Some big trout were taken this week around Cape Cod as MassWildlife stocked some of their retired broodstock in a couple Cape ponds. Brown trout heavier than 4 pounds and brook trout pushing 3 pounds made the season for a few lucky anglers last week before the wind and cold moved in and put a damper on the spring fishing.
Anglers braving the elements are finding good action, however. Tom at Red Top said the smallmouth and largemouth bite has been good, despite the cold snap.
Jeff at Forestdale Bait and Tackle said the bigger brook and brown trout have been swiping at lures, but that PowerBait is still the go-to bait for rainbows. The shallow ponds are giving up big numbers of bass on shiners Jeff said. He hopes that once the weather mellows out, the bass and pickerel bite will pick back up.
More herring are showing up at the runs every day, and holdover stripers are becoming more active. The striped bass that holdover on Cape Cod do so in the upper reaches of bays, creeks and rivers. As the water warms in springtime, they begin feeding more regularly. As always, the stripers will bite best under periods of low light, sunrise, sunset, or in the dark. Small swimming plugs or jigs will work best.
The yellow perch are biting well, and are full of eggs as they prepare to spawn. Small jigs or minnows fished under a float are the best bet for fooling a 1-pound or better yellow perch.
April is a transition month here on Cape Cod. In a couple weeks, there will be talk of tautog, and before the Calendar flips to May, I’m willing to bet we’ll see our first migratory stripers. But for now, we’ll have to be content with the freshwater fishing—which is red hot.
Fishing Forecast for Cape Cod
Trout are my top pick for the weekend. The state hit some more Cape ponds this week, and now provides daily stocking updates, letting anglers know which ponds were stocked and with what species.
Hitting the shallow ponds for bass and pickerel would be a wise choice as well. As temperatures warm up this weekend, these species will be looking to chow down. Live shiners will be a slam dunk.
Does any one know if long pond in Plymouth has small mouth bass ??
Very good smallie fishing , Ive seen huge largemouth also.
Yes it does, and some good ones at that!!
Tight Lines