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 solid 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 or by calling the office.
Dave at Ocean State Tackle in Providence told me that things remained pretty steady this week, including a consistent striped bass bite for most anglers that are targeting them. Most of those bigger bass are coming on live eels, but topwaters are working around dawn/dusk, and trolling could be productive midday. 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. Tautog season also opens up today (August 1), and it usually fishes pretty well and is underutilized during late summer. Dave will have green crabs in stock this Friday morning. Tuna fishing has improved once again this week, with strong reports from The Gully, along with a number of other common hotspots. As sand eels continue to invade the area, the jig bite should continue to intensify. There has been some talk of solid bonito reports, which should only improve, along with some skipjacks, and some great blue crabbing for those staying close to home.
Connor at Tall Tailz Charters 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 to 40 pounds plus. 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 RonZs. Things are definitely in peak form here in RI!”
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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, and while the weather hasn’t been ideal, the ride has gotten a bit easier since last week. Most of the usual offshore haunts are home to some massive tuna feeds, and 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 in the morning 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.
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Dustin at Rhode Island Kayak Fishing Adventures told me that his prediction from last week of bonito being right around the corner has come to fruition. They seem to have shown up in full force, although they’re moving around quite a bit, so the bite changes from day to day. Striped bass fishing is still going pretty strong with fish of all sizes being caught. Topwater offerings in the mornings have worked well, along with soft plastics, while live bait and trolling have been getting it done during the day. Dustin has seen more bluefish caught in the last week than he has all season, so it appears we’re turning the corner there as well. Bottom fishing has been interesting; it’s not good, nor bad, but has been relatively inconsistent. Some days they are doing well on keeper fluke and black sea bass, while other days can bring a ton of shorts. With the bonito and mackerel running pretty early, it’s safe to say the fall run should fire up early as well. Albies will be here before we know it! Head over to Dustin’s website and book your trip for the fall run.
Ian at Ranger Charters reported that striped bass fishing is productive around the islands and the mouth of the Bay, even though this week seemed a bit slower than weeks past. There have also been some large “gator” blues around making for exciting fishing on light tackle. Black sea bass reports have improved locally, in that you still have to pick through shorts, but there seems to be more big knotheads entering the mix every week.
Jay at Pamela May Charters told me that the not much has changed since last week. There are still plenty of tuna in range when the weather cooperates. Inshore, the 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 improved a bit, but the fish seem very spot oriented, so once you find them, be prepared to shorten your drifts. Large sea bass are still hanging tight to the beach, as well as scup. Bonito reports around Block Island, and points east, have started to pick up, so by the time you read this, they should be all over the area.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
Summer air and fishing patterns have persisted with excellent striped bass fishing and relatively steady bottom fishing, including the opening of tautog season, along with another uptick in tuna activity, which is catching a lot of 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 and the rest of South County are holding quality 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. There have been enough bonito reports from Rhode Island, and points east, to indicate that they’re just in time for their early August arrival. 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 grinding and persistence, but the reports are trending more positive this week. Tautog season opened up on the 1st, and while this is often an underutilized summer fishery, the results can be very strong for those who try. Tuna reports have been strong for yellowfin, bigeye, and recreational bluefin once again, and while the weather hasn’t been ideal the last few days, it appears all 3 species are starting to push closer to home. Anglers targeting sharks instead of tuna are also reporting great results, so there’s no shortage of big game action close enough to home.