While things are cooling a bit from last week’s t-shirt weather, it’s still looking like a beautiful weekend to get out and enjoy some fantastic freshwater fishing on Cape Cod. And judging by the 10-Day forecast, you may be able to break out the short sleeves one more time, right after you unwrap whatever fishing goodies that Saint Nicholas dropped off.
Stan at Red Top reported that there are still mackerel being caught in the East End of the Canal. He also heard of a big school of mackerel off Chatham. The angler who tipped Stan off had been fishing for giant tuna. While no bluefin found his baits, they angler did catch an estimated 400-pound shark. Stan said the angler didn’t mention which species of shark. Given the time of year, porbeagle seems likely, although a 400-pound porbeagle would be a very big one.
The Helen H had a wreck-fishing trip on Saturday. Stan said it was a productive trip, although many anglers caught, and then had to release, large black sea bass, because they are out of season. The Helen H has a trip scheduled for George’s Bank cod this weekend, but Saturday’s forecast is looking breezy, so it may be a blowout.
In freshwater, Stan has been selling lots of shiners for fishermen seeking bass and pickerel. The small ponds are still producing good action, especially with the mild weather. While some fishermen are disappointed about what will likely be a delayed start to the ice-fishing season, some are taking full advantage of the open water.
Fishermen are also catching on lures. Jerkbaits and jigs have been working lately. Bladebaits are catching smallies in deeper water, and Rat-L-Traps are catching largemouths in 4- to 10-foot depths.
Lee at Riverview said most of his customers are chasing trout. Rainbows are biting well, and fishermen are still sticking the occasional brown trout. Powerbait, spinners and spoons are tempting the smaller rainbows, while bigger browns have shown a clear preference for live shiners or stickbaits.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Get some live shiners and hit a small shallow pond for bass and pickerel. If you have any shiners left over, take them to Peters, Cliff, Sheeps or Bakers and swim them from an hour before to an hour after sunset for a shot at a big brown.
Our next Fishing Forecast will be the last for 2015, so hit the water and end your fishing season on a good note!
Thanks for the info you do a great job hooping to get over to long pond plymouth any one heard anything thanks a lol
Hey Al,
It’ll be worth the trip to Long Pond. Hasn’t been much fishing traffic and the trout and bass have been biting well. Shiners have been the go to as well as night crawlers.
Good Luck and tight lines!!