New England - Rhode Island Fishing Reports

Capt. Tom Logan of Fish Trap Sportfishing made good progress on the boat this past weekend and should start looking around the local reefs for striped bass soon. Based on reports that Tom has been hearing there are a few bass starting to show up on the reefs and along the beaches and more should be arriving each day. Squid don’t seem to have moved in locally yet, but they should be here soon and hopefully fluke will start to move in with them. Fishing will really start to pick up towards the middle of May when Capt. Tom plans to start running charters.

Parker at Watch Hill Outfitters has been hearing reports of small 3-to 5-pound bluefish moving in along the beaches from Point Judith to Watch Hill. Holdover striped bass are becoming more active in the river and a few customers reported catching fresh fish covered in sea lice from beaches. Tautog fishing seems to be heating up in Narragansett Bay so local fishing, which have been slow so far this season, should pick up very soon. There have been reports of a few squid spotted in the breachways and at Point Judith, but it might be a week or two before we see good numbers locally. A few boats have been running out to areas around Block Island in search of cod and they are finding a few fish but overall, the cod fishing seems to be pretty slow.

Declan at Breachway Bait and Tackle has been hearing reports of striped bass up to around 30 inches being caught in the breachways and salt ponds. These fish are covered in sea lice and there have been good numbers of them around. Tautog fishing seems to be just starting to warm up with reports of a few keepers caught locally this past week along with some better reports from up inside of the bay. There were a few worm hatches starting up in some of the very shallow coves of the salt pond. No bass on them yet but that will change as more bass show up and the hatches become more common. Squid don’t seem to have made their way into the beaches yet, but they should arrive soon possibly around the upcoming new moon. In freshwater, trout fishing seems to be holding up pretty well and people have been catching some nice sized largemouth bass.

Abbie at Quonnie Bait and Tackle said that customers have been catching striped bass covered in sea lice from the local beaches and breachways. The typical early season soft plastics and bucktails have been producing well on these fish which are generally very small. Along with striped bass, anglers have been picking up a few small bluefish which have been mixing in with the bass at times. Tautog reports haven’t really started to pick up yet but warmer temperatures this week might finally get them chewing a little better. There hasn’t been much talk of squid showing up off of the beaches yet, but they should arrive soon. Freshwater fishing is still going strong with people still catching some nice trout along with pike, largemouth bass, and crappie.

Capt. Tony Guarino of Booked Off Charters reported that they have been making good progress on getting this ready for the upcoming season. They will begin fishing in mid-May and will be targeting cod, fluke, striped bass, and black sea bass early in the season as availability and seasons permit. A lot of dates have already been booked so call soon if you would like to make a reservation.

Over at Snug Harbor Marina they had their annual used tackle sale this past weekend which was a big success with customers scoring some great deals on gently used gear. This week they will be focused on getting the shop back in order as they return to regular business hours for the season. Fishing-wise, striped bass are being caught around the walls of the Harbor of Refuge, along the beaches and in the salt ponds. A lot of these early bass are on the small side but there have been some slot fish mixed in. Tautog fishing is still slow locally but starting to improve and reports from up inside of the bay are getting better. There have been reports of some small bluefish showing up with the striped bass. Not much for squid reports locally but a few are being caught up around Newport and in Massachusetts waters.

Over at the Frances Fleet they are eagerly waiting on the return of nicer weather with plans to start fishing for tautog and anytime the weather cooperates, and they will be adding squid trips as soon as the bite starts to come together which could be soon. Fishing for fluke and black sea bass will start up in May as the seasons open for both species. Their full schedule can be viewed on their website where you can also make reservations for upcoming trips. Call their office for updates on planned sailing times as spring fishing of often weather dependent.

Capt. Russ Benn of the Seven B’s said that they have been making good progress getting the boats ready for the 2024 season and will start adding trips soon. Spring fishing is typically done for fluke, tautog, squid, black sea bass and possibly cod and their target species will depend on the regulations and the bite. This season will see the new Jeannie B II, a 36-foot sport fisher, which will be used for private charters of up to 6 anglers, joining the fleet. If you are interested in scheduling a trip aboard either vessel give them a call and make a reservation.

Ralph Craft at Crafty One Customs said that striped bass have started moving into the bay. Tautog fishing is starting to heat up and one customer who was out on Saturday morning reported catching half a dozen stripers along with around 20 tautog. The tautog bite has been most productive in shallow water using small ½ to ¾ ounce jigs. Squid haven’t shown up in good numbers locally yet but reports from the cape are improving so they should be showing up locally soon.