4.8(39 Reviews)Inshore Saltwater Kayak Fishing Trip, RI
4.8(39 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top RatedMost Reviewed
Target striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and black seabass inshoreKayak fishing adventure accommodates up to 3 anglers maximumOcean fishing offers diverse species and unexpected catches
Rhode Island's inshore waters are some of the most productive fishing grounds on the East Coast, and there's no better way to access them than from a kayak. This guided saltwater fishing adventure puts you right in the action, targeting the species that make Rhode Island famous among serious anglers. Whether you're casting to stripers in the shallows or dropping lines for black sea bass around structure, you'll experience the kind of fishing that keeps locals coming back season after season. With top-notch electric kayaks and expert guidance, this trip gives you the edge you need to make the most of Rhode Island's world-class inshore fishery.
This isn't your typical fishing charter where you're stuck in one spot hoping the fish come to you. On this inshore kayak fishing trip, you'll have the mobility to chase the bite wherever it's happening. Your guide Dustin uses fully electric Humminbird Spotlock-equipped kayaks that let you hold position effortlessly over productive structure or drift naturally with the current when the situation calls for it. The beauty of kayak fishing in Rhode Island's inshore waters is the access – you can slip into skinny water where the big boats can't go, work around rocky structure, and position yourself perfectly for that cast to feeding fish. Each trip accommodates just one angler, so you get personalized attention and can fish at your own pace. No crowds, no waiting for your turn – just you, your guide, and some of the best saltwater fishing on the East Coast. The electric propulsion system means you can cover water quietly without spooking fish, and the Spotlock feature keeps you positioned perfectly while you work a school or piece of structure.
The equipment makes all the difference on a trip like this, and you'll be fishing with the best gear available. The Old Town AutoPilot kayaks are equipped with electric motors and GPS anchoring systems that let you focus on fishing instead of fighting the current or wind. All rods, reels, tackle, and lures are provided, with selections specifically chosen for Rhode Island's inshore species and current conditions. Your guide will match your tackle to the target species and fishing style – whether that's working soft plastics around structure for black sea bass, throwing topwater plugs for stripers, or bouncing bucktails for fluke. The techniques vary based on conditions, season, and what's biting, but you'll learn proven methods that work consistently in these waters. Expect to use everything from live bait presentations to artificial lures, with your guide adjusting tactics throughout the trip based on fish behavior and water conditions. The kayaks' low profile and quiet operation give you a huge advantage over traditional boat fishing, letting you get close to structure and spooky fish that see plenty of pressure from larger vessels.
"Excellent trip! Dustin is a very knowledgeable, professional, and friendly guide and exceeded expectations. We caught over 30 stripers the day after thanksgiving. If you're looking to get out in a kayak and catch fish, look no further." - Andy
"Dustin went above and beyond to put us on the fish. His kayaks are top notch and his fishing gear and knowledge are also exceptional!!!" - Darrell
"Dustin is awesome - persistent when the bite seems finicky, he gets you on fish. He's a great instructor - patient and thorough showing us how to use the yak and the gear. Really attentive on the water - great coaching and assistance while allowing anglers to work independently. Works with each angler at their ability level, which I really appreciate because I learned to use some lures I hadn't tried before. Can't say enough about his knowledge. Caught a PB (biggest fish I ever caught!) and a keeper Striper. 100% will fish with Dustin again!" - Bill
Tautog, or "tog" as locals call them, are one of Rhode Island's most prized inshore species. These hard-fighting fish live around rocky structure and are notorious for their crushing bite and bulldogging fights. Tautog are most active during the cooler months, with prime fishing from late fall through early spring when they move inshore to feed. They're structure-oriented fish that rarely venture far from rocks, wrecks, or boulder fields, making them perfect targets for the precision positioning that kayak fishing allows. What makes tog fishing so exciting is the bite – they inhale baits with surprising force, then immediately try to get back to their rocky hideouts. The fight is all power and determination, testing your drag and technique as they use every bit of cover available.
Black Sea Bass are another customer favorite and for good reason. These aggressive predators are abundant around Rhode Island's inshore structure and provide consistent action throughout the warmer months. They're opportunistic feeders that will hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers who like to mix up their techniques. Black sea bass are schooling fish, so when you find one, you'll usually find more. They're also excellent table fare, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill. The fishing is typically best from late spring through fall, with peak action during summer months when they're actively feeding and defending territory around structure.
Summer Flounder, better known as fluke, are the kings of Rhode Island's sandy bottom areas. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and ambush predators that can provide heart-stopping strikes when they engulf a bait. Fluke fishing requires finesse and patience, as these fish can be incredibly picky about presentation and speed. They're most active during the warmer months, with the biggest fish often caught in late summer and early fall. What makes fluke fishing so addictive is the variety of techniques that work – from traditional bucktail and squid combinations to soft plastics and live bait rigs. The kayak platform is perfect for fluke fishing because you can
Sarda SardaThese speed demons are like mini-tuna that show up in schools during warmer months. Atlantic bonito average 2-5 pounds but make up for size with pure speed - they can hit 40 mph and will peel drag like crazy. You'll find them in open water, often feeding on the surface where they create quite a commotion chasing baitfish. They're not great table fare here in the States, but the fight is what it's all about. When a school is feeding, they'll hit almost anything you throw at them. Look for birds working the surface or fins cutting through the water like small sharks. Fast-moving lures work best - small metals, plastics, or even topwater plugs. Here's the trick: once you hook up, keep a few other rods ready because the school will stick around for a bit.
Centropristis StriataThese chunky grouper family members are solid fighters that live around structure from shallow water out to about 120 feet. Most caught are under 4 pounds, but they can push 8-10 pounds in deeper water. Males turn bright blue during spawning and develop a distinctive hump on their heads. They're around all summer near wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom, making them perfect for our inshore trips. What's interesting is they start as females and change to males as they mature. The meat is fantastic - firm, white, and sweet. They'll hit bottom rigs with squid or fish strips, but also chase jigs and small lures. My tip: once you find one, stick around. They school up, so where there's one black sea bass, there's usually more.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of our Rhode Island waters. These silver-sided fighters with their distinctive black stripes can run anywhere from schoolie size up to 40+ pound cows. They're structure-oriented fish that love current, so you'll find them around rocks, drop-offs, and moving water. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavily during migration. What makes them special is their strength - they're bulldogs that will test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. They hit everything from live eels and pogies to topwater plugs and soft plastics. The key is matching the bait to what they're feeding on. My go-to tip: look for working birds - when you see terns diving, there's usually stripers pushing bait to the surface underneath.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are masters of disguise that bury in sandy bottom waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches but can reach impressive sizes - the big "doormat" fluke are what everyone's after. They're most active from late spring through fall when they move inshore to feed. What makes them fun is their aggressive strike and the challenge of finding them as they move with the tides. They're excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat. Look for them near structure transitions where sand meets rock, or along drop-offs where current carries baitfish. They hit live minnows, squid strips, and bucktails. Pro tip: when you feel that distinctive tap-tap bite, count to three before setting the hook. They grab bait sideways and need time to turn it.
Tautoga OnitisAlso called blackfish, these tough fighters hang around rocky structure where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Most run 1-3 pounds, but bigger ones lurk in deeper water near jetties and boulder fields. They're territorial and aggressive, especially during spring spawning season. What makes tautog tricky is their habitat - all those rocks will grab your tackle if you're not careful. Best bet is green crab bait, crushed up to make a scent trail. They bite during the day but go dormant at night, literally lying on their sides. The meat is excellent eating, sweet and firm. Here's the key: don't fish right in the rocks. Set up just outside the structure and let your bait drift in. Change spots if nothing happens in 15 minutes.
4.8 out of 5.0Great trip with Dustin and a productive day on the water. Easy access to drop in where the fish are. We were on fish right from th...
Had a great fishing trip we caught big bass even the guy with no fishing experience. Learned new techniques and how to operate an ...
We had a ton of fun on our tautog fishing trip with Dustin and Jonny! They were friendly and helpful and the kayaks were well equi...
It was great day on the water with Justin. The equipment was top notch and Justin was on it with locating fish. The weather was gr...
Dustin is a great guide! I highly recommend!
Excellent trip! Dustin is a very knowledgeable, professional, and friendly guide and exceeded expectations. We caught over 30 stri...
Great striper fishing experience!
Great time with an expert guide on a beautiful day in RI. Nothing to worry about or bring other than proper kayak attire - Dusti...
Always a great time with Dustin, who is patient and knowledgeable!
Had an opportunity to fish with Dustin from RI Kayak Adventures this past Friday and had a fantastic time. I was looking to upgrad...
Awesome experience with a great guy. This is my third trip with Dustin and plan plenty more.
Dustin went above and beyond to put us on the fish. His kayaks are top notch and his fishing gear and knowledge are also exception...
We had a fantastic experience even though it was cold and rainy. Dustin is the best. He helped us create some unforgettable memor...
Dustin is a pro and has excellent gear and a battery powered kayak for guests. There were fish just as he said, but better, he had...
Dustin was fantastic start to finish. We were out on the water fist thing in the morning and on the fish shortly after. Dustin’s e...
Dustin is outstanding.! Super fun to fish with, tons of experience and knowledge to share, and professional throughout!
Awesome experience on the water with Dustin. Knowledgeable, helpful, and patient, all while focusing on the goal of catching fish!...
Dustin is the man. He goes the extra mile to help achieve your goals. Great service and great fishing
Was a rescheduled day from last year which brought me approaching heavy fog within the last hour cleared up with tons of fish
Great trip nice kayaks
I fish quite a bit, but I took this trip to try something new. I never fished from a kayak. It was definitely new, different and...
Dusting is friendly, knowledgeable and professional. He lets you decide how you want the day to go and then makes it happen. I c...
Good guide advice and work
Great person great guide. If you want to learn the ins and outs of kayak fishing RI, this is the trip for you.
Dustin was great! He was knowledgeable, friendly and constantly working to put us on fish. Even when things were slow he still man...
Dustin is awesome - persistent when the bite seems finicky, he gets you on fish. He’s a great instructor - patient and thorough sh...
Professional, considerate and friendly. Everything you'd want in a guided experience, thank you Dustin!!
Very knowledgeable and hardworking guide. Despite the slower fishing he managed to get my friend and I on to some fish. The overal...
Dustin is a true professional who has wealth of knowledge and experience. He's patient and kind and real pleasure to be with. Gr...
Dustin was a fantastic guide, and I would highly recommend this trip to fishermen of all levels!
The actual trip was fine, we didnt catch fish but thats fishing. The problem is that I was charged twice for the trip. I paid Dust...
Had an excellent time with kayak fishing adventures the guide made the trip enjoyable and fun with straight forward instructions ...
Newport, RI