With stripers moving south in small concentrated schools, we received a bunch of mixed reports from around the Cape this week. Some areas are slower than slow, while just 10 miles away, stripers are blitzing on baitfish leaving the estuaries. Freshwater fishing is picking up. The trout have been stocked and in other ponds, largemouths are feasting on herring fry.
Cape Cod Canal and Buzzards Bay
The Canal has been pretty good according to AJ at Red Top Sporting Goods. The best action is happening in the very early mornings on topwaters and jigs, but some nice fish are being caught after dark as well. Rumors of one large bass are making the round this week. While there is some debate over the actual weight (I’ve heard 52 pounds and 44 pounds), the general consensus is that the fish was caught on fresh squid fished on the bottom.
Strong winds have made boat fishing difficult, if not impossible lately, but when boats can get out on Buzzards Bay, they are finding steady action with tog with a lot of sea bass bycatch. Remember sea bass season is closed, so any that you might inadvertently catch must be released.
South Side and Islands
Some 6-pound bluefish are terrorizing bait fishermen on the South Side reported Jeff at Forestdale Bait and Tackle. The blues have been making free meals of live-lined bunker and live eels, usually without even getting hooked. Oddly enough, the blues have been difficult to fool on artificial lures. Fortunately, the stripers haven’t been as picky. Jeff has been catching a few fish a night, some up to keeper size, on plugs in and around Popponesset Bay. Overall, Jeff said, the fishing on the South Side in Mashpee and Falmouth is spotty.
It’s a different story out toward Hyannis, where Bill at Sports Port reported blitzing stripers in the Centerville River. The “run is on” Bill said. The fish have been on the move, and often the hotspot is changing day to day. Most of the bass have been schoolies, but fish up to 40 inches have been taken.
There is still a ton of baitfish all over the South Side, so hopefully this is the start of some great fishing.
The word on false albacore is less encouraging, as they seem to be gone from the waters around Hyannis. There hasn’t been much word of them around Falmouth either.
Outer Cape and Cape Cod Bay
Boat fishermen in Cape Cod Bay have been working hard for small fish reported Jeff at Forestdale Bait and Tackle. Perhaps the bay’s latest visitor, Katherine the white shark, has something to do with that.
Some schoolie stripers are being caught from shore on the beaches from Dennis to Sandwich. Small swimming plugs are working, and adding a small teaser ahead of the plug makes hooking up just about a sure thing. Most of these fish are very small, however, so consider crimping your barbs to cause less damage to the juvenile fish.
Herring Cove produced some decent striper action in the dark this week, reported Rich from Nelson’s Bait and Tackle. Fish up to 40 inches were taken on plugs. There was also a report of a nice fish caught at Head of the Meadow Beach. For the most part, though, Rich blames the lack of reports on a lack of fishermen. Hitting the beaches after sundown could produce some memorable fishing right now, though it seems few fishermen are willing to make the effort.
Dan at The Hook Up also blamed a lack of effort for the paucity of striper reports. The fishing could be great, Dan said, but it seems like hardly anyone is trying. Some inspiration to try the beach at Nauset came from Rich who said he’s heard that a number of the fish that had been feeding in the Monomoy Rips moved up off of Chatham and Nauset. There’s good reason to believe some of these fish may be swimming close to the beaches at night to feed.
There are some blues running around in Provincetown, but the hands-down best action is coming from blackfish. The tog bite is Provincetown Harbor is excellent, reported Rich. Green crabs are doing the trick.
Bluefin
The waters south of the BC Buoy are still giving up bluefin. Many are in the 38- to 48-inch range, and these are being actively pursued by fishermen with jigging and popping tackle as they feed on the surface, reported Dan at the Hook Up.
Freshwater
The trout have been stocked, twice in some ponds, as recently as Thursday. Get your spoons ready for some fun relaxing fishing as your nearest trout pond. Word is, the trout stocked were big and fat, and great fighters on ultralight tackle. Definitely carve out some time this weekend to enjoy them.
Best Bet for the Weekend
When the winds abate, boats will once again be able to get out look for the stripers. Chatham and Nauset would be a good place to look, but don’t discount the Elizabeth Islands.
From the beach, your best bet is to stay mobile. Even if they water in front of you is devoid of life, a mile away there could be a big school of southbound stripers gorging like there is no tomorrow. The South Side would be a good place to start, but the Outer Cape and the Canal are undoubtedly holding fish as well. If you really want to roll the dice, head to Nauset to see if any of the fish the boaters are catching are moving into the shoreline after dark.
Also don’t neglect the “B Team” players of the fall run—the trout and tog. Both are biting well, and will provide some tasty fillets for a fall feast.