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| Fan tailed lures like the Cocahoe Minnow mounted on a jighead are hot lures in the early going. |
The clock is ticking down to the start of the striper fishing here in RI. Within weeks, migrating stripers should hit the south shore oceanfront of the state. During most years big numbers have moved through in the early going.
Dates: My logs tell me that the first big numbers will be landed along the oceanfront around the 15th of April, give or take a week depending on water and air temperatures. Last year I got my first ones on April 14. In 2020, it happened on April 15. About ten days after the first ones are landed along the oceanfront, they will begin to appear in the Bay.
Sizes: If you are looking for keepers, you started way too early. The first fish are generally small, averaging 12 to 16 inches. You might find a 24 inch fish here and there, but the majority will be small. Keepers arrive around May 1.
Light Tackle Rules: Most fishermen are fishing light with rods of 7 or 8 feet matched with small spinning reels. Some will use 10 lb. test mono; others go with 20 lb. test braid.
Jigs Rule: Jigs of all kinds rule the early season fishing. Most fishermen will be using a fan tailed body like a Cocahoe Minnow a jighead. Other will catch them on small bucktail jigs under 3/4 ounce spiced with curly tails. Still other fishermen might use a fork tail body like a Zoom fluke on a jighead. White will be your best colors.
