Some tough winds have kept fishing reports down, but those who have braved the conditions have found improving striped bass, fluke and scup action.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, reports that anglers are still finding good light tackle striped bass action around Newport and also at the Port of Providence. Live pogies and fresh chunks have been producing some bigger bass in the Providence area as well, as it appears that big slug of fish has not yet left the area. Scup fishing is starting to pick up pretty nicely in Tiverton, Jamestown and around Prudence Island. Keeper fluke catches continue to slowly and steadily improve in the Newport and Jamestown area. Freshwater anglers are still reporting excellent largemouth bass catches on heavy shiners at Stump Pond and Turner Reservoir; while trout fishing has been strongest at Olney Pond in Lincoln Woods.
Mike, at Cardinal Bait and Tackle in Westerly, reported that fishing reports were decent last week, despite the tough winds. Anglers are still managing limits of decent fluke along the South County beaches and the sea bass by-catch has been great. Unfortunately sea bass isn’t open until the 24th, but things are looking good for the opener. Shore anglers have found mixed sizes of striped bass along the breachways and beaches; while the number of large bluefish in the area is starting to increase.
Captain Frank, of the Frances Fleet in Narragansett, reports that the fluke bite remains best close to home. The trips this week were generally quite successful with most anglers managing 5-7 keepers, while a few limited out. Fish maxed out around the 7-pound mark this week, while many are falling in the 3-5 pound range. A good deal of large catch and release sea bass, along with a few scup to 2-pounds has helped keep the action steady. Full day fluke trips will continue to sail at 7 AM daily and sea bass will be kicking off on June 24th.
At Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, Mike Wade reports that the fishing along the local reefs has continued to pick up this week, with good numbers of school striped bass feeding on squid and sand eels. Light tackle enthusiasts are having success on small Tsumani sand eels, sluggos and sand eel flies. Bigger bass are still being caught inside the Pawcatuck on live bunker and that bite may just be starting to regress. Strong striped bass reports have also come in from The Race, for anglers fishing the stronger portions of the tide. A good push of quality scup has just moved into the area; while fluke reports remain very steady off Misquamicut and along Fishers Island.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Hillyers Bait and Tackle in Waterford had a number of customers last week that reported much better fluke fishing in the Isabella area, however it seemed to end just as quick as it picked up. This time of year the fish are moving quite a bit and spots get fished out, so be willing to move with them. Local fluke catches have been decent off Harkness and Two Tree Channel. Striper action is now very strong in local waters, with good catches coming from Bartletts, The Race, The Sluiceway and Plum Gut; including a 51-pound cow caught at The Race. Not much for sea bass and scup reports recently, but we should be close.
Andrew, at Fishin Factory 3 in Middletown, said that the recent winds have kept fishing pressure to a minimum over the past week, but a few anglers braved the winds and found some decent bass on diamond jigs at The Race. Black Point and the Harkness area are also putting up a few keeper bass. The river was too dirtied up from the winds to fish well this week, but it should be cleaning up over the next few days.
James, at Rivers End in Old Saybrook, reports that the crowds in the Connecticut River have subsided recently due to the winds, but there should be some fish to be had down there this weekend. Catches are improving from Plum Gut and Long Sand Shoal; while the first big nighttime bass came from The Race this week. Surfcasters are reporting a slow pick along the CT coast, but decent catches in the Watch Hill area. Fluke is hit or miss in local waters, but those putting their time in are picking away at some keepers around the Niantic area.
Captain TJ, of Rock and Roll Charters, reported another excellent week of striped bass fishing, and noted that quite a few big bluefish are now in the mix. Action is staying steady through the whole tide on most days and the amount of school striped bass is very promising for the coming years. The bottom fishing has also been strong, with steady catches of keeper sea bass and the first large scup of the season. The brutal winds of last weekend seem to have passed and the next few days look to be perfect days to be on the water.
Jeremy, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, reports a red-hot striped bass bite in local waters. Most anglers are fishing fresh chunks from dusk until slightly after sunrise, with daybreak being the best time by a slim margin. There has also been a very good light tackle action around the islands at dawn and dusk. Most of these fish have been in the 25-35 inch class and are aggressively taking topwater plugs. Big bluefish to about 16-pounds are also crushing topwater plugs out in slightly deeper water. West Haven and Eaton’s Neck have had a pretty steady pick of weakfish this week; while fluke fishing is now best in the less-pressured areas. Big sea bass, some to 4-pounds, have been biting around 32A; while a few scup to that 4-pound mark are also being taken in that same deeper water.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
The weeklong small craft advisory seems to be waning just in time for the weekend. Saltwater fishing for most species is improving, as the range of striped bass, bluefish and fluke increases throughout southern New England. Look for striped bass action to be on the uptick on most of the common early season reefs; while fluke action should also climb as we get back to summer-like temperatures.