Season and fish timing
Striped bass fishing out of Block Island runs May through October. The Block Island port page covers harbors, marinas and conditions sources, and the striped bass species guide covers biology and general tactics. The fish hold on three grounds: Southwest Ledge off the island’s southwest corner, North Rip / North Reef off the north side, and the Southeast Light area.
Season and peaks
Hula Charters runs stripers May through October, with peaks in June and again in September. The migration and regional picture (see also the Atlantic Northeast region guide) for the Atlantic Northeast explains the movement behind those two windows.
| Window | Months |
|---|---|
| Season | May through October |
| First peak | June |
| Second peak | September |
Dawn and dusk
Live eels are the dawn and dusk method here, so low light sets the eel windows. Plan your first and last hours of fishing around them.
Where boats run and the grounds that hold fish
Runs are described by position around the island: the southwest corner, the north side and the Southeast Light. Southwest Ledge comes first because its bottom and depth explain the drift setup covered later.
| Ground | Position | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Ledge | Off the southwest corner | 35 ft |
| The Drop | Northeast of the main ledge | 90 ft |
| The Peanut | On Southwest Ledge | |
| North Rip / North Reef | Off the north side | |
| Southeast Light area | Southeast Light | 30 ft |
| The Pinnacle | In the Southeast Light area |
Southwest Ledge
Southwest Ledge sits just off the island’s southwest corner, 35 ft deep over boulder and rock bottom. Fish for stripers here inside the 3 mile state-waters line.
The Peanut is a named spot on the ledge, and The Drop is a 90 ft spot northeast of the main ledge. The rock pile is black sea bass structure and not a striper spot.
Positions for the two charted spots:
- The Drop: 41-08-01.8 / 71-39-35.3
- Rock pile: 41-07-17.3 / 71-39-53.9
Enter both as waypoints in your chart. Chart layers are not for navigation.
North Rip and North Reef
North Rip / North Reef lies off the island’s north side, and it’s where the bucktail method for the rips applies.
Southeast Light and The Pinnacle
The Southeast Light area is a striper and bluefish ground at 30 ft. The Pinnacle is named structure inside the area. Bluefish share the water here.
Block Island Wind Farm
The Block Island Wind Farm is named structure near the island.
How stripers are fished here
Four methods cover most of the local fishing, and each ties to a ground and a time of day.
Live eels
Live eels are the local method at dawn and dusk, inside the low-light windows described above.
Drifting eels on Southwest Ledge
On Southwest Ledge, boats drift eels near bottom with 5 to 8 oz of weight. Start well up-tide so the eel reaches bottom over the 35 ft boulder and rock ground as you drift.
Topwater
Topwater plugs get used over breaking fish.
Bucktails in the rips
Bucktails work in the rips, where current moves the water past structure.
Trolling
On Southwest Ledge, trolling is the alternative to the eel drift.
Who fishes for stripers: striped bass fishing out of Block Island
The local striper scene consists of charter captains and one summer tournament.
Charters
These local charters list striped bass:
- Block Island Fishing Charters: Capt. Steve Miller, 26 ft Ridgeway Express
- Hula Charters: Capt. Matt King, Hula Dog
- Block Island Fishworks: Capt. Christopher Willi, Jessica Kate (23 ft Maycraft CCX)
- Rooster Fishing Charters: Capt. Eric, 43 ft Hatteras Express
- Snow Fly Charters: Capt. Greg Snow
Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament
The Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament is usually held in July. If you fish other species on the same trip, the guides for other coastal gamefish cover them.
FAQ: striped bass fishing at Block Island
When is striped bass season at Block Island?
May through October, with peaks in June and September. Live eels work at dawn and dusk.
Where do boats fish stripers around Block Island?
Southwest Ledge off the southwest corner, North Rip / North Reef off the north side, and the Southeast Light area.
How deep is Southwest Ledge?
35 ft over boulder and rock. The Drop, northeast of the main ledge, is 90 ft.
What weight do you need to drift eels on Southwest Ledge?
5 to 8 oz, with eels near bottom, starting well up-tide. Trolling is the alternative.
Can you fish for stripers beyond the 3 mile line?
Stay inside the 3 mile state-waters line, and check the regulations page above before fishing.
