Cape Cod Fishing Report - July 14, 2016

As the waters warm up around the Cape, the stripers are shifting into their summer patterns. The spots that have been hot since May are drying up, and fishermen have had to shift gears to stay on the bite.

Outer Cape and Cape Cod Bay

For almost two months, the waters from Race Point to the “Golf Ball” have been the top spots for boat fishermen seeking stripers. The fish formed large schools gorging on sand eels and mackerel, and fishermen enjoyed some of the best topwater action since 2010. This week, it seems like those schools have dispersed. Jacob at Red Top, Todd at Falmouth Bait and Tackle, and Ben at Forestdale Bait and Tackle all had the same news, the bass bite off the tip of the Cape was slowing down. Where these fish will move is anyone’s guess. Ben at Forestdale Bait and Tackle thought the fish might move down to Chatham and Nauset while Red Top’s Jacob thought they may have moved back into Cape Cod Bay.

Cape Cod Canal and Buzzards Bay

The Canal fishing was fantastic the week after the Fourth of July, but as we moved further from the New Moon, and the tides slowed down, the fishing followed suit. The morning bites have been slow, reported Jacob at Red Top, but fishermen are still connecting on the overnight tides. Jigs and swimming plugs are accounting for some 20- to 30-pound fish in the dark. Ben at Forestdale Bait and Tackle said mackerel chunks are working in the Canal as well, during the day and at night.

Keeper fluke continue to be caught in Buzzards Bay, but short fish dominate the catch. Blue crabbing has been good in the harbors off Buzzards Bay. Fishermen have been wading through the harbors at night using flashlights to locate the crabs and then scooping them up with a net. This is a fun way to spend a summer night, and the spoils are some of the best-eating seafood in New England.

Some photos of very large stripers have been popping up on social media, and Todd at Falmouth Bait and Tackle suspected the fish were coming from Cuttyhunk and the Elizabeth Islands on live bunker or eels.

South Side and Martha’s Vineyard

The bonito are in—at least a few of them. Julian at Larry’s Tackle reported a couple Bonito coming from the Hooter, and at least one from Squibnocket.

Striper fishing around the Vineyard has mostly slowed down, but boats are still catching some on live scup and chunked bunker reported Julian.

Bluefishing has been spotty reported Todd at Falmouth Bait And Tackle. Ben at Forestdale Bait and Tackle heard the same. The slowdown in bluefish action is likely due to the spawn. Blues spawn in midsummer, moving offshore. It’s the only time of year that these eating machines aren’t in a feeding mood. A few bluefish, along with small stripers, are being caught in the rips at Wasque.

Fluke fishing has been good on the shoals in Nantucket Shoals. Julian at Larry’s Tackle said while anglers are catching plenty of fluke, keeper-sized fish have been tough to come by.

Black sea bass fishing around the Vineyard has been good reported Julian. In shallower waters in Nantucket Sound, it’s slowed down considerably.

Scup fishing is good in the bays on the South Side. Fishermen are even catching some keepers while fishing from shore with squid and seaworms.

Tuna and Offshore

The canyon fishing is hot. Big numbers of yellowfin are being taken, along with a few bigeyes and billfish. The big catch this week was a 182-pound wahoo taken by Damon Sacco of Castafari.

Cape Cod Fishing Forecast

For stripers, it’s time to go on the hunt. The biggest fish taken this week all came at night. Live bunker and eels along the Elizabeth Islands could be a good bet. The full moon is coming up, and the bass bite in the Canal should pick back up in the coming days.

If you can get offshore, go! The fishing is on fire with 10- to 60-pound yellowfin, with some marlin in the mix.