Rhode Island Fishing Report – November 24, 2021

Rhode Island Fishing Report

The Frances Fleet in Narragansett is taking a couple days off for the holiday/weather, but they are still finding some quality fishing when they have been able to get out on the grounds. Captain Rich has had some solid action on the sea bass grounds out by the ledge. The cod fishing has been a bit on the slower side out there, but full boat limits of big sea bass have been easy to obtain. Captain Frank ran a private charter this week and reported similar results. The sea bass fishing was outstanding with over 300 being caught for the trip, along with a few nice codfish to 10-pounds. The tog grounds have also been fruitful for Captain Greg, with near boat limits on most trips and some nice fish to 10-pounds or so. They will continue to sail whenever the weather allows, so be sure to check the website for updates and reservations after the holiday.

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, is officially closed until the spring, but he is available by appointment for certain items. He told me that word from the local fishermen was that tautog fishing remains very good across the state, while squid fishing has picked up quite a bit around Newport, Jamestown, and Sakonnet Point.

Connor, from Tall Tailz Charters in Newport told me that the tautog fishing has remained great as we approach the end of the season. Water temperatures are still in the upper 50’s, so there are still plenty of quality fish around. He is still getting easy limits of fish to 12-pounds, along with a few cod on each trip as bycatch. There have also been some nice schools of squid starting to make a late season run, so there is plenty of quality fishing still going on in Rhode Island. The fishing should remain strong well into December and Connor still has some dates available, so be sure to book a trip before it’s too late!

Dustin, at RI Kayak Fishing Adventures reports that the tautog action has remained strong, with most of his clients being able to manage multiple keepers, along with some solid black sea bass. The squid fishing has improved quite a bit as well. Most squid anglers who have dedicated a bit of time have managed at least a half-full bucket. On the freshwater side, there is still some great largemouth action, with larger fish showing up at or after dusk on large swimbaits. The cool morning weather and nice flows has also provided some good morning trout fishing in the local stocked ponds and streams. There are still plenty of opportunities to book a great shore or boat trip, so be sure to reach out to Dustin before it’s too late.

Nick, at Big Bear Hunting and Fishing told me that saltwater anglers are reporting great results for late November. Freshwater anglers are reporting some big largemouth, especially for those that are switching to live shiners as the water temperatures continue to drop. There are also some big bass that are active enough to hit large artificials around dawn and dusk. Trout anglers are also seeing no lack action with the best catches coming from Silver Spring and Carbuncle. The shop will be getting stocked up for ice fishing soon, and hopefully, we have some ice to walk on this year.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Heather, from Blackhawk Sport Fishing reports that they stayed closer to home on most trips this week due to the wind but found some strong tautog fishing on most of their trips. There are still quite a few short fish to weed through, but still, plenty of keepers to be had. When they have been able to get out to Block Island, the fishing has been excellent. Limits of jumbo sea bass, scup, and some nice cod have all been in the mix out at the island. They will continue to fish whenever the weather allows, so be sure to check their Facebook page or website for updates and reservations!

Mike Roy of Reel Cast Charters had a strong finish to his saltwater season over the weekend, with easy limits of tog, some nice keeper sea bass, and plenty of school striped bass on soft plastics and topwaters. While Mike’s salt season has wound down, he will be running trips in the river for stripers until the end of the year. Mike would like to thank everyone for an excellent 2021 season and be sure to contact him if you’d like to extend the season a bit with a river trip!

Captain Chris Elser, of Elser Guide Service, told me that the Western Sound fishing has remained outstanding. He continues to find good numbers of slot class bass, along with more school bass than you know what to do with! The bigger bass are still sticking tight to the abundant bunker schools and can be taken on live baits and large bunker imitator plugs. The bigger fish seem to prefer more subtle surface action right now, so the 10-inch Big Occhis and the Doc have been preferable to your standard topwater popper. Chris is wrapping up his saltwater season for the year but is looking forward to transitioning into freshwater pike and trout action.

Tyler, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, reports that anglers are starting to transition to the Housatonic holdover fishery. Anglers are starting to report better striper results from both shore and boat on jigs fished slowly. Anglers fishing the salt are still finding some nice tog catches as we approach the last weekend of the season, and there are still some nice sea bass on the deeper wrecks. Trout anglers are turning to the Mianus, Mill, and Saugatuck Rivers for trout action, while anglers fishing the Saugatuck Reservoir are reporting good results. This is primetime for the reservoir anglers, with good action for bass, walleye, and trout.

Rhode Island Forecast

The long holiday weekend should provide anglers with ample fishing opportunities. If the weather decides to cooperate, saltwater anglers can look to put together one last tautog trip in CT. Those hitting the salt in Rhode Island have a few weeks of tautog remaining, and can also find strong sea bassing, decent cod action, and a nice late-season push of squid.

Schoolie striped bass can still be found blitzing out front, while some better fish are transitioning into their winter holdover haunts in the CT rivers and the Rhode Island back bays. Trout fishing should be a great option for most this weekend, with good clear flows on most of our rivers.

The CT DEEP also completed their fall salmon stocking in the Naugatuck and Shetucket Rivers this week. Other freshwater options should be abundant as well, with improved pre-winter pike, crappie, and walleye action.