Squid Hounds The Craziest Striper Blitz of 2026 | OTW Podcast #92

A massive concentration of shortfin squid turned the Cape Cod Canal into a striped bass feeding frenzy, with 40- and 50-inch fish annihilating squid in the current as Jimmy Fee, Alex Blackwell, and Matt Haeffner break down the incredible 2026 blitz, from the first signs of the squid and how the bass were feeding to the soft plastics that produced and why traditional squid-pattern plugs struggled.

Squid Hounds | OTW Podcast #92
 
A once-in-a-lifetime striped bass blitz unfolded in the Cape Cod Canal when an incredible concentration of shortfin squid moved into the area. Jimmy Fee, Alex Blackwell, and Matt Haeffner break down the entire event—from the mysterious squid beachings and the first reports of giant stripers eating squid, to racing down the canal, finding massive schools of squid, and watching 40- and 50-inch stripers absolutely annihilate them. They discuss what made this bait event so unusual, how the fish were feeding, why traditional squid-pattern plugs struggled, the soft plastics that produced, and how structure, current, and positioning made all the difference. The crew also dives into the history of these squid events, the famous “squid hound” nickname for striped bass, and why this particular squid run could have implications beyond the Cape Cod Canal.
 

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The On The Water staff is made up of experienced anglers from across the Northeast who fish local waters year-round. The team brings firsthand, on-the-water experience and regional knowledge to coverage of Northeast fisheries, techniques, seasonal patterns, regulations, and conservation.

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