Fly fishing in Cape Cod is an unforgettable journey that leaves anglers wanting extra. All alongside its prolonged shoreline, Cape Cod supplies a wealth of alternatives for fishers of all ability ranges. Bays, estuaries, jetties, salt ponds, flats, and inlets, in addition to offshore currents, make this the right habitat for quite a lot of species. The range of fishing choices lure anglers from everywhere in the nation – and fly fishermen are not any exception.
Cape Cod is a mecca for fly fishing fans. We’re not exaggerating. There are many productive waters, breathtaking seashores, various marine life, and picturesque landscapes. In actual fact, generally Cape Cod could be a bit overwhelming with all its magnificence – even for essentially the most skilled angler. That’s why we’re right here.
On this information, we’ll speak about every thing you’ll want to find out about fly fishing in Cape Cod. You’ll study concerning the what, how, and when of the native scene. Let’s dive proper in.
Why Cape Cod?
To begin with, Cape Cod is dwelling to a few of the most pristine waters within the nation, if not the entire world. It sits between the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Cod Bay, offering a habitat for a lot of fish species. From the saltwater flats to the seashores and tidal estuaries, there are limitless alternatives for fly anglers to check their expertise.
One of many important causes Cape Cod is so fashionable with fly anglers is the abundance of Striped Bass. Nonetheless, you’re not restricted to only Stripers. You possibly can chase Albacore within the open ocean or goal Bonito, Bluefish, and different implausible recreation fish. Take these wonderful targets and mix them with beautiful surroundings, sandy seashores, vibrant marshes, and rolling dunes, and it’s immediately clear why fly fishing in Cape Cod is so distinctive.
What can I catch whereas fly fishing in Cape Cod?
So, Cape Cod affords a various vary of fish species for fly fishing fans. However every species is a problem, particularly on the fly. Let’s speak about our favourite catches…
Striped Bass
Ask any native fly fisherman, and so they’ll let you know that the annual Striped Bass migration is the most effective time to go to. These adaptable fish may be discovered all through Cape Cod. All you need to do is locate the proper spot and the suitable gear. Since a number of locals give attention to preventing the fish quite than casting, you may pack a 9 or 10 wt rod.
Offshore Stripers choose places the place deep water tidal currents collide with shoals and bars. The shoals off Monomoy Island, which prolong south from the tip of Cape Cod’s elbow, create miles-long rips. These supply an amazing alternative to get your fly in entrance of feeding Bass, permitting anglers to launch giant bait fish or shrimp patterns, for instance. Locals additionally usually benefit from the blitz that’s created by the feeding frenzy when the bait is pushed to the floor and the fish are on the transfer.
Brewster Flats and its surrounding creeks and coves, and the Cape Cod Bay shoreline are good for bigger Striped Bass on the begin of the 12 months. In summer time, native anglers shift their focus to Monomoy Island and its flats, in addition to the outer seashores. Early and late-season Striped Bass are additionally out there in marshes and backwaters.
Bluefish
As we talked about earlier, fly fishing in Cape Cod isn’t restricted to only Striped Bass. Bluefish are one other fashionable recreation fish that hold anglers busy. These creatures are identified for his or her aggressive strikes and highly effective fights that may severely check your fly fishing expertise.
Much like Stripers, you’ll want to know the place to search out the proper spot. Bluefish are seasonal guests, arriving someday round mid-June and staying till mid-October. In the course of the summer time, smaller Bluefish patrol the native estuaries, bays, rivers, and saltwater ponds. Anglers usually search for their Bluefish blitz in offshore waters, though you may pursue them in Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean from Princetown all the way down to Nantucket, and from Monomoy Island to Martha’s Winery within the west.
When tempting Blues on the fly rod, any sample with numerous shine and colour will work properly. Usually, you’ll want to decide on patterns that imitate their favourite bait fish, comparable to surf candies, deceivers, and clouser minnows. A 9 or 10 wt rod with a floating line and a heavy sinker is really useful.
Bonito
Fly fishing for Cape Cod Bonito isn’t an expertise to be missed. Some locals say that you may really declare your bragging rights in the event you seize considered one of these oceanic predators with a fly rod from a seashore or jetty.
Bonito often start to crowd the native waters someday round mid-to-late summer time and keep till mid-October. At any time when these hydrodynamic speedsters chunk inshore, nearly all of fly fishermen and lightweight sort out anglers drop every thing and head out to fish. A 9 wt rod is an effective option to cowl quite a lot of situations. Anglers pack a sturdy reel with a easy drag in the event that they’re after an even bigger Bonito.
Bonito Alley on the west facet of Woods Gap is an effective place to start out, though discovering Bonito is one other problem. They typically choose waters which can be at the very least 8 toes deep, though additionally they make rushes into shallow water and inlets.
False Albacore
If there’s one different species responsible for the late summer time fishing fever, it’s False Albacore. These attractive fish hold fly anglers busy properly into September. However they’ll additionally make you journey far and huge to search out ’em.
You can begin your Alby journey by trying out the tide round Noboska after which transfer to Falmouth Outer Harbor. In addition to that, you may take a peek on the alley between the Winery and Norman’s, or discover the chunk round Monomoy Island. When you’re planning a late season journey, contemplate heading to Cape Pogue.
Plenty of locals name Albies the hardest-fighting inshore fish in Cape Cod. A fast-sinking line is an effective selection for fly fishing, together with correct flies comparable to Surf Sweet and Albie Wh*re.
The place can I am going fly fishing in Cape Cod?
When planning your subsequent journey, ask your self what’s your prime goal. There are lots of nice fly fishing spots in Cape Cod, every with its personal distinctive traits and fish species. You possibly can bounce from one spot to a different, checking the western finish of West Dennis Seaside, transferring to the doorway to East Bay by means of the jetty close to Doses Seaside, or keep in Monomoy Island for the entire day.
Right here’s a fast listing of spots you would possibly need to contemplate:
- Monomoy Island: Situated off the coast of Chatham, Monomoy Island is among the hottest spots for fly anglers trying to catch Striped Bass, Bluefish, and lots of different species.
- Cape Cod Canal: This space is very identified for its wonderful Tautog fishing. If Stripers or Bluefish aren’t your important precedence, try what the canal has to supply.
- South Seaside: This can be a prime Striper and Bluefish spot situated in Edgartown, identified for its harsh winds. Plenty of South Seaside anglers often fish 2–3 hours earlier than full tide.
- Nauset Seaside: Nauset Seaside in Orleans is a good spot for fly fishing for Striped Bass, Bluefish, and different species.
- Brewster Flats: Situated off the coast of Brewster, the Brewster Flats are an enormous expanse of sandbars and tidal swimming pools. The principle focus right here is sort of at all times on Striped Bass.
- South Cape Seaside State Park: This park in Mashpee affords quite a lot of fly fishing alternatives for Striped Bass and Bluefish.
- Popponesset Bay: This bay is situated in Mashpee, luring Striped Bass and Bluefish lovers every time the season permits.
Professional tip: It’s by no means a foul thought to move out with an area information. There are numerous skilled captains specializing in fly fishing, every with their very own set of most well-liked honey holes. When you e-book a Cape Cod fly fishing constitution, you may discover numerous inlets and estuaries, jetties, seashores, and flats that you simply wouldn’t find out about in any other case!
Find out how to go fly fishing in Cape Cod?
It goes with out saying that fly fishing in Cape Cod requires a set of expertise and strategies to make sure a productive day on the water. The shallow waters, robust currents, and winds could make the expertise much more difficult, particularly in the event you’re not accustomed to the world. So, what gear must you put together when heading out in Cape Cod?
Cape Cod Fly Fishing Gear
A two-rod method may be helpful in the event you really feel that the fish are spooky. Think about packing an 8 wt rod with a transparent intermediate line for stealth and a 9 or 10 wt rod with a sinking line. You’ll need a rod with sufficient spine to deal with the wind and to forged giant flies, however nonetheless delicate sufficient to really feel the strikes.
Search for a high quality fly reel with a robust drag system and a capability of at the very least 200 yards of 30 lb check backing. A weight-forward floating line is a should for Striped Bass. In the meantime, an intermediate line is general the only option for deeper waters.
When you’re new to Cape Cod’s waters, a 9′ chief with a 20 lb tippet is an effective start line. You possibly can modify the size and energy to the situations, together with the flies every time vital. Your selection of flies depends upon what species you’re after. Usually, you’ll need to carry quite a lot of sizes and colours to match the situations and the totally different fishes’ preferences.
Be aware that fly line administration is essential, particularly if you’re working the flats. Ask any native, and so they’ll let you know that extra slack can rapidly flip into an issue. It’s necessary to maintain your line free from any potential obstacles.
Cape Cod Fly Fishing FAQs
Sure, all anglers are required to have a legitimate Massachusetts fishing license when fishing with out a licensed constitution. When you’re aged 15 or older, whether or not you’re a state resident or not, you’ll want a allow to fish in Cape Cod.
Early morning and late afternoon are usually the most effective occasions to fly fish in Cape Cod, though you’ll need to verify together with your information earlier than you head out. You’ll additionally want to concentrate to tides and winds whereas fly fishing.
Be at liberty to convey your personal tools or hire some gear proper in Cape Cod in the event you’re fishing by your self. When you’re heading out with an area fly fishing information, you’ll most probably be supplied with every thing you want for a profitable journey.
Total, the interval from Might by means of November is the most effective time for fly fishing in Cape Cod. Throughout this time, the temperatures are hotter, and the fish are extra energetic. Nonetheless, in the event you’re after a selected fish species, you would possibly need to tailor your journey accordingly. Might and June could be finest for Striped Bass, whereas July and September are prime for Bluefish and False Albacore. Bonito and Tautog chunk finest within the fall months.
Fly Fishing in Cape Cod: Each Catch Is a Trophy
From seashores to rivers, and out to the open ocean, Cape Cod is a fly fisherman’s dream. There’s no higher technique to uncover the native magnificence than by fly fishing. The realm has the right recipe to make everybody fall in love with its waters and every thing it has to supply. You actually need to strive it at the very least as soon as in your life. Watch out, although: fly fishing in Cape Cod is extremely contagious!
Have you ever ever been fly fishing in Cape Cod? Was it Striped Bass or False Albacore that made you fall in love with the native waters? Share your questions and fish tales within the feedback beneath!
