Pictured: One of many double headers landed aboard Reel Cast Charters this week.
Big striped bass are being taken at The Race with some consistency, which likely signifies that they are starting to trickle into the usual spots across eastern CT and southern RI. Black sea bass has been great in CT and finally opens for RI anglers this weekend, while fluke fishing slowly but steadily improves across our region.
Rhode Island Fishing Report
Dave, at Ocean State Tackle in Providence, was out on the water in the Newport area when I spoke with him this week and was into good striped bass, fluke and sea bass action. He found good topwater action for striped bass during the morning hours before shifting gears and getting into some good afternoon fluke action. Bass are taking all sorts of topwater offerings, while the best fluke action was on standard rigs tipped with fresh squid. Sea bass were mixed in with the fluke and biting well, so things are looking good for the Friday opener. Dave also mentioned that there are still some quality bass in the Providence area, but the action has become much more spotty. Big scup are biting around Prudence Island and the Tiverton area, while bluefish to 8 pounds are getting more common throughout the Newport/Jamestown area.
At The Saltwater Edge in Middletown, word is that the local striped bass bite has yet to really take off. There are some small keepers to be had on the local reefs and a few schools have been taking topwater plugs around Newport. It seems as if the bigger fish have yet to settle into the usual spots, including Block Island, which has also been on the slow side. Luckily, the local fluke fishing has picked up the slack. Anglers are reporting steady catches of 6- to 8-pound fish close to home, while some serious doormats are still being taken at Block. Catch and release sea bass has been red hot, so that should be another great option for anglers this weekend.
Captain Frank, of the Frances Fleet in Narragansett, reported that the fluke fishing for mid-June has been pretty good overall. The fleet has been covering the local beaches, Sakonnet and Block Island, and has found good results at all locations. Pool fish are generally coming in at around 7 to 8 pounds and a few anglers each trip have taken home limits. Limits aren’t a guarantee, but most anglers are taking home a couple nice keepers on each trip. Black sea bass have been caught and released at all locations as well, with some as big as 6 pounds! Full day fluke trips will continue to sail at 7 AM daily and starting Friday, anglers will be able to keep 3 sea bass over 15 inches as well. Half-day trips from 8-12 AM and 1-5 PM will also be starting up soon, along with Saturday night striped bass trips, which kick off this Saturday. Be sure to check in with the office for a full detailed schedule.
At Watch Hill Outfitters in Westerly, Mike Wade reports that the fluke fishing has been very good at Misquamicut and Isabella Beach, in roughly 30 to 50 feet of water. It also seems that a good push of large scup have moved into local waters, with both shore and boat anglers reporting solid catches. Striped bass fishing has been relatively slow on the local reefs, but anglers are starting to catch small keepers with some consistency; while The Race has really turned on with 30- to 40-pound bass taking live eels after dark.
Connecticut Fishing Report
Mike Roy of Reel Cast Charters reported that things really took a turn for the better around the recent full moon. His last few trips have resulted in a bunch of quality bass hitting live bunker during the daytime and a steady bite on live eels after the sun goes down. The bass have been very aggressive, including a few that have attacked bunker that have fallen off the hook while Mike was already fighting a fish. A few fish are still being taken around the bunker schools inside the river, but the bite has really started to transition to the usual haunts around Long Island Sound. The vast majority of fish have been in the 20-pound class, but Mike boated a nice 40-pound fish a few nights ago, so it appears the bigger girls are starting to filter in.
James, at Rivers End in Old Saybrook, reports that a reduction in fishing pressure throughout the lower stretches of the river has resulted in an uptick of quality catches this week. Boat anglers hitting nice keeper fish on topwater plugs, while shore anglers have reported decent action at Saybrook Point and the causeway. The reason for less pressure in the river has been some better fishing out front, including good catches at Plum Gut, Long Sand Shoal, the Sluiceway and a night bite at The Race. Fluke has been slow but steady at Two Tree Channel, Isabella and Montauk, while Block Island remains red hot for heavy doormats. Black sea bass is as steady as ever, while scup reports are just starting to trickle in. Small bluefish can be taken on light tackle at Plum Island and Millstone, while a couple gators have been spotted around the bunker schools in the river.
Captain TJ of Rock and Roll Charters, reported a week full of lock and load black sea bass action, with fish to 20 inches. Striped bass was on the slower side during the weaker moon phase, but with a little work he was able to find some good catches to 42 inches. TJ anticipates some good action in the coming days, as better tides are coinciding with the full moon period.
There seems to be even more variety in the western sound, according to Jeremy, at Fisherman’s World in Norwalk. Bruiser 14- to 18-pound bluefish are being spotted pushing bunker schools around throughout the mid-sound area. They could be found throughout the daytime hours, but dawn and dusk has been best and offers a shot at having some nice bass mixed in. Around the islands, light tackle anglers are reporting a consistent striped bass bite, with fish ranging from 20 inches to 20 pounds. Fluke fishing has also been quite consistent out west from Stamford to Milford. Spro jigs tipped with Gulp bait have been fooling plenty of keepers, with some as big as 24 inches being reported. Scup has been slow with the exception of some deeper rockpiles off Stamford; with sea bass remaining steady on most deep pieces of structure. Freshwater anglers have been capitalizing on a strong smallmouth bite on artificials and walleye on live shiners at the Saugatuck Reservoir.
Rhode Island Fishing Forecast
The June full moon generally provides the first shot at some cow striped bass and this year appears no different. Steady catches around The Race and a few in the eastern sound should have most striped bass anglers thinking about drifting some eels after dark this weekend. Fluke appears to be a solid option for anglers across southern New England, while the sea bass opener in Rhode Island will open up that great option to anglers in both states as well.