Ryan Collins
Massive schools of adult pogies (also called menhaden and bunker) have appeared off Cape Cod in record numbers.
Large striped bass, bluefish, seals and even giant bluefin tuna have been taking advantage of this epic nearshore feeding opportunity.
Most of the enormous schools of adult pogies have been swimming close to the shoreline in this area of Cape Cod. It did not take long for myself and My Fishing Cape Codders Brian and Jack McCowan to locate the giant schools during a trip we made on the morning of August 3rd.
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Upon locating the first school we immediately stopped the boat and began casting treble hooks towards the pogies. The idea was to snag a live fish and then use it for bait.
Based on the sonar markings it was obvious that large striped bass​ and bluefish were trailing the schools of pogies. The menhaden were moving quick because 10-15 pound bluefish were just yards behind.
The bluefish crushed our gear, and Brian, Jack and myself spent a lot of time re-rigging and untangling lines. Yet it was all well worth it. None of us had ever witnessed such an insane amount of adult pogies.
Stripers
​The schools continued to move in a northerly direction through this area of Cape Cod. Soon we found ourselves well offshore.
Only problem was the pogie schools we encountered in deep water had no predators trailing them, so by midmorning we headed back in towards the coast.
That was when the bass showed up.
Fish from small keepers all the way up to high 20 pound class stripers were cruising through the turquoise water slamming pogies. Immediately we all started hooking up wth some pretty nice fish!
Handlining
By midmorning we had all caught fish. The weather was perfect and it looked like the bite may continue into the afternoon. I decided the time was right to try a new technique, which I've been eager to try ever since fishing in Costa Rica.
The technique is called handlining and it is extremely simple. All that is involved is a hook, some line and a plastic spool.
Successfully playing and landing a fish is all up to the angler. There is no mechanized drag or fishing rod to assist in the fight.
Catching a bass or blue on a handline is a far greater challenge than catching one on a rod and reel. Plus some of the hits on the handline were incredible!
Expect a full handline update with video tomorrow here on MFCC.
In the meantime MFCC members can download the location of the area we fished during this trip by clicking the orange DOWNLOAD button below.
Another great day on the water. Thanks for coming down and going out with us. Always learn something new with you on the boat. Let’s get back out there soon!
Always a pleasure fishing with you buddy. Looking forward to the next trip.
My sister saw the pogies hit nauset beach south of the protected area, was apparently quite a frenzy. Next day the same area was a stinking mess from all the carcasses that stranded on the beach.
I can only imagine. I also heard a story of a 500 pound giant bluefin tuna beaching itself while chasing the pogies in shallow water.
Wow, that is nuts Ryan. This is fairly rare, correct? I’ve never heard of pogies hanging around the backside.
According to some very well respected Cape fishermen, there have not been pogies like this in the last 30 years!
I remember seeing tons of pogies back in April of this year while kayak fishing the Cape’s bays, harbors and estuaries.
They seemed to disappear from late May thru the middle of July but they are back, and I hope they stick around through the fall.
Love the videos. Pogie heaven.
So many pogies