Block Island Fishing: Bass, Blues & More
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fivehour offshore fishing trip targeting striped bass and bluefishAll tackle, bait, and fish cleaning services includedAccommodates up to six guests with morning departure options
When you're ready to step up your fishing game, Captain Rob's Block Island run is where serious anglers head. This isn't your typical close-to-shore trip – we're talking about a legitimate 5-hour offshore adventure that puts you right in the heart of some of the Northeast's most productive fishing grounds. With two departure times daily at 5:00 AM and 10:30 AM, you'll have prime opportunities to target the species that make Block Island waters legendary among charter fishing enthusiasts.
Your day starts with a scenic but purposeful run across Montauk Channel toward Block Island – one of the most renowned fishing destinations on the East Coast. Captain Rob knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's picked this location because the success rates are consistently better than what you'll find staying close to Montauk Point. The boat accommodates up to 6 anglers, making this perfect for family trips or small groups who want personalized attention from the crew. At $1,095 for the entire charter, you're looking at solid value when split among your group, especially considering all tackle, bait, and lures are included. Just bring your drinks, snacks, and fishing license – the crew handles everything else, including cleaning your catch at the end of the trip.
Block Island fishing means adapting to what's working on any given day. Depending on the season and conditions, Captain Rob will employ various techniques from trolling with umbrella rigs for stripers and blues to bottom fishing with clams and squid for black sea bass and scup. The crew comes prepared with a full arsenal of tackle suited for these species – everything from heavy spinning gear for casting to structure, to conventional tackle for trolling the open water around the island. When the bass are schooled up, you might find yourself jigging with bucktails or throwing poppers at surface action. For bottom species like sea bass and porgy, expect to work circle hooks with fresh bait near rocky structure and wrecks that dot the area around Block Island.
Striped Bass remain the crown jewel of Block Island fishing, with these waters producing some of the most consistent action on the East Coast. These fish range from schoolies in the 18-28 inch range all the way up to trophy-class cows pushing 40+ pounds during peak season from May through October. What makes stripers so exciting here is their aggressive nature around Block Island's structure – when you hook into a good one, expect a serious fight with multiple runs toward the bottom. Bluefish are the other headliner species, particularly during summer months when they school up in massive numbers. These aggressive predators hit lures hard and fight dirty, making them a customer favorite for their sheer intensity. Don't let their reputation as "easy" fish fool you – a 10-pound bluefish will test your drag and give you a workout. Black Sea Bass offer fantastic table fare and steady action, especially around rocky bottom and structure near the island. These fish are typically in the 1-3 pound range but occasionally surprise anglers with trophy specimens over 5 pounds. Finally, Scup (Porgy) might not win any beauty contests, but they're prolific biters and excellent eating, making them perfect for keeping kids and novice anglers engaged when the bigger fish are being finicky.
Captain Rob's Block Island trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when word gets out about the quality of fishing. The 5:00 AM departure gives you the advantage of hitting prime morning bite times, while the 10:30 AM trip works better for families or those who prefer a more civilized start time. Either way, you're getting 5 solid hours on some of the Northeast's best fishing grounds with a captain who knows how to put his customers on fish. The low-rate, non-refundable deposit system makes it easy to secure your date without a huge upfront investment. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some quality fish to your season total or a newcomer wanting to experience world-class fishing, this Block Island adventure delivers the goods. Don't wait until the last minute – the best fishing days book up weeks in advance, and you don't want to be stuck watching from shore while others are hauling in keeper stripers and blues.
The 40′ custom Downeast "Oh Brother" is built for serious angling around Block Island's productive waters. This fishing machine handles up to 6 anglers comfortably with a spacious deck for working lines and fighting fish. The roomy interior gives you a break from the sun between bites, while the private head and onboard bed add convenience for those long fishing days. Captain Rob relies on top-notch GPS and fishfinder tech to locate the best spots for stripers, bluefish, and black seabass. The radar keeps you safe when morning fog rolls in across Montauk Channel. A quality live well keeps your bait lively, and the icebox handles your drinks and lunch. The flybridge gives the captain a perfect view of the action and bird activity that signals feeding fish below. Whether you're casting lures at dawn or bottom fishing for scup in the afternoon, this boat delivers the stability and features needed for productive offshore fishing around Block Island's legendary waters.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky bottom dwellers that average 1-4 pounds, though we get some nice 6-8 pounders around deeper wrecks. They're structure fish through and through - you'll find them on rocky bottoms, wrecks, and around old pilings in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn. Guests love them because they fight hard initially, then give up once they break the surface, plus they're some of the best eating fish in these waters. The meat is white, sweet, and perfect for any preparation. Here's a local trick: use a 2-hook bottom rig with squid strips and bounce it right on the structure. Don't be afraid to get hung up occasionally - that's where the biggest fish live.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive predators that'll give you a wild ride on light tackle. These toothy fighters typically run 3-15 pounds with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. They're schooling fish that travel in feeding frenzies, hitting anything that moves. Summer months bring them inshore where they chase baitfish in spectacular surface displays - birds diving, water churning like a washing machine. What makes them fun is their savage strikes and bulldogging fights. They're also excellent table fare when prepared fresh, with rich, flaky meat. Watch your fingers though - they'll bite anything, including the angler! My trick is using wire leaders with fast-moving lures like spoons or poppers. When you find one blue, there's usually a whole school nearby ready to tear up your tackle box.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as locals call them, are fantastic fish that run 1-3 pounds and stretch up to 18 inches. They're bottom feeders with strong jaws built for crushing shells, so you'll find them around rocks and pilings searching for clams and crabs. May through October is prime time when they move inshore with warming water. What guests love about scup is how cooperative they are - great for kids and beginners since they bite readily. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish out there with sweet, firm white meat. They're also perfect live bait for stripers. My go-to setup is medium tackle with squid or clam on a simple bottom rig. Drop it down, keep it moving with gentle jigs, and you'll box them up quickly.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the prize catch around here, running 20-40 pounds typically but capable of hitting 70. These silver-sided beauties with their distinctive black stripes are powerful fighters that'll test your drag. They're structure-oriented fish, so we find them around rocks, drop-offs, and sandy bars. Best fishing happens during their spring and fall migrations when they're actively feeding. Early morning and late evening produce the hottest action. What makes them special is the combination of strong fights and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Pro tip: when we're working live eels around structure at dusk, keep your drag loose initially. These fish hit hard and will snap you off if you're locked down tight.
Montauk, NY