10/30/26 Throw Back the Trout to Catch the Salmon!
Halloween weekend is here, and we're getting into the final stretch of the fishing season! The weather has been really nice this week and saturday and sunday are looking exceptional.
The days are getting shorter, Especially with daylight savings ending :(. Tog is a happening and there is still plenty of life in the surf.
There's an old Irish saying, "Throw the trout out to catch the salmon." It's a phrase that gained popularity through the Irish folk band Amble, after one of the members told his father he was leaving his steady teaching job to pursue music. His father's advice was simple: "Throw the trout out to catch the salmon."
The meaning? Sometimes you have to give up something good, take a chance, and go after something even better.
I think that applies to fishing just as much as it does to life. Sometimes you've got to leave the fish you know are there, try a different spot, or change up what's been working in hopes of finding something bigger. There's no guarantee it'll pay off, but that's part of what keeps us coming back.
You can't catch the salmon if you're not willing to throw back the trout!
With Halloween upon us, hopefully the fish have a few more treats in store before the season wraps up!
Striped Bass
The numbers have certainly thinned out compared to earlier in the season, but there are still some quality fish around, along with smaller schoolies.
We've seen smaller bait moving through the area recently, and the bass have been getting a little more selective when they're keyed in on it. Matching the size of the bait can make all the difference.
Don't expect every trip to produce massive schools of fish blitzing along the beach. This late in the season, you're often going to have to work for them. Pay attention to the tides, current, and structure, and don't overlook areas that aren't showing obvious signs of life.
Shad have been coming in and out of the salt ponds chasing the small bait around. There have been reports of some good size schools of bass in the bay so hoping they stay tight to the shore line as they work south.
Small soft plastics, epoxy jigs, bucktails, and swimming plugs are all worth having in the bag. With the colder weather settling in, slow down your retrieve when necessary and be willing to change things up.
The fall run might be winding down, but it's not over yet!
If you're looking to get set up for the fall bass run, check out our Select Tackle for Striped Bass.
Tautog
Blackfish have been one of the highlights of the fall, and this is still a great time of year to target them.
As the water continues to cool, pay attention to where the fish are holding. Working deeper structure can become increasingly important as the season progresses.
One of the biggest keys to successful tog fishing is keeping your bait in the strike zone. Make sure you're using enough weight to hold bottom, and try to fish while the tide is moving.
We've got plenty of green crabs at the shop, so stop by and stock up before heading out.
Remember, Rhode Island's fall recreational tautog possession limit is 5 fish per person per day, subject to a maximum of 10 fish per private vessel, with a 16-inch minimum size and no more than one fish over 21 inches per angler.
Always check the latest regulations with the Rhode Island DEM.
Check out our Select Tackle for Tautog for the gear you'll need.
Bluefish
Bluefish reports have remained relatively quiet.
I'm still holding out hope for one last push of blues along the beaches. I remember being a kid and seeing massive schools of bluefish tearing up bait along the shoreline. It's the kind of fishing you never forget!
With bait still moving around and temperatures changing, you never know what might show up. This time of year, things can happen quickly.
Keep a plug ready, because you don't want to be watching from the sidelines if they decide to make an appearance!
Bonito / False Albacore
Reports of bonito and false albacore have been pretty quiet lately. There hasn't been much information coming in.
At this point in the season, I'd consider these fish more of a bonus encounter than something worth spending the entire day searching for.
If you're heading out, keep a few small resin or epoxy jigs handy. You never know when you might stumble across some breaking fish.
Check out our Select Tackle for Bonito and False Albacore.
Lure of the Week – Yo-Zuri Mag Darter
The Yo-Zuri Mag Darter is one of those plugs that deserves a spot in every surf angler's bag, especially during the fall run.
The Mag Darter features a Magnetic Weight Transfer System that helps anglers cast farther and cover more water, even when the wind isn't cooperating.
One of its most unique features is its inverted cupped face. While it might look like a topwater lure, the design actually creates an erratic underwater darting action.
The Mag Darter is most productive with a slow, steady retrieve. Its natural rolling and darting action does most of the work for you, making it an excellent choice for targeting striped bass along the beaches, breachways, jetties, and rocky shorelines.
Key Features
- Patented Magnetic Weight Transfer System for maximum casting distance.
- Straight, accurate casting, even in windy conditions.
- Strong 3X treble hooks.
- Stainless steel split rings.
- Designed for surf, jetty, and pier casting.
- Unique darting and rolling action.
- Durable ABS resin construction.
- Wire-through construction.
If you're looking for a plug that casts a mile and produces a great action without much effort, the Mag Darter is worth checking out.
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? What Is a Mole Crab?
If you've spent time digging around in the wet sand along the beach, there's a good chance you've come across a mole crab without even realizing it!
Mole crabs, commonly called sand crabs or sand fleas, are small crustaceans that live in the sandy areas where waves wash up and retreat.
Despite their name, they don't look much like the crabs we're used to seeing around Rhode Island. They have small, oval-shaped bodies and no large claws to pinch you.
Where Do They Live?
Mole crabs are found along sandy beaches in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions around the world.
They spend most of their time buried just below the surface of the sand in the swash zone, where waves continually wash over the beach.
As the water moves in and out, mole crabs move with it, burying themselves backward into the sand.
How Do They Feed?
Unlike many other crabs, mole crabs don't actively hunt their food.
Instead, they extend feathery antennae into the moving water to filter out plankton and other tiny particles.
The next time you're walking along the beach, pay attention to the wet sand as a wave recedes. You might notice tiny V-shaped marks or bubbles where mole crabs are buried.
Why Are They Important?
Mole crabs are an important food source for shorebirds and various species of fish.
In some coastal regions, anglers even collect them to use as bait when surf fishing.
They're also an important part of the sandy beach ecosystem, helping transfer nutrients through the food chain.
Did You Know?
Mole crabs can disappear from heavily disturbed beaches due to pollution, excessive vehicle traffic, and other human activities.
So the next time you're walking along the beach, take a closer look at the sand beneath your feet. There's a whole little world living just below the surface!
You can learn more through the Ocean Conservancy.
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 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 – 5:00 PM
Weekend Weather
Friday (10/30)
West winds 10–15 knots, with gusts up to 25 knots. Seas 2–3 feet.
Wave Detail: West 2 feet at 4 seconds and southeast 1 foot at 7 seconds.
High: 69° | Low: 44°
Saturday (10/31) – Halloween!
North winds 10–15 knots, with gusts up to 20 knots, diminishing to 5–10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2–3 feet.
Wave Detail: North 2 feet at 3 seconds and southeast 1 foot at 8 seconds.
High: 55° | Low: 38°
Sunday (11/1)
West winds 5–10 knots. Seas around 2 feet.
Wave Detail: Southeast 2 feet at 9 seconds and northwest 1 foot at 2 seconds.
High: 57° | Low: 35°
Saturday afternoon and Sunday are looking like some of the better opportunities to get out on the water. Keep an eye on the latest marine forecast before heading out.
Weekend Tides – Breachway Flow
Friday (10/30)
Outgoing: 2:34 PM → 9:22 PM
Incoming: 9:22 PM → 3:07 AM*
Saturday (10/31)
Outgoing: 3:07 AM → 8:37 AM
Incoming: 8:37 AM → 3:38 PM
Outgoing: 3:38 PM → 10:44 PM
Incoming: 10:44 PM → 4:15 AM*
Sunday (11/1)
Outgoing: 4:15 AM → 8:58 AM
Incoming: 8:58 AM → 3:59 PM
Outgoing: 3:59 PM → 10:56 PM
Denotes after midnight (following day).
Reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 1, at 2:00 AM. Clocks move back one hour. Double-check tide times against the local time change before heading out.
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.
Happy Halloween, and tight lines!
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