Rhode Island September: stripers still summer-pattern, albies in, tautog building

On The Water’s Sept. 10, 2026 Rhode Island report is a late-summer-into-fall mix, not a full blitz yet. Dustin Stevens at Rhode Island Kayak Fishing Adventures said stripers have been consistent but still in a summer pattern — not much fall-run topwater. A few decent bluefish showed last week; albies are in, with more hardtail trips booked as the month runs.

Ocean State Tackle’s Dave, in the same week’s notes, has tautog building in the Providence River, upper bay, and out toward Ohio Ledge. Keeper fluke are getting scarcer; keeper black sea bass are showing out front and around Block Island. Peanut bunker in the lower Providence River had bass and blues lining up for weekend blitzes.

DEM’s September tautog rules stay 16 inches, three fish per person through Oct. 14 (one fish over 21 inches, 10-fish vessel cap for private boats). Striped bass remain one fish in the 28-to-less-than-31-inch slot, circle hooks on bait. Confirm current DEM tables before you keep fish.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: On The Water — Rhode Island Fishing Report, September 10, 2026. Also: RI DEM marine size and possession limits.