4/19/24 On the Verge

This week hasn't brought significant warming of the water; most places are between 46 and 48 degrees Fahrenheit. The tautog bite will likely kick up as soon as the temperature approaches fifty, squid will move inshore, and stripers will likely be dispersed along the RI coast.

A few whispers of fresh fish have surfaced, but nothing solid as of yet. Stripers migrate in waves, smaller fish typically break through first, with the larger classes following suit. According to reports, a lot of herring are passing through. Gannets can be observed diving in the mouth of Narragansett Bay, and bunker are already up in the bay!

Although the springtime weather hasn't been reliable, next week should bring higher temperatures. These days, the salt ponds warm up far more quickly than the ocean does. As the tide goes out, warmer water pushes out and mixes with cooler water, which frequently attracts bait and makes stripers congregate in these warmer water pockets. We are at the brink of our season unraveling completely. I would advise making a couple casts at this point to secure your first fresh fish of the year.