This week brought the “Black Moon,” that is, the second new moon of the month, on July 31. The big tides definitely perked up the striper fishing, both for shore fishermen and boat fishermen.
The Canal fished well mid-week. Large tides sucked mackerel into the Canal, making them easy pickins for the stripers, and making the stripers easy pickins for the big crowds of fishermen lining the banks reported the crew at Red Top Sporting Goods. The bass were a wide range of sizes, from 20-inchers to 30-plus-pounders. Things had slowed by Thursday morning.
Boat fishing outside the Canal was good as well, with fish to 46 pounds taken with Captain Ross of Cape Cod Charter Guys.
Boat fishing for stripers has also been good at the Monomoy Rips where Captain John of Fish Chatham Charters took fish to 38 inches this week. Captain Matt of Fishy Business Sportfishing has been finding the occasional 40-inch fish among the 30-inchers in the rips.
Nantucket rips are fish well also reported Captain Mort of Fishtale Sportfishing who tallied 50 stripers on his Wednesday trip.
Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Cape Cod.
The summertime blues have settled in, and currently have the Cape surrounded. In Provincetown, bluefishing is great from Wood End to Race Point, where Captain Mike of Cee Jay Fishing has been catching every day. It’s been so good in that stretch, he hasn’t had to venture past the Race and around to the backside.
Monomoy is holding bluefish as well, mediums and larges, according to Captain Mort.
Bluefishing off the South Side is outstanding, reported Captain Ross of Cape Cod Charter Guys. Captain Kurt of Fishsticks Charters has been finding blues and bass under the birds on the South Side.
Kurt also mentioned that the fluke fishing is improving, with more keeper and larger fish mixing in with the big numbers of shorts. Similar story with the sea bass—lots of shorts and some keepers—reported Kurt. Deeper water is the key to big sea bass reported Captain Dick of the Patriot Party Boat.
Fluke fishing is improving in Buzzards Bay as well. Maco’s Bait and Tackle checked in an 8-pounder from the bay this week.
Fishing the bottom from shore is producing scup, kingfish, and puffers reported Amy at Sports Port. Seaworms, clam strips, or squid will work for all three.
Giant tuna are all over, feeding on bunker in Cape Cod Bay, and a variety of baits east of Chatham. There have been some smaller fish in the mix, being taken on spinning gear and on the troll.
The Canyons are still hot, and there have been some big wahoo out there, along with tuna and small mahi according to Captain Steve from Chaser Offshore Fishing.
Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Cape Cod.
Fishing Forecast for Cape Cod
August is upon us, and with it, improving bass, bonito, bluefish, and tuna fishing. No matter where you fish, you’ll have some blues within range this weekend. If heading off the South Side, keep an eye out for bonito. Monomoy is probably your best bet for consistent striper fishing, but Cape Cod Bay could be a good bet for finding those big fish that blitzed the Canal earlier in the week.
Saw the 44 lb fish at Redtop, Yiks
My wife hooked a 40in 30pounder on the canal Thursday her first keeper life time fish……
Lot of strippers caught this am. I talk to 4 men all caught good size bass. I asked them if they had a salt water licence. They didn’t and said they didnt no how to get one and didn’t no yyou needed one for salt water. How often are people checked that fish the canal. Very disappointing. There were a lot of bass taken today.
You need a license now?
Since when?
I gotta go…
Keep killing those big ones and poaching, so your children and grandchildren won’t know what a striped bass is or was….
surely its disappointing! especially to those of us that love our natural resources, respect it and abid by the law. I cant understand why, at a bare minimum, there are not a few signs at the popular spots indicating a liscence is needed, and how to get one!! Geeze, simple and cheap.
Now monitoring and checking is a whole nother ball game. I truely though at the advent of the license fee, some funds would go for vastly improved monitoring.
I trailer and go everywhere from North short, P-town, Cape & Islands, down to Montauk Pt. Everywhere I see what was mentioned. When I see a poaching situation I call the number I saved in my phone. I suggest you all do it too. I cant tell you the times I’ve seen 2 guys knee deep with sea bass and tons of other illegal fish. Sickening. So much more could be done.
I’m at literally dozens of ramps in 3 states….Not once have I encountered the law doing checks!! What gives?
Not enough resources
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This ain’t gonna be the last time
Things are looking up for those who care
watched a guy load up four fish in the bed of his truck on Saturday morning
Sometime I see the man take too many of the fishes. Even the small one. Leave the baby to grow big and make baby!
My last comment had a image that would come up the environmental police were there sunday grabed some people to bad they werent saturday next time or rising tide
Getting a license was a joke and the people you dealt with were jokers. I live out of state and it took me 3 phone calls and 6 weeks to finally get my license. They charged my credit card promptly though!
BIG FISH EDDIE…come on man, its 2019…https://www.mass.gov/how-to/get-a-recreational-saltwater-fishing-permit