Thank goodness spring is nearly here because many of us are suffering from a bad case of cabin fever. However, cold air temperatures and a thick sheet of ice on local ponds means we might still have some waiting left to do.
Yet I can almost smell that first sunny 50 degree day...
If you really want to get excited for spring, then give the below video a watch. I recently filmed this video on a 20 degree day, but the abundant bright sunshine makes it easy to pretend that it's nice and warm.
Now that I have you "chomping at the bit" for spring, lets dive into 3 simple Cape Cod fishing trips to cure your case of cabin fever.
1) Fish The Canal For Something Other Than Striped Bass
Recently I fished the Cape Cod Canal (yes I really did just say that!) which you can read more about by clicking here. Of course I wasn't targeting stripers or bluefish, because they won't be around for at least another month.
Yet there are other species that inhabit the Canal during the winter. Right now you might be able to scrounge up a cod, pollock, whiting or other "winter" fish species.
If you've read any of the books written by Frank Daignault, then you may of heard stories of moby cod being caught from Cape Cod's beaches during the good ole' days. Yes it is possible to catch cod upwards of 40 pounds surfcasting the Cape during the cold weather months.
Unfortunately I feel your odds of catching such a large cod have greatly diminished, considering the depleted state of the cod stock, yet if you are really itching to get out there then cod fishing from shore could still be worth a shot.
It's A Simple Kind Of Fishin'
When I fished the Canal the other day I decided to use fresh clam for bait. I feel bait is probably your best bet when targeting winter fish species like cod, whiting and pollock - however I am very open to suggestions!
The technique is pretty simple-find a fishy spot, toss out some bait, let it soak on the bottom and wait for a bite.
No it is probably not as exciting as top water plugging, but at this time of the year it's as good an excuse as any to get out of the house.
2) Take Advantage Of The Cape's Many Freshwater Fishing Opportunities
When the Cape was formed some 15,000 years ago, glaciers carved out deep holes and then melted. The places where glaciers melted became kettle ponds that now offer great fishing opportunities.
If you've been following the MFCC blog for a few years now, then you may have noticed that I am more of a saltwater guy than fresh. Yet last summer I spent a day away from the ocean, fished one of the Cape's many ponds, and had a blast catching large mouth bass and big pickerel.
The experience reminded me of how much I used to love freshwater fishing as a kid, and this season I definitely plan on doing more freshwater fishing-especially later this month and during the first part of April.
Some of the Cape's ponds are stocked with trout each spring. Check out this page from the MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife for a complete list of ponds that will receive trout sometime this spring.
3) Catch A Holdover (If Any Survived The Winter...)
Back in January I fished a few of the Cape's estuaries in search of holdover striped bass. I found plenty of stripers, as you'll see in the below video...
Virtually the entire American continent experienced severe cold weather this winter, which proved lethal for many of the striped bass that decided to spend the winter here on the Cape. The water, especially in shallow areas, became too cold for the fish.
Did any holdover stripers make it through the brutal winter?
I really am not sure, but you can bet I will give it another try very soon. Just being out there at this time of the season is good enough for me.
In my opinion, there's no better cure for cabin fever than some fresh salt air in your lungs 🙂
What do you think? Let me know by commenting below.
Tight lines and take care,
Ryan
Hey Ryan,
Whenever i hit the Ditch I always go “loaded for Bear” because of the current and conditions. This includes a 9 footer with lots of backbone. But what are these guys using that they can just flick an overhead cast with, like its a neighborhood pond?? I see many videos and I wonder if they’re using REAL light spincast rods? If so, dont you need to get close to the middle of the Ditch for more success? Id love to be able to avoid the ‘ol Pendulum or OTG cast, but thats all i can do to load up this heavy action rod. help!
Hey Steven – thanks for chiming in!
At the Canal I have typically fished with a 10.5 or 11 foot rod. Right now I’m using an 11 ft.Tsunami rated for 2-6ounces and I can huck it pretty far out there. I think it cost around $150 from Dicks Sporting Goods.
In the past I’ve used Lamiglas and a lot of guys swear by St. Croix. I feel you’ll get more distance from these rods, but a lot of it boils down to casting mechanics.
The guys I know that can reach the middle, and even further have great casting form and top notch gear.
What kind of reel and line are using? Often times that is more important than the rod.
Here’s a book/video idea that you could do: “Fishing the Cape Along All Its Shoreline”. You could do a complete tour of every town and all its beaches and hidden spots with access directions where possible. If you get input from guys like Lou Mackiel and Terry Tessein (Cape Cod Salties I know) you would have a winner I think. Combined with your video skills. Or do a series of TV shows with one for each section of the shoreline. I would buy it. Dick
Great input!
Ideas like yours Dick really help spark new content for the site.
Maybe I will be able to meet Lou and Terry this summer, when I visit the Salties in late August.
Another very interesting , well informed , and nicely written article . ” keep ’em Coming ! “
Thanks Walter! Plenty more to come in the pipeline.
Hi Ryan,
This sure has seemed like the longest winter ever! Can’t wait to troll some live eels in the kayak for some bass. Also can’t wait to try and land some slob tuna on the bank! I’m going to be fresh water fishing for sure in the next 4-5 weeks till I start hitting the salt hard. My dad doesn’t fish much anymore just with my kids once in awhile, but now that he has been taking his camper to the canal for a week or two in the summer he asked if I could give him a setup for stripers. I was thinking I would give him a shimano orca 6inch mackerel to sling for a bit in the morning or at night. What do you think?
Hey Adam – it has been a long winter!
Sounds like you have some serious fishing plans in store, which is awesome.
I feel like the Shimano Orca 6 inch mackerel would work just fine. I also think the 9 inch Sebile Magic Swimmer slow-sinking would also work well for him.
Either way he can’t go wrong, tell him gluck for me!
Ryan, this is timely info for us year-rounders who are starting to feel the Spring sun and want an excuse to blow off taxes and other chores. I am interested in anything you can add regarding Shad and White Perch and even Salter trout in the estuaries. I may give it a shot with bait or flyrod at the Herring River dike in Wellfleet. Dick
The spring sun sure is starting to feel nice. Hopefully it’ll hit 50 degrees today!
Interesting idea with the shad, white perch and trout. I have caught shad and sea run brown trout before in estuaries while targeting stripers. The trout came during a sunny winter day way back in an estuary.
Have you had success before with white perch?
Hi Ryan, I guess we all have cabin fever. One bright spot this winter is plenty of ice fishing. We still have over 12″ in central ma. We should get at least another weekend on the ice. It’s not Striper fishing but it will do for now.
That was too bad about the winter-kill. I hope there were some survivors. One of our early spots usually has some holdovers. They are kind of beat-up compared to the new arrivals-do you find this to be true in your areas also?
I absolutely love the videos flying over the dunes and beach-I need to get some sand in my shoes! It’s good that you haven’t flown it into the drink yet.
As far as the fresh water fishing on the Cape – I know it can be outstanding, I just can’t force myself to stop and try it when the surf is calling me..can you spell addiction?lol
Absolutely. This past winter sure treated the ice-fishers well. I may have to get into ice fishing more next season.
I definitely find that the holdovers look more “beat up” contrasted to the fresh arrivals. I’m guessing it must have something to do with spending months on end sitting in a muddy bend in the creek. No thank you!!! 🙂
With regards to your surfcasting addiction – you and me both….
Great Job on the video you could almost see the fish breaking. I’ll be manning the Rhody Fly Rodders booth at the RISSA fishing show next Saturday if you get a chance stop by and say hello
Thanks Bob…I can’t get enough of the dune/beach landscape. Just a great place to spend a morning.
I’m not going to be able to make the show next weekend, but I hope we’ll cross paths during 2014. Thanks and gluck with your booth!