Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay Fishing Report 12-13-2012

For the anglers giving it a shot, there are still fish to be caught in the Cape’s countless freshwater venues.

Natural baits such as shiners or worms (wax worms in particular) continue to tempt any of the trout species. Christian at Falmouth Bait and Tackle has seen some nice brown and tiger trout taken lately. All on bait. Lures tempted smaller rainbow trout. Peters Pond has been the hotspot lately.

Dan at the Hook Up said reports from Bakers and Cliffs ponds have been slow. He fished Higgins Pond over the weekend and found a few willing trout as well as 14 largemouth bass and some pot-bellied yellow perch.

Larger ponds that receive a fall stocking will be your best bet, as these ponds typically hold over trout from year to year, providing trophy opportunities as well. This time of year typically offers the best shot at a big brown trout. From now until the ponds freeze, browns will be prowling the shoreline and will be willing to strike at spoons, stickbaits or live baitfish. Shiners work, but many anglers agree that live mummichogs (killifish, minnows, mummies, chubs) are a better trout bait.

It looks like the broodstock salmon have gone in. Some photos that turned up in my Facebook newsfeed this morning suggest that at least one angler has been getting in on the action. Stickbaits were the bait of choice, but the salmon will often aggressively strike spoons and shiners as well. There were only 25 stocked per pond, however.

Smallmouth bass are balled up in deeper water, and if you can find them, you can have a field day. Christian at Falmouth Bait and Tackle had a few customers who reported using their electronics to locate a school of smallies before catching one after another on drop-shot rigs.

Though they rarely show up in the reports, panfish are a viable option this time of year as well. Yellow perch, bluegill and even crappie will still strike in the cold water. Often times, these fish school up in deeper water and a boat or kayak is needed to get to them. Small jigs or small minnows are often the ticket.

Best Bets for the Weekend

Trout remain the best bet, but largemouth and pickerel are another good option. Bait is working better for all species. Shiners or killifish will work well, same with nightcrawlers.

If you’d like a shot at a trophy, try slinging spoons or stickbaits in one of the five ponds stocked with broodstock salmon—Long, Little, Cliff, Peters or Sheeps.

If you have a boat and some reliable electronics looking in deeper water for schooled up smallies could pay off big time. Search over structure in 30 or more feet of water. Drop-shot rigs and blade baits will give you the best shot at hooking up.