I have had a good amount of success from the shore, but a lot of it was from a long time ago. The key to fishing in RI is finding a place that hasnt been so over fished. There are a few spots on stump pond not too far from the concrete wall that arent too bad. Just on the south side of the damn there is a path that takes you to a rock bank. Not bad fishing. I usually park on the other side of the street where the nature path is and walk across. Caught a few 3-4 pounders in that area. Here is the map. If you have a GPS you can use Box Seats as a reference. That address is 332 Farnum Pike Smithfield, RI.
http://binged.it/MPtYwW
Had good success on weightless fluke and topwater there.
Bring bug spray as during the summer that area will grow in a bit and there are ticks.