Block Island bass bite fires on squid schools as water temps climb into the 60s

The summer bass bite is officially here, and it's happening exactly where it should — around Block Island's legendary structure. Water temps have climbed into the mid-60s around the island, and that thermal sweet spot is stacking bait like I haven't seen in years. The squid bite has been absolutely insane, and where you find squid this thick, you find hungry stripers.

I've been working the Southwest Ledge hard this week, and the fish are responding to fast-moving presentations. These aren't your typical spring bass — they're aggressive, well-fed fish that want baits ripped through the water column. Five-inch paddle tails on 3/4-ounce heads, burned just under the surface, are getting crushed. The key is speed — these fish are feeding on sand eels and squid, both fast-moving prey, so match that energy.

The North Rip has been producing consistently on the outgoing tide, especially the last two hours of the ebb. I'm seeing fish in the 28 to 35-inch range, with a few pushing into the 40s. The water clarity around the island is exceptional right now — that clean, oxygenated water that makes Block Island the summer Mecca it is. When you can see 15 feet down in 40 feet of water, you know the conditions are prime.

Vertical jigging has been deadly over the deeper structure. Three-ounce diamond jigs and butterfly jigs worked in 50 to 80 feet are connecting with quality fish. The bite seems strongest when you're marking bait between 30 and 50 feet down, with bass suspended just below the schools. Don't be afraid to work the jig aggressively — these fish want reaction strikes.

The bonito showed up this week, which is always a good sign. First of the season for me, and they're hitting the same fast-worked metals that are taking bass. When you see bonito, you know the water temperature and bait situation are dialed in perfectly. They're not thick yet, but their presence tells me we're heading into prime time.

Fluke fishing has been spotty but improving. The better fish are coming from deeper water — 35 to 45 feet around the island's southern and eastern edges. White Gulp Swimming Mullets on bucktails are the go-to, but tip them with a strip of squid. The squid scent seems to be the difference between follows and hookups right now.

The full moon this Friday means big tides, and I'm expecting the Southwest Ledge to really light up on the major tide changes. Those spring tides will flush massive amounts of bait through the rips, and the bass know it. Plan to be on the water during the tide changes — the hour before and after the turn has been producing the best action.

Looking ahead, if these water temps hold in the mid-60s and we get some stable weather, this could be the start of the epic Block Island summer bite. The bait is here, the water is clean, and the fish are aggressive. Everything is lining up for what could be a memorable week on the water.