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. They have been seeing improved results, including a couple of very strong trips last weekend. They nearly sold out the weekend and had some great weather. The full day trips had some of the best fluke fishing in a while, and the number of quality sea bass in the mix continues to improve as well. The half day trips were alive with black gold. Sea bass of all sizes came over the rail with regularity, and they also had a nice showing of red hake. Their full schedule can be viewed online, and you can also make reservations for upcoming trips on their website of by calling the office.
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence told me that the striped bass bite has remained steady, 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. Bottom fishermen are reporting excellent scup fishing all over the state, with sea bass continuing to improve and fluke reports trending a bit more positive this week. While tuna are still being had on the troll, the bite has transitioned a bit to more of a jig bite, which has fired up the local tuna anglers. The usual jig presentations are getting it done, with the strongest reports coming from Ronz Z, Al Gag and Hogy soft plastics on jigs from 3.5-6 ounces. As the sandeels continue to invade the area, the jig bite should continue to intensify. There has been some talk of better squid fishing locally as well, which doubles as a great bait for all the aforementioned species. Freshwater anglers are reporting a good summer largemouth bite on medium/heavy jigs and Yamamoto Senkos.
Connor, at Tall Tailz Charters in Newport told me he had another excellent week on the water and provided the following report: “Fishing this week has been excellent. The inshore bass bite is exceptional! Each trip we’re still seeing big fish from 30-40 plus pounds. There’s been a significant push of slot sized fish, and we’ve even been able to limit out a few days. The bluefish bite out front is inconsistent with most the action still up the bay a bit. The mid-shore tuna bite finally came alive with plenty of unders and decent numbers of over bluefin. Trolling bars at first light is producing as well as lazy jigging and dead sticked Ron-zs. Things are definitely in peak form here in RI!
Captain Rob, at Newport Sportfishing Charters has continued to work his way offshore and told me that the tuna are starting to show up a little closer to home, but regardless of the ride, it is generally worth 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. Rob hasn’t done much bottom fishing this week, but sea bass and fluke reports seem to be trending in the right direction.
Dustin, at Rhode Island Kayak Fishing Adventures was back on the water this week and told me that striped bass fishing has been great. Morning topwater, live eels, trolling, and plastics have been working well. Several fish over 40-inches have been caught along with loads of fish in the 30–39-inch range. Those looking for slot fish are also finding no shortage of keepers and schoolies. Bluefish are starting to be caught a bit more consistently, which is great those of us that like catching them. Bottom fishing is solid, as long as you’re willing to move around and put in the time to get keepers. Dustin hasn’t seen any bonito caught yet, however based on the recent bait and mackerel activity, he expects them to be right around the corner. The summer has been solid and hopefully the fall is as well, head over to his website to book your kayak fishing trip ASAP.
Ralph, at Crafty One Customs reported that the striped bass fishing continues to produce well around the islands and the mouth of the bay. There have also been some large “gator” blues around making for exciting fishing on light tackle. Black sea bass reports have been very good locally and there are still some fluke being caught though that has been a bit slower recently. Tuna reports were generally slow, but things seem to be taking a turn for the better based on the weekend reports.
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Jay, at Pamela May Charters finally was able to get out to the tuna grounds of Block Island this week, and the bluefin bite didn’t disappoint. They found some takers on the troll and were able to get their friend Tommy Caruso on his first tuna! Striper fishing has been going strong off Newport with some over slot fish hanging tight to the reefs. Block Island striper fishing has ticked down a bit from its high passed action a few weeks ago, but it remains a safe bet most days. The topwater bite of schoolie to slot fish continues to go off consistently in the bay, and most days there are some nice bluefish in the mix. Bottom fishing for fluke has been ok but weeding through the shorts continues. Large seabass are still hanging tight to the beach, as well as scup. Sharking close to home has been a thing with lots of different species in the same areas the giants are. Looks like another year of giant fishing for those commercial guys close to home.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
Summer air and summer fishing patterns have persisted, with continued excellent striped bass fishing, relatively steady bottom fishing, along with another uptick in tuna activity and interest. Bass can still be found in the bay especially with more pogie schools entering the mix. The rips and reefs in front of Newport are holding quality fish and the rest of South County are holding fish. The Block Island bite has “slowed” a bit over the past few days, but that just takes it from an incredible level to a consistent level. These fish are starting to see a lot of fishing pressure, which likely lead to the “slow-down”, so you may need to start finessing your presentations, or working low-light hours, but there is no shortage. Finding consistency in terms of bluefish is out the door, but it seems there’s more fish in the mix this week. Bottom fishing has remained steady across the state, with strong scup and improving sea bass reports from all the rockpiles. The fluke bite requires some griding and persistence, but the reports are trending more positive this week. This could be due to the recent full moon tides, but hopefully it just signifies an improvement in the summer fishery. Tuna reports have been strong for yellowfin, bigeye, and rec bluefin out around the canyons, and while reports have been up and down, the “closer to home” tuna grounds have all produced this week, so things are trending positively. These fish also seem more eager to eat jigs, with the influx of sandeels, so let’s hope that trend continues.