Barnstable Flats Stripers (Capt. John Curry - Capefishing Charters)

Friday the 23rd started out looking like a perfect day to jig up some live mackerel around the BH can and live line the Barnstable Harbor channel. I was fishing with Paul and Ryan Carlson from Sheridan, Wyoming and their friend Bob Gallinger from Acton, MA. The tide was about 2/3^rds up and coming in and the channel was full of boats. We put a few mack’s in the live well and joined the fleet.

After a few unsuccessful drifts I climbed up to the top help of the Pesky Pole and glassed the area. On the flat east of the harbor entrance I saw some birds working the surface to the east about a mile plus away. A quick signal to pull in the lines and we moved to the working birds. We pulled up in about 5’ of water and quickly found breaking fish. The water was full of small sand eels. Tossing soft plastics and thin metal lures produced many fish up to 34”. The majority were the expected schoolies that frequent these flats, but larger fish were there to add to the fun. Once the tide was up and started to turn out, the bite increased with many doubles and a few triples. We fished the rest of the dropping tide and even caught fish in 2’ of water before the flats became dry.

Fish the top of the flood tide and keep an eye on your sounder as not to get stranded. The next day I took two fly fisherman out and hit the same pattern with similar results. Needless to say the mackerel in my live well were very happy.

Captain John Curry
www.capefishing.net
508-209-7741