Cape Cod Fishing Report

Jeff, at Canal Bait and Tackle in Sagamore, says 18- to 24-inch stripers are in the Canal. Tautog fishing has picked up, there’s squid in Nantucket Sound, mackerel off Stellwagen Bank, and black sea bass action should take off in the next couple of weeks. Jeff says fishing gear is going to be tough to come by, so stock up now before it’s gone.

Eastman’s Sport & Tackle in Falmouth, says the local saltwater bite is progressing. One customer noted there were ‘mounds of fish’ on the boat sonar, so they dropped down a rig and discovered they were porgies. Squid have shown in good numbers around the Hyannis area. Tautog fishing is improving in Buzzards Bay and fresh schoolies have shown up at the south Cape estuaries.

Joel, at Larry’s Tackle Shop in Edgartown, says the fishing on the Vineyard hasn’t changed much in the past week. A few transitory stripers were caught, but the island is waiting for a fresh push of migratory fish. Joel says water temps are 49 degrees, meaning they’re only a couple of degrees away from the magic number of 52. Holdover striper fishing is holding steady in the ponds.

Larry at Macos Bait and Tackle in Buzzards Bay, says tautog came in heavy and there are reports of keeper-sized fish. Larry says water temperatures in Buzzards Bay are at 49, but the warm weather this weekend should help the bite. Holdover schoolies are being caught here and there.

Derek, at Red Top Sporting Goods in Buzzards Bay, says their people are catching a mix of fresh bass and migratory fish. He noted there’s an influx of larger fish in the 18-inch range in comparison to last year, when it was mostly micro bass at the beginning of the season. 24- to 26-inch bass are in the mix. Derek says bunker are in the rivers and harbors, herring are running, and squid have been appearing in waves, but they aren’t in full force yet. “I think we’re going to start getting keeper fish in the next week,” Derek says. Small profiles are working best; 3-inch Storm Swim Shads and small paddle tails. Tautog reports are getting better and the shop has one customer who has been doing very well in the Canal with green crabs, regardless of the tide. Water temperatures are swinging back and forth between 49 and 53.

Amy, at Sports Port Bait & Tackle in Hyannis, says she spoke with several people who have been catching lots of schoolie bass. There are a few squid boats in Nantucket Sound, but they haven’t shown up in the harbors. Tautog reports have been slow even though they’re selling green crabs. Largemouth fishing has been great and trout remain very active. A free surfcasting seminar and demo will take place at Keyes Memorial Beach in Hyannis on Saturday, May 1, at 9 am. Register for the seminar here.

Cape Cod Forecast

Although they aren’t here in numbers, fresh stripers are here on the Cape and in Buzzards Bay. Jimmy caught his first of the season on a bubblegum Zoom Super Fluke while targeting weakfish from shore.  I asked when weakfish usually show on the Cape and he says now is the time. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a good run of weakies for 8 years, according to Jimmy.

The water temps at Woods Hole have been hovering around 49-50 degrees for several days.

We’re on the cusp of the magic number, 52, and there are reports of bunker, herring, and squid locally. For those paying attention to the moon cycle, it’s worth noting the phase will be the new moon on Tuesday, May 11, a couple of days after Mother’s Day.

Squid are here and now is the time to get out because the action won’t last long.

Anthony continues to pick away at largemouth in the freshwater ponds during pre-spawn. He missed an absolute giant Wednesday night. “Moved an ungodly amount of water – came even harder next cast and then free jumped like a tarpon to rub it in. Never saw anything like that before.” Largemouth are going to be spawning soon, meaning he’s running out of time.

NOAA Woods Hole Water Temperatures

NOAA Marine Forecast: Buzzards Bay, Nantucket & Vineyard sounds