Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay Fishing Report 3-21-2013

Cold Weather Catchin’

Isn’t the expression for March weather “in like a lion, out like lamb?” Well, as of March 21, the second day of spring, that lion is still roaring with cold, icy breath, and a possible 2 to 4 inches of snow. The 10-Day Forecast isn’t calling for any temperatures out of the 40s.

But if my recon this week taught me anything, it’s that the fish are getting as fed up with this nasty weather as we are. Largemouths were chomping well over the weekend, same with pickerel, and the latest batch of trout made its way to the ponds mid-week.

After a disappointing three-pond skunk on Saturday (Glen Charlie in Wareham, Peters in Sandwich and Santuit in Mashpee), I hit a shallow mid-Cape pond where the bass were happy to swipe at suspending jerkbaits, shallow-diving cranks and even Rat-L-Traps ripped and dropped along the bottom. The best bass was over 3 pounds and fell for the shallow crankbait. OTW TV Producer Matt Rissel got right down to business with shiners at a small Upper Cape pond, and caught close to 20 bass and pickerel. Action like that will go a long way to help you forget the cold. OTW Sales Rep Anthony DeiCicchi got in on the bass bite too and nabbed a 4½-pounder on a jig and pig pitched into some heavy cover.

Word on the street is that this week’s trout stocking consisted of brookies, but when I went to look for myself, I only found hearty rainbows—not that I’m complaining. Christian at Falmouth Bait and Tackle said he heard of several big rainbows taken from Ashumet Pond, and said some were big enough that they may have been holdovers.

Some anglers found the brookies, as Captain Eric Stewart at the Hook Up said one of his guys at the shop caught a limit of colorful brook trout. Keith at Riverview Bait and Tackle said the trout fishing have been great with spoons. He advises that the trout are balled up right now, so you may have to move a bit to find them, but when you do, the action is fast.

Best Bets for the Weekend

Get out for trout. Sling spoons to cover ground until you find the motherlode. Fresh-stocked trout aren’t too picky, so something with some flash and a little wiggle should be enough to draw strikes. I like the Thomas Lil’ Tiger or Rough Rider, but an 1/8-ounce Kastmaster, Panther Martin Spinner or small Swedish Pimple will also do the trick.

Saturday is going to be breezy, which could make shiners and bobbers tough going for bass. With the cold water, I like a calm day for baitfishing, so the shiner stays in one area as opposed to being blown all over the pond. If you set out for bass Saturday, try lures like a wacky-rigged Senko or shallow-diving crankbait.