Rhode Island Fishing Report
The Frances Fleet in Point Judith lost a few days of sailing due to the swell from Hurricane Lee, but their recent trips are producing a nice mix of cod, fluke, black sea bass, scup, ling, and mackerel! The water is starting to clean up, so the fishing should fire right back up. Be sure to call the office or check their website for reservations!
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence told me that the recent storm dirtied up the water a bit and dropped water temperatures in the area, but the fish are starting to get acclimated, and are biting again. The striped bass and bluefish bite has been solid throughout the bay, and some encouraging reports have come in from the Providence and Seekonk Rivers. Tuna fishermen are still finding quality fish in their usual offshore haunts, as well as few big bluefin closer to home. The false albacore bite had been quiet since the storm, but Dave told me that it started to fire back up nicely Wednesday, so hopefully it keeps improving. Bottom fishermen were reporting better sea bass and tautog results before the storm, and that should pick right up as the water cleans up.
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Ralph, at Crafty One Customs reports that fishing has been strong in and around the bay over the past few days, as the water has cleaned up. False albacore and green bonito have been around in consistent enough numbers to make it worthwhile. Quality striped bass can be had on the usual reefs, but they area also starting to push in tighter to shore for surfcasters, and the gator bluefish remain in the mix at both locations. The fluke fishing has slowed down, besides a few decent keepers near Sakonnet, but the tautog fishing has fired up nicely for shore and boat anglers. The shop has been busy preparing for their 2023 Rhode Island Tog Classic, which is scheduled for October 8th. Tournament entries for all divisions can be purchased on their website.
Captain Rob, at Newport Sportfishing Charters has spent most of his time leading up to the storm targeting giant bluefin, with continued great success. There have been plenty of big fish in offshore waters, and at times, slightly closer to home. There has also been plenty of quality mahi in similar areas. Since the blow, Rob has been focusing on striped bass and bluefish, with quality specimens of both species in and around the bay. Bottom fishing is reportedly strong for tautog and sea bass, and Rob will be focusing his attention on tautog very soon.
Connor, at Tail Tailz Charters told me that fishing has picked back up as the weather has cleaned up. There were plenty of big yellowfin and mainly oversize bluefin before the storm, and word is that they haven’t left the area just yet. The weed patches and pots are also loaded with mahi, so they’ve had no trouble filling coolers on their way back in. The fall run is already in peak form with reports of albies and bones out front as well as the bay. There are still plenty of big bass and blues in the mix as well. With all the bait around, and improving tautog fishing, it’s shaping to be another epic fall season!
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Jay, at Pamela May Charters is still working the light tackle fall run action, with improved false albacore and bonito fishing over the past day or so. The water is cleaning up, and the fishing seems to be picking up where it left off before the storm. The feeds can be hard to find at times, but when you find them, it’s generally lock and load. The fish are feeding heavily on bay anchovies and can be quite aggressive. Solid bluefish and striped bass fishing has continued and is much easier to rely on then the hardtails. Word is that the big striped bass bite is still going strong off Block Island and wasn’t too adversely affected by Lee.
Dustin at, Rhode Island Kayak Fishing Adventures reports that things are starting to clean up since the storm, and he started to see improved albie and bonito fishing over the past couple of days. There has been enough consistency and sustained feeds to provide success on most of his trips. The striped bass bite has remained very steady, with better numbers and larger fish that are willing to take a light tackle offering. Gator blues are still doing their thing giving some of the most memorable fights from the kayaks that anglers can experience. On the days that the albies aren’t showing up, bottom fishing has been a great option to pivot to. Tautog and sea bass fishing has improved and it’s looking like we’ll have a stellar October of bottom fishing ahead of us. Some of the cool nights have really fired up the largemouth bite, giving freshwater anglers hope for a great fall run as well. Dustin’s September dates are pretty much filled up, but he still has a few October dates available for those interested in kayak fishing and/or shore fishing trips. Check out his website to book an adventure ASAP!
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Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
The residual swell from Hurricane Lee is gone, and as the water starts to clean up, the fishing seems to be firing back up. Rhode Island light tackle anglers should have no shortage of options, with steady striped bass and bluefish action, along with improved false albacore/bonito over the past couple days. Bass and blues of mixed sizes can be found blitzing on the plethora of small bait in the area, feeding on the usual reefs and rips, and also feeding in the wash. Whether you’re on the boat or shorebound, you shouldn’t have a problem finding some bass to play with. A few big fluke are still around the bay, but that bite continues to slow down as we approach fall. Sea bass and tautog fishing was going strong before the storm and should fire right back up as the water cleans. There is also no shortage of big scup on any of the local rockpiles. The tuna bite relatively close to home is still producing some fish and the mahi bite remains steady. Not only are there reports of huge numbers of mahi on the highflyers, but there are also some mahi mixed in with the other blitzing fish inshore. Another quick blow of weather is coming through this weekend, but appears to be less substantial than Lee, and shouldn’t affect things too adversely.
Good reports but not everyone has a boat, I would like to see more shore fishing reports for us Seniors that are on the Land. Thanks.
I echo Raymond’s suggestion