Block Island Full-Day Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday offshore fishing adventure departing from Point JudithTarget multiple species including striped bass, tautog, and sharksExpert crew provides guidance and highquality fishing equipment
Picture this: you're heading out from Point Judith on a crisp morning, coffee in hand, watching Block Island grow larger on the horizon. This isn't just any fishing trip – it's your chance to tap into some of the most productive waters off Rhode Island's coast. Jimmy Ocean Fishing Guide Service knows these grounds like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on fish that'll have you talking for months. Whether you've been fishing since you could hold a rod or you're just getting your feet wet, this full-day charter is designed to deliver the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Your day starts with a scenic 45-minute cruise from Point Judith to Block Island's legendary fishing grounds. Don't let that travel time fool you though – it's all part of the experience. You'll watch the mainland fade away as you approach some of the most fish-rich waters in New England. The crew at Jimmy Ocean knows exactly where to find the action, whether that's rocky bottom structure holding tautog, sandy flats where flounder lurk, or the edges where stripers and blues patrol. The boat's equipped with top-notch electronics to locate schools, and the crew will have you rigged up with the right tackle before you even reach the first spot. With a maximum of just three anglers, you're getting personalized attention that bigger head boats simply can't match.
All your gear is included, which means you're fishing with quality rods and reels that can handle everything from delicate bottom fishing to hard-fighting pelagics. The crew will match your tackle to the target species – lighter spinning gear for scup and sea bass, heavier conventional setups for tautog around structure, and fast-action rods when the false albacore are running hot. You'll learn proper bottom fishing techniques for structure-oriented species, how to work jigs and soft plastics effectively, and the art of reading your rod tip for subtle bites. The guides aren't just there to net your fish – they're teaching you the little details that separate good days from great ones. Bait selection, hook sets, fighting techniques, and reading the water all become second nature when you're learning from pros who fish these waters year-round.
Scup, or porgy as many locals call them, might not win any beauty contests, but they're scrappy fighters that'll keep your rod bent all day. These silver-sided battlers love rocky bottom and structure around Block Island, typically running 1-2 pounds with some reaching 3+ pounds. Late spring through early fall is prime time, and they're perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. Kids especially love scup because they bite readily and fight harder than their size suggests. Plus, they're fantastic eating when prepared right.
Tautog are the bruisers of the bottom fishing world around Block Island. These powerful, dark-colored fish use rocks and wrecks as their home base, making lightning-fast runs when hooked. The Rhode Island waters around Block Island are famous for producing trophy tautog, with fish over 5 pounds not uncommon and true giants pushing 8+ pounds. Fall is prime time when these fish feed heavily before winter, but spring fishing can be red-hot too. Tautog require patience and skill – they're notorious bait stealers with crushing jaws that can straighten hooks. Landing a keeper tog is a badge of honor among local anglers.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottom until an unsuspecting meal drifts by. Block Island's varied bottom structure provides ideal habitat for these flatfish, and they can surprise you with their size – keeper flounder here regularly hit 2-4 pounds with some real doormat specimens pushing much larger. Summer into early fall is peak season, and they're a favorite target for their excellent table fare. The fight might not be spectacular, but the anticipation of what's on the other end when you feel that telltale thump-thump is what keeps anglers coming back.
Black sea bass are the crowd-pleasers of Block Island fishing. These chunky, aggressive fish hit hard and fight with surprising strength for their size. The rocky bottom and structure around Block Island is perfect sea bass habitat, and the regulations allow for good action during the open seasons. Most fish run 1-3 pounds, but the area produces its share of 4+ pound specimens. Sea bass are curious fish that often travel in schools, so when you find them, the action can be fast and furious. They're also one of the best eating fish in these waters.
Skipjack tuna bring the speed and power that gets every angler's heart racing. These smaller members of the tuna family are pure energy, making blistering runs and aerial displays when hooked. Block Island's waters see skipjack runs during late summer and early fall, often mixed with false albacore and bonito. They typically range 5-15 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in attitude. Skipjack will test your drag system and your arms, and they're a great introduction to tuna fishing for anglers looking to step up their game.
Block Island fishing doesn't get much better than this. You're getting access to world-class fishing grounds with experienced guides who know how to put you on fish. The intimate setting with just three anglers means you're not fighting for rod space or waiting your turn for help. From the moment you leave Point Judith until you're heading back with a cooler full of fish, this is fishing the way it should be done. The combination of scenic beauty, diverse fishing opportunities, and expert guidance makes this a trip that both beginners and seasoned anglers will remember. Don't wait for the perfect day – book your Block Island adventure with Jimmy Ocean Fishing Guide Service and discover why these waters have such a legendary reputation among New England anglers.
Your Block Island fishing adventure happens aboard a reliable 23' Sailfish center console that's built for Rhode Island's coastal waters. This motorboat comfortably handles up to 3 anglers while you target tautog, sea bass, striped bass, and other local species around the island's productive fishing grounds. The boat comes equipped with GPS navigation and fish finder technology to locate the best spots, plus radar for those foggy New England mornings. You'll have quality rods, reels, tackle, and fresh bait ready to go, along with an onboard toilet for convenience during your full day on the water. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to fish and move around while staying stable in Block Island Sound's conditions.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are reliable crowd-pleasers around Block Island's wrecks and rocky bottom. These stocky, dark fish typically weigh 1-4 pounds with the occasional 6+ pounder mixed in. You'll find them May through October in 20-120 feet around structure - wrecks, boulder piles, and artificial reefs where they hunt crabs, squid, and small fish. Males turn bright blue during spawning season and develop a distinctive hump on their heads. What guests love about sea bass is their willingness to bite, decent fight for their size, and fantastic eating quality with firm, sweet meat. They're also perfect for mixed bags since they school up around structure with other species. My favorite technique: drop squid strips or clam on a two-hook bottom rig right into the structure. Once you find them, they're usually stacked up, so work the area thoroughly. Keep your drag tight - they'll try to get back into the rocks immediately.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, also called porgy, are one of those fish that'll keep your rod bent all day around Block Island. These silvery, deep-bodied fish typically run 12-16 inches and make excellent table fare. You'll find them from May through October in 20-60 feet of water around rocky bottom, wrecks, and near structure where they hunt for crabs and mollusks with their powerful jaws. They're perfect for beginners since they bite aggressively on simple bottom rigs with squid, clams, or marine worms. What makes scup special is their willingness to bite and their sweet, flaky meat that rivals any restaurant fish. Pro tip: when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook immediately - let them take it and run a few seconds. Their small mouths mean you need to give them time to really grab the bait.
Katsuwonus PelamisSkipjack tuna are the speed demons of Block Island's offshore waters, bringing nonstop action when schools move through. These torpedo-shaped fish average 15-25 pounds with distinctive dark stripes along their silver sides. You'll find them in 60-200+ feet of open water from late spring through fall, often mixed with other tunas and feeding on baitfish near the surface. They travel in large schools and can turn a slow day into pure chaos when they show up. What makes skipjack special is their blistering runs and aerial displays - they'll test your drag and your patience. Plus, they make excellent sushi or seared steaks for dinner. Trolling small feathers or cedar plugs at 6-8 knots works best, but when they're up feeding, casting small jigs into the frenzy is pure excitement. Key tip: when you hook up, get the fish in fast - the school spooks easily, so land yours quick and get back in there.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise around Block Island's sandy and muddy bottoms. These flat, oval-shaped fish typically run 15-20 inches and can surprise you with their quick bursts of speed when hooked. You'll find them in 10-40 feet of water over sand, mud, and mixed bottom from spring through fall, often near structure edges where they ambush baitfish, crabs, and shrimp. Both eyes sit on their left side, and they can change color to match the bottom perfectly. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive strike and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for kids since they bite readily. Here's a local trick: drift slowly with live minnows or strips on a simple sliding sinker rig. When you feel weight but no movement, that's your flounder - let it sit a few seconds before setting the hook.
Tautoga OnitisTautog, or blackfish as we call them locally, are the bulldogs of Block Island waters. These chunky, mottled brown fish average 2-4 pounds but can push 10+ pounds around the deeper wrecks and boulder fields. They live year-round in 15-80 feet around rocky structure, jetties, and artificial reefs, using their powerful jaws to crush mussels, crabs, and sea urchins. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially April through June when they're most active. Anglers love them for their stubborn fight and excellent eating - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They're territorial and smart, so patience pays off. My go-to trick: use fresh green crab on a simple high-low rig, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, set the hook fast. They'll try to wrap you around structure, so keep steady pressure and work them up quickly.
Narragansett