Captain’s Corner Ep. 3 – Late Summer New England Fishing Report with Capt. Ray Jarvis

Late summer is a special time for anglers in Southern New England. The waters are alive with bait, the transition toward the fall run has begun, and both inshore and offshore opportunities are peaking. In this episode of Captain’s Corner, Peter Jenkins of Saltwater Edge sits down with Captain Ray Jarvis of Salt of the Earth Sportfishing to break down exactly what’s happening on the water — and how to get in on the action.

From peanut bunker and silversides to bonito, albies, and bluefin tuna, Capt. Ray shares the latest fishing patterns, top lures, and proven tactics to help you make the most of August and early fall.

Inshore Fishing – Signs of the Fall Run

Bait Everywhere

The big story right now is bait abundance. Capt. Ray reports thick schools of:

• Peanut Bunker – currently small but growing fast

• Silversides – tightly packed along structure and beaches

• Bay Anchovies – dense “brown clouds” in the water

• Mackerel – surfacing in open water

• Atlantic Herring – larger bait holding schools of predator fish

• Sand Eels & Squid – mixing into the food chain inshore and offshore

This variety is attracting striped bass, bluefish, sea bass, bonito, and the first waves of false albacore.

Tactics for August

• Match the hatch with smaller profiles: epoxy jigs, small Pro Tails, and surface erasers

• Focus on edges of bait balls rather than casting into the middle

• Keep an eye on birds and cormorants as indicators of feeding activity

• Be ready to cover water — Capt. Ray often runs 40–60 miles in a day following the bite

Offshore Fishing – Bluefin Now, Yellowfin Soon

Bluefin Tuna

Bluefin schools have been spotted pushing water on the surface, with occasional large fish mixed in. Jigging remains effective, with Capt. Ray favoring:

• Pink Glow Knife Jigs from UVT
  

• Pro Tail Harness for targeting tuna feeding on whiting

• Hogy Sliders & Stickbaits for blind casting into slicks

Pro Tip: Look for slicks on the surface — often a sign of subsurface feeding.

Yellowfin on the Horizon

As August progresses, Ray has his eyes on yellowfin tuna, which can show up riding temperature breaks or shadowing dolphin pods. Key tactics include:

• Casting poppers or stickbaits into dolphin activity

• Working slicks with Hogy Sliders and Pro Tails

• Using side scan sonar to find fish holding high in the water column

Gear Recommendations from Capt. Ray

From the episode, here’s the gear that’s producing right now:

• Hogy Dog Walker XL – clear, white, pink, tan/sand eel

• Hogy Pro Tail & Pro Tail Harness – for inshore and offshore predators

• UVT Jigs – Pink Glow, Flat-Ass, Glass, Patriot colors

• Hogy Sand Eel – brown/silver, green/silver, pink/silver

• Epoxy Jigs & Surface Erasers – perfect for smaller inshore bait

• Hogy Heavy Metals – for vertical jigging albies and bonito

What’s Next – The Albie Run

Capt. Ray’s late summer focus is shifting toward false albacore, bonito, and Spanish mackerel inshore. Vertical jigging is producing even when casting fails — proof that these fish feed deeper than most anglers realize.

With so much bait in the system and prime water temperatures, the next few weeks are some of the most exciting of the year. Whether you’re chasing stripers in Narragansett Bay, bonito off Martha’s Vineyard, or tuna offshore, the opportunities are endless.

Book a Trip with Capt. Ray Jarvis

📞 401-269-1563
📧 jarvisfish@gmail.com