8/14/26 Teaser

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What a week we have had. If this is just a teaser for fall, we're in for a good one.

The water is hot, the bait is coming out of the gills, and the fish are taking full advantage. This week we had a king tide, and that had a lot to do with the bite. The amount of bait entering Ninigret Pond on the incoming tide was off the charts. Bass and snapper blues were taking full advantage, while on the other hand tuna fishing really lit up this week.

Bonito fishing is still going strong, and with the ocean conditions looking great for most of the weekend, there's no excuse not to get out there. Today and Saturday being exceptional.

This is the time of year when paying attention to the bait can make all the difference. There is so much forage around right now that predators don't have to travel far to find a meal. Find the bait, figure out what is eating it, and you are already halfway there.

Striped Bass

We're seeing a lot of smaller fish in our area, which is great to see. There are still plenty of big fish around as well, but it's encouraging to see a solid population of smaller bass showing up.

Clouds of really small bait have been getting pushed in and out of the breachways with the tides. Mixed in are silversides ranging anywhere from 1–6 inches. The silversides are actually feeding on the small bait. The striper are eating both :).

This is where the teaser comes into play.

A teaser rig uses a small fly or soft plastic tied roughly 12–24 inches ahead of your main plug or lure. It gives the fish a smaller baitfish target to key in on while your main lure provides the larger profile and casting weight.

When bass are surrounded by tiny bait, downsizing your presentation can make a huge difference. If you're seeing fish breaking but can't get them to commit, a teaser may be the missing piece.

The incoming tide through the breachways is worth paying close attention to. Watch for bait getting swept through, and don't overlook the edges of the current where bass can sit and wait for an easy meal.

Tuna

The tuna bite appears to be the most consistent it has been all season.

There have been a lot of good reports from this week, with the majority of fish coming on the troll as well as jigging. Mahi are beginning to fill in, and it looks like we're starting to get a piece of that offshore water moving our way.

With the amount of bait around, don't be afraid to spend some time looking for life rather than simply running straight to a number. Birds, whales, bait, slicks, and temperature breaks.

Be prepared for multiple techniques. Have your trolling gear ready, but keep a jigging setup and casting rod within reach. Offshore conditions can change quickly, and the fish don't always feed the way you expect them to.

Fluke

Local reports have not been great, with keepers becoming tough to find. Block Island has been slightly better, but overall it has been nothing to write home about.

There have been a few decent fish caught in the salt ponds, so don't worth trying for them if your hanging in the pond for the day.

At this point in the summer, the fluke bite can become very tide-dependent. If you're going to target them locally, pay close attention to the stronger portions of the tide and don't be afraid to move until you find the fish. We usually see a few bigger fish get pulled in locally this time of year.

Black Sea Bass & Tautog

The masses of sea bass are here, and they're making it difficult for tautog fishermen to keep bait on the hook.

There are still some larger sea bass around, but the sheer number of smaller fish can make it difficult to single out the better ones.

The tautog bite has been decent, with some anglers finding fish in around 20 feet while others are doing better in 30–40 feet.

If you're targeting tog right now, bring plenty of crab. You can burn through bait quickly when the sea bass are thick.

Try changing your presentation and moving around if the small sea bass are destroying your bait before the tog can get to it. Sometimes a move of only a few hundred yards can make a big difference.

Bonito

The bonito reports are still excellent along the South Shore and around Block Island, and some of the schools have been impressive in size.

The big key right now is paying attention to the bait they're feeding on. When bonito are keyed in on extremely small forage, they can be frustratingly selective.

Keep a small epoxy, resin jig, or slim-profile metal ready. Don't necessarily bomb the middle of the school every time you see them breaking. Sometimes getting ahead of the fish and letting them run into your presentation is a much better approach.

They're fast, they're unpredictable, and they may only give you a few seconds of opportunity.

Keep your eyes up.

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Did You Know?

Quonochontaug — or "Quonnie"

The name Quonochontaug comes from the area's Native American history and is commonly associated with the meaning "home of the blackfish," or tautog.

Today, most locals simply call it "Quonnie."

It's pretty fitting that an area with such a strong fishing tradition would carry a name associated with one of Rhode Island's favorite bottom fish.

And right now, the blackfish are certainly making their presence known.

We're Fully Stocked With

Live Eels
Live Crabs
Fresh Mackerel
Sandworms
Green Crabs
Bunker
Fresh Squid
Clams

Get Ready Now

This is when almost anything can show up in our local waters.

Before leaving the dock:

Check your drag.
Inspect knots and leaders.
Replace rusty hooks.
Restock bucktails and terminal tackle.
Check rod guides for chips.
Clean and lubricate your reels.
Keep one spinning rod rigged with a small epoxy or resin jig.
Keep a teaser rig handy when bass are feeding on tiny bait.
Make sure you have a heavier setup ready in case tuna show up.
Bring extra leaders—bonito, blues, and tuna can make quick work of light terminal tackle.

Stop by the shop or shop anytime online:

👉 www.breachwaybait.com

We're open 7 days a week.