Private Half Day Newport RI, Fishing Charters | Evening
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour evening charter for up to 6 guestsAll fishing gear, tackle, and licenses included onboardFlexible 6 PM departure with light refreshments provided
There's something magical about fishing Newport's waters as the sun starts to drop and the evening bite kicks in. Captain Bingo's private half-day charter aboard the Lil Bingo puts you right in the sweet spot when fish start feeding aggressively before dark. This 4-hour trip accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it perfect for families, friends, or anyone wanting to escape the crowds and fish at their own pace. We typically launch around 6 PM, but I'm flexible with departure times if you need to work around dinner plans or other commitments. All your gear, tackle, and licensing is handled—just show up ready to fish.
Newport's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent fishing on the East Coast, especially during those golden evening hours when baitfish move shallow and predators follow. The Lil Bingo is perfectly sized for our local waters—big enough to handle any conditions but small enough to get into those productive spots where the bigger boats can't reach. You'll be fishing structure-rich areas around Newport Harbor, along the rocky coastline, and over productive bottom where stripers, scup, and tautog love to hang out. The beauty of a private charter is we can adjust our approach based on what's biting—whether that's drifting live bait, working jigs around structure, or casting topwater when fish are busting on the surface. I provide light snacks and drinks, but feel free to bring your own beverages. Just remember—no glass bottles or hard liquor on board for safety reasons.
We run a full spread of rods and reels suited for Newport's diverse inshore fishery. Depending on conditions and target species, we might be bottom fishing with circle hooks and chunks of squid or crab, working bucktails and soft plastics along rocky structure, or even throwing topwater plugs when stripers are feeding aggressively near the surface. The tackle box is loaded with everything from 1-ounce jigs for scup to heavier sinkers for tautog in deeper water. I keep a variety of baits on board—squid, worms, crabs, and fresh baitfish when available. The key to success here is reading the conditions and adapting quickly. Newport's rocky bottom and strong tidal flow require specific techniques, and I'll walk you through everything from proper hook sets to fighting fish around structure. Whether you're a complete beginner or seasoned angler, I'll make sure you're using the right approach for maximum success.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Newport fishing and the reason many anglers keep coming back. These powerful fighters range from schoolie-sized fish around 20 inches up to true cows pushing 40 pounds or more. Spring through fall offers the best action, with evening trips particularly productive as stripers move shallow to feed on baitfish. What makes striped bass so special is their fighting ability—they'll make blistering runs, jump, and test your drag like few other fish. The satisfaction of landing a keeper striper after a hard fight in Newport's scenic waters is something every angler should experience.
Scup, also known as porgy, are Newport's most reliable catch and perfect for anglers wanting steady action. These silver-sided fighters typically run 8-14 inches and bite aggressively on small hooks baited with squid or worms. While they might not be the biggest fish in these waters, scup are fantastic table fare and will keep your rod bent all evening. They school heavily around Newport's rocky bottom, and it's not uncommon to catch dozens during a single trip. Kids especially love targeting scup because the action stays hot and the fish are easier to handle.
Tautog, or blackfish, represent Newport's premier bottom fishing opportunity and are prized for their incredible fighting ability and excellent eating quality. These powerful, thick-bodied fish live around rocky structure and require precise presentations with green crabs or other crustacean baits. Tautog fishing demands patience and skill—they're notorious for stealing bait and require perfect timing on the hook set. But when you connect with a quality tog, you'll understand why they're considered one of the best fighting fish in New England waters. The spring and fall seasons offer peak tautog fishing, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 16-inchers up to true trophies over 20 pounds.
Bluefish bring raw power and aggression to Newport fishing trips, especially during summer and early fall when they're feeding heavily on baitfish schools. These toothy predators hit hard, fight harder, and provide some of the most exciting fishing action you'll find anywhere. Bluefish range from snapper-sized juveniles perfect for light tackle fun up to chopper blues that can top 15 pounds and test your equipment to its limits. They're opportunistic feeders that will attack everything from live bait to metal jigs, making them a top target when you want guaranteed action and hard-pulling fish.
Black Sea Bass round out Newport's fantastic inshore fishing opportunities and are rapidly becoming a customer favorite due to their excellent table quality and strong fighting ability. These bottom dwellers prefer rocky structure and artificial reefs where they ambush prey and defend territory aggressively. Black sea bass typically range from 12-18 inches in our local waters, with occasional larger fish that can reach several pounds. They're particularly active during evening hours when they move up in the water column to feed, making them perfect targets for our sunset charters. Their firm, white meat makes them one of the most sought-after fish for the dinner table.
Newport's evening fishing consistently delivers some of the best inshore action on the Rhode Island coast, and private charters book up quickly during peak season. The combination of diverse species, scenic waters, and that magical evening bite makes this trip a top choice for both serious anglers and families looking for quality time on the water. With
Step aboard the *Lil Bingo*, a well-equipped 36-foot sportfishing boat designed to handle Newport's evening waters with ease. This vessel comes loaded with everything serious anglers need – outriggers for trolling, a reliable fish finder to locate the action, GPS navigation, and radar for those hazy summer evenings when visibility drops. The flybridge gives you excellent vantage points for spotting fish activity, while the private head means no cutting trips short. With space for up to six anglers, there's plenty of room to work your lines without bumping elbows. The boat's layout maximizes fishing space while keeping you comfortable during those productive late-day bites when the fish are most active. Whether you're targeting stripers, blues, or whatever's running in Rhode Island Sound, this sportfisher has the stability and gear to make your evening on the water productive.
Centropristis StriataSea bass are chunky, hard-fighting bottom dwellers that love wrecks, rocks, and structure in 30-120 feet of water around Newport. Most run 1-3 pounds, but the bigger males can hit 5+ pounds and develop that distinctive hump on their heads during spawning season. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore and stack up on structure. What makes them great targets is their willingness to bite and that solid fight they put up until they surface. Plus, they're among the best eating fish we catch. Drop squid strips or clams on a two-hook bottom rig right into the structure and be ready - when they hit, reel steady to keep them out of the rocks.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive predators that show up in Newport waters from late spring through fall, ranging from snapper-size juveniles to hefty 10-pounders that'll test your drag. They travel in schools and feed voraciously on baitfish in open water and around structure. When they're on a feeding blitz, the action can be non-stop with fish hitting anything you throw at them. Blues are scrappy fighters with razor-sharp teeth, and smaller ones make great eating when handled properly. The key is finding the schools - look for diving birds and surface commotion. Once you locate them, almost any lure or bait works, but wire leaders are essential since they'll bite through mono in a heartbeat.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as locals call them, are perfect for evening trips when they're actively feeding near the bottom around rocks and structure. These silvery fish with rainbow-tinted scales typically run 1-2 pounds and are surprisingly easy to catch once you find them. May through October is when they're in close to shore, making them ideal for our Newport waters. What guests love is how cooperative they are - great for families and beginners who want steady action. They're also excellent eating with firm, sweet meat. Here's the trick: use small pieces of squid or clam on a simple bottom rig, and keep your bait moving with gentle jigs to get their attention.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the real deal around Newport - these silver-sided beauties with their distinctive black stripes can reach 20-40 pounds and put up one heck of a fight. They love structure like rocks, jetties, and drop-offs, usually hanging near the surface during dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during their migration when they're fattening up on baitfish. What makes them special is that powerful run they make when hooked, plus they're absolutely delicious eating. Pro tip: when you see birds diving or baitfish jumping, get your line in there fast - that's stripers feeding underneath.
Tautoga OnitisBlackfish are the bulldogs of Newport's rocky bottom - thick, powerful fish that average 2-4 pounds and live right in the boulders and jetties where they crunch crabs and mussels all day. Spring and fall are best when they're most active, though they can be caught year-round in our area. What makes tautog fishing special is the challenge - they're smart, structure-oriented fish that require finesse and patience. The reward is some of the best eating fish in New England waters. My go-to method is fresh green crab with the legs cracked to release scent, fished tight to the rocks on a sensitive rod. You'll feel that distinctive tap-tap bite, then set the hook hard and pull them away from cover fast.
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