Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay Fishing Report 2-23-2012

A couple warm days strung together has really given the freshwater fishing on the Cape a shot in the arm. Trout, bass and panfish are all biting very well, and some stirrings in saltwater have anglers excited about the prospects of an early spring season.

My first call to the Hook Up in Orleans turned up an answering machine reminding me that this weekend is the Big Game Bash at the Marriott in Quincy. This show has some very informative seminars and some great exhibitors and gear to check out. If you’re plan is to catch more fish in the bluewater this year, the Big Game Bash is well worth a visit.

Largemouth bass fishing has been gangbusters for anglers fishing some smaller ponds and finding concentrations of the fish in 8 to 15 feet of water. Fishing jerkbaits is turning up tallies of 10 to 30 fish in a single session. The fish tend to congregate in big numbers this time of year, and largemouths north of the 4-pound mark have been caught.

Garrett at Goose Hummock in Orleans suggested Long and Harwich ponds for shots at largemouths.

In ponds with a pickerel population, these fish are mixing in with the bass, but are also being caught in shallower water. For both species, in addition to suspending jerkbaits, a lively shiner is tough to beat.

Perch and bluegills are biting well also. Tiny jigs, lead-free of course, fished under a float is a great way to catch early spring panfish. As these fish school in huge numbers this time of year, once you find one, big numbers are likely nearby. Use ultralight tackle to get the most out of these scrappy fighters.

Trout fishing is picking up. Christian at Falmouth Bait and Tackle heard of a 7-pound brown trout out of Sheeps Pond. Other trout waters are producing as well. Peters Pond and the Mashpee River were on the list of hotspots this week, along with Cliff, Sheeps and Long Ponds.

Greg at Red Top said the stocking trucks will be rolling soon (within the next week or two). Since they usually wait for ice out to begin the trout stocking, and there was never an “ice-in” on the Cape this winter, the goal will be to start the stocking soon, so they can complete it before it gets too warm for the trout in the holding pens at the hatchery.

Smallmouth bass are also biting well according to Garrett at Goose Hummock. Deep water and shiners or blade baits is the preferred method for smallies right now.

Best Bets for the Weekend

If you are a big game fisherman, or would like to be one, check out the Big Game Bash at the Marriott in Quincy this weekend.

For freshwater, pick a species and get after them! The weekend weather looks great given the time of year. Largemouth and pickerel in shallow ponds should be eating well, same with smallies in the deeper ponds.

And if you’re up for a goose chase, Chris at Bad Fish said the trout being caught in the Mashpee River were of the sea-run variety. These elusive saltwater-living trout don’t appear often, or in numbers, but they are a prized catch because of the beauty (sea-run trout tend to take on a silvery coloration) and the challenge of landing one. There’s no sense in postponing your fishing season any longer. Get out there and start catching.