Rhode Island Fishing Report- August 25, 2022

Rhode Island Fishing Report 

The Frances Fleet in Point Judith has seen the fluke bite slow down a bit this week, but there have been plenty of sea bass and mackerel to keep the action steady on the full and half day trips. The fluke bite isn’t completely over, as they’ve seen a few nice doormats over the past few days, but they are getting outnumbered by the sea bass. Trips are filling up fast, especially the weekend trips, so make sure you make a reservation early enough. The full day trips depart at 7 a.m. and the two daily half day trips depart at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.  

Connor, at Tall Tailz Charters told me that the inshore striper bite is still great, you just have to work a bit harder for the bite. There are plenty of slot fish around, along with plenty of trophy size fish in the deeper water. Live baits and trolling the tube and worm have been the top producers on most days. Bottom fishing is still producing, as there are sea bass everywhere, and still a few quality fluke in the mix. The inshore hardtail bite is starting to materialize, with bonito, chub mackerel, and even a few false albacore showing up this week. The offshore bite has been stellar, with nice yellowfin coming on topwater close to home, mahi as close as 2 miles from the beach, and bluefin almost everywhere from Block to the Canyons.  

When I spoke to Jay, at Pamela May Charters, he told me that the bite remains consistent for topwater bass, as they wait for the influx of false albacore show up. The stripers are on the feed and can be taken on light tackle throughout the area. There is also a nice concentration of bluefish and bass feeding on peanut bunker and topwater plugs around the mouth of the bay, and there are still plenty of big fish hanging around Block Island. Reports of a few false albacore and bonito have trickled in, but it hasn’t blown up just yet. There is plenty of small bait in the area, so things should blow open for hardtails any day now. Sea bass fishing has been strong for anglers dropping jigs in 50-60 feet of water, and there are still a few decent fluke around for those who have been targeting them.  

Dustin, at RI Kayak Fishing Adventures reports that the local striped bass activity has still been solid, but some days you have to work harder than others. The bottom fishing remains strong in terms of numbers of sea bass and fluke, but you still have to pick through a good number of short fish. The bonito and false albacore are starting to trickle in, and that bite should blow open any day now. The fall run will undoubtedly be a strong one, so be sure to check out www.rikfa.com to book a fall run trip ASAP! 

Crafty One Customs was happy to report that some false albacore have started to move into the area, with a few confirmed catches around the mouth of the bay this week. Striped bass action has slowed a bit, but the best reports of big fish are also coming from the mouth of the bay. If you’re having any trouble finding bass, there is no shortage of big bluefish hanging around in the Bay and just outside. Fluke fishing held up well this week, and we should see some solid fishing for a few more weeks before they move out. Black sea bass numbers are down compared to the last few years, while anglers targeting tautog are reporting good summer catches. Early signups for the Rhode Island Tog Classic will end on August 31st, so check out the website at www.ritogclassic.com. 

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Rhode Island Fishing Forecast

There are signs of the hardtail run being right around the corner, with rumblings of albies in R.I. waters. But as we wait for the air and water temperatures to drop, and the fall run to pop, we have plenty of inshore/offshore options. 

Rhode Island anglers should have no shortage of big bass, regardless of if you’re staying close to home or if you want to run to the island. There’s plenty of big bass and bluefish blitzing on bait outside of the Bay, and across the South County shoreline, while the Block Island giant bass bite persists. Bonito and false albacore have made their seasonal appearance, and while the numbers are up from last week, it hasn’t quite blown open just yet. Fluke reports are starting to slow, but there were some decent fish caught this week, so we likely have one more push of nice fish before they move out. Sea bass require a bit more work than years past, but they are still around, while the scup fishing is as hot as ever. Offshore anglers are reporting an excellent yellowfin and bluefin bite, along with an increased number of mahi relatively close to home.