Sure Fire Tactics for Catching Stripers from Shore on Cape Cod 2012

Live Eel Gear size bass. Make sure to not select a rod Live Eels that is very stiff. A stiff will I have been using the Penn 440ssg for two exert too much pressure on the eel, years now with amazing results. This small from Shore 101 resulting in the eel tearing from the hook and economical reel can withstand after “not so many” casts. hundreds of bass up to and above the 40 pound mark. The reel is also good I use 50 pound braided line on because small are fun to battle on it as the Penn 440ssg. The diameter of the line well. It’s a good all-around choice for is, I believe, the same as 12 pound various situations and environments. monofilament. This means I can pack around 150 yards of 50 pound test Power Pro onto the reel. This is plenty of line in most situations, unless you plan on fishing an area with very strong current like the Cape Cod Canal – which would require a completely different type of setup. Live eels work great from shore all summer long. However I believe striped When fishing with eels I choose either a bass eat eels with even more abandon 5/0 or 6/0 hook or a 7/0 or 8/0 hook. I during the month of October. The bass choose the size of the hook based on the are on their way south, and they will size of the bass I expect to catch. If the happily slurp down an eel that happens to fish are schoolies with a small keeper or swim their way. two in the mix I choose a 5/ or 6/0. If the bass are big I go with the 7/0 or 8/0. Circle In this post I plan on divulging any little hooks work best in my opinion and help secret tip or tactic I think will help you prevent gut hooking bass. hook up with more bass this October I pair the Penn 44ossg with a 6 foot fishing eels from the sand. We’ll even talk Of course other good things to bring along medium action spinning rod. I like a a little bit about areas worth tossing an eel include a rag, a headlamp, 50 pound forgiving tip with backbone to turn a good or two during this special month. leader material and a mesh bag to 2 For more Cape Cod fishing information be sure to check out www.myfishingcapecod.com

Sure Fire Tactics for Catching Stripers from Shore on Cape Cod 2012 transport the eels as you wade around in Once the line gets taught set up on the Not sure if you just felt a bite from a the water. fish. No huge hook sets are necessary if bass? Take a close look at the body of you are using a . Simply tighten your eel. If you notice scratches, then you Technique up on the bass and reel him in. did have a bass bite the bait. I prefer to use a “lob” type cast with eels Helpful Hints Bass will cause abrasions on the eels skin, as opposed to a “snap” type cast. Lobbing caused by their sandpaper like teeth. This the eel out there will help prevent tearing 1) Eel size is a good way to help distinguish between the eel from the hook. A snap like cast will a bass hit and the eel just kicking extra quickly tear the eel and send it flying off If there are big bass in the area and you want to target the biggest of the bunch, hard. into oblivion. use the largest eel in your bucket. I’ve had 3) Is the eel dead? Reel the eel in back towards shore at a good success using eels that were all of 2 slow pace, just enough to keep the eel feet and an inch around. Big stripers have Eels work best when they are alive. If from burying itself in the no problem engulfing all but the largest of after a while your eel appears to be bottom. Sometimes it can pay to eels. lifeless, hold on just one more second experiment with the speed of the before throwing him away. retrieve. Bass, especially large ones, have If you are not sure what size bass you will no problem destroying an eel that is encounter, a regular medium size eel is a Cover his eyes with your hand and if the good bet. These casts best and are your eel is alive, he will curl his tail. As long as reeled in quickly along the surface. Be sure to keep your rod tip high in the sky in all around best option. the eel has a curl in his tail he is good to go. preparation of a bite. If there are schoolies and small keepers When a bass hits the eel you will feel a around, go with a pencil size eel. The Places to Fish Live Eels from Shore smallest eels do not cast well, however slight to heavy “bump.” As soon as you you will get more hookups using the I talk a lot about inlets and estuaries on feel this bump lower your rod tip and the blog and for good reason. They are allow the line to get tight before setting up smaller version. Small eels are much easier for these young fish to swallow, awesome places to fish live eels. Estuaries on the fish. Try to do this without causing are where many eels call home to begin resulting in a much better hook up ratio. any unnatural tension on the line, as with, so what better spot to cast one? tension will cause the bass to immediately 2) Bass scratches on the eel spit the eel in most cases. 3 For more Cape Cod fishing information be sure to check out www.myfishingcapecod.com

Sure Fire Tactics for Catching Stripers from Shore on Cape Cod 2012

While most of the bass encountered in Nobska Point While there is no doubt that many fish estuaries are on the small side, bass that have already departed south (including roam open beach fronts are often much West Falmouth shoreline the biomass we enjoyed this summer in larger. I love casting eels along the beach Sagamore Beach Cape Cod Bay), it is good to know that during a flat calm, super still night. If the there are still plenty of bass north of Cape fish are around they will let you know by Thanks and good luck eeling! Cod. destroying any eel tossed in their I actually read this past week that fish are direction. Targeting Big still being taken as far north as southern Maine, which obviously bodes well for us Bass from Shore here on the Cape. Hopefully we will have stripers around right into early November During October this season.

The bass north of Cape Cod have two The ultimate challenge for me this October options: head out around P-town and is to get into a school of 20-50 pound bass down the outer Cape, or head south from the beach. Who knows if this will through the Cape Cod Canal. happen this season, but I really believe Of course there are many beaches and that I (and you too) have a good chance. While I don’t have any scientific evidence areas on the Cape that fish better than to back my theories up, I do believe that Schools of hundreds of big bass do travel others – especially when it comes to most of the bass off Cape Cod follow some along Cape Cod’s beaches during October eels. By no means do I know of all of sort of general migration route. The key in surprisingly shallow water. The odds of them, but the following locales are places for us surf casters is to pick a encountering a big school like this are where I’ve had success before in the strategic spot at the right time to intercept slim, but it is possible and now is the best past. Just click on the location name to be them. taken to a more in-depth article about the time to give it a shot. area. Picking a Spot Migrating Biomasses Popponesset

4 For more Cape Cod fishing information be sure to check out www.myfishingcapecod.com

Sure Fire Tactics for Catching Stripers from Shore on Cape Cod 2012

Probably the #1 shore bound spot to go home” philosophy. I’ve really only When fishing a beach front or a boulder intercept migrating schools of striped bass been fishing areas where I know large field I have always had my best success is the Cape Cod Canal. schools of big bass venture into. The thing during the incoming tide. Boulder fields is that you just never know what day or seem to fish better during the first part of night they are going to show up. the incoming tide, while sandy beach fronts seem to fish better during the last This type of fishing is extremely hit or part of the incoming tide. miss. When targeting big bass from the beach it’s not unusual to go days without a The openings of inlets can fish well during bite, but then on one trip it all comes various stages of the tide, however I together which makes the invested time almost always have my best success and energy worth it. during the outgoing.

Thus far this Fall it’s been all “miss” for me If you are interested in a truly big bass this (with the exception of catching smaller October from the suds I would bass which is always fun) which really only recommend fishing eels or chunk However this season I want to intercept means one thing – I am due for a big menhaden/pogie. I have a friend who did big fish from the beach, with my feet hit. What I’d really like to experience is well this past week on fish up to 25 firmly planted in some sand. one of those 30 keeper days we had this pounds chunking pogies in the areas Don’t get me wrong, the Canal is still an past summer in the boat, but from the mentioned in the above video, so I may incredible place to fish! However, can you beach obviously. give that a good effort this week. imagine intercepting a school of a To increase my odds of encountering a big I also don’t think it hurts to chum the thousand big bass that have settled in just school of migrating bass I’ve been sticking shoreline, whether you are fishing live eels a few feet of water, in some obscure to fishing “routes” where I know from past or chunking. Cut up some small pieces of location along a dark Cape Cod beach? experience large schools of big bass roam pogie or mackerel and walk down along Now that would be an experience. into. There’s a lot of ground to cover, so the shore, tossing chunks as you go. This timing, tide, wind direction and mobility way you’ll create a 100 yard or longer So when picking a specific spot to fish this all play a big role. (depending on how far you want to walk) Fall I’ve been sticking with the “go big or line of chummed shoreline. Tides and Techniques 5 For more Cape Cod fishing information be sure to check out www.myfishingcapecod.com

Sure Fire Tactics for Catching Stripers from Shore on Cape Cod 2012

Having all that scent in the water certainly This time of the year I have no trouble mouth of the estuary. Creek mouths and can’t hurt. Often times when I’m out in putting in long hours on the sand. After inlets (basically two names for the same the boat we will find bass just out of reach all, it really is now or never so go catch thing) offer many solid opportunities for of surf casters. I think chumming the ‘em up! folks casting pencil poppers, polaris style shore line could increase your odds of poppers, creek chubs and “walk the dog” attracting those bass which are “just out Take care and good luck, type lures. reach” in closer to the shore where you Ryan During the outgoing tide all the warm can cast to them. water that has been baking up in the I’ve also been experimenting with using Top Water estuary gets flushed out and meets the floats when the wind is blowing cooler water of open bays, harbors and offshore. Essentially I have been using the Plugging Creeks the open ocean – depending on the Cape wind to my advantage, and allow it to Cod estuary you are fishing. Estuaries and blow the float (and attached bait) way the and Inlets marshlands on Cape Cod are absolutely heck offshore. loaded with bait like sand eels, pogies, silver sides, crabs and a variety of other I’ll put together a post about this prey items. technique at some point, maybe once I actually catch a fish using floats! Although The outgoing current is a conveyor belt of I have not hooked up yet, I know this sorts delivering food to hungry bass and technique will work as it allows me to get bluefish. Any injured prey items will be an eel or chunk bait 200 plus yards swept out by the current towards the offshore if the wind is really blowing. ocean, plus many other schools of abandon estuaries during low tide, and In Conclusion head for deeper water located outside the estuary. Of course the only route to This weekend looks breezy but that could be a good thing for the surf casting deeper water is through the creek crowd. A strong NW wind could really When it comes to topwater plugging I mouth/inlet where predators like to hang turn things on at the Bay side beaches and have always had my best success at out. up around Provincetown. estuaries during the outgoing tide at the 6 For more Cape Cod fishing information be sure to check out www.myfishingcapecod.com

Sure Fire Tactics for Catching Stripers from Shore on Cape Cod 2012

Many different bait/lure options will work of 6 inch or larger offerings with heavy All the above plugs will work for bigger at creek mouths during the outgoing tide, duty hooks (often times some plugs come bass as well – just upgrade to the larger but in this post we’ll focus on topwaters, with hooks that are just not tough versions of each . because topwater plugs are a blast to use enough). and are extremely effective. How to Fish ‘Em A good all around setup that can handle When targeting stripers I’ve always had Match the Tackle to the Fish big bass while also being effective and fun on smaller fish is a Penn 440ssg paired good luck sticking with a slow to medium You never really know what size fish you with a medium action 6-7 foot rod. I try to speed retrieve. This holds true in most may encounter, however you can fishing scenarios for bass, whether you are pack on as much 50 pound braid as generally get an idea of the size of the fish possible (usually just under 150 yards) and using a swimming plug, a jig or a topwater before heading down to a creek. This is attach a 50 pound fluorocarbon leader via lure. important to consider for the “fun factor” a slim beauty knot. as well as the fact that too big an offering With pencil poppers and the Zara Puppy, achieving a “walk the dog” action is most and tackle that is too heavy will be Some of my favorite topwater plugs for ineffective at catching smaller fish that schoolies, small keepers and small bluefish effective. This is when the lure darts from left to right. This can be achieved with a may be in the area. consist of: medium-slow retrieve and a steady For example if I’m fishing a creek mouth . Zara Puppy pumping of the rod tip. It is more during April, I know that 99% of the bass in important to achieve an attractive side to the area are going to be micro- . Cotton Cordells side “walk the dog” action than anything schoolies. Therefore ultra light tackle . Small Gibbs Pencil Poppers (or a else – so I definitely recommend focusing paired with a 3 inch or so top water plug similar brand) on perfecting walking the dog. will be most effective. . Small Gibbs Polaris Poppers (or a The quality in the below video stinks, On the other end of the spectrum, if it’s similar brand) however it does do a good job of October and I’m fishing a creek mouth displaying the ideal “walk the dog” action. where large schools of monster migrating . Small Needlefish plugs bass are concentrating I’ll choose a The same sort of action works well with medium to heavy spinning setup with 50 pencil poppers. Work on matching your retrieve speed with a pumping action that pound braid. Topwater plugs will consist 7 For more Cape Cod fishing information be sure to check out www.myfishingcapecod.com

Sure Fire Tactics for Catching Stripers from Shore on Cape Cod 2012 makes the pencil popper dance from the Technique #1 outgoing tide. Sometimes this rip will sit a left to the right across the surface. ways offshore, out of casting range. If you’ve ever fished the Cape Cod Canal, Because creek mouth’s are a unique then you’ll be familiar with this In other instances the fish will be settled in landscape with many different pieces of technique. Cast at a 45 degree or less well out into the bay, harbor or open structure and swirling currents, different angle upcurrent and work the plug across ocean. In these situations the best action types of retrieves work better in different the surface until it is about 45 degrees is located well out of casting range. areas around the inlet. One of the most past you. productive areas to fish is the actual You can use the current to bring your Utilizing this technique you will only have topwater plug to the fish in these outgoing current. to reel in line during the first half of the scenarios. Simply fire your plug into the retrieve, while the current brings the plug middle of the current and keep your bail closer to you. During the latter part of the open. Allow your topwater plug to float retrieve no reeling of the line is along in the current (granted you have a necessary. Simply pump your rod to floating plug tied on) until it reaches the achieve the desired walk the dog or rip, or the area where you believe fish are dancing action and let the current do the holding. rest. Don’t reel the plug but instead just give it For whatever reason most of the strikes some action using the tip of your rod. You seem to occur from the mid-way point to can mix it up and give it some action, then the latter half of the retrieve. If a fish hits open the bail and allow it to float further and misses, try to not get too excited and out to see – then flip the bail and give it Topwater Plugging the Current simply maintain the same exact retrieve some more action. Mix things up until you Many times bass and blues will setup shop that initiated the hit in the first place. find a retrieve that produces. directly in the strongest section of the Technique #2 Topwater Plugging the Bars current. In these instances working a topwater plug directly in the center of the Many of Cape Cod’s inlets and creek The outgoing tide at most creeks and current or just off the side of the main mouths have a rip that forms during the estuaries builds up bars on each side of current is a good bet. the creek. Said another way you will often 8 For more Cape Cod fishing information be sure to check out www.myfishingcapecod.com

Sure Fire Tactics for Catching Stripers from Shore on Cape Cod 2012 have a deep channel full of current, with way to fish the outgoing tide at the mouth shallower sand or gravel bars to each side of a creek/estuary/inlet. of the deeper channel. For more topwater plugging tips and Bass and blues will cruise over these friendly help, be sure to give the below shallower bars and will also hold alongside video a watch. I had a blast putting it the deeper channel, right on the edge of together so I hope you watch it! the channel and the bar. Definitely don’t forget to work these bars, especially if And as always please leave any comments or questions you have at the bottom of working the main current is not producing. this post. Sometimes a cast into the current that swings the lure back on top of the bar can Thanks! be most productive. Many of the strikes will occur as the plug passes out of the current up onto the bar.

I always try to remember to bring my polarized sunglasses when fishing the bars because this can often be a great opportunity for sight fishing. It’s a lot of fun watching bass and blues cruise around, firing topwaters at individual fish and small schools as they meander around through the shallow water.

In Conclusion

Topwater plugging is hands down one of the most exciting ways to catch fish period. Topwater plugging is an excellent 9 For more Cape Cod fishing information be sure to check out www.myfishingcapecod.com