Cape Cod Fishing Report - October 25, 2018

It’s winding down on the saltwater side, but freshwater fishing is as good as it gets. Trout, pickerel, and bass are all biting with abandon as the waters cool and the fish put on the feedbags.

Still, most fishermen would rather squeeze every last drop out of the saltwater season. And there are still some drag-burning drops left to squeeze.

While albies have apparently vacated the South Side of the Cape, they’re still being caught on the Vineyard according to Melissa from Larry’s Tackle, though not in the same numbers they were last year at this time. Still, the chance for one last albie is there, and that chance probably won’t last through this weekend’s nor’easter.

Though the albies have left Buzzards Bay and the sounds—according to most reports—there’s still plenty of bait and schoolie stripers. Bass from 18 to 28 inches have been providing good fishing at first and last light around the harbor mouths. Fishermen are catching them on small jigs and on flies. Keepers have been holding in these same areas after dark.

The East End of the Canal is holding big numbers of small bass at first light reported the crew at Red Top. There are some big fish around, reported Jeff at Canal Bait and Tackle, who said fish to 40 pounds are taking jigs at night. Jeff also mentioned big schools of bunker and half beaks off the East End.

Bass to nearly 20 pounds were checked in at Larry’s Tackle this week. There are plenty of schoolies around Martha’s Vineyard, and even some lingering bluefish. Squid fishing in Edgartown Harbor has been spotty, however.

Tog fishing is good on the rockpiles in Nantucket Sound reported James from Sports Port. Tog fishing is also going well in Buzzards Bay. Green crabs are the ticket, and the depts of 20 to 30 feet seem to be producing best.

Bluefin tuna are around, but the wind is keeping captains from chasing down these fish.

Fishing Forecast for Cape Cod

With big tides from the full moon and an approaching storm, the fishing could fire up around Cape Cod for one last time this season. There’s plenty of bait off the East End of the Canal, and some big east winds forecast to blow it all into the ditch. Not the mention the breaking tides. If you were going to dust off the Canal gear for one more trip, do it this weekend.

Sunday may have a window for tog fishing in Buzzards Bay, and catching a few keepers should be no problem.

Of course, if facing down a nor’easter in saltwater doesn’t sound appealing this time of year, the big barometer drop will almost definitely get the bass and trout chewing big time. Offer the largemouths a big meal, and you could catch a serious lunker. For the trout, try after dark, when the big browns will be cruising the shallows. Jointed Rapalas retrieved slowly enough that they leave a wake are tough to beat for nighttime browns.

And watch the marine forecast for opportunities to chase tuna. The water is still warm enough, the baitfish are still abundant, and the tuna fishing will almost definitely carry over into November.