Season:
Season starts in May and we fish until November.
Stripers enter the state in May and migrate south in late fall.
Bluefish can be abundant most of the season.
Fall brings false albacore and Atlantic green bonito. Weather and water temp can be a factor.
Species:
Stripers, blue fish, false albacore, and bonito.
Region/Terrain:
Narragansett Bay's rocky shoreline offers many ambush points for the stripers to hold, waiting for the dinner bell. They are opportunistic feeders and they never miss the chance for an easy meal. During this time, with warming water temps, they feed around the clock. Narragansett Bay often explodes with feeding fish on the surface, within easy casting distance of a fly fishing fanatic. The experienced fly fisherman can usually find stripers chasing schools of bait, or holding on structure throughout the day. Schoolies are abundant on Narragansett Bay feeding on Silver sides, Cinder Worms, and Grass Shrimp. As spring draws to and end, the warmer days of summer move the stripers to deeper water by day, feeding early morning and evenings. Then the bluefish arrive. The feeding frenzy begins. Bluefish up to 10 lbs. take over Narragansett Bay. This is a great time for light tackle enthusiast. There is nothing sweeter than the sound of a singing drag, HOLD ON.
For those who want to target stripers, Newport's many reefs and rocky shorelines with deeper cooler water, presents the opportunity for the light tackle enthusiast to land that trophy bass. There are other areas, such as Narragansett County with its rocky shoreline, Point Judith, and Watch Hill, only minutes away. Fly fishing the Watch Hill reefs can be quite an experience.
Summer in Rhode Island offers a variety of species to target with fly rod and light tackle on Narragansett Bay. The best is yet to come—HARD TAILS! Bonito, false albacore, skip jack tuna. For light tackle, these are by far the most challenging. There are no guaranties here. For those who hook up, it brings the experience of a life time. This season starts in mid to late July through late October or early November. The light tackle enthusiast has a chance, on any given day, to catch striper, bluefish and a hard tail species all in one day. All this fishing available in one state: Rhode Island.
Fall in Rhode Island is my favorite time of the year for fly fishing. However, it is not a good time to be a bait fish in Rhode Island. Acres and acres of small bay anchovies, being schooled up, ready for slaughter. Big, fat, hungry bass slurp around the surface on Narragansett Bay. False albacore slashing through the middle of acres of anchovies.
You have to see it to believe it!
Let me show you my favorite places. Come to Rhode Island for a fishing trip. You'll be glad you did.
I am a Narragansett Bay Fly Fishing and Light Tackle Charter Specialist.
Typical Weather:
Spring can be cool, temp 50-70 degrees F. Light jacket and sweat shirt.
Summer, can be hot and humid, 70-90 degrees. In early morning, a light jacket might be needed.
Fall, bring layers for cold mornings warming as the day progresses.