Rhode Island is known for its sporadic and sometimes volatile weather conditions. I’m sure many of you have heard Mark Twain’s famous expression “If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.” He had to be writing that quote in April. I have been tricked countless times by beautiful 60-degree days convincing me that spring is finally here, only to be slammed by a Nor’easter and 12 foot seas the following day.
In general, you can expect cold, cloudy days paired with seemingly never-ending rainstorms and strong gusty winds. The early morning hours of April will remind you that winter is still lingering, averaging around 30-40 degrees for most of the month and leaving a layer of frost over all of your gear. If you’re lucky, you might be able to enjoy a few of days where it isn’t painful to be outside. These weather conditions are not only miserable to fish in, but also play a massive role on when the first fish will start biting.
There are only three fish species I have ever caught from the shore/kayak in April; striped bass, cod, and blackfish (tautog). Water temperature plays a huge factor on when these fish will move in and start chewing and the water is slow to get warm this time of year. If you start fishing prior to April 10th for any of these species, you have a high likelihood of getting skunked.
Typically, you will see ocean water temperatures around 42-45 degrees during the first two weeks of this month. This is simply too cold for these fish to be active, or even present (except for cod). I have known this for years, yet every season I find myself foolishly throwing casts in the first week of April hoping for that first migratory striper to come along and smash my soft plastic. It usually takes less than an hour before the cold makes my hands so numb I physically cannot cast anymore, making me question why I endure near frostbite just to get skunked.
By mid-late April, water temperatures will creep up to 48-50 degrees giving you a realistic chance to start catching fish from the rocks. The air temps will creep up the high 50’s and even 60’s, more stripers start to filter in, and the tog start chewing more voraciously. We are finally at this point.. we made it. Go out and catch some fish!
amazing