Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay Fishing Report 8-9-2012

Monster Blues, Multiple Bonito

For the first time since May, stripers seemed pretty low on the target list for anglers around the Cape. August has brought a large variety of fish our waters, and while striper fishing is hitting a lull, anglers are taking advantage of the other great species.

First was the word of Buzzards Bay false albacore. These rumors began swirling around on Facebook on Tuesday, and today, both Coop at Coop’s Bait and Tackle on the Vineyard and Allen at Red Top in Buzzards Bay had reports of the albies. Allen said that large number of small baitfish in the Canal has drawn in the albies. Although he’s heard of no confirmed catches, it’s only a matter of time. This seems to be true in Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound as well, where there are big schools of small bait, plenty of bluefish, and a few reported albie sightings–but as of yet, no confirmed catches. Who will be the first? It could be you…

Bonito are definitely being caught, and in big numbers. The hotspots are a bit of a run from the south side of the Cape, with Bonito Bar and the Hooter giving up double-digit catches, so it is well worth the run. There are bonito in Vineyard Sound, with some anglers catching them while targeting other species. For the best bet at finding a Vineyard Sound bonito, try Hedge Fence and Middle Ground. Trolling has been the best tactic. Rebel Fas-Tracs, Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows, and Clark Spoons are all working. At Bonito Bar off Nantucket, casting with minnow plugs or metals has been working well.

Though no tackle shops mentioned them outright, northern kingfish seem to have made a strong showing this year based on the amount of “what kind of fish is this” emails and posts we’ve been seeing. Kingfish are a member of the drum family. The have an underslung mouth like a red drum and dark brown markings over a pale, gold body. Perhaps their most indentifying characteristic is their very high dorsal fin. Kings are good sport on light tackle, and one of the best fish you can eat.

Most of the catches have been in Buzzards Bay by anglers targeting fluke or sea bass with squid. In New Jersey, where kingfish are a summertime staple, bloodworms or sandworms were always best. The fish have small mouths, so tiny hooks are a must. Once caught, these fish would serve double duty. Their fillets were quickly breaded and fried while the heads and racks were pinned to a fish-finder rig and sent back into the surf for stripers or brown sharks.

While kings may not be a very reliable target, if you’re fishing in shallow water in Buzzards Bay this weekend, sending out some seaworms on a small hook is definitely worth a shot, even from the beach.

Bluefish reports have varied depending on where anglers are fishing. The Canal doesn’t seem to have very many right now, neither does Cape Cod Bay. Buzzards Bay has big numbers of small blues while Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are swarming with big bluefish. Cam at Bill Fisher Tackle said the south side of Nantucket has tons of big blues. The fish can be seen finning on calm days. They are readily attacking topwater plugs and even flies. A 10-pound bluefish on a fly rod must be a blast. Off Provincetown, John at Nelson’s Bait and Tackle said the bluefishing has been hot and cold. On some days, he can barely send out his tube-and-worm without a bluefish attacking it, while on others, the bluefish are nowhere to be seen.

Fluke fishing is looking good. The deep water on the Vineyard side of Lucas Shoal is a good bet for a doormat reported Tyler at Bad Fish Outfitters in Falmouth. Elsewhere, keepers are a bit harder to come by. Aaron at CMS in New Bedford said throwbacks are dominating fluke catches. Anglers getting keepers are doing so by targeting 60 to 90 feet of water.

Striper fishing wasn’t all bad this week. Dan at the Hook Up said fishermen trolling around Cape Cod Bay aren’t finding many fish, but the ones they are catching are big. Red Top weighed a 42-pounder out of the East End of the Canal on Monday. Stripers have been feeding on small bait in the canal in the mornings and evenings, but getting them to eat isn’t always easy, as they seem keyed into the 1- and 2-inch baits.

Anyone looking to catch some fish in freshwater will find largemouths continuing to feed well in the evenings. Topwater baits are definitely the most fun for this fishing. Smallmouth bass are being taken in the Nickerson State Park Ponds, as are some trout, reported Dan from the Hook Up. The trout are hanging deep, in the cool water. Nightcrawlers have been working for trout, though shiners or grass shrimp would likely work as well.

Bluefin tuna are still feeding in big numbers from Crab Ledge to Peaked Hill. Trolling is still the name of the game. Spreader bars in a variety of colors are working. The fish are mostly 40 to 46 inches, but bigger ones are showing up on occasion. There wasn’t too much talk of giants this week. I received an email Thursday from my friend Gordon Miller who trolled up a 500-pounder on a Slug-Go. There was no word as to where, however.

A few white marlin and bluefin are showing up south of Martha’s Vineyard, but way south, in the Canyons, the bite is slow. Coop at Coop’s Bait and Tackle said one of his friends made the long haul to Hydrographers for an overnighter this week but came home with an empty box. The only excitement was a 200-pound blue marlin. While catching “the lady in the blue dress” in the Northeast is always an accomplishment, for a 200-mile round trip, a tuna steak or two would be nice.

Best Bets for the Weekend

Nantucket looks like the hotspot this week. Big bluefish and plentiful bonito will keep light-tackle and fly anglers busy. The blues are bashing topwaters, and the bonito are slashing small minnow plugs. The Hooter would be my number two pick for bonito, with Hedge Fence a distant third. If you are going to stick to the sound, bring a variety of gear. Look for fluke at Lucas and bonito at Middle Ground. Have some albie gear rigged and ready. You might want to buzz by the mouth of Waquoit Bay to see if you can be the one to confirm the reports of falsies in Cape Cod waters.