western Sound, as the chunk bite has really picked up. Catches of 30-pound bass have been steady this week, with the largest fish going 37-pounds. The big gator bluefish have finally shown up as well, with fish to 15+ pounds this week.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
Striped bass and fluke fishing have been relatively inconsistent compared to previous years, which may be in part due to water temperatures that have been cooler than average. That should change this upcoming week as we see a week or so of 90+ degree weather. Striped bass action has ramped up quite a bit around Fishers and Watch Hill and I think we will start to see some better catches on the eastern sound reefs this weekend. Bottom fishing has been strong for sea bass and scup, while quality fluke catches are coming from all over the area, despite a bite that is inconsistent at times. With 100 degree inland temps this weekend, there is no better place to be than out on the water!