Cape Cod Fishing Report – October 22, 2020

The October new moon did not disappoint, as there were reports of giant bluefin and large striped bass in Cape Cod waters. Although the Canal is generally quiet, there were reports of larger fish, schoolies in the east end, and the occasional large bluefish. Slot and over-slot stripers continue to shadow the bunker schools in the Monomoy Rips and along the Elizabeth Islands. Tautog fishing is strong, especially in Buzzards Bay and the Elizabeth Islands. Albie catches are trending downward, but there is still a shot to catch a “little tunny” at Nobska, Woods Hole, and the Vineyard.

Cape Cod Fishing Report

Captain John, of Fish Chatham Charters, says the tuna bite at Crab Ledge is good, with a bunch of bluefin catches this week in the 75-inch range. A handful of giants were caught and released, and the bite has been fueled by sand eels. Down toward the Monomoy Rips, John says a reliable source told him that bluefin are blowing through schools of pogies. Striped bass are also feeding on the pogy schools, and anglers are catching slot fish, with some large bass in the mix. Cod and haddock offshore fishing is good in the Shipping Lanes. John says he expects the tuna bite to continue Friday and Saturday, with 60- to 65-inch fish and a few giants.

Evan, at Eastman’s Sport & Tackle in Falmouth, says tautog fishing is pretty good at Woods Hole and Cleveland Ledge. Anglers are catching their limit, but have to go through small fish to find keepers. Albies are still around, and the most reliable area has been Nobska Lighthouse. There are also “little tunny” reports at Woods Hole and Tarpaulin Cove (Naushon Island). Striped bass anglers are catching decent fish by live-lining pogies or using eels at Woods Hole and along the Elizabeth Islands. Reports from the Cape Cod Canal are quiet, but some anglers were catching striped bass at night a week ago on Savage Sand Eels. Evan says largemouth bass fishing is good, with 4- to 5-pound catches in the Mashpee area.

Joel, at Larry’s Tackle Shop in Edgartown, says bluefish have been hard to come by during the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby. However, Chappy lit up on Wednesday with a 4-hour bluefish blitz of fish up to 10 pounds.  “Massive shoals of bunker went untouched until yesterday,” says Joel. Striped bass anglers are catching mid-20-inch fish and small slot fish throwing swimmers. Although the fishing was good this week, Joel is not sure what to expect for the upcoming week because the Vineyard has been hot and cold this year.

Bruce at Canal Bait & Tackle in Sagamore, says the October new moon breaking tides produced larger striped bass and bluefish at the Big Ditch. Tautog fishing was good in the east end, and should continue over the next week.

Derek, at Red Top Sporting Goods in Buzzards Bay, says the Cape Cod Canal is quiet. Anglers are targeting schoolie striped bass and bluefish in the rivers and back bays. However, Derek says there is rumor of large schools of fish north of the Canal. Tautog fishing is strong, although Derek says some boat anglers are struggling to find tog.

Frank at Sports Port Bait & Tackle in Hyannis, says tautog are biting well at Bishop and Clerks. The Cape Cod Canal continues to hold schoolies, and the occasional large bluefish.

Captain Bobby Rice of Reel Deal Fishing Charters, says the tuna fishing is excellent off the tip of the Cape, with good numbers of recreational-size fish taking topwaters and live baits.

Tog fishing is going strong according to Captain Kurt of Fishsticks Charters, who had this to say:

“Fishing is excellent. Nothing huge, but lots of fish in the 16 to 19-inch range and many smaller fish. We kept busy, that’s for sure. On Sunday, we limited out in a few hours. On Monday, I had a charter, and the clients had never fished for tog before. They picked it up right away and did well. We had 7 keepers to 19 inches before we got distracted by the fish feeding on the surface near us. Can’t say for sure what those fish were, because we didn’t catch any! The tog were on rockpiles between 18 and 30 feet of water, and within that range, shallower was better. The current was ripping, with the new moon, and we had to use 12 ounces to hold bottom and feel bites effectively. I did catch a few fish on jigs closer to the slack tide, but at the peak current, trying to use the jig was just silly.

Cape Cod Fishing Forecast

The bluefin tuna bite off Provincetown could continue into the weekend and might be worth checking out with a boat capable of going offshore. Bruce at Canal Bait & Tackle says the Big Ditch should be good for another week, and recommends Pip’s Rip to Murderers Row with a Savage Sand Eel. Tautog fishing is strong and they can be found at most rock piles in Buzzards Bay and the Elizabeth Islands.