Warming Weather, Improving Fishing
Bass and Trout Biting Well
More unseasonable cold early this week, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Next week temperatures on the Cape will begin flirting with 60 degrees and that ought to crank the freshwater bite for trout and bass.
A little warm-up last week and over the weekend gave a few big bass an appetite on the Cape. This week, Cape bass anglers accounted for a couple 7-pounders and, according to Christian at Falmouth Bait and Tackle, an 8-pounder. I used shallow-diving crankbaits to tally a pair of 6-pound-plus fish last weekend, almost making it look like I knew what I was talking about with this blog post late last week.
The warmer temperatures should open up some more options for Cape largemouth fishing. Larger ponds will begin to warm up as well, and anglers will have more options for where to fish. Lures like spinnerbaits, jerk shads and even topwaters will join the list of productive lures. OTW’s Andy Nabreski fooled a chunky 3-pounder on a walk-the-dog bait on Easter Sunday. Largemouths will also begin cruising the shallows, opening up some sight fishing opportunities.
Smallmouth bass are most likely still holding relatively deep, but probing 15- to 30-foot depths in your favorite smallmouth lake with tube jigs or curly-tail grubs should help you catch your first smallies of the season. Even in deeper water, a smallmouth has no issue streaking to the surface and catching some air. Browns and olives to mimic crayfish are usually a safe bet.
Pickerel are positively ravenous right now. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and tubes will tempt most of these mini-pike right now, but shiners will be automatic. Beef up your leader a bit either when fishing for pickerel or when fishing for bass in a pond with a good pickerel population. Picks will make quick work of 8-pound test, but 15 resists bite-offs while not spooking any line-shy bass. Using fluorocarbon will help you keep the heavier leader stealthy.
The stocking trucks continue to roll from pond to pond each week, and as the water warms, trout will become ever more eager to bite. Bring along an assortment of spoons, spinners and small stickbaits like the CD1 or CD3 Rapala Countdown or Yo-Zuri Pins Minnow.
As we get into April the hatchery folks usually begin mixing a couple bigger fish into the batches of trout, although with the average stocked trout running 12 to 14 inches, Cape anglers are not wanting when it comes to quality fish. Rumor has it, this week’s batch included browns and tigers.
Christian at Falmouth Bait and Tackle said some 2- to 3-pound rainbows have come out of John’s Pond on lures lately.
If you’re fishing Peters, Sheeps, Cliff or Long, there are undoubtedly some broodstock salmon still cruising around, so make sure you have your drag set in case one of these fish find your bait.
Bluegills are becoming more active as well. I had a saucer-sized ‘gill attack a bass lure Tuesday night, and could see them dimpling the surface as they fed on small aquatic insects. A tiny jig or section of night crawler will catch all the bluegills you could want. Over the next few weeks, the big bluegills will be moving into spawn, making this your best chance to get a slab. Match the tackle to the fish, and you will undoubtedly have a blast catching these panfish.
No word on saltwater yet, but this is the time that a few fishermen will start looking for holdover stripers or early-arriving schoolies. The ocean temperature is still closer to 40 than 50, so it could be a while before we hear about some sea-lice-laden stripers. Blackfish ought to be ramping up soon, however. In fact, finding green crabs might be tougher than finding blackfish right now. However, clams make a suitable bait alternative for tog, especially in the early spring. Structure in Buzzards Bay or Vineyard Sound will be holding the blackfish soon. As the water warms, these fish will move shallower to the estuaries where they reproduce.
At Red Top in Buzzards Bay, they were prepping for their annual spring sale this weekend. On Saturday, Shimano and Accurate will be at the shop, offering 100 yards of Power Pro FREE with every $100 spent on a reel. St.Croix will also be there – stop in to cast the new 2013 Avid series rod and other St. Croix rods with St. Croix pro staff. Buy a St. Croix rod and get a RED TOP gift certificate for 20% of the rod price. On Sunday, Okuma, Gibbs, Wally’s and ON THE WATER will be there. SAVE 10% on all Savage Gear, all Gibbs plugs are 20% off, and Wally’s Custom Plugs are 40% off. On The Water will be signing folks up for the 2013 Striper Cup and giving away some goodies. Stop by and say hello!
Best Bets for Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay
Split your time between trout and bass this weekend. If the weather warms as forecasted, you can bump up the size of your offerings to tempt largemouths, though keep some smaller baits handy. The 8-pounder Christian heard of reportedly ate a Senko worm.
Hmmm, been thinking about the schoolies, maybe start checking salt ponds and back rivers maybe around the 25th of April, they were catching keepers April 15th in the canal last year but gonna be a little late this year I think. Nows a good time to get all your gear ready and tackle bag clean and organized.
I was just thinking the same thing bud
Can’t wait. Being new to the Cape last year I struggled in the spring but in the fall the canal was awesome….
**Two schoolies were caught yesterday afternoon in the canal**
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No picture no fish
What lures would be best for the canal this time of the year