Cape Cod Fishing Report

AJ at Red Top Sporting Goods in Buzzards Bay says the Canal has fished well for 3 consecutive weeks, despite occasional storms bringing inclement weather. There have been more “on” days than “off” days, fueled by lots of bait. Monday was epic at the west end with fish to 31 pounds and the bite continued Wednesday with bass around the 20-pound mark. Thin profile bait (bay anchovies/sandeels) and squid remain throughout the 7 mile stretch of the Canal. The south-facing beaches and Cape Cod Bay have been producing slot-sized fish on needlefish, eels, and bucktails. The shop hasn’t weighed any monster tog but there are some keepers around. Crab Ledge and the Sword are continuing to produce a lot of recreational-sized tuna.

Canal Bait and Tackle in Sagamore says action at the west end and the railroad bridge remains steady as the full moon approaches on Oct. 20. Loaded Cotton Cordell Pencil Poppers and FishLab lures will mimic bait getting harassed by stripers through the Canal. Don’t overlook the night tides, especially since fish have been pulled out up to 41 pounds. The shop has been selling lots of green crabs for anglers targeting tautog from the bulkheads and jetties.

Peter at Larry’s Bait and Tackle in Edgartown says derby fatigue has set in as the tournament comes to an end on Saturday. Although there are lots of albies around, the shore bite has been challenging because they are feeding on small bait and the seas have been flat. When the ocean is calm, false albacore tend to porpoise and be less aggressive. However, a 12.31-pound albie was weighed in at the shop, putting it at the top of the leaderboard.  There are some large bluefish on the east side of the island in the 10 to 12-pound range, and a 21 pounder leads the derby. Bonito have been ghosts, but there are a couple being taken every now and then. Teen and schoolie stripers are around the island, but nothing of considerable size. Peter is hopeful a school of large bass make their way along the outer Cape and pass by the Vineyard on their migration south.

On The Water’s Anthony DeiCicchi went fishing last weekend with his daughter Adele and mother Kathy, who had never been togging. Kathy spent the first 20 minutes donating crabs and learning when to set the hook. But when all was said and done, she got the hang of it and outfished Anthony. The silver lining for Anthony was time well spent with family and his first triggerfish.

Cape Cod Forecast

Albies are hanging around for the time being, particularly in Woods Hole and the south-facing beaches of the Cape. Buzzards Bay has been void of hardtails this season, despite lots of bait in the area. There should be less traffic as boats are removed from the water and anglers transition to tautog. By all accounts, the albies have been finicky, making it a great time to use a casting egg and fly. Another great option for picky albies is the Loop Fly, which was featured in the September/October issue of the magazine. Tony Lolli boated 200 albies in one year with the Loop Fly, which imitates bay anchovies and peanut bunker.

The Canal bite should continue to hold steady through the full moon on October 20. Breaking tides at the Canal begin on the 18th and continue through the 22nd.

Tog fishing in Buzzards Bay is steady, but it takes some patience to get through the shorts. The reward is worth the effort, especially since Andy Nabreski’s tog chowder recipe is out of this world.

Recreational-sized tuna at the Sword and Crab Ledge are another option if the weather patterns shift.

NOAA Forecast: Cape Cod & Elizabeth Islands