Cape Cod Fishing Report – July 19, 2018

Pictured above: Canal fisherman and Striper Cup member Jamie Giatrelis with a healthy morning striped bass.

Cape Cod Canal and Cape Cod Bay Fishing Report

The canal fishing over the past week has been labeled as incredible, with some comparing it to the blitzes of August 2017. The bite has slowed down and it’s no longer “catching” according to the report from Canal Bait and Tackle.

The fish have been quality sized, with a report of a 48 and multiple 45’s being weighed in. These fish have had mackerel and bunker inside their bellies. However, the crew at Red Top Sporting Goods reported selling lots Boga grips lately, indicating that local anglers are really starting to practice catch and release. At night time, Al-Gag’s and Savage’s have been the ticket. The fish have been hitting various types of top waters in the morning, and the typical canal jigs and plugs once the sun is high.

South Side, Martha’s Vineyard, and Buzzards Bay Fishing Report

Capt. Mel True from Fishnet Charters has been on an incredible hot streak the last few weeks. He reported phenomenal fishing at Block Island this week, putting two stripers over 50 pounds on the deck! Both the quality and numbers of stripers have been nothing short of incredible. He’s also added a dozen in the 40-pound class and lost count of fish in the 30-pound class over what has been an insane bite! Sending eels down to the fish that have literally made his entire sounder glow red from 20’ below the boat to the bottom at 60’ has been the ticket, with fish over 30 pounds taken on topwater offering a nice change of pace for rounding out one great charter after another. He’s also reported that Sea Bass fishing remains solid. Capt. Mel chimed in again on Friday to report this charter required him to fish the P-town area, which is lighting up as well with plenty of bent rods on plus-sized stripers! Now is definitely the time to find your personal best striper fishing eels off of Block Island!

The rips surrounding Chatham have continued to be fishing well. Fish Chatham Charters reported bass up to 30lbs this week and that he’s noticed more quality fish settling into these rips. Fishy Business Sportfishing confirmed these reports and even had “non-stop” action at times. He also hinted that the black sea bass fishing is steadily improving as the water warms up. There’s no doubt that the Monomy rips have been loaded with bass, however, Fishtale Sportfishing reported that the rips and boat ramps can be quite hectic on commercial fishing days.

This week there’s been an increase in bluefish activity in Nantucket and Vineyard Sound. FishSticks Charters reported bluefish up to 12lbs and jumbo-sized black sea bass at Horseshoe Shoal. I can attest to the increase in bluefish activity, however, I have found them being very skittish. Patriot Party Boats are still finding seabass and scup inside the sounds, while also reporting that they’re finding the blues too. Sportsport Bait and Tackle confirmed these reports, indicating that this is the perfect time to hit the southside beaches for scup, so bring your kids along! There have been schoolies inside the southside salt ponds and I’ve found that small soft plastics have been the ticket.

Middle Ground is still holding fish, however, the crew at Coop’s Bait and Tackle recommends getting there before first light as the inevitable fleet of boats will quickly push the fish down. A bonito was caught around Menemsha this week according to the crew at Larry’s Tackle Shop, so keep an eye out for them as the water continues to warm.

Inside Buzzards Bay, Maco’s Bait and Tackle reported that the night time eel bite has turned on and that there’re keeper sized fluke around, however, you must weed through lots of undersized fish to find them. They’re also still finding black sea bass, however, a lot of them falling short of the legal size.

Offshore Fishing Report

At the Canyons and at Atlantis, there’s been a steady bite of diverse species. This week, Chaser Offshore Fishing reported action on big eye and yellowfin tuna, while Fish Chatham Charters reported catching blue and white marlin.

Fishing Forecast for Cape Cod Fishing Forecast

Whether it be hitting the canal for a trophy striper, bottom fishing for fluke and seabass, or finding some feisty scup for the kids, get out and do it before the rains next week. Tight lines!