Rhode Island Fishing Report

The Frances Fleet in Point Judith reported continued strong fluke fishing this week. Captain Cole has been at the helm on the full day trips, and working the fluke grounds hard, and he has been rewarded with near full boat limits. The sea bass bite has slowed down a bit, but the ling have started to pick up the slack. The half-day trips have bounced back nicely as well, with a nice mix of sea bass and fluke. Check out francesfleet.com for an updated schedule and to make reservations.  

Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reports that the nearshore tuna fishing remains strong for both recreational and charter anglers. There has been a nice mix of small, medium, and giant-class bluefin taking jigs, trolling lures and topwater offerings. There has also been a nice mix of yellowfin and mahi.  Striped bass anglers are still finding some big bass out in front of the bay and along the south shore, but the best big bass bite is still out at the island. The local striped bass seem to be moving into the bay and rivers once again, and anglers are reporting a good bite on the incoming tide after sunset. Bottom fishermen are reporting a better tautog bite from shore, as they move into the shallows. There are still plenty of scup throughout the Bay and in the Providence River, fluke fishing has continued to improve locally, and sea bassing remains solid on the deeper reefs. Blue crabs and skipjacks are abundant in the estuaries and coves, while freshwater anglers are reporting improved largemouth action on shiners in the local lakes and ponds.  

Ralph, at Crafty One Customs reports another good week of local fishing in and around the bay. The fluke bite has continued to stay stronger than it has been all year, with limits of nice sized local fish. The striper fishing has also come back to live, with large schools of bass actively chasing bait in the bay. There hasn’t been a ton of interest in tautog just yet, but the anglers that are targeting them, are finding them. Offshore fishing remains very good whenever the weather allows. The wind caused some havoc this week, but anglers who found a window found quality yellowfin and bluefin south of Block Island.  

Connor, at Tail Tailz Charters reports that the fishing has remained as steady as ever, with the wind being the only thing that slowed him down a bit. The striped bass bite remains strong, with plenty of local bass in the 40-pound plus class. Sea bass can still be taken by vertical jigging the drop offs, while fluke fishing has improved quite a bit. The offshore trips have been insane when the weather allows. Each trip has resulted in a full box of bluefin and yellowfin, with most coming on the jig. Topwater offerings and trolling the squid bars has also produced at first light. They are also seeing a ton of big buffalo albies offshore, so it shouldn’t be long for the inshore bite to bust wide open yet. Connor had some fall tautog trips open up on the calendar, so reach out soon, they won’t be available for long! 

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Rob, at Newport Sportfishing Charters has used the windier days to take advantage of a strong inshore fluke and sea bass bite, which has steadily improved over the past couple of weeks. Fluke sizes and numbers are the best they’ve been all year, so this is prime time to cash in locally, before they start to move out. Rob’s striped bass trips have been as consistent as ever, and his offshore trips have produced steady tuna action every time he’s made it out there. 

Jay, at Pamela May Charters reiterated that the bottom fishing has improved quite a bit locally. While he’s been waiting for false albacore and bonito to filter in, he spent some time pounding the bottom and found some nice fluke in shallow water. The highlight of the week was a 29-inch doormat, which tipped the scales at 8.5-pounds. The sea bass numbers have also improved, and they are willing to hit jigs, so no need to mess around with bait. Striper action remains consistent, as they start to get into their fall patterns, and the funny fish should be right around the corner. Jay still has some availability for the fall run, so reach out before it’s too late.  

Dustin at, Rhode Island Kayak Fishing Adventures reports that the early stages of the fall run are in full effect. The striped bass bite has been consistent, with plenty of mixed-class fish. There is more surface activity happening at the moment, especially around the dawn and dusk periods. Most of the bass are smallish, but there are some big bass and gator bluefish mixed in these blitzes, so make sure your tackle is ready! The table is set for false albacore and bonito, but we’re not quite there yet. Bottom fishing has remained strong, with consistent keeper fluke and sea bass on recent trips. The tautog bite started slow, but is starting to improve, as we transition toward fall. As much as saltwater anglers are preparing for the fall run, freshwater anglers should be as well. Largemouth will start to push more and more shallow, chasing bait, and fattening up for the winter. They have some availability for fall run kayak and shore fishing trips, head over to their website for information and book your trip(s) before it’s too late! 

Rhode Island Fishing Forecast

As Rhode Island anglers wait patiently for the little hardtails to show up inshore, they can still play with the big hardtails offshore whenever the weather allows. The winds have been the only thing stopping most anglers from hooking up with tunas south of Block. If the winds keep you closer to home, don’t be discouraged, as the inshore reports have continued to improve as we approach the fall run. Fluke fishing has been as strong as it has been all season locally, sea bass and tautog numbers are improving, while hubcap scup are rounding out the catch for local bottom fishermen. Striped bass fishing has improved locally as well, with some big fish showing up during low-light hours and blitzes of smaller fishing popping off all day long. The funny fish may show up by the time you’re reading this, if not, there’s plenty of inshore fishing to keep you busy in the meantime.