I'm not so sure about Mt hope bay but I have been getting some good sized ones in Newport, just off the Navy base, for the last week or so. If there not there yet, they will be soon.
Not sure if this will help, but , fished the south shore in Mass. on 9/11 and caught huge 36" choppers. If that is a sign to what is coming then get ready. All fish were fat and had their feed bag on.
