Half Day Rhode Island Tuna and Bluefish Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore charter targeting tuna, bluefish, and striped bassProfessional light tackle jigging aboard 32-foot Regulator center consoleCaptain Taylor Brown guides up to four guests near Block Island Sound
Captain Taylor Brown knows these waters like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard his 32' Regulator center console at the Jamestown Newport Ferry dock, you're in for a serious fishing adventure. This isn't your typical tourist trip – we're talking about four hours of legitimate offshore action targeting some of Rhode Island's hottest species. The boat's built for stability and speed, perfect for getting you out to the fish quickly and keeping you comfortable while you're working the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, Captain Taylor's got the experience to put you on fish and the patience to help you land them properly.
Your day starts early at the Jamestown Newport Ferry departure point, where Captain Taylor will have the Regulator prepped and ready to roll. This 32-footer is no joke – it's designed specifically for offshore work and can handle the swells while giving you a stable platform to fish from. We keep the group small at just four anglers max, which means you're not fighting for rod space or waiting your turn when the bite gets hot. The captain provides all the professional-grade tackle you'll need, so don't worry if you don't have your own setup. We're talking quality reels, sharp hooks, and the right terminal tackle for whatever we're targeting that day. The four-hour window gives us plenty of time to hit multiple spots and adjust our strategy based on what the fish are doing.
Captain Taylor specializes in light tackle techniques that'll get your heart pumping when you hook up. We're primarily working with jigs and poppers, which means you're going to feel every headshake and run these fish make. Jigging is all about working that lure vertically through the water column – you'll drop it down, then work it back up with sharp jerks and pauses. The captain will show you the rhythm, but once you feel that first strike, you'll understand why this technique is so addictive. Popping on the surface is equally exciting – watching a tuna or bluefish explode on your lure right at the surface never gets old. The light tackle means you're really connected to the fish, but don't worry about being overpowered. Captain Taylor knows how to match the gear to the conditions and will coach you through the fight to make sure you land your fish.
Striped bass are the backbone of Rhode Island fishing, and for good reason. These fish are smart, strong, and absolutely beautiful. They typically range from schoolie size up to 40+ pound cows, and they fight like they mean it. Best action usually happens during the moving tides, and Captain Taylor knows exactly where to find them based on the time of year and conditions. What makes stripers so special is their willingness to hit both jigs and surface poppers – you never know if your next fish will come from 60 feet down or right on top.
From late July through mid-September, mahi mahi show up in Rhode Island and Block Island Sound, and these fish are pure gold. They're gorgeous with that bright yellow and green coloration, and they put on an absolute show when hooked. Mahi love structure and often travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They hit poppers aggressively and make long runs that'll test your drag system. Plus, they're fantastic eating if you decide to keep a few for the table.
Yellowfin tuna are the prize fish that every angler dreams about. These fish are built for speed and endurance, and landing one on light tackle is a real accomplishment. They show up throughout the summer months, often feeding in deeper water where we'll target them with vertical jigs. When a yellowfin hits, you'll know it immediately – they take off like a freight train and don't give up easily. The meat quality is restaurant-grade, and the bragging rights last forever.
Bluefish might not get the respect they deserve, but Captain Taylor knows they're some of the most aggressive predators in these waters. They travel in schools and feed with incredible intensity, often creating visible surface action that's easy to spot from a distance. Blues hit hard and fight dirty, using their razor-sharp teeth and powerful bodies to try to cut you off. They're also excellent eating when handled properly and cooked fresh.
Black sea bass round out the target list and provide consistent action when the bigger pelagics aren't cooperating. These fish are structure-oriented and perfect for vertical jigging techniques. They might not make the long runs that tuna do, but they're scrappy fighters and absolutely delicious. Sea bass fishing also gives newer anglers a chance to get comfortable with the techniques before targeting the bigger, faster species.
Captain Taylor's half-day charters book up fast, especially during peak season when the mahi and tuna are running hot. The $300 deposit locks in your date and shows you're serious about getting on the water. Weather cancellations happen – that's just part of offshore fishing – but the captain will make the call based on safety and fishing conditions, and your deposit is fully protected if he has to scrub the trip. This is legitimate fishing with a captain who knows how to find fish and put his clients on them consistently. The Regulator is maintained to commercial standards, the tackle is top-shelf, and the guidance you'll receive is worth the price of admission alone. Four hours might not sound like much, but when the fish are biting and you're working light tackle in some of Rhode Island's most productive waters, time flies. Book your trip now and get ready to experience why so many anglers consider this area world-class fishing territory.
Captain Taylor Brown's 32-foot Regulator center console is built for serious Rhode Island fishing. This 2023 boat runs on twin Yamaha engines, cruising smoothly at 25-30 knots to get you on the tuna and bluefish fast. The spacious deck gives all 4 anglers plenty of room to work, whether you're jigging for black sea bass or popping for stripers. The deep-V hull cuts through Rhode Island Sound chop like butter, keeping you dry while chasing mahi from late July through September. With professional-grade light tackle rigged and ready, this stable platform handles everything from family trips to experienced crews looking to fill the cooler. The boat's design shines in both inshore waters around Jamestown and offshore runs to Block Island Sound.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are our go-to bottom fish, perfect for families since they're pretty cooperative once you find them. These chunky members of the grouper family run 1-4 pounds typically, with males turning bright blue during spawning season. They stick tight to structure - wrecks, rock piles, jetties - anywhere from 20-120 feet deep. Late spring through summer is best when they move inshore from their winter offshore haunts. Guests love them because they're steady biters and excellent eating with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They'll fight decent until they hit the surface, then usually give up. The trick is getting your bait right to the bottom and keeping it there - they're not going to chase anything very far. A simple two-hook rig with squid or clam works great, just make sure you're fishing right on structure.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are Rhode Island's most aggressive predators, and they'll hit just about anything you throw at them. These blue-backed bruisers typically run 3-15 pounds with razor-sharp teeth that can slice through leaders. You'll find them in schools from shallow bays to deeper offshore waters, especially where there's current and structure. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily on bunker, anchovies, and squid. What guests love is the non-stop action - when you find a school, it's often fish after fish. They fight hard with powerful runs and head shakes. The meat is excellent when fresh, especially smaller fish under 10 pounds. Watch for birds diving or bait getting chopped up on the surface. Pro tip: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon - those teeth will cut through regular mono in seconds.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are summer visitors to our waters, showing up late July through September when the water warms up. These fish are pure eye candy - bright gold and blue colors that put on a light show when they come to the boat. Most run 15-30 pounds with that distinctive blunt head on males. They're surface dwellers, hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks in open water. What guests love is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump, tail-walk, and make long runs. Plus they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with firm, sweet meat perfect for the grill. The key to finding them is looking for floating objects or birds working bait. My go-to trick is keeping a spinning rod rigged with a small jig ready - when we hook one, there's usually more around, and that second rod can double your chances.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of Rhode Island fishing, running 20-40 pounds on average with those classic seven dark stripes down their silver sides. These fish love structure - you'll find them around rocks, drop-offs, and current breaks where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action as they migrate up and down our coast following the bait. What makes them special is their fight - they're strong swimmers that'll test your drag, plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. During our trips, I watch for birds working the surface or bait getting pushed around. Here's a local trick: when we mark fish but they won't bite, try dropping your jig right to the bottom then work it up slow through the water column - stripers often hit on the fall.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin tuna are the ultimate light tackle challenge - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 50 mph and average 40-80 pounds in our waters. You'll spot them by those bright yellow fins and sickle-shaped tail. They roam the upper water column in open ocean, often mixed with other pelagic species. Summer into early fall gives us our best shots when they follow bait close to the continental shelf. What makes them special is their raw power - they'll test every knot and component of your tackle. Plus, yellowfin is top-shelf sashimi grade fish, almost as good as bluefin but way more available. These fish are constantly moving, so we're always watching for birds, bait balls, or surface activity. When jigging doesn't work, try switching to a surface popper - nothing beats watching a 60-pound yellowfin explode on a topwater lure.
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