Rough weather brings a surge in the seas
The change from July to August has brought a slight change for the better in the catch, various local reports indicate. After a slow July, the fishing has picked up in places such as the river system and Cape Cod Canal.
Area A: The recent stretch of rough weather actually led to a surge in action around Cape Ann and the rivers. Mike Hosker of Surfland Bait and Tackle reports a few fish in the 20-pound range, as well as bluefish in the 3- to 5-pound class at the mouth of the Merrimack River. Topwater plugs are working well there.
There have been bluefish blitzes at the beaches, and on the incoming tide in the river. The catch has been generally strongest at first light. Poppers are recommended.
Area B: Fore River Bait and Tackle's Mike Amoroso reports a large amount of squid, continuing a strange trend that has developed over the past three years. The squid, which "shouldn't even be here," are said to be causing frustration for many. Floating bait and clams are recommended for dealing with the changing composition of what inhabits the waters.
Jigging up the squid and live-lining it on smaller jigs will get the stripers to bite, and fish are reportedly hitting in the rivers, Quincy Bay, and Hull Gut during the tide changes.
Mackerel can still be found in the outer Boston Harbor, while flounder are still doing well in the typical spots such as Hospital Shoals and Rainsford Island.
Area C: The beaches along Cape Cod Bay have had a few smaller striped bass, with Nauset Beach standing out as a place to catch them, says Paul Newmeyer of Blackbeard's Bait and Tackle. The back side of Cape Cod has fared well, and boat fishing in 40-50 feet of water has seen some striped bass as large as 28 inches. Umbrella rigs are advised.
There are fish in the 20- to 25-pound range on the north edge toward Truro and Billingsgate Shoals, with some bluefish around a slow fluke catch. Captain Hap Farrell of Rock Harbor Charter Services reports stripers off the edge of Brewster Flats in 25-30 feet of water. Jigging and umbrella rigging have worked well there. There are also bluefish in the shallow water from Great Island to Pamet River, and along the Eastham shore.
Area D: The report from Buzzards Bait is that the east side of the canal has some small keepers and small bass, generally biting in the early morning. At the west end are bluefish and schoolie bass, and the canal as a whole is said to be picking up. The best fishing, though, has still been in Buzzards Bay, with lots of small schoolie bass and plenty of big scup. Topwater plugs used early in the morning have fared well.
Area E: With the warm water around the islands, night fishing for striped bass has been the most productive, according to Captain Joe from Sharks Landing Bait, Tackle & Charter Co. Use eels to get the best catch. There's also plenty of bluefish, generally hitting on topwater poppers.
Fluke fishing has been strong, with the best baits being sand eels and seaworms. Scup are plentiful, and bonito have just arrived, which is said to be a milestone for the summer season. Squibnocket has seen some big bass, and the Jaws Bridge in Oak Bluffs has plenty of bass and blues.
Area F: Gary Lascola of Goose Hummock reports plenty of fish still around Chatham and Monomoy Island. Stripers and bluefish can be found toward Pollock Rip and Handkerchief Shoals. Sluggos rigged with 1-ounce jigheads are best.
Toward Nantucket and the Vineyard, there have been a number of albacore and bonito, while Stellwagen Bank and east of Chatham have seen good tuna catches. Ocean lures have worked well in Stellwagen, where solid cod catches have been found toward the north tip.
