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 though, 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 continue to 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 false albacore and bonito bite is starting to pick up steam from the kayak and the shore this week, signaling a nice start to the fall run as the calendar hits September. There are also still plenty of striped bass of all sizes around, and slot class fish are starting to get caught with more regularity. The tautog and black sea bass bite has been steady whenever Dustin has put in the time, and that bite should only intensify as the water temperatures slowly creep down. On the freshwater side, the cooler nights have started to get the largemouth and calico into shallower water to feed. 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! 

Ralph, at Crafty One Customs reports that the striper fishing has slowed down a bit, as the continued warm temps have likely driven the fish to deeper, cooler water. The nighttime or the early morning bite has been best for anglers fishing around the island. Fluke fishing is still producing well and working some of the deeper pieces of structure is likely to produce a quick limit of black sea bass. False albacore are starting to be seen with more regularity around the mouth of the bay, along with a few bonito in the mix. For a change of pace, take a look at squid fishing, as reports have started to intensify over the past few weeks.  

Captain Rob, at Newport Sportfishing Charters has split up his time between inshore and offshore and has found strong results in both locations. The yellowfin bite has been strong south of the Vineyard, and south of Block Island. The inshore trips have consisted mainly of large striped bass, which can be found all over the area, along with an increased number of false albacore and bonito. The fluke fishing is still holding strong as well, and likely has a few more good weeks before it’s all over. 

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Rhode Island Fishing Forecast

Hardtail reports start to trickle in to the east, while inshore/offshore options remain as consistent as ever. 

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 reports are trickling in from the east, but overall reports are rather inconsistent across the state. The fluke fishing hasn’t died out just yet, with continued solid reports this week. Sea bass require a bit more work than years past, but things are slowly improving as the water slowly cools, 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.