Fishermen still looking to fish the saltwater can scratch the itch at the East End of the Canal where mackerel are biting according to AJ at Red Top. The macks will strike small metal lures or Sabiki rigs. Don’t be surprised if some whiting, habor Pollock or tommycod are also mixed in.
The main event this Thanksgiving weekend will be freshwater fishing.
AJ at Red Top reported that largemouth bass are still biting well for fishermen targeting shallow ponds with cold-water presentations. Jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits and shallow-diving crankbaits are working for largemouths. Several big fish have been reported in the past week, including a few 5- and 6-pound bass.
Smallmouth bass are also being caught. The smallies are biting best in deep, clear lakes where they are schooling up around drop-offs and deepwater structure. To catch these deepwater smallies, fishermen are using blade baits and drop-shot rigs.
The trout bite is on fire as water temperatures continue to fall. Rainbow trout are being caught in big numbers on shiners, worms and a variety of lures. Hot lures this week were spoons, Rapala Countdowns, Yo-Zuri PINS minnows and small hair jigs. Rainbows have been ranging from 10 to 18 inches.
Brown trout are running a little bigger. Todd at Falmouth Bait and Tackle weighed in a 3.1-pounder this week. Browns can be a little tougher to fool with artificial lures, so most are caught with live bait, either night crawlers or shiners. They will strike spoons and stickbaits, especially early and late in the day.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Get out and enjoy the bounty of freshwater fishing on Cape Cod. You’ll have to get technical to catch bass, but trout fishing is at its peak, and catching a cornucopia of these colorful fish should be no problem over the long weekend.