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Narragansett Bay Fishing Guide

Rhode Island

A large bay with spring schoolie stripers, summer blues, and fluke.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Narragansett Bay for striped bass, flounder and bluefish. The best months overall are Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov. In October, striped bass, flounder and bluefish are in season, and Clouser Minnow, Lefty's Deceiver and Walking Topwater are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles; the closest is Saltwater Edge in Middletown, 4 mi away. Wood River is 18 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

In October

Striped Bass, Flounder, Bluefish

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Narragansett Bay Species

Striped Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Flounder

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to May, Sep to Nov

Bluefish

Prime Now
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Best: May to Oct

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

8 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Lefty's Deceiver #3/0-2

    Fly

    Streamer · Bluefish, Striped Bass

    Shop This Fly

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Striped Bass

    Shop This Fly

  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Bluefish, Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Flounder, Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Bucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Flounder, Striped Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Metal Jig 1/2 to 3 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Bluefish

    Shop This Lure

  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Flounder · Mud minnows or finger mullet.

  • Cut Mullet Chunk or strip

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Bluefish

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Striped Bass

Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.

Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.

Flounder

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid, Carolina rig or bucktail.

Bluefish

Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate line, wire or 40 lb bite tippet.

Spin / Cast 7 to 9 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 20 lb braid with a wire leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Narragansett Bay

Jigs

Spro Bucktail Jigs

Durable hair jigs for stripers, fluke, and anything that eats baitfish.

Check Price

Reels

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel

A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.

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Metal Jigs

Deadly Dick Deadly Dick Metal Jig

A small, heavy casting jig for fast-moving albies and mackerel.

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Rods

Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod

A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.

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Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

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Soft Plastics

Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ

A tough, stretchy paddle tail that survives toothy fish.

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Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 10 wt Fly Rod

Backbone for big flies, heavy wind, and fish that run into the backing.

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Topwater

Heddon Zara Spook

The walk-the-dog topwater that works in fresh and salt.

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Narragansett Bay

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Rivers & Streams · Rhode Island · 18 mi

Wood River

One of Rhode Island's top trout streams, with wild brookies and stocked trout.

Brook Trout · Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout

Saltwater & Coast · Rhode Island · 29 mi

Block Island

An island known for trophy striped bass and fall albies.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore

Saltwater & Coast · Massachusetts · 40 mi

Martha's Vineyard

An island known for surfcasting and a fall derby for stripers, blues, and albies.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore

Saltwater & Coast · New York · 42 mi

Montauk

The tip of Long Island, a legendary fall blitz destination for stripers, blues, and albies.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore

Saltwater & Coast · Connecticut · 47 mi

Long Island Sound

Reefs and river mouths that hold stripers and bluefish all season and fall albies.

Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore

Saltwater & Coast · Massachusetts · 55 mi

Cape Cod

Stripers and albies from the beach, flats, and rips.

Striped bass · False albacore · Bluefish