Rhode Island Fishing Report 

The Frances Fleet in Point Judith was able to manage some decent cod action over the weekend, but the recent blow has also brought in loads of dogfish. High hook has generally been landing 3-4 keepers, with jigs starting to outfish bait this week. There have also been some quality tautog coming over the rails on the last few trips. Cod fishing will continue through April and into early May when they might have a chance to start targeting fluke. Reservations continue to be required for cod trips so be sure to book online or call the office before heading to the dock 

Dustin, at Rhode Island Kayak Fishing Adventures told me that the tautog fishing is still pretty hot across the state and should remain that way in the coming weeks. Fresh striped bass are more prevalent, especially around the herring runs and squid balls. The squid are in thick from Rhode Island to Cape Cod, and Dustin has been able to target them well in the kayak. The freshwater bite also remains hot across the state, with numerous big trout and largemouth landed this week. Dustin is currently booking kayak and shore fishing trips for the 2022 upcoming season, so be sure to book asap at www.rikfa.com. Be sure to keep an eye out for Dustin’s report in this Friday’s Striper Season Update with On The Water on YouTube.

Dave at Ocean State Tackle in Providence has been hearing some solid squid reports from anglers targeting them throughout Narragansett Bay. Squid have been coming on the jig in the upper and East Bay, along with Newport, Jamestown, and Sakonnet. Striped bass of mixed sizes have been harassing the schools of bait in the East Bay, while school bass action has picked up along the South Shore. Tautog fishing has steadily improved, with reports of abundant keepers throughout the bay and in the Providence River. The first decent scup reports have also filtered in from the bay and at Rocky Point. Dave will be open from 5 AM to 7 PM Monday through Friday, and 430 AM to 7 PM on the weekends.  

Connor, at Tall Tailz Charters kicked off his 2022 season this past week, and it has started off red hot. They have found some quality tautog over 9-pounds in some deeper water, along with a nice mix of cod. As the weather has warmed, they have also started to find some nice tog in the shallower water, with fish coming from as deep as 80-feet and as shallow as 8-feet. Tall Tailz Tog Jigz tipped with smaller green crabs, Asian crabs, and/or muscles have been working best. They’ve also been seeing good numbers of fresh striped bass from schoolie to about 30-inches. The squid have started to trickle in nicely, with some nights producing some strong numbers.  

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Rhode Island Fishing Forecast 

It appears that we may be heading toward a milder trend after this weekend, and the striped bass fishing is poised to blow-up. Fresh striped bass have been showing in Rhode Island, and we should see a slug of larger fish enter the area in short order. Saltwater anglers in Rhode Island can continue to cash in on a quality spring tautog bite, along with somewhat steady cod action around Block Island.  A large push of squid into Rhode Island waters has also provided anglers with a great saltwater opportunity and should help with the fluke bite as we approach June. Connecticut anglers can find striped bass just about everywhere, with schoolies around the beaches and river mouths, along with some better fish following the herring upriver. The CT River pike and smallmouth action has also improved, along with the shad fishing, which is a true sign of spring. Trout action has been good across both states, especially in the areas that continue to get stocked heavily.