Before move, it's feeding time
Even with the big winds from the week's cold front keeping many boats ashore, there is a sense that the roundup just before the fall migration is about to begin. That means lots of fattened fish -- stripers and bluefish mainly -- are on the move and doing their best to load up on food before the 1,000-mile swim south. It's no accident that the largest fishing tournament in the East -- the Martha's Vineyard Bass and Bluefish Derby -- runs from mid-September to mid-October. For aficionados of saltwater game fish, this is the sweet spot on the calendar.
Area A: Northern Maine waters are slowing with bass and bluefish already southbound. Still, there were some decent bluefish catches in Saco Bay, around the jetties and the islands. This is the good season for popping plugs for both bass and bluefish. Tuna boats are into the footballs offshore. Cod and haddock closer to shore than usual. Check out the bluefish still hanging in Great Bay and Little Bay and in the Bellamy and Piscataqua rivers. Some decent catches around Plum Island with schoolies in the Merrimack.
Area B: The news from Stellwagen to Jeffries -- and closer inshore on Massachusetts Bay -- is bluefin tuna, from football size to giants pushing 800 pounds, according to Pete Santini at Fishing FINatics in Everett. Try the honey mustard Santini tube and worm rig. Terrific bass fishing at Spectacle, Lovells, and Georges islands for fish up to 46 inches. Topwater fishing around the airport with 3-inch shad baits yielding some decent bass and bluefish catches.
Area C: South Shore has been slow because of the big wind. That front also slowed the Duxbury Bay fishing, but when the wind leaves the eastern quadrant, says Captain Dave Bitters, get ready for the fall blitz. This has been an average season with ``incredible peaks," says Bitters. Green Harbor to the Gurnett has a few decent bass catches offshore about 2 miles.
Area D: The Cape Cod Canal has been heating up after a two-week lull, but anglers fishing the morning tide on topwater have been picking up some decent stripers. Bluefish are feeding in the west end and the waters around the east end of Buzzards Bay. Plenty of blues in the harbors along the west side of Buzzards to Fairhaven. Good fluke at Mashnee to the islands. Good striper catches around Cuttyhunk.
Area E: The Vineyard has been picking up, and the waters from Falmouth to Monomoy, with special reference to the shallow banks in Nantucket Sound. Cape Poge to Wasque is decent along the beach, and the Lobsterville to Menemsha water is worth working for bass and bluefish. Albies are in good numbers off Edgartown to Gay Head, and throughout the Falmouth area south of Nobska.
Area F: Billingsgate Shoal is loaded with big bass, spread along the north side of the shoal in waters out to 25 feet, says Captain Hap Farrell of the Rock Harbor fleet. Jigging with an umbrella rig is the most productive method for catching bass in the 30-40-pound range. Great Island and Wellfleet to The Path are also good spots where hootchies seem to be taking care of business. On the outside, along the seashore, the fishing was on the upswing before the big blow loaded it up with weed that's hard to fish through. As that clears up, there's no reason not to expect fine fishing for a few weeks to come.
