I first met Dustin Stevens at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show in March. His Rhode Island Kayak Fishing Adventures booth was right next door.

Dustin’s guide business takes customers kayak fishing for striped bass, blue fish, false albacore and more. The more part includes ground fish such as summer flounder (fluke), black sea bass and tautog.

If you are interested in learning about Dustin and his unique business and fishing model, you are in luck.  He has been featured in a podcast produced by Peter Jenkins, owner of The Saltwater Edge at The Tireless Dustin Stevens of Rhode Island Kayak Fishing Adventures - The Saltwater Edge.

Cobia caught at mouth of Sakonnet River

A 38-inch cobia, an exotic warm water fish, was caught at the mouth of the Sakonnet River last week by Tiverton, RI angler Eric Duda. 

“It ripped line like crazy on my light rod setup. I knew right away it was not a fluke, and was thinking, must be one of those gator blues. The fish surfaced after eight minutes 30 feet from the boat and it was no blue! The fish jumped out of the water and ripped line back to about the bottom again in 50 feet of water. I reeled it up four times, after about 20 minutes, we finally got it into the net,” said Eric Duda. “It was a 38-inch COBIA! I released the cobia back into the water.”

The recreational regulation for cobia in Rhode Island is one fish/per vessel/day with a minimum size of 37 inches and a year-round season.

Where’s the bite?

Tuna.  The bluefin and yellowfin tuan bite continues to be very good. Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown, said, “Offshore fishing south of the island continues to produce well for yellowfin and bluefin. Most of the fish are still being caught on the troll but there seems to be more of a jig bite developing. Bring proper gear and watch out for the giants as there seems to be more than a few around this year.” 

Jeff Sullivan of Lucky Bait & Tackle, Warren, said, “I have never seen the tuna fishing this good. We are starting tomorrow at the East Fishing Grounds and near the Block Island Wind Farm. We are going to try to hook a giant bluefin.”

Summer flounder (fluke), black sea bass and scup. Fishing for summer flounder has improved at the coast, many believe the cooler air and water temperatures has and will enhance fishing. O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle, said, “Fluke reports from last week have been great. Local South County waters and Block Island waters have been producing solid catches. More squid and sand eels have entered our area as well. Chartreuse jigs and teasers seem to be working the best for customers. Black Sea bass reports are only getting better with some nice blue headers being jigged up.” 

“We fished in front of the Sakonnet River this weekend and limited out in 72’ of water in no time. In the Bay anglers are fishing the Mt. Hope Bridge for fluke but are really having to work for them and scup are plentiful in Mt. Hope Bay,” said Sullivan of Lucky Bait & Tackle. 

John Littlefield of Archie’s Bait & Tackle, Riverside, said, “Fishing in the upper Bay has been off including scup fishing at Sabin Point and other areas in the upper Bay. Last week the Bay water was in the low 80’s in the upper Bay. Things should improve this week with cooler water temperatures.”

Striped bass and bluefish. “The 5-day lull turned around last Wednesday at the Canal with striped bass chasing whiting and tinker mackerel. “Breakin’ Bob” Weir had 19 fish to his credit on Friday with several 20-25 pounders that fell for his white FishLab,” said Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author East End Eddie Doherty. “We’re seeing some really warm water out front up to 74 and temperatures of up to 84 in the Salt ponds. Keep this in mind while targeting striped bass. The bite is better during mornings and evenings as they can get finicky during the day when the sun is high. Live eels and chunked fresh bait continue to produce, as well as large soft plastics (Joe Baggs, Gravity Tackle). The first two hours of incoming tide in the pond seems to have the most action.”

“The bass bite is outstanding.  We haven’t had to move all season as the Brenton Reef area is producing striped bass with giant bluefish too. So many bluefish are in the area that the dolphins are here feeding on them,” said Sullivan of Lucky Bait & Tackle.

Freshwater fishing for largemouth bass continues to be better early morning and at dusk when things cool off. “Anglers are catching largemouth with shiners at Stump Pond, Smithfield and Turner Reservoir, Rumford. The water is still warm, so fish are deep or in the shade. We still have a small trout bite at Willet Avenue Pond, Riverside along with anglers targeting sun fish with worms,” said Littlefield of Archie’s.

Dave Monti holds a captain’s master 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@verison.net or visit www.noflukefishing.com.