Rhode Island Fishing Report- June 16, 2022

Rhode Island Fishing Report 

The Frances Fleet in Point Judith is seeing better action on the fluke grounds especially with the weather continuing to get better each week. Both the full and half day trips have been seeing some limit catches, with many more fish in the 7-9-pound range over the past few days. As is usually the case with fluke, results vary from day to day, but the bite is getting more consistent each day. Their sea bass season also starts this Saturday, so the coolers will be filling quick! Be sure to call the office or check their website to reserve your spot for a full or half day trip.  

Captain Kelly, at C-Devil II Sportfishing was happy to report that this May was probably the best one he has had in a decade. Things have only improved as the calendar turned to June, with easy limits of slot bass, and loads of 40-pound class fish that were released. The bass have not gotten finicky yet either, so they’ve been able to catch them on the troll, jigs, worms, artificials; it really doesn’t seem to matter. A better push of bluefish has shown up as well and have been crushing topwater plugs. After loading up on bass all morning, they have been transitioning to deeper water fluking later in the day. The fluke bite is slowly improving with fish to 20-inches this week, and there are loads of sea bass for the upcoming opener. Be sure to visit the calendar on their website before it’s too late to book! 

Connor, at Tall Tailz Charters told me that the Rhode Island striper bite is as good as it gets right now. Quality fish can be found anywhere you look; including the upper bays and rivers, and along the ledges and humps out front. Live baits have been the best bet for big fish, but they have also been willing to accept a wide variety of artificial offerings. Bottom fishing has been steady, with solid fluke catches in mid to deeper water, and plenty of sea bass around for the opener this weekend. Connor hasn’t ventured out for bluefin yet, but reports are starting to pour in of some nice fish not too far from home.  

Dustin, at Rhode Island Kayak Fishing Adventures told me the remains hot across Southern New England. The striped bass fishing remains consistent as ever, and a nice push of larger fish have joined the party over the past few days across Rhode Island. The usual go-to artificials, along with live bait are producing fish from 20-inches to 40-pounds, with plenty of slot fish in the mix. Bluefish are everywhere and are willing to tear up just about any offering you throw at them. The fluke fishing improved quite a bit this week, giving anglers another steady bottom option, along with the plentiful black sea bass. Dustin’s schedule is filling up quicky, so be sure to check out www.rikfa.com to book a shore or kayak trip ASAP. 

Dave at Ocean State Tackle in Providence reports that the striped bass bite is still the main show in town, with bass holding strong in the upper reaches of the Seekonk River and throughout the Providence River. Fresh pogies remain irresistible for these bass, but plenty of fish are still coming on large topwater plugs, and various soft plastics. Better numbers of bass have also started to push through South County, especially for surfcasters working large plugs or live eels after dark. Bluefish also remain scattered throughout the area, and you’ll likely run into them just about anywhere if you’re out there enough. The black sea bass action has remained steady, while the fluke fishing took a turn for the better across most of the state this week. The scup fishing is starting to get to a summer level of consistency throughout the bay and on the rocks and reefs out front. Dave will be open at 5 AM on the weekdays, 430 AM on the weekends, and will be closing at 7 PM each night.  

Rick, at Priority Charters reports that the striped bass bite continues to be lights out across the state, with plenty of fish from true cows to schoolies and everything in between. Solid reports have come in from Block Island, Point Judith, the Newport coast, and up in Narragansett Bay. Out at Block Island, trolling umbrella rigs or working jigs in the rips has been the top producer, while live bunker and casting spoons has been the ticket for anglers fishing closer to home. The fluke fishing took a turn for the worse this week, but luckily the sea bass opener is this weekend and should provide some solid action. Rick hasn’t made any cod trips recently, as the dogfish have started to invade the grounds, but he should pick it back up later in the summer. Rick was planning on a few offshore trips this weekend, but the weather has different plans. The tuna and shark bite should be materializing well once the weather settles down a bit.  

Captain Rob, at Newport Sportfishing Charters has continued to find no shortage of big striped bass this week, with consistent catches to 40-pounds throughout the mid/upper Bay. A heavy push of gator bluefish has entered the mid-bay, so there’s certainly no shortage of action out there. The bass/bluefish action has been so good that Rob hasn’t broken away to try fluking, but he did say there’s plenty of bait, and he’s been hearing of a few reports of big flatfish. 

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Rhode Island Fishing Forecast

Striped bass continue to pile into Southern New England, providing ample opportunities for anglers across Rhode Island and Connecticut. Striped bass of mixed sizes can be targeted across Rhode Island, with steady action in and around the Bay, with the Bay producing an enormous number of big fish without having to travel too far. Gator bluefish can also be found spread out in the same areas, and while the bonus weakfish bite has slowed a bit, they are still popping up with some regularity around the Bay. The South County beaches and breachways are also starting to wake up and has surfcasters dusting off the waders/korkers. Bottom anglers are finding some improved fluke action around the Island, and we should be seeing the South County beaches start to wake up any day now. Sea bass season opens for the RI party/charters this weekend, providing another opportunity to fill the coolers a bit. Connecticut anglers can continue to take advantage of steady bass and bluefish action in and around the tidal rivers, including a recent push of big, migratory bass in central/eastern CT. Fluke fishing seems to be better to the west than the east, but it seems you can find good ones anywhere in the state if you get the right conditions; while the sea bass season has opened and early results are strong on the deeper reefs, rockpiles, and wrecks.