Beginner Bass & Bluefish Trips with Captain Diego
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour beginner fishing trip targeting multiple local speciesAll equipment and fishing licenses included with expert guidanceAccommodates up to four guests with catch cleaning service
Captain Diego's beginner-friendly inshore fishing trip out of Point Judith is hands-down one of Rhode Island's top-rated charter experiences for first-timers and families. This 8-hour adventure runs from early June through the end of September, departing bright and early at 6:00 AM when the fishing is at its peak. You'll target some of the Ocean State's most popular species—Striped Bass, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, and Southern Flounder—all while learning the ropes from an experienced captain who genuinely loves teaching newcomers. At $600 for up to 4 guests, you're getting serious value for a full day on the water with all gear, instruction, and fish cleaning included.
This isn't your typical "figure it out yourself" charter. Captain Diego runs a tight ship focused on making sure everyone feels comfortable and confident from the moment you step aboard. The boat is equipped with quality rods, reels, tackle, and all the terminal gear you'll need—no need to stress about what to bring. You'll start the morning fishing the productive waters around Point Judith's famous breakwall and nearby structure, where Striped Bass and Black Sea Bass love to hang out. As conditions and fish activity dictate, you might move to different spots throughout the day, hitting sand flats for Flounder or open water areas where Bluefish are busting bait. The captain reads the water and adjusts the game plan based on what's biting best that particular day. Expect plenty of hands-on instruction covering everything from how to feel a bite to proper hook-setting technique and fish handling.
You'll be fishing with medium to medium-heavy spinning gear perfectly suited for the target species and beginner skill levels. Most of the day involves bottom fishing with various rigs depending on what you're targeting—fish finder rigs for Striped Bass around structure, three-way rigs for Flounder over sandy bottom, and simple high-low rigs for Black Sea Bass. Captain Diego keeps things simple but effective, using proven local techniques that put fish in the boat consistently. Live bait like sandworms and squid are the go-to choices, though you might throw some artificials like bucktails or soft plastics when the fish are aggressive. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety—you're not stuck doing one thing all day. When the bottom bite slows down, you might switch to drift fishing or even do some light trolling if conditions are right. The captain handles all the rigging and will walk you through each setup so you understand what's happening below the surface.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of Rhode Island inshore fishing, and Point Judith consistently produces quality fish from late spring through early fall. These fish are incredibly strong fighters that make long runs and put serious bend in your rod. Most of the Bass you'll encounter range from 20 to 35 inches, with the occasional bigger fish pushing 40-plus. They're most active during moving water—incoming and outgoing tides—and love to ambush baitfish around rocky structure and drop-offs. What makes Stripers so special is their intelligence and wariness; they can be incredibly finicky one minute and absolutely destructive the next.
Southern Flounder offer a completely different but equally rewarding fishing experience. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy bottom waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey. The key to Flounder fishing is patience and feel—their bite is often subtle, just a slight tap or weight on your line. Most fish run 16 to 22 inches, and they're absolutely delicious table fare. Summer months are prime time when they move into shallower water to feed. There's something incredibly satisfying about feeling that gentle bite, setting the hook, and watching a nice Doormat come over the rail.
Bluefish are the bulldogs of the inshore scene, known for their aggressive nature and incredible fighting ability. When Blues are feeding, the action can be absolutely crazy—they'll hit anything that moves and fight like fish twice their size. You'll typically encounter fish in the 3 to 8-pound range, perfect for light tackle fun. They're most active during warmer months and often feed in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more around. Blues are also excellent eating when handled properly and bled immediately after capture.
Black Sea Bass round out the mixed bag and are becoming increasingly popular with local anglers. These bottom dwellers are structure-oriented fish that love rocky areas, wrecks, and reefs. They're scrappy fighters for their size and make excellent table fare. Most fish range from 1 to 4 pounds, and they're relatively easy to catch once you locate them. Sea Bass are curious fish that will often investigate your bait, making them great confidence builders for new anglers. Their season typically runs from May through December, with summer and early fall being particularly productive.
Captain Diego's beginner-friendly approach combined with Point Judith's renowned fishing makes this trip a customer favorite for good reason. You're getting a full day of fishing instruction, quality time on productive waters, and the chance to target multiple species all in one shot. The fact that everything is included—gear, bait, instruction, and fish cleaning—means you can focus on learning and having fun instead of worrying about logistics. Whether you're looking to get the kids hooked on fishing, want to try something new as a family, or simply need a relaxed introduction to saltwater angling, this charter delivers exactly what you're looking for. Book early, especially for weekend dates, as these world-class fishing spots and Captain Diego's patient teaching style make this one of the most sought-after beginner trips on the Rhode Island coast.
Step aboard this reliable 23-foot Maycraft cabin cruiser and get ready to explore Rhode Island's productive inshore waters around Point Judith. Built in 2001, this well-maintained fishing boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with a solid 150HP Yamaha engine that cruises smoothly at 20 knots to get you to the fishing grounds quickly. The boat comes equipped with everything you need for a successful day on the water - an icebox to keep your drinks cold and catch fresh, GPS navigation to find the best fishing spots, radar for those foggy Rhode Island mornings, and a fish finder to locate schools of stripers, blues, and flounder. The cabin provides shelter when you need a break from the sun, while the open fishing areas give you plenty of room to work your lines. Whether you're targeting bass along the rocky structure or dropping down for flounder in the sandy bottom areas, this boat handles the varying conditions of Rhode Island's inshore fishery with ease.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, hard-fighting fish that love hanging around structure - wrecks, rocky bottoms, and our local jetties. Most run 1-4 pounds and 12-16 inches, though we catch some real nice ones pushing 6-8 pounds in deeper water. They're abundant from late spring through summer when they move inshore to spawn. What makes them popular with guests is their scrappy fight and excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. These bottom dwellers feed on crabs, squid, and small fish around structure. During spawning season, males turn bright blue with a pronounced hump on their heads - pretty cool to see. Here's my go-to technique: use a two-hook bottom rig with fresh squid strips, and drop it right on the structure. They bite aggressively, but once hooked they dive straight for cover, so keep steady pressure and pump them up quickly.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive feeders that show up in our waters from mid-June through October, and they're always ready for a fight. These silver-blue fish with razor-sharp teeth typically weigh 3-15 pounds, though we catch plenty of smaller "snappers" that are perfect for kids. They travel in schools and feed voraciously on baitfish - when you find one, you'll usually find dozens. Blues love open water and sandy areas where they can chase down schools of bait. What guests love about them is the non-stop action once you locate a school, plus they're great on the table when eaten fresh. Fair warning though - handle them carefully as those teeth are no joke. Local secret: when you see birds diving and water churning, get there fast with metal spoons or chunk bait. Blues in a feeding frenzy will hit just about anything you throw at them.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms with both eyes on one side of their head, waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we catch some real doormat-sized ones pushing 8-10 pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, estuaries, and around our inshore sandy areas during summer months. They're perfect for families because they don't fight as hard as other species, making them easier for kids to reel in. The meat is sweet and flaky - some of the best eating fish around. Pro tip from my years guiding here: drift slowly over sandy flats with a light jig tipped with squid or minnow, bouncing it right along the bottom. When you feel that telltale tap-tap, give them a second to fully grab the bait before setting the hook.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of Rhode Island fishing, and for good reason. These silvery fighters with their distinctive dark stripes typically run 20-40 pounds in our waters, though we see plenty of schoolies in the 18-28 inch range too. They love structure - rocky points, drop-offs, and around our local reefs where they hunt baitfish. Best fishing happens during their spring and fall migrations when they're actively feeding near shore. What makes them special? They fight hard, taste great, and are perfect for beginners since they're not too finicky about bait. Here's a local trick: when the water's moving and you see birds working, cast live eels or chunk bait near the current breaks around Point Judith's rocky areas - that's where the big ones cruise.
Providence