Hi Folks !Yes things are finally improving for us fishing on the eastern side of the Cape. We always start later than the guys in Cape Cod Bay, but this year was even later than normal. I suppose it is due to the cold winter we all experienced, but hopefully everything relative will be later as well, and we will retain the bluefin that finally showed up much later into our usual fall season. (perhaps into November ?) We have caught them into the Thanksgiving holiday in some years.
We caught our first legal bluefin on Thursday. The fish was 78 inches long and about 240 pounds. More were caught yesterday of the same size and bigger. There is a decent amount of bait and whales scattered over a wide area. On our last trip we saw at least a hundred whales and porpoises while we were fishing. The amount of bait is amazing and if its any sign of what is to come we are in for a banner bluefin tuna year. Be prepared. These fish are NOT “footballs” and if you are not careful you can get hurt trying to boat one.
The striped bass have showed in some of the rips as well this last week. We have had limits of bass the last couple of trips, with fish up to 39”. Most of the fish were small and compared to other years at this time, the numbers just are not there. Reports of unbelievable schools of stripers up off Provincetown may be why they just are not in the rips at this time as in other years. Out water temperatures have been in the low 50’s up until 4-5 days ago, and that would explain why we didnt have them yet. The Chatham area may be slow to start every year, but come mid July when Cape Cod Bay and the sound waters have warmed so much that you are mostly catching bluefish, the Chatham waters are perfect for striped bass and bluefin.
If you would like to get aboard for some of this great summer action, give me a call or an email to see what is open. I am already more than halfway booked for the season, but there are some choice dates available for the folks willing to plan ahead and reserve some good tides for the charter of your choosing.
Good Fishing to you,
Capt. Bruce & “Marilyn S”
