5/22/26 Blue World
Southern Rhode Island Fishing Report – May 22nd
Blue World
Summer-like conditions this week—and it's still only May. Water temperatures are climbing fast, bait is flooding into the area, and Southern Rhode Island is quickly turning into a bluefish and bass playground.
Fishing remained solid this week, although the bass bite slowed slightly for shore anglers compared to the previous week. Tautog fishing saw a major improvement, and squid fishing continues to be extremely consistent.
Striped Bass
Small silverside bait has started pouring into the area, and both bass and bluefish have been heavily keyed in on them. At times, this has made fish a little tougher to fool.
When bass are locked onto tiny bait like this, downsizing presentations and slowing retrieves has made a big difference. Small paddletails, slimmer profile plugs, and soft plastics worked slowly around current seams have been producing best.
The cinder worm hatch was strong this week, though in many areas there were actually more worms than fish. Timing became everything. The key was getting out early—before the water became overloaded with worms.
And by early... we mean 5:00–5:30 PM.
Fishing the edges of worm slicks instead of directly in the middle also seemed to produce better quality fish.
There are still plenty of big fish in the salt ponds, with several bass this week pushing the 40-inch mark.
Bluefish
Bluefish reports ramped up significantly this week. Most fish have been in the 15–24" range—classic tailor/chopper-sized blues—but numbers should continue increasing over the next couple of weeks, with hopes that a few true gators push into the area soon.
The spring bluefish run has quietly become one of the more underrated bites in our area over the last few years, especially when they start mixing in with bass around silverside schools and breachway current.
Early Season Favorites
Stop in for a reel respool or stock up on proven spring producers:
Lure of the Week – Joe Baggs Miracle Minnow
The Joe Baggs Miracle Minnow has been a killer option lately when fish are feeding on smaller bait like silversides.
It casts exceptionally well into wind, has a tight realistic swimming action, and continues to produce when larger-profile plugs struggle.
Great for:
- Surfcasting
- Breachway current
- Long-distance casting
- Boat trolling
Effective on:
- Striped bass
- Bluefish
- Albies
- Other aggressive saltwater predators
From the surf to offshore rips, the Miracle Minnow is built to cast far, swim true, and handle abuse from aggressive fish.
Cast it far. Work it true. Hook them hard.
👉 Bet on Baggs.
Tautog
Water temperatures are now climbing quickly, and it's time to fish your inshore spots before the season wraps up.
📅 Reminder: Tautog season closes May 31st
- Fresh green crabs, sandworms, and clams.
- Magic Tail Tog Jigs (Game Changer & Back Bay Series)
The inshore bite has improved noticeably this week, especially for anglers willing to move around and fish smaller isolated pieces of structure.
Fluke
We're hoping for more fluke reports this weekend with favorable wind and sea conditions finally lining up.
A few fish are already being caught around the island, and with warming water plus plenty of bait around, it won't be long before better numbers move onto the South Shore.
The breachway channel is shaping up to be a very fun summer fluke fishery on light tackle.
Fresh squid just got packaged up in the shop.
🦑 Bait & Shop Update
We are doing our annual Kids derby at Ninigret park tonight at 5pm! Kids under 12 and there family's are welcome to attend.
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 (Holiday): 6–6
- Tuesday–Friday: 8–6
Weekend Weather
Friday (5/22)
E winds 10–15 kt with gusts to 20 kt. Seas 2–3 ft.
🌡️ High: 63° | Low: 50°
Saturday (5/23)
E winds 10–15 kt with gusts to 20 kt. Seas 2–3 ft.
🌡️ High: 60° | Low: 49°
Sunday (5/24)
E winds 20–25 kt with gusts to 30 kt. Seas building 4–6 ft. Showers likely.
🌡️ High: 57° | Low: 50°
🌊 Weekend Tides (Breachway Flow)
Friday (5/22)
Incoming: 10:56 AM → 4:40 PM
Outgoing: 4:40 PM → 11:05 PM
Incoming: 11:05 PM → 5:05 AM*
Saturday (5/23)
Outgoing: 5:05 AM → 11:56 AM
Incoming: 11:56 AM → 5:42 PM
Outgoing: 5:42 PM → 12:22 AM*
Sunday (5/24)
Incoming: 12:22 AM → 6:07 AM
Outgoing: 6:07 AM → 12:51 PM
Incoming: 12:51 PM → 6:42 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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