Big Barnstable stripers were caught on Saturday, June 21. Both fish were caught by 3-waying mackerel (live and dead) in the channel. Each measured 40 inches and weighed an even 25lbs. The bite was best about 2 hours before low tide around mid day. There was an abundance of schoolie-sized fish chasing sand eels in the channel, and plenty of keeper-sized fish in the mix as well.
As is always the case around Barnstable, if you can fill your livewell with macks, you are guaranteed to boat some picture-worthy linesiders. One of the 40-inch stripers in the attached pictures was loaded with sea lice, indicating that the larger migratory fish are continuing to make their way into the area from their winter hang outs.
John Doyle
Norton, MA
NICE photos! Please help a rookie as I have been frustrated in / at the mouth of Barnstable.
1) Where do I get the macks, on what?
2) Where do I drop the macks in to get dinner?
And, you mentioned that larger fish are moving into the area – how do you know? Any and all info is helpful! It’s painful to be a rookie.
Thanks,
Kevin
Hey Kevin,
You can usually find the mackerel out in about 80 to 100 feet of water. It’s getting a little late for the mackerel to be around but you may still be able to find them if you work a little to find them. To catch the macks you want to use a sabiki rig (You can find that at your local tackle shop). In order to get dinner drop the macks in any boulder field around Barnstable Harbor or any spot that has some structure! Hook the macks right in the dorsal fin or through the nose and let them swim. Good luck and go get a KEEPAH!
P.S- Drifting dead mackerel has always been good to in any of the channels/drop offs and structure spots.