Hey Ken - This is where you are damend if you do and damned if you don't in upper Narraganset Bay. Now keep in ming that I just moved there recently and have only fished it from boat once (last Friday) but I've fished it from shore for a little while now in a few areas around Warwick.... The bigger fish are often closer to shore at night and a little deeper during the day (usually, more so as it gets hotter). The problem is that where you'll often find them is where you'll only ding your prop if your lucky. There is a lot of structure around there and that's where you'll find the fish when the currents sweep by but that same structre can be difficult to navigate and work until you really know it...
There is a herring run near the police station, Gilbert stuart in No Kingstown and a couple other smaller runs in the general area. Unfortunately - they may be about over and you really need to make an effort to keep them alive as they often die fast even with and aerated livewell... But if you can get 'em

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The bass will be around throughout the summer until late October but there will be really slow periods at times when the water is real warm...
Are you new to boating or just new to the area?