Rhode Island Fishing Report
The Frances Fleet in Point Judith is still offering both full and half-day fishing trips, where customers target a mixed bag of fluke, black sea bass, and scup. Other species such as bluefish, striped bass, and mackerel will often also make an appearance. Recent trips have seen better numbers of keeper black sea bass coming over the rails along with a decent number of keeper fluke and some big scup. Their full schedule can be viewed online, and you can also make reservations for upcoming trips on their website or by calling the office.
Dave at Ocean State Tackle in Providence told me that the striped bass bite has hit summer mode, which includes working dawn/dusk hours locally, along with a consistent slug of cow bass out at Block Island. Most of those bigger bass are coming on live eels, but topwaters are working around dawn/dusk, and trolling could be productive midday. A good push of pogies have entered the bay and if you can find them you can find some good daytime bassing around there. The striped bass bite is also going strong along Sugar Reef. Bottom fishermen are reporting excellent scup fishing all over the state, especially around Sabin Point and Salter Grove. Fluke fishing has been hit or miss locally, but it’s consistent for anglers heading offshore in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The tuna bite has taken another turn for the better this week— the rec. fish still seem to be much further out, but those making the run to the canyons are reporting great action on the troll.
Connor at Tall Tailz Charters has continued to see an excellent stretch of local bass fishing. Each day he’s seeing fish from 30 to 40 pounds, without having to travel too far. The topwater bite has been excellent on the shallow rips in the early morning hours, while live baits and slow trolled offerings have been taking care of business during the day. Fluking has been solid around Newport as well, but you have to be willing to put some time in to find the right bottom. Right now, the sweet spot seems to be around 50 feet of water, but that could change from week to week. Sea bass are plentiful on all the rocky ledges. The bay is still holding tons of bait and hungry bluefish. The offshore bite continues to improve, but the fish remain a good distance away. The nearshore tuna bite has been bleak to say the least. Most of the action has been just shy of the canyons and beyond. If you’re able to make the trek, they’re loaded with giant bigeye, yellowfin and bluefin. Tons of awesome fishing overall for the state.
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Captain Rob at Newport Sportfishing Charters has started to spend more time offshore and told me that while the tuna are still quite a run, it is absolutely worth it, if you can make it. Most of the usual offshore haunts are home to some massive tuna feeds. The key has been to find some clean water, once you do, you should be greeted with bait and plenty of pelagics. While tuna fishing is catching quite a bit of attention, Rob also noted that the striped bass fishing has remained tremendous this week, whenever he’s targeted them. Bass are taking topwaters during big portions of the day and can be caught all day long on live bait and jigs. There also happened to be a nice slug of bluefish in the mix this week, hopefully that trend continues for the rest of the summer.
Ralph at Crafty One Customs has heard improved striped bass reports this week, both around the island and in the mouth of the bay. A few more bluefish seem to have entered the fray this week as well, and they’re all big gators! Fluke fishing has hit the slow summer doldrums, but the diehard flatfish grinders are still putting together limits. The keeper black sea bass numbers have improved this week, and they’re relatively shallow, so not terribly hard to locate. Scup numbers are extraordinary as well, so you should be able to fill a cooler nicely between the sea bass and scup, even when the fluke aren’t cooperating. Offshore reports remain slower close to home, but those running to the canyons are finding plenty of yellowfin, bigeye, and bluefins.
Jay at Pamela May Charters told me that the striped bass fishing has held solid and is still wildly consistent. Throughout the mid-Bay and west passage, there are as many 28- to 34-inch fish as you can handle. The salt ponds are loaded with schoolie-size fish, which has been great for light tackle/fly enthusiasts. Block Island is in full summer mode, with tons of 30- to 40-inch fish at the north rip and cows all over southwest ledge. Fluke are harder to find inshore, with the exception of some nice keeper class fish in the mid Bay; sea bass are plentiful and can generally be found without traveling too far, while scup fishing is absolutely on fire for those looking to fill the cooler or use them as striper bait. Jay also mentioned that tuna fishing is tough for rec. anglers, as those fish are still a ways offshore, but giants have been keeping the commercial anglers busy.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
Summer air and summer fishing patterns have persisted, with strong striped bass fishing, relatively steady bottom fishing, and an increase in tuna activity and interest. Bass can still be found in the Bay especially with more pogie schools in the mix. The rips and reefs in front of Newport are holding quality fish, along with Sugar Reef, while the Block Island summer giants have settled in nicely. These fish are starting to see a lot of fishing pressure, so you may need to start finessing your presentations, or working low-light hours, but there is no shortage. Those low-light hours, coupled with the fog banks, have also resulted in some of the best topwater fishing for big bass that we’ve seen in a while. Bottom fishing has remained steady across the state, with strong scup and sea bass reports from all the rockpiles. The fluke bite has been better out around the island, but there are enough fish in the lower Bay and just out front to make it worth your while. Tuna reports have been strong for yellowfin, bigeye, and recreational bluefin out around the canyons, and some much bigger fish are starting to show themselves closer to home. Another week or so of warm weather and better baitfish numbers should result in more consistent tuna action within range for most.