Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay Fishing Report 2-21-2013

The past week had the mix of snow, rain warm and frigid weather we’ve come to expect on this winter weather rollercoaster. One positive note, the sun is hanging in the sky a little longer each day, leaving enough light that I was able to cast on Peter’s Pond for 45 minutes after work on Friday in 45-degree weather. I had no bites on spoons or stickbaits, but switched to a small hair jig and quickly connected with a 20-inch brown. I tried Peters again on Monday, and it was still mostly open, but seemed to be icing up while I fished. Water was quite literally freezing on my waders. I had no hits on lures and neither did a fisherman fishing bait.

Christian at Falmouth Bait and Tackle said the reel and tackle repairs have been keeping him busy and he hasn’t had many anglers buying bait or telling fish stories lately. He did have one angler planning on buying some shiners later in the week for a pond that he believed to have fishable ice.

Riverview Bait and Tackle has been selling shiners to ice-fishing hopefuls. There is some spotty ice down Cape, but thickness varies from pond to pond, and even on the same pond. Check and check again before walking onto the ice.

Sheep Pond is open enough to fish, same with Cliff and Peters. Many of the larger trout ponds probably have enough open water for anglers to fish from shore.

There was no answer at the Hook-Up as those guys are getting ready for the Big Game Bash taking place this weekend at the Mariott Hotel in Quincy.

Best Bets for the Weekend

More snow and rain in the forecast for this weekend. Old man winter just won’t cut us a break. Look to small ponds for ice fishing and larger ponds for a shot at trout in open water. Fish live baits for the trout for the best shot at hooking up. On the ice, exercise extreme caution, especially if it rains.

This weekend, for a preview of the great saltwater fishing just a few months away, check out On The Water TV on Comcast Sportsnet Sunday at 10 am. This week’s show finds us at Race Point catching blitzing spring stripers.