Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay Fishing Report 12-6-2012

Late Fall Trout

Until the lakes freeze (if they do this year) the fishing report isn’t going to change very much over the next few weeks. Many fishermen have hung it up, spending their time hunting or waiting for ice. But for the anglers giving it a shot, there are still fish to be caught in the Cape’s countless freshwater venues.

Trout fishing is unchanged, but the fierce winds and biting cold kept many anglers indoors this weekend. Metals cast from shore and natural baits such as shiners or worms (wax worms in particular) will tempt any of the trout species. 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.

Between sunrise trout fishing and weekend bass fishing, I did quite a bit of fishing late last week and this past weekend, but the fish weren’t too cooperative. Largemouths proved elusive on Saturday in Santuit Pond. Only upon moving to a small pond near my house in North Falmouth did I salvage the day with a pair of pickerel.

Sunrise trout fishing before work has been on the slow side as well. Dan at the Hook-Up said he and his customers have been fishing Cliff and Sheeps ponds and turning up very little. Not for a lack of fish though. Dan said there were rising trout all over the surface, but they showed no interest in his offerings.

He did however manage a few largemouth bass fished on the bottom around some structure.

Dan had some good news for fishing this month however as he’d heard that the ponds in Southeast District will be receiving a stocking of broodstock Atlantic salmon this month. Between the five ponds receiving salmon (Peters in Sandwich, Cliff and Sheeps in Brewster, and Long and Little in Plymouth), 130 total salmon will be stocked according to Dan, and they will be big ones, with many over the 8-pound mark.

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. I did see a 3-plus-pound brown trout caught in Peters on a nightcrawler on Saturday morning.