The Bear’s Den Saltwater Fishing Report 10/16/2026

We're entering the second half of October, but the saltwater fly-fishing season is far from finished. Striped bass are still feeding throughout southern New England, bonito continue to provide late-season opportunities, and false albacore have made another appearance along the Rhode Island coast. The fall migration is becoming less predictable, but anglers finding concentrations of bait are still being rewarded with excellent fishing.

Photo Courtesy Capt. Brian Kelly RPS Fishing

Cape Cod

Striped Bass: Good, although the fishing has become less consistent. The Cape Cod Canal continues to produce fish, particularly around the east end, while the Upper and Mid-Cape beaches and backwaters are holding schoolie- and slot-sized bass. Cape Cod Bay, Monomoy, and the Outer Cape are also seeing activity as migrating fish move through. Silversides, juvenile herring, and finger mullet are providing much of the forage, making smaller baitfish patterns particularly effective. Anglers should concentrate on moving water around inlets, rips, and backwater entrances.

Bluefish: Bluefish have become increasingly scattered around much of the Cape, with some smaller fish still feeding in Buzzards Bay. Martha's Vineyard, however, is experiencing an impressive late-season run of much larger blues. Fish in the 14- to 21-pound range have been reported during the Vineyard Derby, providing one of the better opportunities in the region for anglers specifically targeting trophy bluefish.

Bonito: Bonito are proving to be one of the more persistent hardtails this fall, with fish recently caught from Sandy Neck through the east end of the Canal. Additional schools remain around Woods Hole, the Elizabeth Islands, Vineyard Sound, and portions of Buzzards Bay. Fish have been moving quickly and feeding in smaller groups, but the south side of the Cape and Woods Hole continue to offer legitimate opportunities. Small epoxy minnows, sparse Deceivers, and silverside patterns remain good choices.

False Albacore: Albie fishing around the Cape has become increasingly unpredictable, with scattered pods appearing along the south-facing Upper Cape beaches. The fish are no longer showing with the consistency they were earlier in the season, and some traditional locations have been quiet. There are still occasional opportunities around Nantucket Sound and the Islands, but anglers targeting albies should be prepared to cover considerable water.

Bluefin Tuna: Giant bluefin remain active offshore east of the Outer Cape, although feeding windows have become shorter and less predictable. Finding fish actively feeding on the surface remains a challenge. Properly equipped fly anglers may still encounter opportunities, but the offshore tuna fishery is becoming increasingly weather-dependent.

Photo Courtesy Capt. Neal Vitullo Played For It Charters

Rhode Island

Striped Bass: The fall run continues throughout Narragansett Bay, with a particularly strong bite in the Providence and Seekonk Rivers. Good numbers of bass are also feeding around Jamestown, Newport, Narragansett, and the South County shoreline. Larger fish are being caught around the rips and reefs, while bass of various sizes have been pushing small bait against the shoreline rocks. This is excellent fly-fishing water, especially where current concentrates silversides and other small baitfish.

Bluefish: Bluefish remain mixed into the striper feeds throughout Narragansett Bay and along the oceanfront. Although many are smaller fish, larger blues continue to appear around bait concentrations. Newport, Narragansett, and the South County beaches are worth checking when surface activity develops. Keep a bite-resistant leader available when blues begin cutting through schools of feeding bass.

Bonito: Bonito are still being caught around Newport, Block Island, and along the South County shoreline. Some fish have also been appearing sporadically inside Narragansett Bay. They are frequently feeding alongside false albacore and striped bass, making it possible to encounter several species in the same area. Small, sparse baitfish flies remain the best starting point.

False Albacore: Rhode Island is currently the best bet for anglers hoping to connect with a late-season albie. Solid feeds have been reported along the South County shoreline, with additional schools around Newport and the breachway beaches. Fish have also been appearing around Block Island and sporadically inside Narragansett Bay. Some reports suggest the albies have been less selective this week, making this a particularly good opportunity to get out before the season winds down.

Bluefin Tuna: Offshore reports have been relatively limited. A few commercial-size bluefin have been caught south of Block Island, but there has not been enough consistent recent activity to call this a dependable recreational tuna bite.

Photo Courtesy Capt. Brian Kelly RPS Fishing

Greater Massachusetts

Striped Bass: Good, but the migration is becoming increasingly noticeable as schools leave Massachusetts waters. On the South Shore, the North and South Rivers, Green Harbor, Ellisville Harbor, and the Eel and Town Rivers around Plymouth remain promising locations for fish holding around small bait. Boston Harbor anglers have been finding bass around the Weymouth Back River, Weir River, World's End, and the Hull-to-Quincy shoreline. Farther north, Salem Sound, Gloucester Harbor, Plum Island, and the Merrimack River continue to offer opportunities. Nighttime, dawn, and dusk fishing around estuaries and structure has become more reliable than chasing open-water blitzes.

Bluefish: Bluefish remain inconsistent throughout Massachusetts Bay and along the North Shore. Buzzards Bay and the South Coast continue to offer better possibilities, particularly around Westport. For anglers fishing the South Shore and Boston Harbor, striped bass remain the considerably more dependable target.

Bonito: The South Coast remains the best Massachusetts option outside of Cape Cod. Westport and portions of Buzzards Bay have continued to produce occasional bonito, although catches are now inconsistent. There have also been reports of small bonito along the North Shore, but not enough to suggest a reliable fishery. Anglers specifically targeting bonito will have better odds concentrating farther south toward Cape Cod, the Islands, and Rhode Island.

False Albacore: The albie fishery remains concentrated around Rhode Island, Cape Cod, and the Islands. Buzzards Bay and the South Coast remain possible locations for scattered fish, but stripers are a much better bet for anglers fishing north of the Cape.

Bluefin Tuna: Stellwagen Bank continues to hold bluefin, with recent reports describing good fishing around concentrations of squid and other bait. Giant fish remain the primary focus, and the latest offshore reports indicate that feeding activity has become less predictable. Specialized tackle and careful attention to regulations remain essential for anglers hoping to target these fish.

The Bottom Line

Rhode Island is the standout for hardtail fishing this week. False albacore have returned in better numbers around Newport and the South County shoreline, while bonito continue to show from Block Island through Narragansett Bay. For anyone hoping to connect with a late-season albie on the fly, this is where we would be concentrating our efforts.

Cape Cod continues to provide good striper fishing and some surprisingly persistent bonito action, while the massive bluefish being caught around Martha's Vineyard are adding another interesting dimension to the fall run.

Farther north, the striped bass migration is becoming increasingly apparent. Massachusetts still has plenty of fish, but concentrating on river mouths, estuaries, and areas holding juvenile herring and other small bait will be more productive than simply searching for open-water blitzes.

This is the time to make every good weather window count. Carry smaller flies than you might normally use for striped bass, keep a dedicated hardtail setup ready, and don't overlook the evening and nighttime tides. The calendar may say mid-October, but there is still some excellent saltwater fly fishing ahead.

~anthony

Always check current state and federal regulations before fishing.