Rhode Island Fishing Report
The Frances Fleet in Point Judith has been finding a decent pick of keeper and short fluke on recent full days trips which they are running daily leaving the dock at 7 a.m. Starting this upcoming Sunday, they will be able to keep black sea bass which is something that everyone is looking forward to. Half-day trips will also be starting up this weekend with the morning trip running from 8 to 12 and the afternoon trip running from 1 to 5. You can get a look at their full schedule and make reservations on their website, or you can call the office.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reports that the striped bass bite has remained steady from a number of locations in the area. The Providence and Seekonk Rivers have been giving up some nice bass, especially after dark. The lower Bay and just out front is also producing well, with bass feeding heavily on sand eels and squid. The fluke are feeding on the same sand eels and squid, if you can find some good concentrations of bait, you’re likely to find some hungry fluke. Local anglers are finding some big flatfish, but there seems to be a more consistent bite on the deeper rips around Block. Sea bass and scup are plentiful through South County and Newport. They’ll eat just about anything, including squid, worms, clams, and jigs. Freshwater anglers are starting to report a solid post-spawn largemouth bite on shiners.
Ralph, at Crafty One Customs reports that are still plenty of local striped bass, although the bite has been a bit more challenging, with the bass feeding primarily on sand eels. If you can match the hatch and find some hungry bass, you’re likely to find fish in the slot, under the slot, and some fish that go way over the slot! There are still quite a few bluefish in the mix, including some monster gators! Fluke fishing has been steady enough around the islands, while the sea bass bite picked up nicely on the deep structure. Scup fishing has been excellent for anglers fishing from shore and boat. A couple more tuna reports have started to trickle in, but the bite still seems to be south of the shipping lanes.
Jay, at Pamela May Charters told me that striper fishing has been as good as ever for him! The fish are feeding on sand eels all over the area, so matching the hatch with green RonZ’s and slug-gos has been getting the job done. There are loads of 25-inch fish, along with some better fish to 35-inches or so in the mix. There are still some bluefish in the mix, although the stripers are starting to outnumber them quite a bit. Anglers are starting to find some fluke along the beaches and some nice sea bass on the deeper structure. You really have to work through shorts to find some keeper fluke, but they’re out there if you grind. Bigger fluke are coming from the island if you can find them.
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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 continuing 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. He’s continuing to hear some encouraging reports from the offshore guys, so it shouldn’t be too long before he starts heading that way.
Rob, at Newport Sportfishing Charters reports that the big striped bass bite has been excellent, so he hasn’t really targeted much else! The fishing is strong throughout the state, so options are out there regardless of weather. If it’s snotty you can hang inside the bay and find fish to 40 pounds, and on the nicer days you can find some giants around Newport, and of course out at Block. Rob had fish of all sizes this week, including one that was pushing 60-pounds, so it’s safe to say the bite is red hot!
Dustin at, Rhode Island Kayak Fishing Adventures reports that striped bass action is hot, and now is a great opportunity to catch big fish from the kayak or shore! Gator bluefish are also in the mix and provide an excellent fight from shore or the kayak. Bottom fishing has been steady, with plenty of big sea bass and scup, along with some solid fluke if you can get past the shorts. Freshwater fishing is also going strong, with largemouth bass starting to enter their summer feeding patterns. Frogs, swimbaits, and large wake baits have all accounted for some big bass. Be sure to check out rikfa.com to book a trip soon, before all the desired dates are taken!
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
Striped bass fishing has been good all year in Rhode Island, but it took another step forward in terms of consistency this week. Reports from Block Island have been picking up on the nice weather days, but you don’t have to travel all the way out there to find them. The mouth of the bay and the Providence River are producing some big bass on pogies, while bass of mixed sizes can be found all over the beaches feeding on sand eels. Fluke reports have started to improve locally, albeit a great deal of short fish. The better fluke reports are still coming from the Block Island area, but it may take some time to find them, as they keep moving around. The sea bass season has been strong since the opener and the sea bass season starts this weekend for the charter boats. Scup has been rounding out the catch nicely, with plenty of keepers for shore and boat anglers. Freshwater anglers have no shortage of opportunities, with strong reports for post-spawn largemouth, crappie, pike, carp, and trout.