Fishing is looking up as temperatures mellow out on Cape Cod. The largemouth bass were biting well early this week, and the trout fishing has been on fire—and they ponds haven’t even been stocked yet.
(Above: A beautiful holdover rainbow taken last weekend by Pete McManus)
I found fast action at a couple trout ponds over the weekend. On Saturday, fishing with the wind at my face in Peter’s, I had hits on every other cast for practically the whole hour or so I was there. The fish were all rainbows from 12 to 16 inches. My best luck was with small stickbaits on a very slow retrieve. The slow retrieve speed was key, as nearby fishermen throwing spoons and retrieving quickly had no luck on the lures, but they all seemed to be catching on shiners and nightcrawlers. Powerbait has also been working, according to reports.
It isn’t just browns biting at Peter’s, said Hayden at Red Top. On Thursday morning, a fishermen reported finding some good browns as well, also by fishing stickbaits.
I’ve also been having luck on small jigs, also retrieved slowly, often bouncing bottom.
The good largemouth action has been happening at very shallow ponds. Shallow-diving crankbaits are working best in these waters. In deeper ponds, suspending jerkbaits are catching bass as well.
A few fishermen have been writing in asking about holdover stripers around the Cape. I haven’t heard of any for about a month, but they should be getting active as things slowly warm up. Deeper holes and channels in the South Side bays and rivers will be the best bet for holdovers.
Fishing Forecast for Cape Cod
Snow may spoil Saturday, but it’s a three day weekend, and Sunday and Monday are looking prime. Hit a bass pond with shiners for a sure thing, and a shot at a good fish—largemouths to 5 pounds were reported this week. Trout ponds are a good best for steady action as holdover rainbows and browns perk up with the slowly warming water temperatures.