Rhode Island Fishing Report- October 20, 2022

Rhode Island Fishing Report

The Frances Fleet in Point Judith has started to mix in some dedicated tautog trips, along with their cod and sea bass trips. The results were solid over the weekend on all trips, followed by a great trip by Captain Cole on Tuesday before the wind machine took over. He worked a tight zone and was rewarded with a full boat limit of nice tautog, even though it took a bit of time to dial in for some anglers. The weather has been tough for the rest of the week, but the weekend is looking great, and they still have some spots, so be sure to book asap! 

When I spoke to Jay, at Pamela May Charters, he told me that the tautog fishing has started out well for them, even though the sea conditions haven’t been ideal. They were able to fish some of their spots in the bay and found plenty of keepers, along with some nice sea bass. There are still striped bass and bluefish in all their usual haunts, and they are willing to hit topwater plugs and soft plastics. The false albacore were still around in pretty good numbers before the blow/swell, but they seem to be thinning out ever since.  
 

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Rick, at Priority Charters, told me that they have been finding some schools of striped bass that are willing to hit topwater lures around Rhode Island’s beaches, as well as some big bass still hanging around Block Island, and showing up on the troll. Rick has started working the tautog waters this week, and has been reporting some solid results, despite some tough swells. There are still plenty of sea bass in the mix as well, and things should improve as the water temperature continues to drop. Rick still has a few openings available in November, so be sure to reach out soon. 

Dustin, at RI Kayak Fishing Adventures, told me that the false albacore and bonito bite seems to be winding down, but make sure you’re rigged and ready while you’re out there, because it isn’t completely over just yet! The tautog fishing has been great, with most trips producing plenty of keepers, along with some nice black sea bass in the mix. There are still some big masses of bait in Narragansett Bay, so it is easy enough to find some big striped bass and bluefish that will chew. Freshwater anglers are busy with largemouth, crappie, and trout; reporting that the fall freshwater bite is in full form!  Dustin still has some dates on the calendar for kayak and/or shore fishing trips, so be sure to check out www.rikfa.com to book a trip! 

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Ralph, at Crafty One Customs reported that the local tautog fishing has remained strong since his annual Tog Classic, which saw multiple double-digit fish to 15-pounds weighed in. Most anglers have reported limit catches this week, with some big fish in the mix on most trips. Striped bass fishing has remained consistent around the islands and in the mouth of the bay, along with some nice bluefish catches. The false albacore fishing has slowed over the past week, but anglers are still seeing some sporadic schools popping up inside the bay.  

Captain Rob, at Newport Sportfishing Charters, told me that the tautog fishing continues to go strong in his neck of the woods. His trips continue to see full boat limits, along with some giant whitechinners on most trips. The fishing should only get better from here, as the keeper ratio has been steadily improving. Rob has been focusing most of his attention on tog, but for those looking for striped bass, there has been no shortage of mixed size fish across the area.  

• Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain in Rhode Island!

Rhode Island Fishing Forecast

Peak fall fishing remains upon us in southern New England, with steady sea bass and scup, along with improving tautog fishing for the groundfishermen. Striped bass of all sizes are being caught with regularity at just about every hot spot in our range, and there have been enough false albacore hanging around to keep things interesting.  

Anglers heading out in Rhode Island that are looking for blitzing fish should have no problem finding some. The majority of the blitzes have been mixed sizes of striped bass, which are assaulting bait all over the surface from Westerly to Newport. Albie blitzes aren’t quite as common as they were a few weeks ago, but make sure you have your tins ready, as they’re often seen popping up around the bass blitzes. Sea bass action has been as strong as it has all season, especially on the deeper wrecks, while tautog fishing slowly but surely improves daily with the dropping temperatures.