Appearance of blues a good sign for anglers

A mid-August slowdown has been affecting several areas, but with the arrival of some late-summer bluefish that are biting at everything, there are still plenty of good opportunities to be had.

Area A: The fishing has slowed, according to Martha at Surfland Bait and Tackle, which is typical for this time of year. Boats are having success with bluefish close to shore. The best times for bites seem to be daybreak or night.

The striped bass are biting despite a muddy Merrimack River. Trolling a tube and worm on the flats has been yielding results. Lining live mackerel, or even just floating dead mackerel, at the mouth of the river and farther out is working well, too, with the best results coming in early morning.

Area B: Squid remains the big item for stripers, according to a report from Fore River Bait and Tackle. Frozen squid or jigged-up live squid seem to be working well, especially off Nut Island, Marina Bay, and Pemberton Pier.

Flounder fishing has been particularly good off Georges Island and Hospital Shoals with the first major run of pogies being caught inside Fore River in Weymouth. Snagging hooks are suggested. The area begins to boil with activity after sundown.

Area C: The report out of North Eastham is that it's been slow along the beaches. Stripers are coming in with sand eels or fresh pogies. The bites have been coming in the morning, just prior to sunrise to a few hours after.

The bay has been successful in 40-50 feet of water. Tube and worm and umbrella rigs are suggested.

Area D: There is not much of a change from last week out of Buzzards Bay. The scup and fluke have been good out of the canal, with worms and chunk mackerel the baits of choice. The west end is still seeing a lot of bluefish biting on jig heads, but the bass have been spotty. The bay remains the most active spot, with plenty of schoolie bass and scup.

The best fishing has come in the early morning and after dusk. Look for improvements in the weeks ahead.

Area E: The last couple of weeks have seen the arrival of the bonito, the highly sought-after prize of summer, according to Captain Joe of Sharks Landing Bait and Tackle. Bass fishing has begun to slow with the warmer water temperatures. Night fishing is the way to go.

The most action is coming about 5 miles south, off the coast of Wasque Point. There are plenty of porgies around. Fluke fishing is wrapping up, but bluefish are still around, as well as snappers ranging from 8-18 inches.

Bluefin tuna have been reported off Chatham, with some yellowfin taken out of the dump 45 miles south of Martha's Vineyard.

Area F: Early-morning bites are being reported off Nauset Beach, with bait better than lures. Striped bass have been prevalent at daybreak. A 48-inch striper was caught off Coast Guard Beach last weekend, according to Rob at Blackbeard's Bait and Tackle. Sluggos rigged with 1-ounce jig heads are still best.

According to Goose Hummock, boats are also having better success with light baits ranging from 5-7 inches. Squid patterns are being bit by the prevalent bluefish around Monomoy Island and Chatham.

Out at Provincetown, the big fish can be found in 30-60 feet of water with a jigged-up rig.

Schools of tuna have been cropping up this week off Stellwagen and Provincetown.