Half Day Narragansett Bay Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 6hour weekend charter targets multiple speciesAll skill levels welcome with gear and guidance includedComfortable 26foot boat explores productive Narragansett Bay waters
Captain Donald Cook knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish in some of Rhode Island's most productive inshore grounds. This 6-hour weekend charter targets the bread-and-butter species that make Narragansett Bay a top-rated fishing destination – striped bass, flounder, bluefish, scup, and black sea bass. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this trip delivers consistent action with expert guidance every cast of the way. The 26-foot center console gives you the perfect platform to work structure, drift flats, and hit the spots where these fish feed heaviest.
You'll meet Captain Cook at the dock in Warwick ready to hit some of the bay's most productive fishing grounds. The beauty of Narragansett Bay is its variety – one minute you're working rocky structure for tautog, the next you're drifting sandy bottom for flounder. Cook runs a clean operation with all the gear you need, from rods and reels to terminal tackle and bait. The boat handles four anglers comfortably, so you're not fighting for rail space or getting lines tangled with a crowd. This is prime weekend fishing when recreational pressure is lighter on weekday spots, giving you access to areas that see less pressure during the week. The captain reads conditions daily and adjusts the game plan based on what's biting, tide movement, and weather patterns.
Narragansett Bay fishing means adapting your approach throughout the day. You'll likely start with live bait – eels, worms, and squid are staples here – working them around structure for stripers and tautog. When the bite calls for it, Cook switches to artificials like bucktails, soft plastics, and topwater plugs that trigger aggressive strikes. The boat carries spinning and conventional setups matched to target species, from lighter tackle for scup and flounder to heavier gear when big stripers are schooling. Drift fishing is a key technique here, letting the current carry your bait naturally through feeding zones. You'll also work structure with jigs and learn to feel the difference between a snag and a fish pickup – skills that translate to better fishing anywhere you go.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Narragansett Bay, and for good reason. These fish show up in good numbers from late spring through fall, with the best action often happening around moving water and structure. School bass in the 18-28 inch range provide steady action, while keeper-sized fish over 28 inches deliver the kind of fights that make your drag sing. They're smart fish that require finesse – sometimes they want live eels bounced along the bottom, other times they'll crush a surface plug at first light.
Southern flounder are the bay's flatfish prize, and Captain Cook knows exactly where they lay up waiting for an easy meal. These fish love sandy bottom near structure where baitfish get pushed around by current. A well-presented squid strip or live killies drifted just right will get their attention fast. Flounder fishing teaches you patience and line watching skills – the bite is often subtle, just a gentle weight on your line that turns into a determined pull when you set the hook.
Bluefish bring the aggression factor to your day on the water. When they're feeding, you'll know it – birds working, bait spraying, and these toothy predators slashing through schools like marine buzz saws. They hit hard and fight harder, making screaming runs that test your drag settings. Fresh bluefish on the table are world-class eating when handled right, and Cook shows you proper bleeding and icing techniques to preserve quality.
Scup might not win any beauty contests, but they're scrappy fighters that keep rods bent when other species are finicky. These fish school up thick around structure and compete aggressively for food, making them perfect confidence builders for newer anglers. They're also excellent table fare – sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a classic New England fish fry.
Black sea bass are the bay's structure specialists, holding tight to rocks, wrecks, and hard bottom where they ambush prey. These fish have personality – curious enough to inspect your bait but smart enough to test your knot strength when hooked. The regulations have made them a prized catch, and a cooler full of legal sea bass represents some serious fishing skill and local knowledge.
Weekend slots with Captain Cook fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is at its best. This 6-hour charter gives you serious time on the water to target multiple species and really learn the bay's productive areas. You're not just buying a fishing trip – you're getting a masterclass in local techniques from a captain who's made his living reading these waters. The boat runs rain or shine (within safe weather limits), and Cook's local knowledge means you'll be fishing the right spots at the right times with the right techniques. Whether you're looking to put fish in the cooler, introduce someone new to saltwater fishing, or just spend quality time on the water, this Narragansett Bay charter delivers the goods every time.
The 29-foot Blackfin "Mahalo" cuts through Narragansett Bay's waters like she was built for it. This solid fishing platform gives you plenty of deck space to work your lines while chasing stripers, flounder, and whatever else is biting. When the sun gets intense, duck inside to the comfortable cabin that's got AC and a fridge to keep your drinks cold. Captain Donald knows these waters inside and out, and with the onboard fish finder, you'll spend more time fighting fish than searching for them. The flybridge gives you great visibility for spotting feeding birds and surface action. With a clean head, GPS, radar, and VHF radio, you're set for a safe and productive day on the bay. She handles four anglers comfortably without feeling cramped, and the multimedia system keeps things entertaining between bites. Perfect for targeting those bay bass and bottom fish that make Rhode Island waters famous.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are our most reliable bottom dwellers - chunky, dark fish that love hanging around wrecks, rocks, and any hard structure. Most run 1-3 pounds, but the big males can push 6-8 pounds and develop that distinctive hump on their heads during spawning. They're perfect for mixed bags since they share territory with tautog and scup. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to shallow structure. What guests appreciate is they're cooperative biters and phenomenal table fare - sweet, firm white meat that rivals any restaurant fish. They fight harder than their size suggests too. The secret is fishing tight to structure with natural baits like squid, clams, or crab. Use enough weight to stay on bottom, and when you feel that first tap, give it a second before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are the bay's most aggressive predator - razor-sharp teeth, non-stop attitude, and they'll hit anything that moves. These blue-green bruisers typically run 3-10 pounds locally, but when they're feeding, it's pure chaos on the water. They love chasing baitfish schools in open water and near structure. Summer into early fall is prime time when they follow the bait migration through Narragansett Bay. Guests love the action because when you find blues, you find fast fishing - they travel in schools and compete with each other. They're also great eating when fresh and prepared right. Fair warning: watch those teeth when handling them. Best technique is matching the bait - if you see them busting pogies on top, throw poppers or metal jigs. When they're deeper, wire leader is a must with chunk bait or lures. Move fast and cover water.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as the old-timers call them, are perfect for getting kids hooked on fishing - they bite fast and fight hard for their size. These silvery, deep-bodied fish usually run 1-2 pounds but can hit 4 pounds if you're lucky. They love hanging around rocky bottom, wrecks, and anywhere there's structure to hide shellfish and worms. Peak season runs May through October when they move inshore from deeper winter waters. What guests love is how cooperative they are - once you find a school, the action stays hot. They're also fantastic eating, sweet and flaky like their cousin the sea bass. Here's the trick: use a simple hi-lo rig with small hooks, squid strips for bait, and fish right on bottom. Keep your bait moving with little jigging motions - scup can't resist that movement.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise - flat, sandy-colored fish that bury themselves on muddy and sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but the big "doormat" females can stretch over 2 feet and several pounds. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that distinctive flatfish look. They're most active during warmer months when they move into shallow bays and estuaries. What makes them special is they're pure table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Plus, watching one materialize from what looked like empty bottom never gets old. The key is fishing right on bottom with slow, steady retrieves. I like using light jig heads with live minnows or shrimp, dragging slowly across sandy flats. Feel for that subtle "tick" - that's your flounder picking up the bait.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of Narragansett Bay fishing. These silver beauties with their signature dark horizontal stripes typically run 20-40 pounds around here, though we've landed some real monsters pushing 50+. They're incredibly strong fighters that'll test your drag and give you a workout. What makes them special is they're both predator and prize - excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. In the bay, look for them around structure like bridge pilings and rocky drop-offs, especially during moving water. Spring through fall is prime time when they follow baitfish into shallow water. My go-to tip: fish the tide changes at dawn or dusk near the pilings. Cast live eels or chunk bait just upcurrent and let it sweep down naturally. These fish are smart, so patience pays off big time.
Rhode Island