Ready to reel in some of Rhode Island's finest? Jimmy Ocean Fishing Guide Service has you covered with our Private Half Day Inshore Fishing Trip. We're talking prime fishing grounds, expert guidance, and the chance to land some serious keepers. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this half-day adventure is the perfect way to experience the best of Rhode Island's inshore action.
Picture this: You're cruising out of the harbor as the sun's just starting to peek over the horizon. The air's crisp, there's a light chop on the water, and you can feel the anticipation building. That's how we kick off every trip. We'll hit up some of my favorite spots where the fish have been biting like crazy. You'll have a shot at hooking into tautog (we call 'em blackfish around here), chunky sea bass, and maybe even some false albacore if they're running. And let's not forget about the stripers and blues that love to hang around these parts. The best part? It's just you and two buddies on the boat, so we can tailor the trip to exactly what you're after.
On this trip, we'll be using a mix of techniques to maximize our chances. For tautog, we'll be dropping jigs tipped with green crabs or Asian crabs right on the structure where these bulldogs like to hide. When we're after sea bass, we might switch to diamond jigs or use bait rigs with squid or clams. If the albies or bonito are busting on the surface, we'll break out the light tackle and toss some epoxy jigs or small metals. Don't worry if you're new to any of this - I'll walk you through every step, from setting the hook to fighting the fish. All the gear is provided, top-notch stuff that'll give you the edge when that big one hits.
"We had an incredible time fishing with Captain Jimmy! I brought along my 19-year-old son and his friend—both seasoned anglers—and all three of us were thoroughly impressed. Despite the windy conditions, the captain stayed on top of everything, constantly re-baiting our lines and adjusting our position to keep us right on the fish. We ended up with a hefty haul of keepers and released at least triple that amount. It was a style of fishing we weren't used to, but Jimmy was patient and took the time to teach us how to properly catch tautog. They turned into a delicious dinner that night, with plenty of leftovers for the days ahead. Jimmy is not only a skilled captain but also a genuinely great guy, and the trip was an absolute blast from start to finish!" - Stephen
"You won't find a more friendly or knowledgeable captain than Jimmy. His passion for fishing is clear in everything he does. He knows these Rhode Island waters inside and out, and it truly showed on our calm, warm September Saturday trip—we absolutely crushed it. We hit our limit on tautog, including one that hit 10 pounds, another at 8, and a couple more in the 6-pound range. Jimmy made sure to release the females, which speaks to his respect for the fishery's future." - Regina
"Jimmy took us right to the action—within no time, we were reeling in mackerel, sea bass, stripers, and tautog. He's an outstanding guide and a great person to spend the day with. Every catch gave us a solid fight, and it was clear Jimmy knows all the hot spots where the bigger fish like to hang out. Definitely a trip to remember and one for the books!" - Chase
Striped Bass: The crown jewel of Northeast inshore fishing, stripers are the fish that dreams are made of. These hard-fighting bruisers can top 50 pounds, and they love to hang around structure and rips. We typically target them with live eels or chunked menhaden, but throwing topwater lures when they're blitzing is an adrenaline rush like no other. The fall run is prime time, but we can find good-sized fish from spring through fall.
Atlantic Cod: The fish that built New England, cod are making a comeback in our waters. These tasty bottom-dwellers are a blast to catch on jigs or bait rigs. They're not the fastest swimmers, but they'll give you a good tug when you hook into a 20-pounder. Winter and early spring are typically the best times to target them, but we can find them year-round if we know where to look.
Little Tunny (False Albacore): Don't let the "little" fool you - these speedsters will make your reel sing. False albacore, or "albies" as we call them, show up in late summer and early fall, chasing bait on the surface. They're not great eating, but pound-for-pound, they're some of the hardest fighting fish in the ocean. Light tackle and fast retrieves are the name of the game here.
Bluefish: The bullies of the ocean, blues are all attitude and teeth. They'll hit just about anything that moves and fight like crazy all the way to the boat. We often find them mixed in with stripers, and they're a blast on topwater lures. They're around from spring to fall, with the biggest ones showing up in the late summer.
Black Sea Bass: These bottom-dwellers are not only beautiful to look at, but they're also delicious on the plate. Sea bass love structure, so we'll be dropping lines around wrecks and reefs. They put up a decent fight for their size, and the bigger ones (we call them "humpbacks") can top 5 pounds. The season usually runs from late spring through the fall.
Listen, I could go on all day about the fishing, but the best way to experience it is to get out there yourself. This half-day trip is the perfect intro to Rhode Island's inshore fishing scene. We've got flexible morning departure times to fit your schedule, and with only three spots per trip, you're guaranteed plenty of personalized attention. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler or just want to bend a rod, we've got you covered. So what are you waiting for? Grab your buddies, book your trip, and let's make some waves. The fish are biting, and your next big catch is just a cast away. See you on the water!
September 29, 2024
You won't find a more friendly or knowledgeable captain than Jimmy. His passion for fishing is clear in everything he does. He knows these Rhode Island waters inside and out, and it truly showed on our calm, warm September Saturday trip—we absolutely crushed it. We hit our limit on tautog, including one that hit 10 pounds, another at 8, and a couple more in the 6-pound range. Jimmy made sure to release the females, which speaks to his respect for the fishery’s future. We also maxed out on gorgeous, tasty black sea bass, some weighing up to 4 pounds. Just when we thought the action was slowing, a surprise school moved through, and the excitement started all over again. By the end, we had landed an albie, a green bonito, and even a few mackerel. We were lucky enough to spot whales and dolphins along the way, which made the day even more unforgettable. Jimmy took his time filleting everything with skill and care. I’ve been on plenty of charters over the years, and this was my first trip with Jimmy—but it certainly won’t be my last. Bonus points: unlike many captains, Jimmy doesn’t smoke, which made the experience that much better. Absolutely recommend.
September 14, 2024
Jimmy took us right to the action—within no time, we were reeling in mackerel, sea bass, stripers, and tautog. He’s an outstanding guide and a great person to spend the day with. Every catch gave us a solid fight, and it was clear Jimmy knows all the hot spots where the bigger fish like to hang out. Definitely a trip to remember and one for the books!
November 2, 2024
Jim was fantastic—friendly, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable. I booked the charter mainly for my grandson, and Jim went out of his way to make sure he had a great time. Highly recommend him!
October 4, 2024
Atlantic cod are bottom-dwelling fish that average 10-20 pounds but can reach sizes over 50 pounds. You'll find them hanging around rocky structures and wrecks in cooler, deeper waters offshore. Spring and fall are typically the best seasons for cod fishing here. Anglers enjoy targeting them for their firm, flaky white meat that's excellent for fish and chips. Cod put up a decent fight too, especially the bigger ones. To entice a bite, try jigging with clams or cut squid near the bottom. My top tip is to use a heavy sinker to keep your bait in the strike zone - those hungry cod are usually hugging the seafloor. The satisfaction of reeling up a keeper cod from the depths is hard to beat!
Black sea bass are bottom-dwellers that typically run 1-3 pounds, though trophy fish can reach 8 pounds or more. You'll find them around rocky structures and wrecks in 60-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time as they move inshore to spawn. Anglers enjoy targeting sea bass for their tasty white meat and the fun of bottom fishing. They put up a decent scrap too, especially on light tackle. To catch them, try a two-hook rig baited with squid or clams. My favorite trick is chumming with crushed clams to draw them in. When you find a good spot, you can often catch a bunch of these tasty fish in short order!
Bluefish are aggressive predators that usually range from 3-10 pounds, with some topping 20 pounds. You'll find them in both inshore and offshore waters, often in big schools chasing bait. Summer and early fall are peak bluefish seasons here. Anglers love blues for their savage strikes and strong fights. While not everyone's favorite for the table, fresh bluefish can be delicious when prepared right. To catch them, try trolling or casting lures that mimic injured baitfish. My top tip is to use wire leaders - those razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in no time. When a bluefish hits, it's like setting the hook on a freight train!
Little tunny, also called false albacore, are small tuna that typically run 5-12 pounds. These speedsters hang out near the surface in open water, often close to shore. Late summer and fall are prime time as they chase bait schools. Anglers love "albies" for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps when hooked. While not the best eating, their fight more than makes up for it. Look for feeding frenzies on the surface, marked by birds diving and fish splashing. To catch them, cast small metal lures or flies into the fray. My go-to trick is using a clear fluorocarbon leader - these fish have sharp eyes and can be leader shy. When you hook one, hold on tight and enjoy the ride!
Striped bass are a popular gamefish here in Rhode Island waters. These powerful swimmers can grow up to 50 pounds or more, though most catches are in the 20-30 pound range. Look for stripers near structures like jetties, rocky shorelines, and drop-offs. They're most active at dawn and dusk, when they come into shallower water to feed. Spring and fall are prime striper seasons as they migrate along the coast. Anglers love targeting them for their strong fights and tasty white meat. To up your chances, try drifting live eels or chunking fresh menhaden - stripers can't resist those natural baits. Just remember to use circle hooks, which are required and help with safe catch-and-release. Nothing beats the thrill of hooking into a big striper and feeling that first powerful run!
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 3
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 20
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 150
We had an incredible time fishing with Captain Jimmy! I brought along my 19-year-old son and his friend—both seasoned anglers—and all three of us were thoroughly impressed. Despite the windy conditions, the captain stayed on top of everything, constantly re-baiting our lines and adjusting our position to keep us right on the fish. We ended up with a hefty haul of keepers and released at least triple that amount. It was a style of fishing we weren’t used to, but Jimmy was patient and took the time to teach us how to properly catch tautog. They turned into a delicious dinner that night, with plenty of leftovers for the days ahead. Jimmy is not only a skilled captain but also a genuinely great guy, and the trip was an absolute blast from start to finish!