Cape Cod &

the Islands

June 28th, 2004

Creepy-Crawly

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Don't forget to send me your own reports, and until next week...

Tight Lines!

Dave Churbuck

Buzzards Bay

Captain Bob Paccia reports:

“What a difference a day makes”. That old song tells it all. One day we’re greeted with stripers of all sizes chasing bait all over Buzzards Bay. On the next day with similar conditions; wind, tide, current and visibility, we’re spending a lot of time just trying to find the bait and schools of bass or two. It’s the old story of, “You should have been here yesterday”. This is where a good charter captain earns his money. A savvy captain can usually get his charters into fish even when all of the other boats are getting skunked. His firsthand knowledge of the local water and all of the environmental circumstances, which obviously include the prevailing weather conditions, tides, current flow, water depths and bottom structure are extremely important, as is his knowledge of his quarry and the bait that it feeds on. More important however, is his ability to assimilate all of this vital information into a plan for success.

"Sometimes it’s that just a case of recognizing some very subtle signs that can point you into the right direction and can make the difference between a “Great Trip” and a “You should have been here yesterday” trip. We all know that working terns and gulls mean that the bait is there and most likely the stripers are not far behind. A knowledgeable captain is also aware that gulls sitting on the water or lined up along the shoreline are also favorable clues that they are in that particular area because they know that the bait is about to show up and so will follow the stripers and blue fish. In nature there is no idle time. To the gulls, terns, cormorants and loons it’s all about their next meal. To the fish and their prey, it’s all about eating and avoiding getting eaten. Also, he also knows that if you’re not seeing many birds, it’s important to carefully watch the direction in which any bird flies. It is a good tip to where the next source of bait may show up or possibly where the bass have gone. Remember, these birds are trying to survive. They are not just aimlessly flying about.

"What’s the point to all of this? It’s to remind all serious fishermen to try to look through the eyes of a “seasoned” charter captains and take the time to see what’s really going on about you. By doing so, it will help you to truly enjoy your limited time on the water even more and it may also give you an edge in looking at the big picture.

"This week was filled with highs and lows. One day the fish were everywhere and the next day we were putting many extra miles on the Mercury. One of the high-points was landing a 7 pound fluke that whacked a chartreuse and white clouser that was bounced across the bottom of the Bird Island flats. The second high point of the week was watching Carol Souza of the Martin and Carol Souza husband and wife team land her first striper. One of the low points was watching the rod break just before the trophy was brought onboard. She didn’t panic and the fish was landed and released very professionally. Although larger stripers were landed throughout the morning, her first striper will be the one that we’ll all remember. Good job by a good team."

http://www.shore-line.com/

Gmaloney was kind to email this report:

"If last week B-Bay was HOT this week it was luke warm. Thought all the birds had left for the summer but finally spotted them by Cleveland Ledge Light on Thursday working over a large school of medium sized ( 2-5 pound) blue fish. Did not see nearly as much bait in the water the entire week so that was why the birds were absent. But the bass were still there. Saw numerous fish in the 30 - 40 inch range around Mashnee Island and finally took some on the tube and worm when I broke down and joined em' when I could no longer beat em'. Smaller fish would take surface lures and swimming baits but the cows would touch nothing. Saw them slurping the surface so a hatch of some type took place but of what I don't know. At first light and slack water saw a cormorant fly over the Mashnee Island rip and the water exploded from spooked fish covering more than an acre of water. Incredible sight to see and be taking so few fish at the same time.

Falmouth & the Elizabeths

Captain Joe LeClair, of North Eastern Anglers reports:

"Well the story of this past week was simple. If the weather was good, the fishing was not. If the weather was bad the fishing was great ! It seemed to reach a climax during a nasty storm on Tuesday. The wind was blowing close to 20 knots and it was raining. We were able to bring two dozen Striped Bass to the boat that were between 25-35 lbs. At one point we had pods of the larger fish leaping off the tops of three foot waves trying to catch topwater plugs and flies. The largest fish of the week came on a small sand eel fly and measured around 41 inches. Clearly there were larger fish in the area and we even hooked one or two, but that is why they call it fishing. With more fish still moving up the east coast and large schools of fish showing up daily I think the bass fishing should stay strong this year well into July. Lets hope for BAD weather...

"The season for Tuna on fly and light tackle should be starting up in the next couple weeks and I am really looking forward to chasing them in the new World Cat 33. I have spent every spare moment getting the boat ready for the action.

"In addition I have started taking bookings for Boca Grande, Fl. 2005'. As usual everyone wants to go during March and April when the kids are out of school, but the fishing is great for Snook and Reds in January and Febuary and the Tarpon fishing is great in May."

The Cape Cod Canal

Bill Downing reports:

"Tried the east and then west end on the start of the west tide around 2 AM and it was pretty dead. About 2.5 hrs down however, I started picking up fish back in the east end. As bb1 reported earlier, the hits were all well offshore near the middle right on the bottom and also very subtle. Even with braid, I could barely sense them. With mono, I never would have known they were there. Wound up with 7 stripers, including 3 legals to 33 inches, all on rubber. No blues.

"No breaking activity observed at mid Canal after sunup for the plugging crowd."

The South Side

The bluefishing has gone into that great morning surface mode when the fish sort of idle right on top with the tips of their tails showing. Climb onto the deck of the boat and sightcast at them with a popper and have some great fun.

There are still bass in close on the flats. I'm getting one for every five blues, and using 60 lb. leaders to save the flies from the choppers. Setting up on a sandy path near the grass beds will give you some good shots on the bass. It isn't Monomoy but it is fun.

I haven't been out to the rips, so no reports from there. Fluke are happening along the depth line and even in close to the beach.

Martha's Vineyard

Captain Leslie Smith reports from the Vineyard:

"Fishing off the eastern end of the island has been nothing but stupendous, which is what it should be, albeit a bit late by recent years. With an early incoming tide most of the past week, the fish were in the rips off Wasque, though not large and mixed with a fair amount of smallish blues. Larger fish were coming in the deeper water from Tom Shoal to Mutton Shoal for the wire liners and those that choose to fish with what are locally called " silver bullets", i.e. scup. Word of caution for those wanting to fish the rips... it is very, very shallow in there this year. If you insist on dragging deep stuff, please try the deeper water and leave the shallows to the plugging and fly guys. You'll get bigger fish and won't screw things up for those of us that are playing in the skinny water. If you want to join the locals in the shallows, take a minute out of your time to figure out what the program is. If you see someone making a drift into a rip, circle around, shut down and follow suit. The water is so shallow that it doesn't take much boat traffic to spook the fish out, ruining it for everyone. This isn't Middle Ground, there's plenty of areas and plenty of fish. A little courtesy can go a long way in making great fishing for all. Enjoy the great weather and keep your fingers crossed that it lasts!"

Nantucket

Reel-Timer Glenn Smyth writes from Nantucket:

"We've been fishing Cisco Beach this week in the early morning and at sunset. We've been getting fish at both times, but the morning has been most productive. The largest fish this morning was 38", but we also released a 34" and several smaller fish. The wind has made casting difficult, but the fish are not far out."

The Outer Beaches, Chatham & Monomoy

Sponsor Randy Jones writes:

"As reported to you last week:

"Some freshies have just arrived, very normal and not unusual at this time of year. They consist of migratory and mid-way through the arrival of our Biggest, smartest, resident Bass. As reported (normal) the largest and smartest Bass are and have arrived with more to come. This is one of my personal favorite times of the year. mid, end of June and half way into July. This is the time period where we normally see the balance of our bigger - smartest and smaller resident bass arriving. What stand's out during this time period (in my opinion) that some of these are fresh and can be in some cases a little easier to catch. Especially if fishing shallow. Combine faster tides and lot's of bait being pushed around and that spells "Fish ON". Expect many-many of these bigger Bass to become very fussy eater's in the shallows as the summer progress's. Many variables are involved in fooling them, which I have written about in the past.

"The Outside will hold large resident Bass all summer and will be some of the easiest to fool.
Blues 4 to 10 pounds are around also. We have been useing a combination of small and large white deceiver's, natural colored Sand Lance sub-adult Flat Wing pattern's and natural looking Sand Lance Clouser Adult fly pattern's. At times they would only take the adult S.L. pattern.

"Having an intimate understanding of bait, flies, structure, tides, currents, migratory, resident stripers, specialty lines, presentation, retrieve, fish movement, weather and a whole lot more will increase your odds. Fishing each spot while at its optimum is key. It can take some time to understand all, that this world class destination fishery has to offer at all stages of the tide. It’s a hugh vast arena that changes by the hour so have fun, be safe and stop once in a while and admire its beauty!

Fishing Forecast and Tide - Fog - Safety:
Look for the fishing to get better in approx. 1 week (maybe a lil more) as the tides increases in speed. These can and are dangerous tides to wade fish and also pea soup fog is common. Please be careful!

"If fishing around July 4th, these are very extreme tides. Throw in some pea soup fog and if way out on a flat, you may become lost or may not be able to get back to safety safely because the tide has flooded your return path. Also walking 1/8 - 1/2 mile through waist deep water pushing HARD against you as the tide tries to stop you in your path, is not the best place to be.
Boaters need to be extra careful about staying in the boating channels and not straying with these tides. Running aground when full out is not only dangerous for yourself but also everyone aboard. I've seen (from shore) family's go flying, slamming about the boat when hitting an unseen bar. Obviously, having an intimate understanding of these channels, tides, fog would keep your boat off the water if you do not have a very good sense of using your gps.

"I have also seen folk's trying to eye their way through the fog (no gps) to get to there fishing spot in a small boat. They were WAY off course, ran aground and were stranded for the entire tide. I see stranded boater's weekly on the many shallow sand bar's, etc.... The same hold's true for the wade angler. Please be extra careful (always) with these upcoming tides.

A funny Story:

Sue was learning the art of fly fishing today. She hooked into a fish and while I was coaching her on how to fight the fish. Out of nowhere came this big black something or other that was traveling as fast as a bullet towards her fish subsurface. Within seconds it was splashing, exploding the water in front of us and twirling around her fish 20 feet in front of us. (I almost did a do-do in my wader's.) All we could do was watch in awe. It was a 400 pound seal that had noticed her struggling fish and decided to make it it's lunch. The seal grabbed her fish and stuck it's head out of the water with the fish tightly in it's jaws, looking at us in a way to say, ha-ha. I said to Sue, lets get out of here. As I grabbed Sue by the shoulders I made sure she was between the seal and myself. (he-he)

"The seal began to run and at the same time Sue looked at me with a terrified look in her eyes and asked, what do I do now! I shrugged my shoulders and suggested that she hold tight to the rod. I knew that I did not have a seal warranty. After there was about 200 yards of backing out and I noticed we were almost out of it, I started to tighten the drag. Soon there after the leader parted ways from our fish and seal. Boy, what a ride. If you ever want to test out the drag on your reel I know how. Our Orvis, Vortex, Large Arbor Anti-Reverse Reel worked like a charm. The reel was a little warm to the touch after that work out! We both almost fell into the water laughing after it was all over.

(For additional information, articles, pictures and almost daily fishing reports for the S.E. Cape Cod area please visit Randy's web site at http://www.yankeeangler.com )

Jim Miller reported:

"Fished South Beach This afternoon (incoming). Saw lots of bass-caught 2. Biggest was approx 20 lb that took me 60 yds. into my backing! My biggest flats bass ever!"

The North Side

Bob Parsons reports from the Barnstable Flats:

"Found a small group of birds working on the west flats. They stayed in one spot, one very tight spot, and fed on 2-4 inch sandeels right to the the top of the tide and continued to feed as the tide reversed. These fish were very tight to this spot, Eventually 5 other boats tried to drift by and get a crack at these fish and only a few manage to find the edge as they drifted. I was anchored in 4' of water with the wind at my back laying out various sand eel patterns which all got wasted by numerous fish. Switched to a weighted sluggo and continued to nail them. Big smile time."

BobG was busy on the northside as well:

"I took today off, and tried some small, very unknown flats in CC Bay.
Arrived about 10am, to find a very low tide, and a very long wait. So, took off my waders, stretched out on a nearest breakwater, and worked on my tan for an hour or so.
About 2 hours into the incoming tide, I noticed a long ribbon of sand eels making their way onto the flat, and headed my way. I've been fishing this tiny, unknown spot for years, and the sand eels arival was right on cue. This small flat, is sort of like a sand basin. Low tide, no water, but two hours up, it becomes several feet deep real fast, and too deep to wade. Therefore, you need to stand on one of the large rocks, and use them as a casting platform.
It wasn't long before I saw my first pod of bass enter the flats. Clearly they smelled the sand eels since they followed the same route as did the tiny sand eels.
It was then I realized I left my intermediate line in the glove box of my truck, and NOT in my pocket. All I had was a lovely floating Airflo, and a bunch of floating sand eels pattern. All the sinking sand eels patterns were in the glove box with the intermediate line.
So, for the next three hours, I threw floating flies, on a floating line, to bass cruising 4 feet of water. Most of these fish were in the 28-30" class, with several over 40 inches. It's really cool casting on fish after fish, only to have them swim harmlessly under your fly and line.
Many actually turned to give the flies a serious look over. But, since the fly was floating above the live sand eels, they smelled a rat, and cruised on by.
Ironically, I actually did hook up once. A really nice hen fish, probably in the 38" range. But, just like the rest of this doomed day, the tiny hook pulled out.
The really cool part of this was, all this was going on not 150 yards from where at least 75 people were swimming.
It still was a great day just to be out. Just watching all those large bass rolling on sand eels was so cool. Plus, I got some good photos too."

Captain Terry Nugent of Riptide Charters reports:

"Today started a weeklong fly charter with the crew from the NW USA today. The first group was Paul and Bob. I had fished Bob and his son last year and looked forward to another day OTW with him. Paul was a pleasure to fish with and great fun to watch as he battled a big blue while waist deep wading after him.

We started out with a lousy forecast with 10-20kt winds SW for CC Bay. The light at the end of the tunnel was a switch to 5 kts E late in the day (which never came) we headed east from Sandwich and hit the usual stops on our journey. It was a good thing I still have Seakers drift sock in the boat because it was used most of the morning to help the fly guys tend their lines.

We picked up a few fish on the east bar and pushed on from there. We hit a nice little flat I like and managed a couple fish each drift. When the fish slowed we headed to another favorite spot where we were greeted by wave after wave of fish. They were spooky and fast moving but we got a few and when the boat got to shallow I tossed the hook and we all bailed out and went wet wading. In 68-degree water we chased the schools of bass and blues through the sand. I even managed a couple during our little hike. This is when Paul put on quite a show for us. His shoulder had been bothering him early due to allot of casting the day prior, so he fished lefty for a while "saving" himself for when the time was right. AS Bob and I retied from a bluefish assault, Paul yells over "THEY'RE COMING YOUR WAY!" As I looked over I saw his 8wt deeply bent and a double digit blue tail walking and gill rattling 20 yards in front of him. I yelled encouragement as he battled the beast close before it finally chewed through his tippet. When he got back over to us we remarked how great a show the fish put on. He said "I forgot my shoulder hurt when I saw the squadron of fish coming at me" Talk about saving some for when it counts

We hit a few more spots and got a few more fish before the tide went slack. Then NOAA slapped us in the face. The wind machine turned on in a BIG way. The wind went from 10-15 to 25-30 and gusting higher. The gusts would heel my boat over when they caught the T Top. It went from 1-1.5’ers to 3-4’s with a few bigger in less than a half hour. It was the fastest I’ve ever seen CC Bay blow up that big on a SW blow. There were a ton of boats beating it for shelter. I saw several flats boats and a few smaller CC’s the were bow sky high just trying not to bury into the next wave. The wind was almost a WSW, which meant my trick of running tight to the beaches along Brewster and Barney did not help much. It was better than a straight shot across but only a little.

The ride back was slow and bumpy, being somewhat novice on the ocean I didn’t think the guys were ready for a wave-skimming trip in 3-4’s. We slogged back at 20 kts while staying dry but severely wind blown the whole way.

Overall a nice morning and some great wading. We got a fair pick of fish but the wind kept the total catch lower than we would have hoped for. The guys got to see some great waves of fish pass by the boat and even got to see some of them turn and take their flies at close range. The water was murky in all locations except the flat that we waded. Finding and seeing fish elsewhere was a real chore. The flies of choice olive / white in the clear and chart. / White in the stained water. Clousers and epoxies were the main flies used. The water was high 60’s and the wind was high all day. The water ranged from 2-12’ at most locations.

The rest of the week doesn’t look very good as far as wind goes. That’s why I’m typing this mid day today. We got blown out this AM and are hoping for calmer seas tomorrow."

Keep those reports coming,