Block Island Striped Bass Fishing Charter | PM
Block Island's afternoon waters hold some of the most impressive striped bass you'll find anywhere along the New England coast. This 6-hour charter with Spear-it Charters puts you right where the action happens, targeting trophy stripers in the 30 to 50-pound range that cruise these productive waters. Starting at 1:00 PM, you'll have the perfect timing to hit prime feeding windows when these fish are most active. With space for up to 6 anglers, your group gets personal attention from experienced crew who know exactly where to find the big ones. All your gear, bait, and licenses are covered – just bring yourself and get ready to bend some rods.
What to Expect on the Water
Your afternoon starts at the dock where you'll meet your captain and crew, who've been working these Block Island waters for years. The boat heads out to proven hotspots where striped bass congregate, often around structure and current breaks that hold baitfish. These aren't just any stripers – Block Island consistently produces fish in the 30 to 50-pound class that'll test your drag and give you a fight to remember. The crew sets you up with the right tackle for the conditions, whether that's live bait, chunk bait, or artificials depending on what's working best. If the striped bass bite slows down, you can switch gears to bottom fishing for black sea bass and fluke, giving you multiple shots at different species throughout the trip. The flexibility to extend your charter up to 8 hours means you can stay out longer if the bite is hot or conditions are perfect.
Techniques and Tackle
Block Island striper fishing requires different approaches depending on conditions and where the fish are holding. Your crew will set you up with medium to heavy spinning or conventional gear capable of handling big fish in strong currents. Live bait like eels, bunker, or scup works phenomenally well here, especially when drifted near structure or worked in the current. Chunk baits – fresh bunker, mackerel, or herring – are deadly when stripers are feeding aggressively. The crew knows how to read the electronics and water conditions to put baits in the strike zone. When bottom fishing comes into play, you'll switch to heavier sinkers and different rigs to target black sea bass around rocky structure and fluke on sandy bottom. Circle hooks are standard for live and chunk baits, while J-hooks work better for bottom species. The key is matching your presentation to what the fish want that day.
Customer Stories
"Went out fishing on a day that had rough conditions because the timing was the only thing that worked to celebrate Father's Day with my BF, his kids, and my dad. The captain gave me the option of postponing (which was really awesome and would have been desired if our schedules allowed), but we went for it. No regrets. We caught fish, learned a lot from the crew, and enjoyed the water. The on board toilet was helpful, too. Really enjoyed the time and will go back for a longer trip, soon!" - Whitney
Top Catches This Season
Striped bass are the main event here, and Block Island's population includes some true giants. These fish typically range from 30 to 50 pounds, with even bigger specimens possible during peak season. Spring and fall migrations bring the largest concentrations, when stripers stack up to feed on abundant baitfish. These fish fight hard in the current, making powerful runs that'll have your arms burning. What makes them special is their size and the clean fight they give in open water.
Black sea bass are abundant around Block Island's rocky structure and provide excellent action when stripers are finicky. These chunky bottom dwellers typically run 2 to 8 pounds, with larger fish possible. They're aggressive feeders and great table fare, making them a favorite target when mixed trips are on the agenda. Summer and early fall are prime time for black sea bass fishing.
Scup, also known as porgy, are plentiful in these waters and provide steady action throughout the warmer months. While not the largest fish you'll catch, they're aggressive biters that keep rods bent when larger species are quiet. They school heavily and once you find them, fast action is almost guaranteed. Kids especially love catching scup because they bite readily and fight harder than their size suggests.
Winter flounder show up in cooler months and provide a different style of fishing altogether. These flatfish require patience and finesse, but they're among the best eating fish in these waters. They typically run 1 to 4 pounds, with occasional doormat-sized fish that'll surprise you. Early spring and late fall are peak times for winter flounder around Block Island.
Bluefish are explosive fighters that show up in schools and provide some of the most exciting action you'll find. These toothy predators hit hard and fight dirty, making screaming runs and aerial jumps. They range from small snapper blues perfect for light tackle fun to larger fish in the 10 to 15-pound range that'll test your equipment. When bluefish are around, the action can be non-stop.
Time to Book Your Spot
Block Island's afternoon striped bass fishing represents some of the best inshore angling on the East Coast. The combination of trophy-sized fish, experienced crew, and productive waters makes this charter a standout choice for serious anglers. Whether you're after a personal best striper or just want to experience world-class fishing, this trip delivers the goods. The option to extend your time on the water means you can make the most of hot bites and perfect conditions. With all gear and licenses included, there's nothing stopping you from getting out there and hooking into the fish of a lifetime. These afternoon trips book up fast during peak season, so grab your spot now and get ready for some serious rod-bending action.