Rock Harbor Fishing Report
16 May 2008
By: Capt. Hap Farrell
If you look around you'll see leaves on some of the trees. Flowers are popping up everywhere. The birds are out and skunks are getting into your trash. It's almost summer....
All we need now is the stripers to arrive in Cape Cod Bay. It seems a few have. There are reports that some small fish have gone through the canal and are in Barnstable Harbor. There are also a few off the Brewster Flats if you can get by the rain and wind we've been having. A small number of keeper size bass have been landed off the beach at South Sunken Meadow in Eastham. Two of our boats went looking on Sunday but found nothing in any of the areas that might hold fish. It suffices to say that it might be a bit early and the fish are a little bit late this season. Oh well, what can you do. Hopefully this weekend.
Everyone is aware of the fuel situation. There seems to be plenty but it just costs a lot. I would be amiss telling you that it has not effected the price of the charters fleet. It has, but dollar for dollar it is still well worth the expense. The boats are a little slow in getting in this season because of the repairs to part of the bulkhead at Rock Harbor. They are just about done and a little more than half the fleet is in and ready to fish, as soon as they get here.
In seasons past the more active areas to look for these spring run stripers is fairly concentrated. There are some areas inside Barnstable Harbor in the area of the channel that hold fish. The next active area is just off the Brewster Flats in front of Paine's Creek. In both these areas the umbrella rig or small swimming plugs work the best. At times you can cast small plugs to fish on the surface which are usually on the small size. The next area is Stony Bar up by the #3 and #5 cans near Billingsgate Island. This is by far the largest area. A number of methods can be used here from the umbrella rig on wire to surface plug either trolled or casting to the fish. It seems the biggest fish are landed here first. In the past 40 inch fish have been taken. Water temperature is the key to how active the fish get, Hopefully by this weekend the water temperature has come up some and the fish start getting hungry.
With the fuel prices being what they are there is one way you can enjoy the fishing Cape Cod Bay has to offer without spending a small fortune. Instead of running all over the Bay looking for that one big bass or bluefish stay close to where you launch your boat and use lighter tackle like ultra light tackle or light action trolling rods or even learn to fly fish. You may not land that big striper but you will have the time of your life using this really light tackle and save some money. I specialize in using this light gear and have watched hardened anglers get more excited on landing a 10 pound bluefish on an ultra light rod than when they landed a 25 pound bass. You're on the fish for 10 minutes or longer so the excitement of the fight last much longer. Try it, I'm sure you'll see what I mean.
Well, good luck this season and enjoy one of the Cape's best resources and also have a safe one. Remember, you can't get out and walk home. If you're interested in trying your hand at some of this good "fishin' give me a call at 508-240-8267 or 508-255-6211.
Web Site: www.capecodbaycharters.com
E-mail: stunmai@copper.net
