Atlantic Bonito

Season in Rhode Island

Peak months: Aug, Sep.

OTW June 2026: bonito activity starting to warm up, expected to pick up in July. OTW Aug 2026: large schools from Charlestown to Newport, some boats up to 30 a trip. Snug Harbor Oct 2026: good numbers along the beaches and at Block Island. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Charlestown to Newport, the islands and South County beaches, Block Island's north rip (OTW, Snug Harbor).

Schools that jump while chasing small bait, usually beyond casting range from New York beaches.

What to look for

Fish jumping and slashing through small bait; birds over rainbait.

What to throw

Metal casting jig (diamond, Hopkins or Stingsilver style)1 to 2 oz, 3 to 4 in. Fast steady retrieve for mackerel; let it sink and rip it up for blues; jig near bottom for weakfish.

Epoxy jig3/8 to 1 oz, Small, matched to silversides, bay anchovies and sand eels. Fast steady retrieve through the school.

Silver casting spoon (Clarkspoon or Drone style)1/2 to 1 oz, No. 0 to 1 / 2.5 to 3.5 in. Burn it. Fast, steady, just under the surface.

Swimming minnow plug (Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow style)3/4 to 1 oz, 4 to 5 in. Steady medium retrieve with occasional twitches and pauses.

Leader

Common mistakes

• Lures too large for the micro bait they are eating
• Casting into the middle of a moving school instead of ahead of it

Landing

Net or lift by the tail; they fight hard to the end.

Handling

• Sharp small teeth
• Treble hooks on jigs while it thrashes

Use pliers to unhook.

Keep or release

Kept for the table or bait by some anglers.

Recipes for atlantic bonito

Typical: 2 to 4 lb close to shore (Rhode Island and Massachusetts, 2024). Large: Over 10 lb. NY record 13.45 lb (2020).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the RI limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Rhode Island DEM Division of Marine Fisheries before you keep a fish.

Sources

• On The Water: Rhode Island Fishing Report, June 25 2026 (Ocean State Tackle, The Saltwater Edge) (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: Rhode Island Fishing Report, Aug 13 2026 (Ocean State Tackle, The Saltwater Edge) (Angler knowledge)
• The Fisherman: Snug Harbor Marina reports (Oct 2026) (Angler knowledge)
• The Fisherman: Too Warm, Or Too Cold? Species' Preferred Temperature Ranges (Aguiar, 2023) (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: The Epic Bonito Run of 2024 (Fee, 2025) (Angler knowledge)
• On The Water: Long Island and New York Fishing Report, August 13, 2020 (Angler knowledge)
• Bigelow and Schroeder, Fishes of the Gulf of Maine (online text): Atlantic bonito (Official source)
• NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records Program (Official source)

All the fish of Rhode Island