Striped bass action remains the name of the game in the tidal rivers; while more and more keeper fish start to filter onto the reefs. Fluke action is still best on the other side of the pond, but they should be knocking on the door; along some big sea bass and scup.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Captain Greg, of the Frances Fleet in Narragansett, reported some decent fishing on the full day trips last week. The biggest fish of the year so far came over the rails on Wednesday and weighed in around 9-pounds. They are still getting a hefty number of shorts, but they have been able to pick away a decent number of keepers. The squid trips have been a success and they plan on running trips Friday, Saturday and Sunday night for the holiday weekend.
Captain Wade, of Booked Off Charters told me that the fluke are showing up in better numbers off Block, and the bite seems to improve a bit each day. Some windy weather has made things difficult this week, but they will be in full swing for fluke fishing starting Friday, and they may mix in some tautog action while the season is still open.
Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly reports that the local striped bass action has picked up with anglers getting fish to 32-inches or so along the beaches and breachways; while anglers checking out the herring runs are still finding some bigger fish. Harbor blues are starting to trickle in throughout the state, and the first semi-steady reports of keeper fluke from the beaches are coming in. The fluke action remains best at the island, but with the water temps climbing the fish are starting to show up locally! Rhode Island is chock full of bait; mackerel, squid, needlefish and bunker, so we should be seeing some big striped bass settling in in no time.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that in addition to the couple of large bass that has everyone worked up, there has been some good multi-species action in Rhode Island. Scup fishing is heating up, with some nice fish being taken on blood and sandworms in Narragansett, Jamestown, Tiverton and Portsmouth. Fluke action is best around Montauk or Block, but word of some keepers from local waters are starting to trickle in consistently. The bass action gets better and better each day throughout the region. BJ Silvia, of Flippin Out Charters, has been fishing around the East Bay and has found fish from 30-inches to 30-pounds on Al Gags Whip-It-Fish. Squid action took a step in the right direction with more consistent catches from both shore and boat anglers.
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Connecticut Fishing Report
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, told me that the river bass bite has continued to improve; especially for anglers fishing sandworms in the Cromwell to Middletown area. The mouth of the river is also producing good numbers of smaller bass for shore anglers dunking worms and boat anglers fishing soft plastics. There have been some bass to 25-pounds along the herring runs and you can find them around dusk, but you may have to work a bit for them or bounce around. Late night anglers are finding some bigger fish in the runs up north, but with the river starting to come down you need to play the tides/flows properly. Fluke reports continue to be strong from Montauk and Block, and it shouldn’t be long before rumors start coming from Fishers and the Rhode Island beaches.
Josh from Three Belles Outfitters in Niantic reports more bass in the 30” size range have shown up locally this week. Good reports are coming from the Race, Long Sand Shoal, and the larger tidal rivers. Some big bass have been coming from the western sound on bunker or the troll. Scup and weakfish seem to be firing up as well in the usual spots. In freshwater, pike fishing is on fire in the river, Bantam Lake, and Lilly. Bass fishing is up and down with most fish shifting into spawn mode. Be sure to safely release largemouth and smallmouth in the area you caught them in at this time of year so they can safely return to their beds.
Chris, at Black Hall Outfitters told me that some bigger bass are starting to show up around the sound. There are still some larger bass around the herring runs in the rivers, but many have also dropped out and are penning bait in the shallow estuaries. Anglers fishing the reefs in the central and western sound are having pretty good luck trolling Mojo rigs. The sea bass action hasn’t started up just yet, but we should be close as the water warms up this week. Fluke fishing was more consistent this week, but most of the action seems to be around the Greenport area or Montauk. More and more keepers have been in the mix though, with good numbers of 5-6-pound fish. Scup action has been steady to the west of the shop, with sandworms and sabiki rigs producing well.
Joe, at Rivers End in Old Saybrook, reports that the CT River is still producing smaller bass for the shore guys fishing sandworms, and there have been some nice catfish to 8-pounds in the mix. Soft plastics and small topwater plugs are producing some fish for boat anglers around the mouth; while the herring runs are holding some bigger fish in the northern stretches. There seems to be quite a few bass on the reefs around Westbrook and Clinton for anglers three-waying bucktails. Fluke to 5-pounds are being weighed in from NY waters, but not much is happening locally yet. Hubcap scup are still being taken in Peconic Bay and a few are coming up in the western sound.
Black Hawk Sportfishing reported that their first official squid trip of the 2019 season was a huge success. The weather cooperated and so did the squid, with nonstop action all night. Dura-Brite lights has outfitted the boat with some awesome underwater lighting; which only increases the odds of finding the squid. They plan on running trips on Friday and Saturday night so be sure to check with the office for a reservation, then get your gear together! Squid isn’t the only thing biting, as the spring porgy trips have been tremendous. Anglers have had no problem filling their coolers and getting limits, and there have been enough fluke, weakfish, bluefish and stripers in the mix to always keep things interesting.
Mike Roy, of Reel Cast Charters, is still finding some great success fishing the rivers for striped bass. He and his clients have had good numbers of school to small keeper sized bass on light tackle and the fly. He also poked around the reefs this week and was greeted with some good of fish in that same class. The weather seems to finally be settling down and a warming trend is setting in, Mike anticipates seeing some quality bass on those reefs in a week or so!
Max, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, said the bass bite continues to accelerate in the western sound, and the fish keep making their way closer to CT. Fish in the 40-50 pound range were reported for the first time this season and 30-pound class fish are becoming more plentiful. Mojos and spoons continue to be the weapon of choice during the day, while fresh bunker after dark has been producing most of the larger fish. Locally, the islands are producing good numbers of bass to 25-pounds and the backwaters are loaded with schoolies. Fluking remains steady on the NY side, but shorts remain thick. Decent porgy reports have started popping up in local waters, with some good catches around the islands in 15-20 feet of water.
Joe, from Diorio Guide Service, told me that the bass fishing remains very steady in the tidal rivers. He was out after dark earlier this week and found a big pile of fish to the low 30-inch class on weightless sluggos and light tackle. He also was able to free up some time to make a run to Montauk and was rewarded with some tremendous fluke fishing. Short fish still dominate the catch, but 28, 26 and 25-inch fish were landed. If you need to scratch that fluke itch that may be the ticket, but they will be knocking on our doorstep shortly!
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Fishing Forecast For Rhode Island
We are at or around the peak for striped bass action in the CT River, with some quality fish around the herring runs and a ton of smaller fishing taking bait up and down the river. Some larger arrivals are showing up in Rhode Island, including a 52-pound tank that was taken this week; while the CT reefs are seeing a huge uptick in bass numbers. Big fish are also being taken west of Stamford, so western CT should see an influx of better fish soon. Fluke action is good in New York, with 5-6-pound fish being more consistent. With a warming trend setting in, we should start to see some action in local waters soon. The same can be said for sea bass; which still seem to be across the pond, and scup that are just starting to show up in the western sound.
I can’t find any info on the 52lb Striper caught in RI?