5/15/26 Is This Real?
Southern Rhode Island Fishing Report – May 15th
Is This Real?
This spring is shaping up to be one to remember. What started as a slow season has turned into some truly incredible fishing. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen this many big fish this early in the year.
The weather finally looks like it’s turning in our favor, with 80-degree temps in the forecast. We also have a new moon tomorrow, which could line up to create one of the best fishing windows of the spring. We’re expecting a lights-out worm hatch this weekend.
Tautog fishing is ramping up, and the squid bite is quickly becoming very good.
Striped Bass
Stripers are being found everywhere you’d expect:
- Blitzing on bait off the beaches
- Feeding aggressively around breachway mouths
- Pushing deep into the ponds looking for warmer water and bait seeking refuge
The cinder worm hatch continued this week, though wind kept many of the hatches smaller and more inconsistent. This weekend should be different. As water temps rise and conditions settle, we should start seeing hatches progress deeper into coves and areas closer to the main current flow.
That’s often when the bigger fish show up.
There’s something pretty special about watching a 30-pound-class bass key in on a 2-inch worm.
We also had a few bluefish reports this week, and their numbers should continue increasing over the next couple of weeks.
Bait Talk – Eels
Large numbers of eels have started moving around the salt ponds.
Where Do Eels Come From?
Juvenile American eels showing up in Rhode Island have traveled over 1,000 miles from the Sargasso Sea near Bermuda. They drift north on ocean currents before entering coastal estuaries and salt ponds to mature.
Life Cycle
American eels are catadromous, meaning:
- They hatch in the ocean
- Grow in freshwater and brackish systems
- Return to the ocean later in life to spawn
Young eels arrive as transparent “glass eels,” eventually becoming pigmented “elvers” before moving into rivers, ponds, and marsh systems.
This annual migration is one of the coolest natural events happening in our waters every spring.
Early Season Favorites
Stop in for a reel respool or stock up on proven spring producers:
Squid
Our South Shore is one of the best squid fisheries in the world.
Longfin squid move close to shore every spring to spawn, flooding local waters and creating some incredible fishing opportunities for both recreational and commercial anglers.
Southern Rhode Island’s combination of:
- Protected salt ponds
- Warmer shallow water
- Structure-rich coastline
…creates ideal spawning habitat and concentrates massive schools of squid close to shore.
Lure of the Week
Vudu Shad 
The Vudu Shad is made from ultra-durable TPE material and designed with a serrated tail that creates an incredibly lifelike swimming action.
The mesh-reinforced tail adds durability while still maintaining strong movement and vibration.
Sizes & Specs
3” – 1/4 oz
- Great for shallow bays & flats
- Ideal for 2–5 ft depths
4” – 3/8 oz
- Perfect around reefs, jetties, and surf zones
- Excellent striper size
5” – 3/4 oz
- Built for larger fish and stronger current
6” – 1 oz
- Great for offshore trolling and heavy current applications
Best Times to Use
- Beginning or end of breachway tides when current slows
- Slow-rolling shallow water
- Excellent paired with a teaser from the beach
Tautog
Water temperatures are still climbing slowly, but the tog bite improved significantly this week.
Remember:
Tautog season closes May 31st
If your boat is finally in the water, now’s the time to get after them before we wait for the fall bite.
Fluke
Early fluke reports are starting to come from around the island, and with all the squid in the water, we should start seeing fish slide onto local beaches soon.
The breachway channel is shaping up to fish very well this summer.
One of our favorite setups for fishing the channel for fluke:
- Small bucktail - Vinnies Custom KZ
- Teaser tipped with Gulp or squid strip
Deadly whether drifting or casting on light tackle.
We’re fully stocked with:
Live eels, green crabs, sandworms, bunker, mackerel, squid, and clams
Get Ready Now
Make sure your gear is ready before the bite goes completely off the rails:
- Check your line
- Match leaders to conditions
- Replace missing jig sizes
- Swap rusty hooks
- Make sure reels are cleaned, lubed, and running properly
Stop by the shop or shop anytime online: www.breachwaybait.com
We’re open 7 days a week.
Shop Hours
- Saturday: 6–6
- Sunday: 6–5
- Monday–Friday: 8–6
Weekend Weather
Friday (5/15)
W winds 5–10 kt. Seas 3–5 ft. Scattered showers.
High: 62° | Low: 47°
Saturday (5/16)
SW winds 5–10 kt increasing to 10–15 kt with gusts to 20 kt. Patchy morning fog. Seas 2–4 ft. High: 72° | Low: 47°
Sunday (5/17)
SW winds 10–15 kt with gusts to 20 kt. Seas 2–3 ft. High: 80° | Low: 56°
Weekend Tides (Breachway Flow)
Friday (5/15)
Incoming: 3:41 PM → 10:24 PM
Outgoing: 10:24 PM → 5:02 AM*
Saturday (5/16)
Incoming: 5:02 AM → 10:52 AM
Outgoing: 10:52 AM → 4:29 PM
Incoming: 4:29 PM → 11:15 PM
Outgoing: 11:15 PM → 5:56 AM*
Sunday (5/17)
Incoming: 5:56 AM → 11:45 AM
Outgoing: 11:45 AM → 5:19 PM
*Denotes after midnight (following day)
It’s on. Get out there and get tight.
Good luck this weekend and tight lines.
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