Fly-fishing for stripers, the bass are here

Striped bass fishing has started to heat up, with holdover stripers still being caught, as well as migrating fish with sea lice on them up to 30” being caught in upper Narragansett Bay. Migrating school bass are being caught off Newport and Middletown.

Ed Lombardo, fly fishing/tying expert and guide, said, “The holdover striped bass bite on Narrow River continues to be very good. We have been catching fish in the 25” to 30” range for the past month. Narrow River in Narraganset is a great fishing location. I would like to suggest three tips for striper fishing in this estuary.”

First, in early spring the American Eel is a primary food for stripers in this estuary. Starting in mid-March, stripers are feeding on three-inch to two-foot-long eels in the river. “These eels can live to 10 to 30 years before spawning, which generally occurs in the Sargasso Sea. They live in brackish water and then leave to spawn in the northern Atlantic,” said Lombardo. “Matching the hatch works great and, in this case, it is the American eel, so a dark burgundy, dark brown and black fly works well.”

Ed Lombardo had a great explanation as to why and when to fish lunar tides. Ed said, “We have 14 better days of fishing out of 30 or 31 days. The new moon (which is 20 percent stronger) and full moon phase are good for fishing. Fishing is generally good three days before and after these moon phases. Bait movement in and out of estuaries is much more prolific during these lunar phases, so it is a good time to fish.”

“For fly-fishers the creation of a fishing line that does not knot-up in the cold weather has made a big difference. The best performing cold-water line good for use in late fall, winter, and spring when the water is cold is the Airflo Superflo Max 2.0 Ridge Intermediate line. The creation of this line has made it possible to fish in cold water.”

For information, visit Ed Lombardo Fly Fishing Guide in Rhode Island.

Massachusetts recreational regulation changes

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has filed final regulations to set the recreational bluefish limits for 2026 and emergency regulations to implement recreational limits for black sea bass, Gulf of Maine haddock, and Atlantic mackerel.

DMF plans to update the recreational fishing table and annual recreational fishing posters at Recreational saltwater fishing regulations | Mass.gov. No other changes to the state’s recreational fishing rules for 2026 are expected.

DMF intends to promulgate the limits established by these emergency regulations as final regulations. So, a virtual public hearing has been scheduled for May 19, at 6 p.m., via Zoom. To register for the Zoom hearing and for details visit proposed amendments to Division of Marine Fisheries regulations | Mass.gov.

Effective May 8, the recreational bluefish bag limits are increasing by two fish. For anglers fishing from a private vessel or from shore, the bag limit will increase from three fish to five fish. For anglers fishing from a for-hire vessel on a for-hire trip, the bag limit will increase from five fish to seven fish.

The emergency regulations for recreational black sea bass establish a May 16 to Oct. 14 open season with a 16” minimum size and season-specific bag limits — four fish during May 16-Aug. 31 and two fish during Sept. 1-Oct. 14. These limits will be in place for 2026 and 2027, pending the adoption of these limits as final regulations.

And effective immediately, the recreational Gulf of Maine haddock minimum size is reduced from 18” to 17.” The open fishing season and bag limit remain status quo. This results in an open season of April 1 through Feb. 28 with a 15-fish bag limit and a 17” minimum size.

For May 1, the emergency rules will adjust the recreational limit for Atlantic mackerel in state waters. The daily recreational harvest and possession limit will increase to 25 fish for anglers fishing from a private vessel or from shore and to 50 fish for anglers fishing from a for-hire vessel on a for-hire trip (previously 20 fish for all anglers).

Where’s the bite?

Freshwater: Jeff Sullivan, of Sam’s Bait & Tackle, Middletown, said, “The trout fishing continues to be good, with an outstanding largemouth bass bite. I caught a 6.5-pound largemouth bass at a pond in North Kingstown last week.”

Declan O’Connell of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown, said, “Trout fishing continues to be solid, with plenty of opportunities for anglers who are still getting out there. Largemouth bass fishing remains strong. Vegetation is beginning to pop, and fish are active and feeding.”

Striped bass fishing for holdover striped bass in our estuaries is good with migrating fish being caught off Newport and in Narragansett Bay. Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence, said, “Two customers caught fish in the 30” range with sea lice on them (indicating they came in from the ocean and are migrating fish) in the upper portion of Narragansett Bay and the Providence River north of Conimicut Light.

Last week Jeff Sullivan of Sam’s Bait & Tackle reported school striped bass being caught of Newport. Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle, said, “The first few striped bass of the season have officially reached Rhode Island, though in very small numbers so far. We’re slightly behind where we’ve been in previous years, but this is typically the window when things begin to ramp up. No worm hatches were observed this week.”

Tautog fishing season opened April 1, and customers are catching keepers in the Bay where the water is warmer, 51 degrees, compared to ocean temperatures in the 40-degree range. This Saturday, Greenwich Bay in Warwick was 52 degrees when I sea trialed my boat for the season.

Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, said, “Customers are catching keeper tautog to 23” in the Providence River area where the water is warmer. Sea floor bottom water temperatures off Newport and Middletown are still in the mid 30-degree area.”

Declan O’Donnel of Breachway Bait & Tackle said, “The tog bite showed slight improvement this week, with most success coming from boats. The shore bite is still a bit slow.”

Dave Monti holds a master captain’s license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues and clients. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verizon.net  or visit www.noflukefishing.com .