With skim ice layering most of the Cape’s ponds in the morning, hooking up in January requires an angler that is motivated, fish hungry, and above all… patient. Here at OTW, motivated but mostly stubbornness are the qualities that push a select few of us to head out before and after work in search of a bite. We have found some luck with rainbows and perch at first light, however our search for the illusive holdover striper continues with no such luck.
Fishing Report for Cape Cod
Canal Bait and Tackle reported that there are anglers finding mackerel during mid-tide at the east end of the canal. The freshwater bite seems to be the way to go. The ponds have all remained open the past week and using shiners can result in a decent trout bite. But, overall very quiet and few reports of fish.
Red Top Sporting Goods also reported mackerel in the canal with plenty of bird activity. Had an angler come in with photos of a 38-inch holdover striped bass caught this past week. There are stripers of all sizes to be found for those willing to put in the time and effort. The trout bite continues to be solid if you can find water without skim ice.
Sports Port Bait and Tackle said to look for moving water as the temperature drops to find trout or bass. They are selling a good number of shiners to a handful of anglers showing off their pictures of rainbow and browns. Reports of keeper holdovers up to 32-inches have come in. It seems that time is the key to find these winter stripers. Put in the time, be patient, and keep moving. You might find them. If not up to the challenge of hunting down fish, you can find plenty of success shell fishing for oysters.
Eastmans Sport and Tackle continued to echo similar reports on the cape. A solid trout bite can be had while there is open water to be found. Hearing of no holdovers, it is very quiet on the cape.
Fishing Forecast for Cape Cod
The inconsistent weather will most likely bring plenty of skim ice but not enough to drill a hole into. A cold front moving in over the next few days will make finding open water tough. We’ve noticed deep glacier ponds tend be slower to collect ice. For trout, head to those during the colder days ahead. The trout bite continues to be productive when throwing shiners, small spoons, and spinners. Holdovers are out there, be patient, explore the different brackish rivers, and good luck.