The Bearsden Saltwater Fishing Report 10/09/2026

The October fall run continues across southern New England, with striped bass providing some of the most consistent fishing of the season. Bonito and false albacore are still around, although the hardtail fishing remains unpredictable following September's nor'easter. Bluefish are becoming more noticeable in several areas, and bluefin tuna remain an option offshore when conditions cooperate. The abundance of small bait is creating excellent opportunities, particularly for those willing to downsize their flies. 

Photo Courtesy Capt. Brain Kelly RPS Fishing

Cape Cod

Striped Bass: Cape Cod Bay continues to produce schoolie- and slot-sized bass from Sandy Neck through the mid-Cape beaches, with larger fish mixed in. The Outer Cape is also fishing well, particularly for boat anglers working deeper water. The Canal has slowed compared to previous weeks, but stripers are still being caught around favorable tides. Small silverside and sand-eel patterns are excellent choices when bass are feeding on top.

Bluefish: Bluefish are abundant along the south side from Falmouth through Hyannis, with large numbers of snapper blues in the bays and along the beaches. Better fish are mixed in, including blues around 7 pounds. Monomoy has been producing some particularly impressive fish in the 10- to 15-pound class, making the rips an attractive option for fly anglers targeting larger blues.

Bonito: Bonito remain around the west end of the Canal and Buzzards Bay, although the fishing has become less dependable since the storm. Nantucket Sound and the waters around Martha's Vineyard are still worth watching, but anglers specifically targeting bonito should expect to cover water and search for bait.

False Albacore: Albies have been difficult to locate around much of the Cape since the nor'easter. Nantucket Sound, the south-side beaches, and the waters around the Islands remain possible locations, but there have been relatively few dependable feeds. Keep the small epoxy minnows and sparse baitfish patterns ready, but have a backup plan.

Bluefin Tuna: Bluefin fishing continues east of the Outer Cape and around the offshore grounds, although the bite has been inconsistent. Some days have produced excellent fishing, while others have seen very little surface activity. For fly anglers, finding tuna feeding on top remains the biggest challenge. 

Photo Courtesy Capt. Neal Vitullo Played For It Charters

Rhode Island

Striped Bass: The Providence and Seekonk Rivers continue to hold good numbers of bass, while Narragansett Bay is producing frequent surface feeds. Fish from slot size to over 40 inches are being caught, with additional activity around Jamestown, Newport, and Narragansett. Along the South County shoreline, larger bass are working rips, reefs, and areas where bait is leaving the estuaries. Anglers should concentrate on moving water and bait concentrations.

Bluefish: Bluefish have become more noticeable throughout Narragansett Bay and along the oceanfront. Most are smaller fish, although some larger blues are mixed into the feeds. They are frequently feeding alongside striped bass, providing excellent opportunities for anglers fishing baitfish patterns around the bay and South County coast.

Bonito: Bonito continue to hold around Newport, Portsmouth, and portions of Narragansett Bay. Additional fish have reappeared along the South County shoreline, where large concentrations of bait are keeping predators active. The fish are scattered, but Rhode Island remains one of the better options for anglers hoping to connect with a late-season bonito.

False Albacore: Albies have reappeared around Newport and along the South County coast, with scattered pods reported from Point Judith through Narragansett. The fishing remains inconsistent, and many fish are feeding on extremely small bait. This is a situation where tiny, sparse flies and accurate presentations can make a substantial difference.

Bluefin Tuna: Offshore reports remain limited, but recreational bluefin are still a possibility on the midshore grounds south of Rhode Island and Block Island. The season is getting late, so weather windows and locating active fish will be increasingly important. 

Photo Courtesy Capt. Joe LeClair Fly Fish Salt Charters

Greater Massachusetts

Striped Bass: Boston Harbor continues to hold bass around bait concentrations, particularly near Hull, Quincy, Hingham Bay, and the Harbor Islands. Herring fry moving out of the Weymouth Back River, Town River, and North River are creating promising opportunities for fly anglers. Along the South Shore, Humarock, Rexhame, Egypt Beach, and Peggotty Beach remain worth targeting. Farther north, Salem Harbor, Marblehead, Gloucester Harbor, and the rocky shoreline around Cape Ann are holding bass around structure and bait. 

Bluefish: Bluefish remain less consistent north of Cape Cod, with occasional fish around Massachusetts Bay and the South Shore. Buzzards Bay and the South Coast remain more promising areas for anglers specifically targeting blues, although recent reports have focused much more heavily on striped bass.

Bonito: Still possible along the South Coast. The Westport River, Gooseberry Point, and Buzzards Bay remain areas to watch, with bonito reported in the broader South Coast fishery recently. Farther north, dependable bonito reports are limited, making Cape Cod and Rhode Island better options for anglers specifically targeting hardtails.

False Albacore: The albie fishery remains largely concentrated around Cape Cod, the Islands, and Rhode Island. There have been no convincing reports of a widespread push into Massachusetts Bay or the North Shore. South Coast anglers should still carry an albie setup, but striped bass remain the more dependable target.

Bluefin Tuna: Recreational-size bluefin remain an offshore possibility around Stellwagen Bank, where fish have been feeding on northern halfbeaks. These fast-moving surface feeds offer an exciting opportunity for properly equipped fly anglers, although finding cooperative fish can be challenging. 

The Bottom Line

Striped bass are the most dependable target this week. Cape Cod Bay and the Outer Cape continue to produce, Rhode Island is seeing excellent fall-run fishing from the Providence River through Narragansett Bay and along the oceanfront, and Massachusetts anglers have good opportunities around Boston Harbor, the South Shore, and Cape Ann.

The hardtail fishing is more unpredictable. Rhode Island currently offers some of the better chances for late-season albies and bonito, particularly around Newport and the South County shoreline. Cape Cod still has bonito and scattered albies, but the fishing has become more challenging since the September storm.

Matching the bait is especially important right now. Keep the small silverside and anchovy patterns ready for hardtails and selective stripers, but don't leave the larger bunker and herring flies behind. With October well underway, every good weather window is worth taking advantage of.

Always check current state and federal regulations before fishing.