Fish Can't Read...
By: Capt. Hap Farrell
If fish could read they would know what the weather forecast is and go back down south until the weather got better.
At least it is getting a little warmer and the sun does come out on occasion. I think the bluefish are still in their long-john's to keep warm and they are staying in the warmer shallow water.
The striped bass, however, don't mind cooler water and seem to be plentiful throughout the Bay. In our area they are easily found from the New Grounds east to Stony Bar and up to the North Edge of the shoals out to 50 feet of water. The most productive area is from just off the Brewster Flats to the South Edge of the Billingsgate Shoals to the East as far as the #3 can by the Island itself. The New Grounds being the western end and Stony Bar being the eastern end. During the dropping tide the south edge of the shoals is very active. As the water warms this may change with the bass moving up on Billingsgate Shoals and starting to concentrate on the north edge and out to the deeper water.
This Saturday there is going to be an event at Rock Harbor. There is going to be a "Blessing of the Fleet" at the harbor staring at 11:00 am.. If you have a boat that can be trailered to the Harbor or one already there you may want to join in. This is going to be a family event where you can watch both the commercial fleet and private or charter boats get blessed for the season. This blessing is to ensure the safe sailing and return of our fishing fleet and their crews that work out of this harbor. That the souls of these fishermen go in grace and are protected in their endeavors. Hopefully this will start an annual tradition for Rock Harbor because it has been a source of both commercial and recreational fishing for over 100 years.
The fishing in Cape Cod Bay will improve greatly so it will go from good to outstanding. As the weather improves and get warmer the bass will move on to the shoals and the deep water off the shoals. The bluefish will come out of the shallow water and be easier to find. Stony Bar and in time the deep water will support larger schools of these hard fighting bluefish.
The hootchie will become a preferred lure for both the bass and the bluefish and jigging on the shoals may start producing some of those big bass we are looking for. Time will tell, just a week or so more. I'd check out Wood Beach Rock and the Eastham shore.
This last week I had a couple groups out that did exceptionally well. Bob Strycharski from this area brought a crew out on a half day trip and was able to land their full complement of 10 stripers with ease. On another trip Will Platt and his friend brought two ringers on their trip. Will likes to use the light tackle when possible. Well, Jessica and Jennifer, showed them both up by landing the most and largest fish of the day. To say the least the striper fishing was better than excellent.
If you want to get in on this good fishing call me at: 508-240-8267 or 508-255-6211.
