All Bets Are Off With Blizzard
While mainland anglers have been enjoying another cold spell and increased ice-fishing opportunities, Cape and Islands anglers haven’t gotten the re-freeze necessary to lock up their ponds and lay down fishable ice. Now, just when a string of cold days and nights has started to thicken things, we’re staring down an historic “snowcane” that could bring heavy, wet snow and hurricane-force gusts to the Cape and Islands.

Depending on how we fare from the storm, Sunday’s clear, cold weather could reveal more fishable ice in some spots… or not. It’s tough to predict what effect such heavy wind gusts and (potentially) a foot or more of snow will have on our ice cover.
On The Water will be at the Worcester Sportsman show this weekend it looks like Saturday will suffer from the snow storm, but Sunday might be a good opportunity to escape the house after being snowed-in for two days and spend a few hours browsing the tackle and toys. Check http://www.newenglandfishingexpo.com/ for the latest details on the show.
Unfortunately, some vendors probably won’t make it to the show due to the blizzard. As of Thursday, Capt. Eric Stewart of The Hook-Up said that he was keeping an eye on the forecast and considering bowing out of the show to ride out the weather on Cape Cod. At the moment, he’s busy planning details for the Big Game Bash, which will be held in Quincy on February 22 and 23 and will feature seminars, bait-rigging demos, food, drink, and an appearance by three “WICKED TUNA” crews. Check out www.big-game-bash.castafari.com for more info.
Fishing Forecast
Please stay safe through the storm this weekend. If you head out to check the ice on Sunday, take it slow, as snow cover could act as a blanket over some iffy ice cover. A better bet might be a cod trip once the seas settle down next week. Take a look at Kierran Broatch’s Rhode Island fishing forecast to learn the latest and greatest on the Block Island cod fishery.

That pike is crazy. That must have been awesome to see through a hole in the ice. 17 pound “Cape” pike. Well done