7/31/26 Bones

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Southern Rhode Island Fishing Report – July 31st

Bones

A rainy week down here in South County, but it finally looks like Mother Nature is going to cut us a break. As of now, Saturday and Sunday are shaping up to be dry, and the marine forecast looks about as good as you could ask for.

Expect S–SW winds 5–10 knots with 2–3 foot seas all three days. If you've been waiting for a weather window to fish offshore or make a run to Block Island, this might be it.

Bones Are Here

"Bones" have officially arrived.

Bones are what we call bonito. They usually make their appearance before the false albacore and are one of the fastest, hardest-fighting fish we see from shore and boat this time of year. They're running a little later than last season but right on schedule compared to most years.

If history repeats itself, this is only the beginning. Over the next few weeks expect more reports of bonito showing up around the beaches, breachways, reefs, and eventually schools of false albacore mixing right in with them.

If you're planning ahead, now is the time to make sure your light tackle is ready.

Tautog Season Opens Saturday

Rhode Island tautog season reopens Saturday (August 1st).

Regulations

Minimum Size: 16 inches
Daily Limit: 3 fish per person
Only one fish may exceed 21 inches
Maximum 10 fish per vessel

If you're heading after tog this weekend, green crabs and Asian crabs should both produce around rocky structure.

Striped Bass

There are still plenty of quality bass around—they're just behaving a little differently because of the number of sharks showing up in local waters.

The salt ponds have really picked up. Bass can be seen exploding on bait during the incoming tide, but what looks like an easy bite often isn't. These fish are completely keyed in on tiny bait, and if you're not matching what they're eating your odds drop dramatically.

The trick has been downsizing.

Small soft plastics, resin jigs, epoxy jigs, and castable umbrella (bait ball) rigs have all been producing when larger plugs are getting ignored.

Some very nice fish are still being taken out front, especially by anglers fishing eels or matching the hatch.

Shop Tip: If fish are blowing up all around you but refusing your lure, don't cast farther—cast smaller.

Tuna

There were several encouraging reports from last weekend of recreational-size bluefin feeding on top early in the morning.

The challenge remains the same...

These fish simply don't stay in one place very long.

Planning and the most recent reports are invaluable right now. Have multiple options ready before leaving the dock:

Castable stickbaits
Resin jigs
Vertical jigs
Trolling bars

The boat that adapts first usually finds the fish first.

Fluke

The local fluke bite continues to improve, especially for anglers fishing the strongest parts of the tide.

Block Island continues to produce consistent catches while local waters are slowly catching up.

Of course...

The sea robins have arrived.

And naturally, the dogfish received the invitation too.

Stay patient. The better fish are still mixed right in with all the bycatch.

Black Sea Bass

Plenty of keeper sea bass remain around.

Finding the larger fish has become a little tougher, but they're still there. Fishing slightly deeper water with larger jigs or bigger baits around rocky structure has been producing the better fish.

Lure of the Week – Joe Baggs Long Cast Resin Jig (10% Off)

The Hook

Tired of watching fish feed just out of casting range?

When standard metal and epoxy lures fall short, the Joe Baggs Long Cast Resin Jig delivers unmatched casting distance, deadly action, and the durability to handle brutal saltwater conditions.

Built to reach distant blitzes and stay in the strike zone longer—this is the jig you tie on when you need to get tight.

Key Benefits

Aerodynamic high-density resin body for incredible casting distance.
Realistic baitfish profile that perfectly imitates sand eels, anchovies, peanut bunker, and rain bait.
Extremely durable resin construction with no epoxy odor.
Stable swimming action from slow retrieve to burn-and-turn.
Premium BKK inline and tuna-grade assist hooks.

Technical Specs

Weights: ½ oz, ¾ oz, 1 oz, 1½ oz, 2 oz, 3 oz

Hook Sizes

½–2 oz: BKK Inline 2/0
3–4 oz: BKK Inline 4/0

Target Species

Striped Bass • Bonito • False Albacore • Bluefish • Tuna • Spanish Mackerel • Grouper • Amberjack • Sea Bass • Snapper Blues

Tie one on. Send it. Get tight.

10% Off This Week

Did You Know? Why Are Fluke Called Fluke?

The name "fluke" comes from an old Germanic word meaning flat, referring to the fish's body shape.

Locally, anglers adopted the nickname to separate Summer Flounder from Winter Flounder, even though both are technically flounders.

Quick Identification

Fluke (Summer Flounder)

Eyes on the left side
Large mouth with sharp teeth
Aggressive predator
Can exceed 20 pounds
Distinct eye-like spots

Winter Flounder (Blackback)

Eyes on the right side
Small mouth with no teeth
Bottom feeder
Rarely exceeds 3 pounds
Much darker coloration

Knowing the difference helps anglers stay within regulations and appreciate two very different species that share our local waters.

We're Fully Stocked With

Live Eels
Fresh Mackerel
Sandworms
Bunker
Fresh Squid
Clams

Get Ready Now

August is right around the corner.

This is when almost anything can show up in our local waters.

Before leaving the dock:

Check your drag.
Inspect knots and leaders.
Replace rusty hooks.
Restock bucktails and terminal tackle.
Check rod guides for chips.
Clean and lubricate your reels.
Keep one spinning rod rigged with a small epoxy or resin jig—you never know when bonito or albies will suddenly appear.

Stop by the shop or shop anytime online:

www.breachwaybait.com

We're open 7 days a week.

Shop Hours

Monday–Saturday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sunday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Weekend Weather

Friday (7/31)

NW winds around 5 kt, becoming SW in the afternoon. Seas 2–3 ft. Wave Detail: S 3 ft at 9 seconds and W 1 ft at 4 seconds. Patchy morning fog with visibility under 1 NM.

High: 79° | Low: 63°