10/23/26 Do Your Job!
It's been a windy week along the shore, but things are looking promising for the weekend! It looks like we may finally have a small window to get out and do some fishing. With the season winding down, take advantage of these opportunities while we still can.
Only a few more weeks before many boaters start pulling their boats for the season. Fortunately, surf guys have a much bigger window, and picking up a surf rod can often extend your fishing season well beyond when the boat comes out of the water.
There's still fish to be caught, but you're going to have to put in the time. The fish aren't going to jump into your cooler. Get out there and do your job!
Striped Bass
The numbers have dwindled, but there are still some heavers around, along with plenty of schoolies to keep things interesting.
We've seen an influx of smaller bait this week, with shad showing up and blitzing on it. The bass have gotten a bit pickier as they've keyed in on these smaller baitfish, making it a little more challenging to get them to commit.
Matching the hatch can make all the difference this time of year. Don't be afraid to downsize your presentation and experiment with different retrieves. Small soft plastics, epoxy jigs, and other baitfish imitations are worth keeping handy.
With the cooler temperatures and changing conditions, there's still plenty of opportunity for some good fishing. You might just have to work a little harder for it.
And remember, just because you don't see fish breaking on the surface doesn't mean they aren't there!
If you're looking to get set up for the fall bass run, check out our Select Tackle for Striped Bass.
Tautog
The fishing is only getting better!
Blackfish continue to be one of the highlights of the fall season, and now is an excellent time to start stocking the freezer.
One thing to remember is to fish while the tide is moving. Moving water can make a big difference in getting these fish to feed. Work the rocks, wrecks, and other structure, and make sure you've got enough weight to stay on the bottom.
We've got plenty of green crabs at the shop, so stop by and stock up before heading out!
Here's a friendly reminder of Rhode Island's recreational tautog regulations.
Check out our Select Tackle for Tautog for the gear you'll need.
Regulations and Limits
- Minimum Size: 16 inches total length.
- Trophy Fish Rule: Only one fish greater than 21 inches is allowed per person per day.
- Vessel Limit: Maximum of 10 fish per vessel for general recreational/private boats.
Seasons and Possession Limits
- April 1 – May 31: 3 fish per person per day.
- June 1 – July 31: Closed to harvest.
- August 1 – October 14: 3 fish per person per day.
- October 15 – December 31: 5 fish per person per day.
Always check the latest regulations with the Rhode Island DEM before heading out.
Bluefish
Reports have been relatively quiet on the bluefish front.
I'm still holding out hope that we'll see one big push of bluefish along the beaches before the season wraps up. I remember being a kid and seeing those massive schools of blues tearing up the shoreline. It's the kind of fishing you don't forget!
This time of year, anything can happen. With bait still moving around and temperatures dropping, you never know what might show up along the beach.
Keep a rod ready. You don't want to be the guy watching everyone else catch fish!
Bonito / False Albacore
Reports have been really quiet this week, but the weather certainly hasn't helped. With most boaters unable to get out due to the wind, reports have been few and far between.
There could still be some fish around, but it's tough to know exactly what's happening when nobody can get out to look for them.
If you're heading out this weekend, keep a few small jigs handy just in case you stumble upon some breaking fish. At this point in the season, they're more of a bonus than something I'd spend the entire day searching for.
Check out our Select Tackle for Bonito and False Albacore.
Lure of the Week – Breachway Bomber
Brand: Fish RI
The Breachway Bomber is a durable, versatile topwater lure with some of the best casting ability on the market.
With the windy conditions we've been dealing with lately, casting distance can make all the difference. The Breachway Bomber is designed to slice through the wind and help you reach fish that might otherwise be just out of range.
It's a great option for striped bass, bluefish, and a variety of other gamefish.
The lure comes equipped with a Mustad single hook, making catch-and-release easier while still giving you the confidence to put pressure on a good fish.
Proudly designed and manufactured in the USA!
Check out our Lure of the Week page and see what we have in stock.
10% OFF this week's featured lure!
Did You Know? The Life Cycle of a Bluefish
Bluefish are one of the most aggressive predators along the East Coast, but have you ever wondered where they come from or how they develop into the tackle-destroying fish we all know?
The bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) goes through several fascinating stages throughout its life.
1. Spawning and Eggs
Bluefish spawn offshore in warm, salty waters. Spawning takes place at different times and locations along the Atlantic coast, generally from spring through early fall.
A single female can produce hundreds of thousands to millions of eggs, depending on her size. These eggs drift with the ocean currents before hatching into tiny larvae.
2. Larvae and Fry
When bluefish first hatch, they're tiny, transparent, and unable to swim very well.
As they develop, they begin feeding on microscopic organisms and eventually transition to larger prey. At this stage, they're a long way from the aggressive predators they'll become.
3. Juveniles – Snapper Blues
This is a stage many of us are familiar with!
Young bluefish, commonly called snapper blues, move into bays, estuaries, and other protected coastal waters during the warmer months.
They grow quickly and begin feeding on small baitfish like silversides and bay anchovies.
These little guys are already aggressive, often traveling in schools and chasing bait around shallow water. Anyone who's caught a snapper blue knows that even at a small size, they've got plenty of attitude!
4. Adult Bluefish
As bluefish mature, they become powerful, fast-moving predators.
They migrate along the Atlantic coast, generally moving north during the warmer months and south as temperatures begin to fall.
Adult bluefish feed on a variety of baitfish, including bunker, mackerel, and other schooling species.
They're famous for their feeding frenzies, when large schools push bait to the surface and absolutely tear it apart.
Those massive bluefish blitzes are something many anglers remember for a lifetime.
5. Why It Matters
Bluefish are an important part of our coastal ecosystem, both as predators and as prey during their younger stages.
Their movements are closely connected to water temperatures, bait availability, and seasonal migrations.
That's one reason fall fishing can be so unpredictable. You never know when a school of hungry bluefish might suddenly show up along the beach.
And if they do, you'd better have a plug ready!
Learn more about bluefish from NOAA Fisheries.
If you're interested in some great fall fishing history, check out From the Archives: A Sixty in the Snow from On The Water.
We're Fully Stocked With
- Live Eels
- Live Green Crabs
- Fresh Mackerel
- Bunker
- Fresh Squid
- Clams
Whether you're targeting fall stripers or taking advantage of the hot tog bite, stop by and get what you need before heading out.
Get Ready Now
We're getting into the final stretch of the season, but there's still plenty of fishing left to do.
The tog are chewing, bass are still around, and you never know when the next push of fish might come through.
For boaters, take advantage of the good weather windows while they're available. For surf fishermen, this is when having the right gear can really pay off. A surf rod can extend your season long after the boat has been put away.
Before heading out, don't forget the basics:
- Check your rod guides.
- Clean and lubricate your reels.
- Check your leaders and retie questionable knots.
- Replace rusty hooks.
- Make sure your drag is working properly.
- Keep a variety of small baitfish imitations ready.
- Bring heavier lures for windy conditions and strong currents.
- Stock up on crabs, sinkers, and jigs if you're heading out for tautog.
The weather can change quickly this time of year, and so can the fishing. Be ready to change with it.
The season isn't over yet. Get out there and make the most of it!
Stop by the shop or shop anytime online at Breachway Bait & Tackle.
Ask about our special rod/reel combo deals for fishing the surf or from a boat or kayak. BIG SAVINGS!
We're open 7 days a week.
Shop Hours
Monday–Sunday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Weekend Weather
Friday (10/23)
North winds 15–20 knots, becoming northeast 10–15 knots in the afternoon. Gusts up to 25 knots. Seas 2–4 feet, with a north swell around 4 feet at 5 seconds.
🌡️ High: 57° | Low: 38°
Saturday (10/24)
Northwest winds 5–10 knots. Seas around 2 feet, with a northeast swell around 2 feet at 8 seconds.
🌡️ High: 60° | Low: 33°
Sunday (10/25)
Northwest winds 5–10 knots. Seas 2–3 feet, with an easterly swell around 2 feet at 14 seconds.
🌡️ High: 62° | Low: 36°
Saturday and Sunday are looking like the better opportunities to get out on the water. Keep an eye on the latest marine forecast, especially if you're planning to head offshore.
Weekend Tides – Breachway Flow
Friday (10/23)
Outgoing: 9:04 AM → 3:26 PM
Incoming: 3:26 PM → 9:24 PM
Outgoing: 9:24 PM → 3:25 AM*
Saturday (10/24)
Incoming: 3:25 AM → 9:47 AM
Outgoing: 9:47 AM → 4:11 PM
Incoming: 4:11 PM → 10:09 PM
Outgoing: 10:09 PM → 4:01 AM*
Sunday (10/25)
Incoming: 4:01 AM → 10:29 AM
Outgoing: 10:29 AM → 4:56 PM
Incoming: 4:56 PM → 10:53 PM
Denotes after midnight (following day).
It's on. Get out there and get tight.
The season is winding down, but the fish haven't called it quits just yet. Take advantage of the weather windows, put in the time, and make every trip count.
Good luck this weekend, and tight lines!
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