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World-Class Striped Bass Fishing in Narragansett Bay

  • Published Date: August 19, 2025
  • Fishing
  • Rhode Island
  • $450 - $650 price range

Summary

Ready for a day of fishing in Narragansett Bay? This 6-hour private charter is perfect for beginners or anyone looking to learn more about inshore fishing. Captain Donald Cook knows these waters like the back of his hand and will show you the ropes as you target striped bass, bluefish, flounder, and tautog. You'll be cruising on a comfortable 26-foot center console, with all the gear you need provided. It's a great chance to get out on the water, pick up some new skills, and hopefully land a few fish. The trip leaves from Warwick, RI, giving you plenty of time to explore the bay's productive fishing grounds. Whether you're casting for stripers or jigging for flounder, Captain Cook will be there to offer tips and make sure you're having a good time. It's a relaxed day on the water with a local expert – perfect for families, friends, or anyone wanting to give fishing a try in one of New England's most beautiful bays.
World-Class Striped Bass Fishing in Narragansett Bay

Narragansett Bay Catches

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Two fishermen with their catch in Warwick

The thrill of Warwick's fishing scups

Two fish caught while fishing in RI

Chasing dreams on Warwick's fishing charters

A person fishing in Warwick

Warwick's seafaring fishing delights

Scenic view of Warwick, a picturesque town

Captivated by scups

Scenic landscape in RI

Reel Adventures In Rhode Island!

Angler fishing in RI

Awesome catch for today!

A bluefish measuring 19 inches caught while fishing in RI.

Bluefish: Fierce Fighter of Waves

Striped bass caught by angler in RI

Striped Bass: Aquatic Athlete Extraordinaire

Striped bass caught by angler in Warwick

Striped Bass: Thrilling Battle Ensues

Fisherman enjoying the best fishing in Warwick

Reeling in the Warwick catch - Oyster toadfish

Two fishermen with their catch in Warwick

The thrill of Warwick's fishing scups

Two fish caught while fishing in RI

Chasing dreams on Warwick's fishing charters

A person fishing in Warwick

Warwick's seafaring fishing delights

Scenic view of Warwick, a picturesque town

Captivated by scups

Scenic landscape in RI

Reel Adventures In Rhode Island!

Angler fishing in RI

Awesome catch for today!

A bluefish measuring 19 inches caught while fishing in RI.

Bluefish: Fierce Fighter of Waves

Striped bass caught by angler in RI

Striped Bass: Aquatic Athlete Extraordinaire

Striped bass caught by angler in Warwick

Striped Bass: Thrilling Battle Ensues

Fisherman enjoying the best fishing in Warwick

Reeling in the Warwick catch - Oyster toadfish

Two fishermen with their catch in Warwick

The thrill of Warwick's fishing scups

Two fish caught while fishing in RI

Chasing dreams on Warwick's fishing charters

A person fishing in Warwick

Warwick's seafaring fishing delights

Scenic view of Warwick, a picturesque town

Captivated by scups

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Cast a Line in Narragansett Bay's Hotspots

Get ready to reel in some of Rhode Island's most sought-after fish on this private 6-hour charter in Narragansett Bay. Whether you're new to fishing or looking to sharpen your skills, Captain Donald Cook's got you covered. You'll be dropping lines for striped bass, bluefish, flounder, and tautog from a sweet 26-foot center console. No need to stress about gear - it's all included. So grab your buddies (up to 4 total) and let's hit the water for a day of fishing, learning, and soaking up those coastal views.

What to Expect on the Water

Leaving from Warwick, RI, we'll cruise out into Narragansett Bay's fish-rich waters. Cap'n Cook knows these spots like the back of his hand, so you're in for some prime fishing action. We'll focus on beginner-friendly techniques, showing you the ropes of inshore fishing. You might be bottom fishing for tautog one minute, then switching to topwater lures for bluefish the next. Don't worry if you're green - the captain's patient guidance will have you casting like a pro in no time. And with a full 6 hours on the water, you've got plenty of time to practice and land that trophy catch.

Fishing 101: Narragansett Style

On this trip, you'll get hands-on with a variety of inshore fishing methods. We might start with some simple bait fishing, dropping lines to the bottom for flounder or scup. As you get comfortable, we'll move on to more active techniques. Casting soft plastics or swimming plugs for stripers is a blast, especially when they're busting bait on the surface. For bluefish, we might troll with deep-diving lures or chunk with fresh bait. The captain will read the conditions and show you how to adjust your approach. You'll learn to work the tides, spot promising structure, and present your bait or lure just right. By the end of the day, you'll have a solid grasp of inshore tactics that work not just in Narragansett, but anywhere along the coast.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Striped Bass: The rockstar of Northeast inshore fishing, stripers are the main attraction in Narragansett Bay. These powerful, silver-sided fish with distinctive black stripes can grow to over 50 pounds. They're known for explosive strikes and stubborn fights. Spring and fall are prime seasons, but summer can produce too, especially early mornings and evenings. Anglers love 'em for their combination of size, strength, and good eating.

Bluefish: When the blues are in, hold onto your rod! These toothy predators are pure aggression, often attacking lures and bait with spectacular topwater blitzes. They average 3-5 pounds but can get much bigger. Blues show up in force during summer, providing non-stop action and great smoking or grilling meat. Just watch those razor-sharp teeth when unhooking!

Southern Flounder: These flatfish might not look like much, but they're prized for their delicate, sweet fillets. Flounder hang out on sandy or muddy bottoms, ambushing prey. We'll drift or anchor over likely spots, using bait or small jigs. They're most active in spring and fall, making for perfect targets when other species are less cooperative.

Scup (Porgy): Don't overlook these tasty panfish! Scup are abundant in Narragansett Bay, especially during summer. They're not big (usually under 2 pounds) but they're fun to catch and excellent eating. We'll use light tackle and small hooks baited with clams or squid. It's perfect for beginners or when you just want steady action.

Black Sea Bass: These structure-loving fish are a favorite for both their fight and their firm, white meat. Sea bass typically show up in late spring and stick around through fall. We'll target them around rocky areas, wrecks, or reefs using both bait and jigs. Their aggressive nature makes them a blast on light tackle.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Narragansett Bay is a fisherman's playground, and this trip lets you sample the best of it. The mix of species means there's always something biting, no matter the season. Beginners love how Captain Cook breaks down the basics, while more experienced anglers appreciate his local knowledge and willingness to share advanced tips. The comfortable boat and relaxed atmosphere make for a great day on the water, whether you're with family, friends, or co-workers. Plus, there's nothing like the satisfaction of catching (and maybe cooking) your own dinner after a day on Narragansett Bay.

Time to Book Your Spot

Ready to get your feet wet in the world of inshore fishing? This Narragansett Bay charter is the perfect intro. You'll learn from a pro, fish some of Rhode Island's most productive waters, and have a chance at landing several different species. Whether you're dreaming of that first striped bass or just want a fun day out with friends, Captain Cook's got you covered. The boat's waiting, the fish are biting, and the memories are ready to be made. Don't let this one get away - book your Narragansett Bay fishing adventure today!

Learn more about the species

Black Sea Bass

Black sea bass are a blast to catch in Narragansett Bay. These chunky, aggressive fish typically run 1-3 pounds, with bigger ones up to 8 pounds possible. You'll find them around rocky bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 20-120 feet of water from late spring through fall. They're structure-oriented, so precise anchoring or drifting is key. Use medium tackle with squid or cut bait on a bottom rig, or try jigging with bucktails. Sea bass hit hard and fight all the way up, especially the bigger males. They're also excellent eating, with firm white meat that's great baked or fried. Here's a pro tip: when you find a good spot, mark it. Sea bass are homebodies and you can often return to the same spot for consistent action.

Black Sea Bass

Bluefish

Bluefish are the brawlers of Narragansett Bay. These toothy predators show up in early summer, chasing bait and terrorizing everything in their path. Most blues run 3-10 pounds, but bigger ones over 15 pounds aren't uncommon. You'll find them busting bait on the surface or prowling deeper structure. They're aggressive and not picky - spoons, poppers, or live bait all work well. Blues fight hard, making blistering runs and often jumping clear of the water. Be careful handling them though, those teeth are no joke. They're fun to catch but can be oily to eat. If you keep some for the table, try smoking or grilling them fresh. Here's a local tip: when you see birds diving, get there fast. A bluefish blitz is a sight you won't forget.

Bluefish

Scup

Scup, also called porgy, are fun little battlers that school up in Narragansett Bay from spring through fall. Most run 1-2 pounds, with bigger ones pushing 4 pounds. You'll find them over rocky bottoms, reefs, and wrecks in 20-60 feet of water. They're bottom feeders, so fish close to structure. Use light tackle with small hooks baited with clams, squid, or sandworms. Scup put up a scrappy fight on light gear, making them great for kids or beginners. Plus, they're tasty - sweet, flaky meat that's excellent fried. Pro tip: when you find one, you've found a bunch. Keep your bait in the zone and you can fill a cooler fast. Just watch those sharp dorsal spines when unhooking them.

Scup

Southern Flounder

Southern flounder are ambush predators that lie camouflaged on the bottom, waiting to pounce on prey. Most weigh 2-5 pounds, but trophies over 10 pounds aren't unheard of. Look for them on sandy or muddy bottoms near structure in bays and estuaries. They're here spring through fall, moving offshore in winter. Flounder fishing is all about patience and precision. Use light tackle with live bait or soft plastics, dragging it slowly along the bottom. When you feel that telltale thump, set the hook hard - flounder have tough mouths. The fight isn't spectacular, but the challenge of finding and fooling them keeps anglers coming back. And there's no beating fresh flounder fillets for dinner. Local trick: try drifting with the current, bouncing a jig tipped with a strip of squid.

Southern Flounder

Striped Bass

Striped bass are a favorite target in Narragansett Bay. These powerful fish typically range from 20-40 pounds but can grow much larger. Look for them around structure like rocky points, bridge pilings, and drop-offs. They're most active at dawn and dusk, chasing bait in moving water. Spring and fall are prime seasons as stripers migrate through. Anglers love their strong, determined fight - they'll test your arms and your gear. Their mild, flaky white meat is excellent eating too. For best results, try live eels or chunked menhaden on a fish finder rig. Let it sit on the bottom, then hang on tight when that rod doubles over. Just remember to check current regulations, as size and bag limits can change.

Striped Bass

About the Blackfin 29 Combi

Company vehicle

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Cruisader

Maximum Cruising Speed: 22

Number of Engines: 2

Horsepower per Engine: 330

Hop aboard our comfy 26-foot center console boat for a laid-back day of fishing on Narragansett Bay. This roomy vessel has plenty of space for you and up to three friends to cast lines and reel in some local favorites like striped bass, bluefish, flounder, and tautog. Don't sweat it if you're new to fishing - Captain Donald Cook knows these waters like the back of his hand and will show you the ropes. We've got all the gear you need, so just bring yourself and get ready for 6 hours of fishing fun. Whether you're looking to learn the basics or just want a chill day on the water, this trip's got you covered. Soak in the Rhode Island coastline views while you wait for that next big bite!
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Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure on the Rhode Island waters? Don't wait any longer to book your charter with Captain Donald Cook and experience the thrill of fishing, cruising, or sightseeing. Your next outdoor excursion is just a click away - book now and let's set sail!

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