Private Block Island Full-Day Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day offshore fishing around Block Island's productive watersTarget multiple species including striped bass, tautog, and sharkExpert crew guidance with all fishing gear provided
Picture this: you're standing on deck at first light, salt spray on your face, watching the sun paint Block Island's bluffs gold as you cruise toward some of the most fish-rich waters off the Rhode Island coast. That's exactly what you get with Jimmy Ocean Fishing Guide Service's top-rated full-day charter. We're talking about a legitimate 12-hour fishing adventure that starts with a scenic 45-minute run from Point Judith to the legendary fishing grounds surrounding Block Island. This isn't some cookie-cutter boat ride – it's a custom fishing experience designed for up to three anglers who want to fish hard and fish smart in waters that have been producing trophy catches for generations.
Your day kicks off early from Point Judith, where Captain Jimmy and his crew will have the boat rigged and ready before you even finish your coffee. The ride out to Block Island gives you time to get your sea legs and talk strategy while taking in some of the best coastal scenery New England has to offer. Once we hit the fishing grounds, it's game on. These waters are famous for good reason – the underwater structure, current breaks, and baitfish populations create perfect conditions for multiple species year-round. You'll be fishing everything from rocky bottom structure for tautog and sea bass to open water columns for striped bass and bluefish. The beauty of a full-day trip is flexibility. If the fish are biting in one spot, we stay put. If they move, we move with them. Captain Jimmy knows these waters like his own backyard and adjusts tactics based on what's working that day.
We've got you covered with professional-grade tackle that's perfectly matched to Block Island's diverse fishery. Depending on what we're targeting, you'll be using everything from heavy conventional reels loaded with braided line for bottom fishing, to spinning gear for working lures through the water column. When we're after tautog around the island's rocky structure, we'll set you up with quality circle hooks, sinkers designed for snaggy bottom, and the freshest bait we can get our hands on – usually green crabs or Asian crabs that these fish can't resist. For striped bass and bluefish, we switch gears to trolling spreads with umbrella rigs, or casting topwater plugs and soft plastics when the fish are feeding on the surface. The crew handles all the rigging and re-rigging, so you can focus on what you came for – catching fish. We'll also coach you through different techniques as conditions change throughout the day.
Scup, also known as porgy, might not be the biggest fish in Block Island waters, but they're absolute favorites among anglers who know good eating fish. These silver-sided fighters typically run 8-12 inches around the island, with some pushing 14 inches or better during peak summer months. Scup are aggressive feeders that hit everything from small pieces of clam to tiny jigs, and they school up in huge numbers over sandy bottom and around structure. What makes them special is their willingness to bite when other species are finicky, plus they're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. You'll find them most active from late spring through early fall, and they're perfect for anglers who want consistent action and a cooler full of dinner.
Tautog are the bulldogs of Block Island's rocky bottom, and hooking into a quality "tog" is like arm-wrestling a submarine. These fish average 2-4 pounds in our area, but 6-8 pound fish show up regularly, especially during fall when they're feeding heavily before winter. Tautog have incredibly strong jaws designed for crushing shellfish, which means they fight dirty – heading straight for the rocks the second they feel the hook. They're structure-oriented fish that live in the same rocky holes and crevices year after year, making them predictable targets for guides who know the spots. Fall is prime time for tautog around Block Island, when cooler water temperatures trigger aggressive feeding. Their thick, meaty fillets make them one of the most sought-after species for the dinner table.
Southern flounder might seem like an odd name for a fish caught off Rhode Island, but these flatfish are year-round residents in Block Island Sound and absolute masters of camouflage. Most of our flounder run 12-16 inches, with occasional doormat-sized fish pushing 20 inches or better showing up to surprise anglers. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy bottom and wait for baitfish, crabs, or worms to pass overhead. Flounder fishing requires patience and a good feel for your sinker – you'll often feel them pick up the bait and swim off before committing to eating it. Summer months are most productive, especially when we're drifting over sandy bottom adjacent to rocky structure where they like to hunt.
Black sea bass are the crowd-pleasers of Block Island fishing – aggressive biters, hard fighters, and excellent eating. These chunky bottom dwellers typically run 1-3 pounds in our waters, with some reaching 4-5 pounds during peak season. Sea bass are structure-oriented fish that love rocky bottom, wrecks, and artificial reefs, making Block Island's varied underwater terrain perfect habitat. They hit a variety of baits from clams and squid to small jigs and soft plastics, often competing with each other to grab your offering first. Their willingness to bite, combined with liberal bag limits during open season, makes them perfect for anglers wanting steady action. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with fish most active during moving tides.
Skipjack tuna might be the smallest member of the tuna family in our waters, but they punch way above their weight class when it comes to excitement. These 2-4 pound speedsters show up around Block Island during summer and early fall, often in schools that create feeding frenzies on the surface. When skipjack are around, you'll know
Your Block Island fishing adventure starts aboard our 23' Sailfish center console – built for serious anglers who want comfort and performance in one package. This boat handles the waters around Block Island like a pro, getting you and two other fishing buddies to the hot spots where tautog, striped bass, and bluefish are waiting. We've got you covered with top-shelf rods, reels, and all the tackle you'll need, plus GPS and fish finder tech to put you right on the fish. The onboard toilet means you can focus on landing that trophy catch without worrying about comfort during your full day on the water. With radar for those foggy Rhode Island mornings and plenty of deck space to fight fish, this center console is your ticket to some of the best inshore fishing the Northeast has to offer.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are dependable fighters that love structure around Block Island. These chunky, dark fish average 1-3 pounds but can reach 6-8 pounds, with the big males developing a distinctive hump on their heads during spawning season. You'll find them around wrecks, rocky bottoms, and artificial reefs in 30-80 feet of water from late spring through fall. They're part of the grouper family and fight hard until they break the surface, then give up pretty easily. Sea bass are fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They'll hit both live and cut baits, but squid strips are hard to beat. Here's a local tip: when you hook one, there are usually more around, so drop back down quickly. Use a two-hook rig with 4/0 hooks and keep your bait right on the bottom. The bigger fish hold in deeper water, so don't be afraid to fish those 60-80 foot wrecks for the real trophies.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup are one of those reliable fish that show up consistently around Block Island from May through October. They're silver with rainbow-tinted scales and typically run 12-16 inches, though you'll occasionally hook into an 18-incher pushing 3-4 pounds. You'll find them bottom feeding around rocks and structure in 20-60 feet of water, crushing mussels and worms with their strong jaws. While they're not built for long fights, scup are excellent table fare and make perfect live bait for stripers. Most folks catch them while targeting other species, but they're actually pretty easy to hook on purpose. Try small pieces of squid or clam on a simple bottom rig, and here's the key - keep your bait moving slightly off the bottom. They'll grab a bait that's drifting just above the rocks but often ignore anything sitting still in the sand.
Katsuwonus PelamisSkipjack are the speed demons of the tuna family, built like torpedoes with dark stripes along their silver sides. These pelagic fish typically weigh 8-15 pounds and stretch 2-3 feet long, but what they lack in size they make up for in pure speed and stamina. You'll find them in offshore waters beyond the continental shelf, often mixed with other tunas and feeding near the surface on warm water days. Summer and early fall bring the best action when bait is thick. Skipjack are what goes into most canned tuna, but fresh they're excellent for sashimi or grilling. They travel in large, fast-moving schools that can appear and disappear quickly. Trolling small feathers or hoochies at 5-6 knots is your best bet, but when you find feeding birds, switch to casting small jigs or flies. Pro tip: when you hook one, get it in the boat fast and immediately put lines back out - the school won't stick around long, but you can often pick up several fish in a quick flurry.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise around here, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms where they can change color to match their surroundings. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and 2-3 pounds, with both eyes on their left side - pretty wild looking when you first see one. You'll find them in shallow bays, around inlet mouths, and over sandy flats in 10-30 feet of water, especially during their fall migration. They're ambush predators that explode off the bottom to grab baitfish, making for some surprising strikes. Flounder are prized for their sweet, flaky white meat - definitely one of the best eating fish we catch. The key to success is drifting with the current using a slip sinker rig and live minnows or strips of squid. Keep your bait moving slowly along the bottom, and when you feel that subtle pickup, wait a second before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait around.
Tautoga OnitisBlackfish are some of the toughest fighters you'll find around Block Island's rocky structure. These chunky, dark-colored fish typically weigh 2-4 pounds, but the big bulls can push 8-10 pounds and live over 30 years. They hang tight to rocks, wrecks, and jetties in 15-50 feet of water, using their powerful jaws to crush crabs and mussels. Spring through early fall is prime time, especially when water temps hit the 50s and 60s. What makes tautog special is their bulldogging fight - they'll try to wrap your line around every rock down there. Plus, they're absolutely delicious eating. The trick is using fresh green crabs and fishing just off the structure, not right in it. Drop your bait about 10 feet away from the rocks and let it settle. When you feel that telltale tap-tap, set the hook hard and pump them up fast before they can dive back into their rocky hideout.
Narragansett