FISHING IN RHODE ISLAND
Are you planning a trip to Rhode Island this summer? If this is the case then Rhode Island waters have much to offer the novice or experienced angler. It is a well known fact the Rhode Island waters offer some of the best sport fishing experiences in the Northeast. Every year anglers from all over the country head to Rhode Island coastlines in pursuit of Striped Bass, Bluefish and many other popular sports fish species.
FIND FISHING SPOTS NEAR YOU
TOP FISHING SPOTS IN RHODE ISLAND
GEORGE WASHINGTON STATE PARK
NARRAGANSETT BAY
LINCOLN WOODS STATE PARK
GET A RHODE ISLAND FISHING LICENSE
COMMON CATCHES IN RHODE ISLAND
BLUEFISH
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
You can sniff out bluefish by their smell, which is something like fresh cucumbers.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 7-foot, light- to medium-action spinning |
| Reel | Matching spinning reel with quality drag |
| Line | 15-20-pound braid; and 20-pound fluorocarbon leader |
| Lure | Popper's; Bluefish aren't picky about lure type, just needs to create a surface disturbance. Smaller does well. |
STRIPED BASS
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
To most freshwater anglers, the striped bass is a very important game fish is relatively new.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 7 or 7.5-foot, medium-heavy spinning rod |
| Reel | 4000 Spinning reel |
| Line | 15-20 pound test monofilament fishing line |
| Lure | Topwater, Shallow Running Crankbaits,Medium Running Crankbaits, Deep Running Crankbaits, Bottom Bouncers |
BLACK SEA BASS
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
Black sea bass are hermaphrodites; most begin their lives as females and change to males.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 6’6″ to 7′ foot long fast to extra-fast action spinning rod |
| Reel | Spinning reel |
| Line | 20-pound fused fishing line, 30 pound fluorocarbon leader |
| Lure | Beak Bait Hook, Hammered Diamon Jig, Bank Sinker, Artificial Scented Shrimp Soft Bait |
TAUTOG
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
The tog is a member of the wrasse family which, with 450 species in 60 known genera, is one of the largest families of fishes.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 7-8 foot medium-fast action spinning rod |
| Reel | 6000 spinning reel |
| Line | 50-80 pound test braided line knotted to an 4-5 foot topshot of 80-pound fluorocarbon leader |
| Lure | Hermit crabs, blue-claw crabs, white-legger crabs, green crabs, fiddler crabs. Size 5/0 to 7/0 Octopus hook. |
AMERICAN SHAD
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
The American shad is highly regarded as a game fish and its white, flaky flesh supports a considerable commercial fishery.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | Long, lightweight spinning or fly rod |
| Reel | Spinning reel |
| Line | 5-8 pound braided line works really well, run about 10 feet of clear monofilament or fluorocarbon for a leader. |
| Lure | Barbless Hooks, Flyes (white or yellow with red heads), Spinners, Spoons |
KING MACKEREL
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
The king mackerel can be found in the western Atlantic Ocean in tropical and subtropical waters.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 6.5-7 foot light-medium light spinning rod |
| Reel | 8000 Spinning reel |
| Line | 30 pound test monofilament line or 30-65 pound braided line |
| Lure | Silvery live baits such pilchards, threadfin herring, menhaden, mullet and blue runners. Frozen baits such as cigar minnows, ribbonfish and Spanish mackerel |
LAKES & PONDS
Learn about the structures in lakes and ponds. Learn where to find fish, tips and more.
STREAMS & RIVERS
River & stream fishing means knowing where the water is moving, and how fish behave in it.
