The Block Island north rip can be a very productive fishing area. The rip is formed by the tide as it rushes past the sandbar at the northern point of the island. This sandbar goes from 2 feet deep at the tip of the island to 50 feet at the outmost tip. These waves can sometimes be quite large when wind runs against the tide.
In the spring large numbers of bass arrive at the island to feed on the sand eels pouring out of New Harbor and the tide takes them up to the rip where they will feed on them for hours. There are many ways to fish this area the most popular being trolling wire line with parachutes or umbrella rigs. Drifting with soft plastics or plugs can also be very successful. The most important part about fishing the rip is that most of the time the tide needs to be moving. As soon as the tide stops, the fishing can shut off just like someone hit a light switch. So plan your trip there to allow the maximum length of tide.
As the spring gives way to summer and the sun gets stronger, fishing the rip gets tougher. Once August rolls around fishing there during the day when the sun is up high is not usually very rewarding.
