Cape Cod & Buzzards Bay Fishing Report 7-17-14

According to Mike at Red Top, the Canal has picked up again, with mornings producing fish up to 30 pounds. Mike said the south-facing beaches are still producing bluefish. The black sea bass bite is slowing down in Buzzards Bay and the sounds, but the fluke fishing is picking up reported Mike.

Jeff at Forestdale Bait and Tackle said the freshwater fishing has been good. One lucky angler caught 40 trout up to 3 pounds in Peter’s Pond. Scup fishing is good at Dowses and Cotuit, and the occasional schoolie bass has been taken in those areas as well. Barnstable Harbor has been producing stripers up to 43 inches. Jeff also said the bluefishing has been good at Handkerchief Shoal.

The Race Point striper bite has been hot and cold reported Jim at Nelson’s Bait and Tackle. Some days the bass bite, and others they have had lockjaw.  Vertical jigging is working best when the bass are in a feeding mood. The beaches, Jim said, continue to be slow.

According to Dan at The Hook Up in Orleans some tuna are starting to show around the BC Buoy. One 63-incher was taken this week. A couple 70-inch fish were taken down at the Regal Sword. Striper fishing off Chatham has been hot and cold. Early morning anglers have been experiencing the most success.

Canal fishing has been fair reported Todd at Falmouth Bait and Tackle. The bass have been on small bait, making them tough to hook. Small metals or loaded Cotton Cordell Pencil Poppers are good bets. The fluke bite has been improving at places like Lucas and Succonesset shoals. Offshore fishing has been good reported Todd, with bigeye tuna, blue marlin and white marlin appearing in trolling spreads.

The word from Sports Port is that Horseshoe Shoal is producing some bass, but it’s not hot and heavy. The best action has been schoolie fish in Barnstable Harbor.

Best Bet for the Weekend

With the bad weather behind us, fishermen will have some excellent options on the water this weekend. If you can make the run, get offshore. The bluefin bite is finally showing signs of life at the Regal Sword and the BC Buoy. The canyons continue to be very good, and shark fishing is top notch.

For stripers in the surf, the Canal is holding fish, but they have been picky. Downsize your lures to match the small baitfish and you will have better luck hooking a striper. Walking some of the backside beaches after dark could be the ticket to connecting with some of the big stripers that the boats have been catching during the day. Swimming plugs or needlefish will be your best bet for action.

For stripers from the boats, a nighttime mission along the Elizabeth Islands is a good bet for a big bass this time of year. Just don’t forget the eels.  During the day, Race Point or Chatham are good choices. Vertical jigs will be the ticket at these locations.

Bottom fishing is another great option this weekend. Fluke fishing is picking up with doormats being taken in Vineyard Sound. Of course, between those doormats have been many, many throwbacks. Use large baits to help weed out some of the smaller fluke.