Some better bass were reported from shore this week, while the albie fishing remains lackluster around much of the Cape.
Cape Cod Fishing Report
But some of the poor albie reports could be attributed to the lousy weather. Strong winds churned up the water and drove in the weeds reported James from Sports Port who said he say few anglers and no bird or blitz activity on the South Side this week.
John at Eastman’s agreed that the South Side has been spotty for albies, but said fishermen are finding more consistent action with albies and bonito in Buzzards Bay, with fish ranging all the way up to—and even through—the Cape Cod Canal.
This weekend, the wind made for challenging conditions, but many of the albies taken were big. The biggest was the 15-pounder weighed in for the Martha’s Vineyard Derby. Rumor has it the fish was taken closer to the South Side of the Cape, but rumors are about as much information as you’re likely to get about leading Derby fish.
John did mention that there have been some good stripers taken on the south-facing beaches on plugs after dark. Fish in the 30- to 40-inch range. He suggested trying the outflows on a dropping tide for the best odds of encountering these fish. Eels are likely to work as well as plugs.
Some 20-pound-class stripers popped back up in the Canal this week, according to Bruce at Canal Bait and Tackle. Along with the bass, some slammer blues hit the Canal, reported Chris at Red Top. Presentations from top to bottom are working, but Chris said there have been big numbers of smaller fish on the surface.
There are also some good bass along the South Coast in Buzzards Bay, said Captain Mel True of FishNet Charters. Before dawn on Thursday, Mel had fish to 30 pounds on eels. He also fed a few eels to bluefish.
More big bass are popping up out of bounds off Chatham, where fishermen drifting live baits for tuna are having bass take the deep baits.
In Cape Cod Bay, Captain Dan of Salt Shaker Charters said off Truro and Pamet, there are good numbers of fat 26- to 28-inch fish, which make for great fun on light tackle.
The tuna bite is going strong said Matt from Fishy Business Charters, and he’s been seeing mostly 73-inch-plus fish, but said there are good numbers of “recreational-sized” tuna in the 60- to 70-inch range around as well.
With the weather cooling, and sea bass season closed, fishermen are getting interested in tog once again. There are good fish being caught, reported Captain Mel True, but there are also still lots of sea bass around making quick work of crab baits.
Fishing Forecast for Cape Cod
The full moon seemed to get some better stripers moving, and it was encouraging to hear surfcasters had some options for where they could connect with a keeper between the South Side, the Canal, and the Cape Cod Bay beaches. Plugs are working well as the fish feast on peanut bunker, but a live eel can be tough to beat for fall stripers after dark.
For albies right now, it seems like west is best, but as the weather clears and fishermen get back on the grounds, there may be more albies from Waquoit east than fishermen expect.
It’s getting to be prime time to target tog, but with the water still warm, pack along plenty of green crabs so you can weather the storm of bait-stealing sea bass and porgies. Right now, the tog are still shallow, in depths of 15 feet or less.
And this Saturday is StriperFest. The events kick off at 9 a.m. at the Sandwich Bulkhead on the Cape Cod Canal. Roy Leyva will have some Shimano Rods and Reels you can test cast, and I’ll be there raffling off a Shimano Tiralejo and Shimano Ultegra Ci4 14000 XTC at the end of the casting demo at 11.
At 12, StriperFest kicks off at Marina Park in Falmouth Harbor with live music, great food, fishing contests and activities, and more. I hope to see you there.
Follow this link for a 5$ off coupon for StriperFest!
Acres of big pogies in Lewis Bay