Ides of March Fishing ReportIt is almost over. We soon will be tentatively heading into the raw spring winds in the hopes of that unexpected shock of the first fish of the year. It usually happens when you least expect it, hands cold and wet, trying to adjust a too tight or sluggish drag. Finally we calm down and taking our time to savor the fight that has been too long in the coming, beach a small striper in the 15 to 18 inch range. As I look out my window to the rainy day, I see there are worm castings appearing on my lawn, reminding me of when I looked forward to the opener of trout season. Soon there will be stocking trucks making there way around to the ponds of the Cape. Trout fishing on the Cape is excellent in the spring we all have our favorites holes, but Nickerson State Park is a good starting point. Increased rainfalls this spring will have pond levels to the brimming point. The first stripers seem to always show up on the southern side of the cape. Cotuit seems to have a nice showing of real early scouts. My personal favorite is Red River Beach in Harwich. Pick your times carefully as it can get crowded on the jetty. After the word gets out, I move to the boat and Pleasant Bay in Orleans for some uncrowded fishing. Look for sheltered areas from the southwest wind that have a decent current flow to supply bait to the area. Cod fishing should heat up as they group up to spawn. Commercial fishermen are required to take “spawning blocks” or periods of time out of the fishery to allow spawning to happen. This can allow the fish to group up and do their thing. I spoke with Paul Howard, the E.D. of the NEFMC last week and was impressed with the statistics showing continued recovery of groundfish stocks. The restrictions are having a positive effect upon the stocks. Fishing out of Chatham has been just OK. There will always be a few inshore at the Crab Ledge or the Great Hill wrecks. Or up off the Nausets and Wellfleet there have been some good days if you can find a bump by yourself. Mostly the fish have been quite a ways out, making for a pick your day kind of fishing. It doesn’t take much wind for it to get uncomfortable bumpy in a under 25 foot boat.
Good fishing to You,
Bruce
