Rhode Island · Rhode Island Coast
STRIPED BASS FISHING
IN NARRAGANSETT
Narragansett is an excellent destination for striped bass fishing, with peak season in June, September and good catches in May, July, August. Book a charter and target striped bass with local experts.
About Striped Bass Fishing in Narragansett
The iconic striper is the most sought-after gamefish on the Atlantic coast. These powerful, line-ripping fish migrate from the Chesapeake Bay to New England each spring and fall, creating legendary fishing opportunities from Virginia to Massachusetts.
Striped Bass — called "stripers" or "rockfish" in the Chesapeake — are the most iconic gamefish of the Atlantic coast. Their silver body with bold black horizontal stripes, powerful build, and aggressive feeding make them a favorite from Virginia to Massachusetts. The spring and fall migrations create legendary fishing runs as massive schools move along the coast. Stripers are found in both salt and fresh water, and the Chesapeake Bay serves as the primary nursery for the Atlantic population. They are excellent eating, with firm, white, mildly flavored flesh.
Scientific name: Morone saxatilis
Striped Bass Seasonal Calendar — Narragansett
Month-by-month availability for striped bass in Narragansett, RI.
How to Catch Striped Bass in Narragansett
Techniques & Bait
Live bait (bunker/menhaden, eels, mackerel) fished on a fishfinder rig or chunk rig near structure, rip currents, and drop-offs is the most consistent technique. Trolling umbrella rigs and tube-and-worm behind planer boards covers water during migrations. Casting topwater plugs (Pencil Poppers, Atom Poppers) into blitzing schools on the surface at dawn/dusk is the most exciting striper fishing. Fly fishing with Deceiver, Clouser, and Grocery Fly patterns during the fall run is world-class. Live eels drifted at night around rocky structure is the go-to for trophy fish.
Recommended Tackle
Medium to medium-heavy spinning rod (7-9 ft), 4000-6000 reel, 20-40 lb braid, 30-40 lb fluorocarbon leader. For surf casting: 10-11 ft surf rod, 6000+ reel, 50 lb braid. Fly: 9-10 weight rod with intermediate line.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Narragansett
Top spots where local captains target striped bass and other inshore species.
Narrow River Estuary
The Narrow River is a tidal estuary flowing through Narragansett into the ocean at Narragansett Beach, and its winding channels hold striped bass, bluefish, flounder, and white perch. The river's salt marsh edges and sandy bottom create diverse habitat where fish feed on crabs, silversides, and shrimp on rising tides. Kayak anglers and wade-fishers work the river's shallow reaches for school-sized stripers and keeper flounder throughout the summer.
Point Judith Pond
Point Judith Pond is a large saltwater pond behind the Point Judith barrier beach, connected to Block Island Sound through the Breachway channel. The pond holds striped bass, fluke, tautog, and scup in its deeper channels, around docks and bulkheads, and along its eelgrass beds. The Breachway's powerful tidal currents create a feeding station at the pond's entrance that concentrates fish during every tide change.
Jerusalem State Pier
The Jerusalem State Pier on the west side of the Point Judith Breachway provides accessible shore-fishing in the tidal channel connecting Point Judith Pond to the ocean. Striped bass, bluefish, tautog, flounder, and scup are caught from the pier and adjacent rocks as tidal currents sweep baitfish through the narrow passage. The pier is one of Rhode Island's most popular family-friendly fishing locations with consistent catches throughout the season.
Galilee Salt Pond
The salt ponds behind Galilee and Point Judith in Narragansett provide sheltered inshore fishing where striped bass, flounder, and white perch feed in warm, productive waters. The ponds' shallow depth and abundant grass beds create nursery habitat that attracts baitfish and the predators that follow them. These protected waters offer reliable fishing when ocean conditions are rough and provide excellent opportunities for wade-fishing and kayak angling.
Other Species in Narragansett
More fish you can target while visiting Narragansett.
Striped Bass Fishing in Narragansett — FAQ
The peak months for Striped Bass fishing in Narragansett are June, September. During these months, Striped Bass are most active and abundant in the Narragansett area.
Striped Bass fishing charters in Narragansett are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Live bait (bunker/menhaden, eels, mackerel) fished on a fishfinder rig or chunk rig near structure, rip currents, and drop-offs is the most consistent technique. Trolling umbrella rigs and tube-and-worm behind planer boards covers water during migrations. Casting topwater plugs (Pencil Poppers, Atom Poppers) into blitzing schools on the surface at dawn/dusk is the most exciting striper fishing. Fly fishing with Deceiver, Clouser, and Grocery Fly patterns during the fall run is world-class. Live eels drifted at night around rocky structure is the go-to for trophy fish.
No — when you book a charter in Narragansett, your captain provides all required Rhode Island fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Striped Bass regulations in Rhode Island include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Striped Bass in Narragansett, you may also catch Bluefish, Fluke, Tautog, Black Sea Bass, Porgy. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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