Rock Harbor Fishing Report
By: Capt. Hap Farrell
11 July 2007
Weather in the Bay
Weather, we deal with it all the time fishing on Cape Cod Bay. Sometimes it's good and we get stretches of calm sunny weather, called a "Bermuda High", and others it can be somewhat erratic. This summer it has been erratic in it's fullest definition. We've had a fair amount of wind this summer, more than usual. The weather is constantly changing. I know this is New England and things change here quite frequently but the summer, in past years, has stayed relatively stable. This last weekend is a prime example. Calm in the morning, wind coming on in the afternoon, and radical thunder storms in the late afternoon and evening. It's a good thing the fish don't care, they are already wet.
The stripers have taken up semi-permanent residencs on the north edge of Billingsgate Shoals. So have a large number of skates. Large ones too. Jigging is the best method to use but an umbrella rig on wire can produce a bass or two also. There are a good amount of bluefish mixed in so this area is very active. The skates are another story.
The jigged eel is a good bass lure to use. We put it on a 300 foot wire setup on a fairly stiff rod and put in along the bottom in a rhythmic manor. It's quite possible to snag all sorts of stuff on the bottom, including the harmless skate. These fish look like a stingray with a rough brown skin with a white underbelly. They don't bite the jig, they get hooked by it. Some of these skate can get to be 3 feet from wing to wing and weight up to 30 pounds. When you get one of these big skate you'll thing you're hooked on the bottom, until you get over it and pull it up. Some days we can hook up on more skate than fish. A bit frustrating...
The bluefishing is fantastic. The main concentration is up along the Eastham shore to the Sunken Meadow area. Casting popping plugs or swimmers is active. Trolling single swimming plugs or hootchies will work well too. In some areas a fly fisherman will have a field day, that is if he can keep from being cut off all the time. The bluefish can be found just about everywhere these days. They're off the Brewster Flats, on top of Billingsgate Shoals, on the north edge and the deep water. I haven't been up to the Path myself but I understand there is a good amount of bluefish up there too. They're everywhere....
We're coming off the big tides now so I feel the main body of stripers may move into the deep water by next week. Especially during the low water. As the size of the tides really get down they may stay in the deep water most of the time. For now look on top and on the edge during the flood part of the tide and as it retreats move off the north edge to at least 25 feet of water and jig.
This last Sunday I had the Campbell party out to use some light gear on the bluefish up by Sunken Meadow. As we weathered one of those down pours we had this weekend a young man, Hunter Cambell, at the tender age of 9, sat in the pouring rain and battled a 13 pound bluefish on some 12 pound test trolling tackle. Hunter won, soaking wet and with a proud look on his face, he turned towards his father as Pete the mate held up his trophy.
This coming Monday, the 16th, the Rock Harbor Fleet will be hosting the 24th annual Special Olympics Fishing Contest. It will be starting off at 11:00 am. and finish up at around 3:30 or so. If you'd like to be a witness to one of the most exciting days of the season we have come down and watch it unfold.
If you'd like to get in on some of this seasons best fishing give me a call at: 508-240-8267 or 508-255-6211 and we'll get you set up.
E-mail - stunmai@copper.net
www.capecodbaycharters.com
