BD Saltwater Fishing Report 10/31/2026

The final week of October is producing some surprisingly good fishing across southern New England. Although the striped bass migration is winding down in Massachusetts, Rhode Island continues to hold excellent numbers of fish, and another push of bait has brought bonito, bluefish, and stripers back into parts of Cape Cod. The season is changing quickly, but there are still opportunities for fly anglers willing to follow the bait and make the most of favorable weather windows.

Cape Cod

Striped Bass: Slowing overall, but there are still fish to be caught. Following several quiet days, a fresh push of menhaden moved through Nantucket Sound and along the Elizabeth Islands, bringing schoolie- and slot-sized stripers to the rocky shoreline from Woods Hole toward Cuttyhunk. Monomoy also saw a push of larger migrating bass this week, with sand eels providing much of the forage. The east end of the Cape Cod Canal continues to produce occasional fish, although numbers are considerably lower than earlier in the month. Along the south side, back bays and salt ponds remain worth targeting with small silverside patterns around moving tides.

Bluefish: Some excellent late-season action developed this week as large schools of adult bunker moved along the south side of the Cape. Bluefish approaching 10 pounds were seen blitzing bait on the surface, with several good fish caught before the schools disappeared. Nantucket Sound and the Elizabeth Islands remain worth watching for another push of bait and blues, although these feeds have been brief and unpredictable.

Bonito: Despite the general slowdown, a substantial concentration of bonito appeared around the Elizabeth Islands, with anglers reporting catches of 8 to 10 fish apiece during a recent trip toward Falmouth. The fish were feeding heavily on extremely small bait rather than the larger bunker moving through the area. Scattered bonito are also lingering near the east end of the Canal, although the fishing there has slowed considerably. Small epoxy minnows and sparse anchovy patterns remain the best choices.

False Albacore: The albie season appears to be nearing its end around Cape Cod. Recent reports have focused primarily on bonito, with little confirmed albie activity along the Upper and Mid-Cape beaches. Vineyard Sound and the waters around the Elizabeth Islands remain possible locations for a late-season encounter, but anglers specifically targeting hardtails should concentrate on the more recently reported bonito.

Bluefin Tuna: Giant bluefin remain active offshore, particularly east of the Outer Cape and around the offshore grounds. Feeding windows have become shorter and less predictable, making fly-fishing opportunities extremely challenging. For anglers specifically hoping to target bluefin on fly, finding smaller fish feeding on the surface remains the key, although there have been few dependable recent reports of that activity.

Photo Courtesy Anthony Lombardo

Rhode Island

Striped Bass: Rhode Island is currently offering some of the most dependable late-season striper fishing in southern New England. Large schools are spread throughout the state, with particularly strong fishing in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers, where some impressive bass are holding around bait concentrations. Along the oceanfront, the migration has intensified from Narragansett and Point Judith through the South County beaches and breachways. Fish are also holding inside the rivers and protected backwaters, providing opportunities when the open beaches are difficult to fish. Larger baitfish flies are worth carrying alongside smaller patterns for bass feeding on scattered bait.

Bluefish: Bluefish remain a secondary target, with fewer dependable reports than earlier in October. Scattered fish may still be encountered around Narragansett Bay and the South County shoreline, particularly around bait concentrations. Anglers fishing active striper feeds should keep a durable baitfish pattern available, but bass are the more reliable target.

Bonito: Still around, although the fishing is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Scattered bonito continue to appear along the Rhode Island shoreline, and a few hardtails are still being reported inside the Upper Bay. Newport, Narragansett, and the South County coast remain areas to watch, but these are now isolated opportunities rather than the widespread feeds of September. Small, sparse baitfish flies remain the best starting point.

False Albacore: Albies continue to make occasional appearances along the Rhode Island coast, although consistent feeds have become difficult to locate. The South County shoreline and waters around Newport remain possible locations during favorable weather windows. There are also reports of a few remaining hardtails inside Narragansett Bay. Anglers hoping for one last albie should be prepared to cover water and take advantage of any active surface feeds.

Bluefin Tuna: Offshore reports have been limited, with most local attention shifting toward striped bass. Giant bluefin remain a possibility on the broader southern New England grounds, but there is not enough recent evidence of consistent recreational-size fish to recommend this as a dependable fly-fishing opportunity.

Photo Courtesy Capt. Neal Vitullo Played For It Charters

Greater Massachusetts

Striped Bass: The migration is clearly winding down, although a few fish remain. Along the South Shore, Black Rock Beach in Cohasset has produced some of the more recent catches, while occasional surface feeds have developed between Quincy Bay and the Weymouth Back River. Striped bass are also lingering around the Charles and Mystic Rivers, where herring fry continue to provide forage. Farther north, Plum Island is still producing a few schoolie-sized bass around Parking Lot 6 in the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Overall, fish are scattered, and locating bait in protected areas is becoming considerably more important than searching open beaches.

Bluefish: Bluefish have become increasingly scarce north of Cape Cod, with few confirmed recent reports from Boston Harbor, the South Shore, or Cape Ann. The South Coast and Buzzards Bay remain more promising areas for a late-season encounter, although recent fishing reports have focused primarily on striped bass. Anglers specifically targeting bluefish will have better odds concentrating farther south.

Bonito: The South Coast remains the most likely area to encounter late-season bonito outside Cape Cod. Lower Buzzards Bay and the waters toward the Elizabeth Islands have produced fish recently, while the Westport area continues to hold abundant bait. There have been few confirmed reports farther north, so bonito should be considered an occasional opportunity rather than a dependable target.

False Albacore: Recent albie reports have been extremely limited throughout Massachusetts. Buzzards Bay and the South Coast remain possible locations for scattered fish, but there is no evidence of a consistent late-season bite in Massachusetts Bay or along the North Shore. Anglers specifically hoping for one more hardtail should concentrate on the southern part of the region.

Bluefin Tuna: Excellent offshore fishing continues around Stellwagen Bank. Reports this week have described very strong giant bluefin action, with some boats catching multiple tuna in a single trip. While the fishing is impressive, this is not currently a dependable fly-fishing opportunity. Anglers hoping to target bluefin on fly will need to locate fish actively feeding near the surface during daylight hours.

Photo Courtesy Capt. Joe LeClair Fly Fish Salt Charters

The Bottom Line

Rhode Island is the standout for striped bass this week. Large numbers of fish are still moving through the state, with particularly good opportunities around the Providence and Seekonk Rivers, Narragansett Bay, and the South County beaches and breachways. For anglers hoping to connect with a late-season striper on fly, Rhode Island is probably the best place to concentrate their efforts right now.

Cape Cod also provided some exciting surprises. Another push of bunker through Nantucket Sound and the Elizabeth Islands brought fresh striper action, large bluefish, and some excellent bonito fishing. While these feeds are becoming increasingly unpredictable, there are still enough fish around to make a trip worthwhile.

Farther north, the Massachusetts striper season is approaching its conclusion. Scattered fish remain around Boston Harbor, the South Shore, and Plum Island, but the larger schools have largely moved south. Offshore, however, the giant bluefin fishing on Stellwagen continues to produce impressive catches.

For fly anglers, the key is to remain flexible. Small baitfish patterns are still producing around the remaining hardtails, while larger flies are worth having ready for bass and bluefish following adult bunker. Concentrate on moving tides, watch for birds and bait, and don't overlook protected backwaters when the open coast becomes difficult to fish.

October may be coming to an end, but southern New England still has a few good saltwater fishing opportunities left.

~anthony

Always check current state and federal regulations before fishing.