5.0(4 Reviews)Private Half Day Inshore Fishing in Rhode Island
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing charter targeting multiple seasonal speciesProfessional crew provides all equipment and expert guidanceMorning departures accommodate up to three guests maximum
Looking for a solid fishing trip without burning your whole day? Captain Jimmy's private half-day charter is exactly what you need. We're talking prime Rhode Island inshore waters, a seasoned guide who knows where the fish hang out, and enough action to fill your cooler. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing adventure or you're a weekend warrior looking to get on some quality fish, this morning trip delivers. With just you and your crew on board (up to 3 anglers), you'll get personalized attention and hit the spots that are firing at the right time.
Your morning starts early, but trust me, it's worth it. Captain Jimmy knows Rhode Island's inshore waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish fast. We're targeting the usual suspects that make this area famous – striped bass, black sea bass, tautog, bluefish, and when conditions are right, some Atlantic cod and little tunny. The boat's rigged with quality gear, but if you've got your lucky rod, bring it along. Expect to move around a bit as we follow the bite – that's how you stay on active fish instead of just hoping they swim by. The beauty of a private charter is flexibility; if the tautog are crushing it on the rocks, we'll stay put. If the bass are running bait in open water, we'll chase them down.
We fish smart out here, not just hard. Depending on what's biting, you'll be working everything from bottom rigs for tautog and sea bass to casting lures when the stripers are busting bait on top. Captain Jimmy provides all the terminal tackle – hooks, sinkers, bait, the works. For tautog, we're talking green crabs and chunks fished tight to structure. Black sea bass love squid strips bounced near the bottom around rocky areas. When the stripers are active, we'll throw everything from soft plastics to topwater plugs. Don't worry if you're new to some of these techniques – Jimmy's patient and will show you the ropes. Half the fun is learning something new that you can use on your own trips later.
"We had an incredible time fishing with Captain Jimmy! I brought along my 19-year-old son and his friend—both seasoned anglers—and all three of us were thoroughly impressed. Despite the windy conditions, the captain stayed on top of everything, constantly re-baiting our lines and adjusting our position to keep us right on the fish. We ended up with a hefty haul of keepers and released at least triple that amount. It was a style of fishing we weren't used to, but Jimmy was patient and took the time to teach us how to properly catch tautog. They turned into a delicious dinner that night, with plenty of leftovers for the days ahead. Jimmy is not only a skilled captain but also a genuinely great guy, and the trip was an absolute blast from start to finish!" - Stephen
"You won't find a more friendly or knowledgeable captain than Jimmy. His passion for fishing is clear in everything he does. He knows these Rhode Island waters inside and out, and it truly showed on our calm, warm September Saturday trip—we absolutely crushed it. We hit our limit on tautog, including one that hit 10 pounds, another at 8, and a couple more in the 6-pound range. Jimmy made sure to release the females, which speaks to his respect for the fishery's future. We also maxed out on gorgeous, tasty black sea bass, some weighing up to 4 pounds. Just when we thought the action was slowing, a surprise school moved through, and the excitement started all over again. By the end, we had landed an albie, a green bonito, and even a few mackerel. We were lucky enough to spot whales and dolphins along the way, which made the day even more unforgettable. Jimmy took his time filleting everything with skill and care. I've been on plenty of charters over the years, and this was my first trip with Jimmy—but it certainly won't be my last. Bonus points: unlike many captains, Jimmy doesn't smoke, which made the experience that much better. Absolutely recommend." - Regina
"Jimmy took us right to the action—within no time, we were reeling in mackerel, sea bass, stripers, and tautog. He's an outstanding guide and a great person to spend the day with. Every catch gave us a solid fight, and it was clear Jimmy knows all the hot spots where the bigger fish like to hang out. Definitely a trip to remember and one for the books!" - Chase
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Rhode Island fishing, and for good reason. These silver bullets can range from schoolie size up to trophy class, and they fight like freight trains. Spring through fall is prime time, with fish moving inshore to feed on bunker, herring, and smaller baitfish. What makes stripers special is their unpredictability – one minute they're slamming topwater lures in shallow water, the next they're hugging bottom structure. When you hook into a keeper striper, you'll know it immediately from that head-shaking, line-peeling run.
Atlantic cod might surprise you in these inshore waters, especially during cooler months. These bottom dwellers are bulldogs on light tackle and excellent table fare. Cod prefer structure and will readily take cut bait fished near rocky areas. They're not the fastest fish in the ocean, but their steady, powerful pull and the fact that they're becoming more of a treat to catch makes landing one special.
Little tunny, also called false albacore or albies, are pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. These mini tunas show up in late summer and fall, usually chasing bait schools near the surface. When you see birds working an
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our 23' Sailfish center console, built for both comfort and serious angling action. This motorboat handles Rhode Island's inshore waters like a dream, giving you and two other anglers plenty of room to work the lines without bumping elbows. We've loaded her up with quality rods, reels, and all the tackle you'll need to target everything from stripers and blues to tautog and flounder. The GPS keeps us on the productive spots while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. When visibility gets sketchy, our radar system keeps the trip running smooth. The onboard toilet means you can stay focused on fishing without worrying about comfort breaks cutting into your time on the water. Whether you're chasing false albacore in the morning or dropping bottom rigs for sea bass, this boat puts you right where the fish are biting in Rhode Island's coastal waters.
Gadus MorhuaCod are bottom dwellers that love rocky areas and wrecks in 60-200 feet of water. Most of what we catch runs 2-4 feet long, weighing up to 15-20 pounds, though bigger ones are out there. They're easier targets in cooler months when they move closer to shore. You'll recognize them by that distinctive chin barbel and mottled coloring. Guests love cod because they're solid fighters that put a good bend in the rod, plus they're absolutely fantastic on the dinner table - that flaky white meat is hard to beat. The key is getting down to them with heavy sinkers and staying patient. Strip baits like squid or clam work best. Once you find structure holding fish, work it thoroughly since cod tend to school up on good bottom.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, hard-fighting bottom dwellers that love structure - wrecks, rocky bottom, and around pilings. Most run 2-4 pounds, though we get some nice 6-8 pounders that really pull. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to depths under 120 feet. They're popular with families because they bite readily and fight well for their size. The meat is sweet and firm, making them one of the best eating fish we catch. Males turn bright blue during spawning and develop that distinctive hump on their heads. Best technique is simple: squid strips or clams on a two-hook bottom rig. Drop it down to structure and hold on. They'll hit fast and pull hard toward the bottom, so keep steady pressure to work them up and away from the rocks.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive feeders that show up mid-June through October, ranging from snapper-size juveniles to chunky 15-20 pounders. They hunt in packs along beaches, harbors, and anywhere baitfish school up. You'll often see them churning the water during feeding frenzies - we call it a "bluefish blitz." What guests love is how willing they are to bite and how hard they fight with those powerful runs. They're also great eating when handled properly, with rich, flaky meat that's perfect grilled. Just watch those razor-sharp teeth! The secret is matching the bait to what they're feeding on - if you see bunker getting slammed, use chunk bait. Oily fish like mackerel or eels work great, and cut bait often outfishes lures when they're being picky.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle tunny, also called false albacore, are speed demons that'll give you an arm workout. They average 10-12 pounds but pack the punch of much bigger fish. These torpedo-shaped fighters travel in schools near the surface around jetties, points, and wherever baitfish are thick. Late summer through fall is when they show up in numbers, chasing bait balls and making a racket. What makes them exciting is that blazing speed - they'll strip line faster than almost anything else we catch. The meat is darker and richer than regular tuna, perfect for sashimi if you like strong-flavored fish. Here's the trick: when you see birds diving and water exploding with bait, get there fast and cast small spoons or jigs right into the chaos. Light tackle is key since they're line-shy.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the real deal around here - those iconic black stripes make them easy to spot, and they typically run 20-40 pounds, though we see some real monsters pushing 50+. They love structure like rocky points and drop-offs, especially where current moves baitfish around. Spring through fall is prime time when they're actively feeding in our cooler New England waters. What makes them special is that hard initial run - they'll test your drag and give you a workout. Plus, they're excellent eating with that sweet, flaky meat. My tip? Fish the moving water during tide changes, especially dawn and dusk when they're hunting. Use live eels or chunk bait near the bottom around structure, and keep your drag loose for that first screaming run.
5.0 out of 5.0We had an incredible time fishing with Captain Jimmy! I brought along my 19-year-old son and his friend—both seasoned anglers—and ...
You won't find a more friendly or knowledgeable captain than Jimmy. His passion for fishing is clear in everything he does. He kno...
Jimmy took us right to the action—within no time, we were reeling in mackerel, sea bass, stripers, and tautog. He’s an outstanding...
Jim was fantastic—friendly, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable. I booked the charter mainly for my grandson, and Jim went ...
Narragansett