The spring run is upon us, folks. Reports of stripers up to 32” have made their way to the East End of the Canal and into Cape Cod Bay. Striper season is finally here.
Im going to make this fairly quick, as I’m currently on a flight heading to Las Vegas for my bachelor party. So no fishing for me this weekend (hold off on the striper/stripper jokes, please).
Buzzards Bay Stripers
I hit on this in my other reports this week, but fishing in Buzzards Bay has been absolutely *firefirefire emoji.
Big schools of stripers have been crashing herring and silversides from the West End our to the end of the dike. The cold front seemed to push them up into the estuaries but they were back at the canal this morning.
My plan would be to get out there before dawn and cruise around for fish breaking the surface or working birds. You’re sure to find them, regardless of the tide.
It’s a great time of year of throw topwater plugs or flies to breaking fish. These stripers have been aggressive, but they’ve really favoring spook plugs—Jumpin’ Minnows and Lil Docs in particular.
The Mack’s are thick in Cape Cos Bay, so for a shot at one of the first 25#-30# fish moving through, drift a lively mackerel off some structure at the West End.
Seabass opens up on the 19th. If this year is anything like last year, get ready for a quick limit of big fish. Make sure to look at the new regulations.
Cape Cod Bay
The fishing got hot this morning in Plymouth Bay. Capt Dave Bitters of Baymen Guide Services (baymenlife.com) got into them heavy with his first client of the year. He reported fish up to small keeper size blitzing in the channels and cuts of Plymouth and Duxbury Bay. This fishing will only improve.
Haddock was fast and furious this morning, and has been for a few weeks now. If you’re willing to make the trek to the mid to north side of the bank, you should come close to limiting out.
These fish have been sporadically moving to the Southwest corner, depending on the tide and wind conditions, so give that area a try in the 100’-125’ waters.
That’ll do it for me. Catch some fish this weekend.
