Rhode Island Fishing Report – August 12, 2021

Rob Taylor of Newport Sportfishing Charters continues to get his clients on the tuna bite.

 Rhode Island Fishing Report

Captain Rich, of The Frances Fleet in Point Judith has seen a nice uptick in the fluke action over the past few days. The tides have been strong, but whenever it has eased the fleet has been able to chip away at some nice keeper fluke on most drifts. On Monday they saw most anglers get some keeper fluke for the coolers, with the high hook anglers managing a limit. Tuesday’s trip was even better, with many anglers getting a limit of fish, including a 29-inch doormat that hit the deck. Most trips have also been seeing near-boat limits of sea bass to 5-pounds. They will continue to sail daily at 7 am, so be sure to check the website for scheduling/reservations.

Captain Rick, at Priority Charters in Narragansett told me that the bass and bluefish bite is holding up well on the southeast side of Block Island. Most days are producing slot fish after you weed through several larger fish. The Newport/Jamestown area is also producing solid numbers of big bass over the slot limit. The fluke fishing has remained solid around the island, while things have been a bit slower along the south shore beaches. The bluefin bite off Block has slowed a bit compared to last month, but they are still finding plenty of fish to 47-inches on trolled bars and on the jig. He also finding some nice cod in the same areas when the bluefin bite slows down. There are still massive schools of sand eels out there, and they are keeping the tuna, marlin, and whales in the area.

Cheri, at C-Devil II Sportfishing in Point Judith sent me a quick report this week saying it has been all about the tuna. While it hasn’t been as lock and load as the last few weeks, they’ve found plenty of action on spreader bars and live bait. They were able to land 3 giants this week from 300-700-pounds, with the highlight being one of those fish came on the jig! There’s also plenty of makos, threshers, and a few hammerheads around. Stripers can still be found around the island and out in front of the breachways, while sea bass bite continues to provide consistency for bottom anglers.

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, told me that despite the warming temperatures, there are still some quality bass in the Providence River taking fresh chunks after dark. Out front you can find mixes schools of bass, bluefish, and chub mackerel chasing peanut bunker all over the surface. There have also been a few reports of scattered albies in the mix. Not enough to get everyone out there just yet, but we aren’t far away! The fluking has been up and down inshore but has remained steady around Block Island. Sea bass are still being caught all over the hard bottom and strong scup reports have been coming in all over the state.

Nick, at Big Bear Hunting and Fishing reports that the saltwater anglers are reporting some better fluke results around the Point Judith area, especially for those switching over to big mummies for bait. Limits are still tough to come by, but they are seeing more fish in the 7-8-pound range. Sea bass fishing remains strong throughout the area and some bonus triggers have been in the mix as well. Bonito and false albacore reports are quiet, but everyone is geared up and ready to go for the upcoming run! In freshwater news, they had two customers catch pike over 15-pounds this week, so things are looking up for the pike fishing in the coming months.

Jay, at Pamela May Charters in Narragansett, has been finding some mid-summer consistency in his neck of the woods for most species. Stripers and bluefish have been all over the place chasing peanut bunker, so they’re willing to hit topwater offerings. The fluking has also remained on the upswing wherever you can find bait, which is quite an upgrade from earlier this season. The tuna bait has slowed compared to past weeks, but if you locate the bait balls and whales, there’s a decent chance you’ll stick one on the jig or the troll. The bonito continue to show up off Newport, but not in any kind of consistent numbers. It shouldn’t be long now before we have bonito, albies, Spanish mack’s, and chub mack’s to play with.

Dustin, at Rhode Island Kayak Fishing Adventures reports that the bottom fishing has remained strong for anglers targeting sea bass and scup. A few big keeper fluke have been taken recently, but limits of flatfish remain difficult to obtain. The chub mackerel are keeping light tackle anglers occupied, but everyone is now ready for the false albacore and bonito to arrive. Striped bass and bluefishing has also been steady in terms of numbers and size for anglers targeting them from the shore and the kayaks. Dustin is starting to get busy with the fall run right around the corner, so be sure to contact him soon for a shore or kayak trip.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Heather, from Blackhawk Sportfishing reported that the strong summer fishing pattern continues to repeat. Limits of jumbo scup, huge sea bass, and a good mix of fluke are filling the coolers on day trips. Tide/weather conditions have been dictating the fluke results most days, but the scup and sea bass bite has been steady regardless. Last Friday’s “After Work Special” was also a success, with as many gator bluefish as the anglers wanted. The “Take A Kid Fishing” trips started last week with a great group of children and families going out last Saturday and catching strong numbers of scup and sea bass. Those trips will be happening every Saturday afternoon in August, so be sure to check with the office to book a child trip, or whatever other trip you may be interested in.

At Black Hall Outfitters the guys reported that bass and blues of mixed sizes can be found on nearly any rocky reef or point in the Eastern Sound. Drifting those areas at low light has been the most productive, but there are also some nice blitzes popping up sporadically of fish feeding on rain bait. 3-waying the reefs with eels, bunker or scup has worked well, while anglers anchoring up and soaking fresh chunks are finding solid results as well. The Race has also been red hot for bass and bluefish, so if you’re struggling inshore, it may be worth the ride. The sea bass bite has picked up locally on the rocks and wrecks in 80+ feet of water, while scup are available on just about any piece of hard structure over 30 feet. The fluke action has been sporadic, but the best results are also on the deeper humps and shoals in the Eastern Sound. Offshore anglers are still reporting a solid bluefin bite close to the island, with spreader bars and jigs producing equally well this week.

Joe, at Joe Diorio Guide Service said that the striper fishing has been much better this week, as he was able to get away from the sharks and bluefish that were hurting the bite last week. There are still plenty of gator bluefish and sharks in the mix, but the bass have ruled most trips, with fish to 52-inches. He mentioned that if you’re targeting bass and the sharks/bluefish are getting in the way, make sure you’re targeting the lower portion of the water column. The sea bassing has also been very solid for Joe, with 2.5-ounce Joe Baggs Sea Dwellers being the top producer. The better weather this week has also allowed Joe to get out to the tuna grounds, which has made for a great change of pace. He has found a consistent bite of school bluefin on jigs, Ron-Z’s, and poppers.

Mike Roy of Reel Cast Charters told me that there are still plenty of silversides in the area that are continuing to provide good topwater action for bass and bluefish. Chub mackerel also continue to invade the area and are providing good light tackle action. Bigger bass are still around and eating live baits and big plugs during certain tides. Things are setting up nicely for the fall run, so be sure to contact Mike for a trip in September/October.

Captain Chris Elser continues to find some of the best striped bass fishing he’s seen in years in the Western Sound. They’re seeing more topwater action each week, with quality bass and bluefish feeding on spearing along the local beaches. There hasn’t been any sign of bonito or Spanish Mackerel this week, but with the amount of bait, we shouldn’t be too far off.

Over at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk the guy’s report that bluefish, porgies, and sea bass are making up the best bite in the Western Sound. Porgies can be found all over the area, with shore anglers throwing clams and sandworms cashing in at Sherwood Island and Calf Pasture. Light tackle anglers are finding plenty of cocktail blues on topwaters and small jigs around the island, while those seeking gators are finding them on diamond jigs and trolling deeper water around 28C and 11B. There are still some solid stripers being caught, but they are mainly coming on the troll in deep water, or on fresh chunks after dark. Sea bass fishing has been as solid as ever in 80 feet plus around the Cockenoe Shoals and the Celtic Wreck. Those who are still pounding away for fluke are reporting some decent fish, albeit few and far between, in 70 feet of water or deeper. Offshore anglers are reporting less consistency around Block, but they are still finding some fish on the jig and on the troll at Tuna Ridge and the Gully. It seems if you can get away from the fleet and target less-pressured fish, you’re results will improve.

Rhode Island Forecast

There’s no shortage of fishing options, as we wait for the summer season to officially transition to fall. Signs of the approaching run are here, loads of rain bait have invaded our waters and have caught the attention of surface-feeding bass and bluefish, along with a few mixed hardtails. Chub and Spanish mackerel can be found with some regularity throughout RI and eastern CT, while some bonito and albie murmurs are starting in Rhode Island.

Those looking for larger bass should continue to focus on the low light or overnight hours, both at Block Island and on the inshore reefs. Bottom fishermen are still finding plenty of scup and sea bass to fill their coolers, while the fluke fishing continues to show late-season improvement. Don’t overlook the late summer/early fall tautog season, which provides another steady option through August in CT and RI. Offshore anglers should continue to cash in on any weather window they get, with the tuna, shark, and marlin bite still being one of the best in years.