5/8/26 Mom, I'm Going Fishing!

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Southern Rhode Island Fishing Report – May 8th

Mom, I'm Going Fishing

Mother's Day weekend has always been a signal in southern Rhode Island that things are finally coming alive—and this year is no different.

The wind has been relentless this week and looks like it'll continue through most of the weekend before finally easing up Sunday... of course, just in time for Mother's Day. Make sure to sneak out and fish, but don't forget to spend some time with Mom too. ;-)

Striped Bass

The numbers are here, and more fish continue to push into the area every day. This week we've seen a lot of fish over the 28-inch mark, with only a handful of smaller fish mixed in. Most fish have been covered in sea lice—a great sign of fresh migratory bass.

What Are Sea Lice?

Sea lice are small tan-brown parasitic crustaceans (copepods) that attach to striped bass and feed on mucus. They're one of the best indicators that a fish is freshly arrived from the open ocean.

They live in deeper offshore waters and usually fall off once fish move into lower salinity areas like rivers, bays, and salt ponds. They're generally harmless and don't cause lasting damage to the fish.

The worm hatch was excellent on some nights this week, while other nights had little to no activity. Wind kept water temperatures cooler, preventing a full-blown hatch every evening, but things are shaping up very nicely for a productive stretch ahead.

Beaches and breachways have been fishing very well, and fish are starting to stack up inside the salt ponds as water temps climb. You can already see schools moving in and out with the tides.

We should also start seeing bluefish over the next couple of weeks. Interestingly, the last few years have produced a stronger spring bluefish push than fall in our area.

Early Season Favorites

Stop in for a reel respool or grab proven spring producers like:

🪱 Cinder Worm

A cinder worm is a small segmented marine worm found in estuaries, salt ponds, and tidal marshes throughout the Northeast. Every spring, they undergo a dramatic spawning event commonly referred to as a "worm hatch."

Science & Biology of the Cinder Worm

The "hatch" is actually a spawning event called epitoky
Typically occurs once water temperatures reach the low 60s
Often lines up with new and full moon cycles
Worms leave the mud and swarm near the surface to release eggs and sperm
Adult worms die after spawning

These swarms become a massive food source for striped bass and can create some of the most technical and exciting fishing of the year.

Lure of the Week – Breachway Bomber

A durable, versatile topwater lure with some of the best casting ability on the market—perfect for punching through windy conditions and reaching the strike zone.

Great for:

Striped bass
Bluefish
Comes equipped with a single Mustad hook for easier catch & release.

Key Features

Technically a sinking lure, but designed to fish on top
Excellent bluefish lure thanks to the rear single hook
Long casting ability in heavy wind

Weights

2 oz
3 oz

Colors

White
Blurple
Green
Orange
Watermelon

👉 10%+ OFF this week

Tautog

Most boats struggled to get offshore this week due to wind, but the few that made it out found fish. Shore anglers have continued to report better success overall.

Patience is key this time of year—sometimes it takes a while to pull tog out of their caves.

Recommended Gear

Magic Tail Tog Jigs (Game Changer & Back Bay Series)
Jigging World Blackfish Rigs

Bait Talk

Bait continues pouring into the area:

Small silversides are loaded into the salt ponds
Mummichogs ("mummies") are active
Shrimp are everywhere
Blue crabs already showing up

We're also seeing:

Herring deep in the ponds
Shad
Mackerel

We're fully stocked with:
👉 Live Eels, Green crabs, sandworms, bunker, mackerel, squid, and clams

Get Ready Now

Now's the time to dial everything in:

Check your line
Match leaders to conditions
Be ready to adjust game plans
Swap rusty hooks
Check your reels—especially line rollers

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 (5/8):
W winds 5–10 kt becoming SW 10–15 kt with gusts to 20 kt. Seas 2–3 ft.
High: 58° | Low: 44°

Saturday (5/9):
S winds 5–10 kt increasing to 10–15 kt with gusts to 25 kt. Seas 2–4 ft. Rain developing during the afternoon.
High: 57° | Low: 44°

Sunday (5/10):
SW winds 5–10 kt. Seas 3–4 ft.
High: 63° | Low: 50°