Rhode Island Fishing Report
The Frances Fleet in Point Judith has had solid success on their recent fluke trips and squid trips, whenever the weather allows. The fluke trips are up and down depending on conditions and bait, but all trips are seeing some quality keepers, while some trips are producing limits. The squid trips have also been generally productive with catches ranging from one half to three quarters of a bucket. They could be finicky on some trips, but they’re marking large schools of them everytime they get out.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reports that the striped bass have spread out quite a bit, but anglers are still finding some of mixed sizes. The best local concentrations have been around the Bristol area, and they are taking bait and artifiicals. There have been loads of big bluefish around to help keep the rods bent when the stripers aren’t cooperating. Scup action has been good in the lower Bay and mid-Bay as far north as Bristol. The scup can be had on a number of offerings including clam tongues, sea worms and squid. Squid fishing is up and down, but there seems to be enough around for anglers to report some productive nights. Dave has a huge selection of umbrella rigs, TA lures and Alan’s Custom Lures, and is now open daily from 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.!
Eric, at The Saltwater Edge in Middletown, told me that loads of bait has moved into Rhode Island! There’s plenty of bunker and sand eels to go around, and the fish are feasting. For boat anglers snagging or cast netting, bunker is surefire way to score some decent fish. Remember to put those bunker on circle hooks. If you can find the bunker, you also won’t have to go far to find striped bass. Be wary of bluefish as they like to chop off your bunker just barely behind your hook. If you don’t want to fish live bunker, try throwing some big glide baits or surface offerings when you mark some fish. Light tackle and fly anglers fishing the sand eel bite may find the fish picky but keep changing your offering until you get a hit. Zoom flukes, 3-inch NLBNs, and sparsely tied flies are the ticket. Black sea bass season is open and there are some nice fish around. The go to sea bass lure right now is the Hogy Sand Eel Jig. Surfcasting remains good for the guys getting out and grinding through the tides. With the variety of bait around right now make sure you are bringing a variety of plugs and plastics to match up to the bait.
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Ralph, at Crafty One Customs reports that the striped bass fishing has still been very good in the bay with fish ranging in size from schoolies to 40-plus pounds. Along with the bass, anglers are reporting a good supply of gator bluefish! Fluke action has been better out by the island, but there have been some decent fish starting to show up in local waters over the past few days. Black sea bass and scup action has picked up nicely in local waters as well.
Rick, at Priority Charters was just back from a Florida tarpon trip when I spoke to him. The tarpon action was fun, but he was happy to get back to the local fishery, where he’s been finding a bonanza of striped bass. He has been getting a good mix of keepers, unders and a few overs, along with some gator bluefish. Fluking is slowly but surely picking up for the anglers who are putting some time in, while sea bass action has been good since the opener.
Jay, at Pamela May Charters has still been focused on bluefish and bass on topwaters and on the fly! The upper bay has been producing both species fairly well, from schoolies/slot class to 40-pounds. The bass have been willing to hit topwater offerings, but bunker is the top producer if you can find some. They have been focusing on the upper bay, but word is that Block is producing nice bass and some fluke, so they’ll likely start working their way out there soon.
Ian, at Ranger Charters told me that the striped bass bite has been good from Narragansett Bay to Block Island. The Newport area itself is starting to heat up as the fish are starting to make their way outside of the bay. There are still plenty of bluefish in the mix as well. He hasn’t done much bottom fishing recently, but the fluke and sea bass reports seem to be improving. The best news this week is that they’re starting to get some good reports from the canyons, so it shouldn’t be too long before he starts making his way offshore.
Rob, at Newport Sportfishing Charters reports that the big striped bass bite has remained good for him without having to travel too far. The key has been to find some live bunker, if you can do that, you shouldn’t have much of an issue finding big bass. The fluking has been much more hit or miss, but with the plethora of bait in the area, you’d expect that to improve soon.
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Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain in Rhode Island
Dustin, at RI Kayak Fishing Adventures, told me that things have remained pretty solid. Tautog season has closed for now, but the black sea bass, fluke and scup bite is picking up the slack. The striped bass bite has remained solid and seems to be gaining more consistency each day. Gator bluefish are also really thick right now and are providing awesome fights on light tackle. Weakfishing has slowed down a little but they’re still out there to be caught. Freshwater fishing remains very strong for largemouth, smallmouth, crappie, and carp. The calendar is filling up for guided kayak and shore fishing trips. Head over to rikfa.com to book your kayak and/or shore fishing trip today!
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
Temperatures are rising and the summer fishing season across the northeast seems to be descending on us nicely!
Striped bass fishing has remained strong in Rhode Island. One typical summer hotspot, Block Island, is starting to heat up. You don’t need to travel all the way to the Block though; the bass in Narragansett Bay are starting to filter out, and there are plenty of bunker there to welcome them. Fluke reports have been up and down, with Block producing a bit better than inshore, but both locales are giving up some big fish. The sea bass season has been strong since the opener and there is certainly no shortage of big scup. Freshwater anglers have no shortage of opportunities, with strong reports for pre-spawn largemouth, crappie, pike, carp, and trout.