Well, it is official. The summer season on Cape Cod has come to an end and with somewhat of a whimper or rain or whatever. There is no more traffic to deal with, no more waiting at the gas pumps, the beaches aren't crowded, and the restaurants aren't too packed. The one thing that is still the same is the fishing, it's very good right now. The big bass have moved in onto Billingsgate Shoals along with some giant bluefish.
The weekend of the Labor Day vacation was somewhat of a washout here. Saturday we dealt with the wind and on Sunday we had both wind and rain but the bass didn't really care. The boats that did make it out found a number of large stripers on the south edge of the shoals at first and then later on in the day they move to the north edge. Either the tube and worm or jigging would work very well. Some of the bass were over 45 inch in length. The water had cooled way down so the bluefish in by the Path and along the Eastham shore were a little scarce but a few were found there. It seems that some of these fish moved up to right outside Welfleet Harbor. However, they were still hard to hook up on. The cold water will do that to them. Once these easterlies are over with and we get some southwest or westerly winds back this will all change. For example, this last Tuesday the Barnstable boats reported that they landed 40 plus inch fish on the north edge while jigging. The wind was from the west.
The end of the season, September, can be a very good time to go bass fishing. The bigger fish will school up either on Billingsgate Shoals or on the north edge before they start the migration south. We've had good fishing right through the Columbus Day weekend and up into October if the weather holds. In years past it's been the north edge or the deep water that has held the bigger fish. Hopefully they will stay on the shoals this year. This will mean jigging and the tube and worm will be the methods of choice. Also, during the early mornings trolling single hootchies might be productive too. Either way, it should be a good September in the bay.
If you should find these schools of bass in the deeper water, over 25 to 30 feet, I'd think about using the umbrella rig. The bait is right for using it. Most of the bait are small peanut bunkers or sand eels. The umbrella rig imitates this bait perfectly. At times you may need to weight the rig but don't use too much, 4 to 6 ounces should be enough. If you'd rather not use the rig try the tube and worm and use at least 5 colors in 25 feet. This system will work , just be aware it will not be anywhere near as productive.
Last Monday, Labor Day my wife wanted to go fishing. There didn't seem to be much wind at Rock Harbor but once we got out to the north edge there was a little heave on. It made her a little nervous. We didn't head back until she landed the fish she was looking for, a nice 37 inch heavy striped bass. Her favorite fish to have for dinner.
If you'd like to get in on some the Capes finest fall fishing give me a call at: 508-255-6211 or on the boat at: 508-240-8267.
