9/4/26 Mullet Flip!
The nights are starting to cool off, and you can definitely feel fall in the air. There is a lot of bait around right now, and with the water still warm, we are seeing a little bit of everything.
Looking back through our logs from the last few years, September is when things can really start to change. Looking at logs from previous years making sure you don't miss out on that bite. Tides winds and conditions from previous years can indicate almost the exact same outcome as they have in the past.
The tuna bite is still going, we have a few more weeks of fluke fishing, and blackfish will soon become one of the main bottom fish we are looking for.
Striped Bass
The fall striped bass fishing is on, and this is one of our favorite times of the year. The fish have been aggressive on artificials', especially around the backwaters and salt ponds.
Topwater spooks have been working well in the backwater areas. Around the rocks, bucktails, minnow plugs, and bottle plugs are all good choices.
As we get further into September, the bait will start getting bigger and the bass will start looking for bigger meals. Keep an eye out for bait breaking on the surface, birds working, or fish pushing bait up against the shoreline.
If you are looking to get set up for the fall bass run, check out our Select Tackle for Striped Bass.
Tuna
The tuna bite has been pretty solid. We are seeing fish in the 40-55 inch range with a few much larger fish mixed in.
Jigging and trolling have both been producing fish. If you are looking for a bigger fish, keep an eye on what is happening on the bottom. We have been hearing about whiting showing up on the bottom, and the bigger tuna will definitely take advantage of them.
The biggest thing with tuna is to stay mobile. Find the bait and the life, and don't be afraid to move around if you aren't seeing anything.
Check out our Select Tuna Tackle & Gear for everything you need for the tuna grounds.
Fluke
We still have a few weeks left to get out and look for a bigger fluke. The bite has been slower, but there are still some nice fish being caught locally.
At this point in the season, I would rather spend the time looking for a good fish than catching a bunch of shorts. Deeper water and areas with a little more current are worth checking as we get later into the season.
Tautog
The tautog bite has been a little inconsistent. Some days the fish have been in 40 feet, while other days we have been finding them in 20 feet.
This is going to change pretty quickly as the water temperatures start to drop. Now is a good time to make sure you have plenty of crabs and your tog gear ready to go.
Check out our Select Tackle for Tautog before heading out.
Bonito
There are plenty of bonito around right now, and we are still waiting for the false albacore to really show up.
Small resin and epoxy jigs are a great choice when these fish are around. Keep a few different sizes with you because you never know what size bait they will be feeding on.
Hopefully the Albies won't be too far behind.
Check out our Select Tackle for Bonito and False Albacore.
Lure of the Week – The Slammer
This week's Lure of the Week is The Slammer.
The Slammer is a shallow-diving 7-inch, 2-ounce lure with a nice subtle wobble and a bigger profile. It is a great choice for stripers and bluefish when they are looking for a bigger meal.
This isn't a lure I would recommend for making long casts. It is better suited for trolling or short casts around rocks, structure, and areas where you know the fish are holding.
It is a great lure to have in the bag as we start getting into the fall bass fishing.
Stop in and check out The Slammer this week!
What is a Mullet Run?
The mullet run is one of the things I look forward to every fall. Here in Rhode Island, the mullet usually start showing up around Mid August and can stick around into October.
You can find them in the backwaters, around jetties and inlets, and along the sand beaches. Most of the mullet we see are around 3-5 inches, but bigger 6-8 inch fish will also show up.
One of the easiest ways to find them is to look for nervous water. You may see the bait rippling across the surface, small V-wakes, or even mullet jumping out of the water.
When the mullet are around, the bass and bluefish won't be far behind.
Pencil poppers, bottleneck poppers, minnow plugs, bucktails, spooks, and paddle tails are all good choices when fishing around mullet.
We're Fully Stocked With
👉 Live Eels
👉 Live Crabs
👉 Fresh Mackerel
👉 Sandworms
👉 Green Crabs
👉 Bunker
👉 Fresh Squid
👉 Clams
Get Ready Now
Get your gear ready before the fall run arrives.
Check your drags. Replace old leaders. Sharpen hooks. Restock your small resin and epoxy jigs. Make sure you have your topwater plugs ready, along with bucktails, soft plastics and teasers.
And don't forget the basics:
- Check your rod guides.
- Clean and lubricate your reels.
- Check your leaders.
- Retie questionable knots.
- Replace rusty hooks.
- Make sure your drag is working properly.
- Have a small baitfish imitation ready to go.
Summer may be winding down, but the fishing is just getting started.
Stop by the shop or shop anytime online:
We're open 7 days a week.
Shop Hours
7 Days a Week
6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Weekend Weather
Friday (9/4)
W winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 2 ft. Wave Detail: SE 2 ft at 7 seconds and SW 1 foot at 4 seconds. Areas of fog in the morning with vsby 1 to 3 NM.
🌡️ High: 82° | Low: 67°
Saturday (9/5)
N winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 2 ft. Wave Detail: SE 2 ft at 8 seconds and NW 1 foot at 4 seconds. A chance of showers in the afternoon.
🌡️ High: 75° | Low: 62°
Sunday (9/6)
NW winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: NE 2 ft at 4 seconds and S 1 foot at 7 seconds.
🌡️ High: 72° | Low: 60°
Weekend Tides (Breachway Flow)
Friday (9/4)
Incoming: 10:00 AM → 5:10 PM
Outgoing: 5:10 PM → 12:30 AM*
Saturday (9/5)
Incoming: 12:30 AM → 5:40 AM
Outgoing: 5:40 PM → 11:10 AM
Incoming: 11:10 AM → 6:17 PM
Outgoing: 6:17 PM → 1:38AM*
Sunday (9/6)
Incoming: 1:38 AM → 6:49 AMOutgoing: 6:49 AM → 12:42 PM
Incoming: 12:42 AM → 7:30PM
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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