Rhode Island has more than 400 miles of coastline and even though we have lost much of it, an awful lot still remains when compared to other states. Finding it is just a matter of a short walk or drive to some excellent fishing spots. We are adding this to our Articles page to help those who fish with White Ghost Charters on multiple dates to use the extra time they have to the fullest.

  Conimicut Point:   You can reach this spot by traveling West Shore Road (Rt.117) in Warwick, RI for approximately two miles south of Hoxie 4 Corners in Warwick.  This area has access for both surf and fly casting. There is a public parking facility close to the beach, but this is usually locked at night once the sun goes down. The state lists a boat ramp there, but it's only a flat sandy area and not much good for more than a car topper or kayak. You would need a good 4X4 to launch anything bigger than that.

 Bass and bluefish are taken here from early spring right through late fall if the bait supply lasts that long. Most fishing here is done on the bottom during the summer with cut bait like menhaden fished on fish-finder rigs. Another popular method is to drift eels under balloons or floats across the sand bar area on a falling tide at night.

 Early mornings and evenings are the best times to fish lures or flies from the bar itself. Poppers, Slug-Go's, Bombers, and other types of soft plastics work great here on early morning tides. One thing to take note of is the current can be extremely fast here on moon tides so you need to be careful when wading the sand bar.

 Pawtuxet Jetty:   About a mile or so south of Pawtuxet Village, off Narragansett Parkway, there is a sigh that reads "Salters Grove". This is just over the Warwick/Cranston line and is the access point to the breakwater. In early to mid-June, it's sometimes possible to catch good size striped bass here. Recently there has been a mix of some decent striper's as well as school size striper's.

 The area is easy to access, with ample parking and a dirt/mud ramp that OK for car toppers or canoes or kayaks. From mid-summer until October, try fishing the high tide a the breakwater with cut pogies or mackerel. The fish at this time, (mostly big bluefish) can run from the mid to high teens in this area. The very end of the break water ( to your right) once you are on the wall itself, is a favorite spot for fishing flies and lures.

India Point Park:   Located in Providence, right on the mouth of the river where it open into the bay, India Point Park has parking and access along the dike wall, adjacent to the river. During late summer and early fall, big bluefish make runs from the bay up the river looking for pogies. Try fishing cut bait on the bottom on fish-finder rigs or just free float chunks. Make your leaders 18 to 24-inches long with a good strong bait hook. Some monster striper's are taken here every year, especially in June when the pogies are plentiful.

 Barrington Beach:  Located in the town of Barrington, RI off of Rumstick Neck Road, this is a popular are early in the morning and at night with both surf casters and fly fishermen. Bass and blues will occasionally trap bait close to the beach and really tear up the water. Popular lures for this are are Cordell Pencil Poppers, Slug-Gos, Fin-S Fish, Poppers, and tins like Acme Kastmasters.

 Colt State Park:  This place is known as Colt Drive and is located in Bristol, RI on the East Side of Narragansett Bay. It lets the angler sample a good chunk of shoreline that's rocky and quit productive from late spring into the fall. To get to Colt Drive take Route I-95 to I-195 East from Providence or west from Fall River to Rt. 102, south out of Warren, RI. Follow Rt. 103 toward the Mount Hope Bridge. The entrance to the park has two large stone bulls at the gate.

 This area can be fished with light spinning gear, surf rods, fly rods and can be waded as well. After dark, try fishing the out flow from beneath the bridge from Mill Gut with flies or bucktails on a dropping tide. There is also a boat ramp inside the park to launch a boat from to fish productive water farther south. Be advised though that when it's windy, it can be a hassle getting your boat back on the trailer when the wind blows directly at the ramp from across the bay.

For more info on shore based areas contact Capt. Jim White at White Ghost Charters in Rhode Island. 401-828-9465

Captain Jim White