September 14 2016

Albies are Everywhere!

20  comments

Ryan Collins

48 hours ago I encountered the most epic albie feeds of my life while fishing off Cape Cod, in the hobie kayak from Sturgis Boatworks.

Throughout this memorable day I watched at least one thousand albies as they fed all over the surface.

I saw fish as large as 12 pounds go flying through the air as they chased bait up and down the shoreline. For me the albies were finicky, but I am happy to report I was able to land 3 albies and illicit several strikes from others.

Later in the day I learned that several other anglers had landed as many as 20 albies! In particular I watched one "dialed-in" kayak angler hook up with fish after fish using some sort of small metal lure.

The albies have moved in thick off Cape Cod, and today I received word of big schools of albies blitzing right in the surf in tight to the beach. Get all the details in the full report by clicking the orange button below.

Members-Only Report

Information about the areas I fished and techniques used during this trip. Additional photos, videos and detailed information about the albie bite off Cape Cod.

  • Great videos, all of them are keepin me smiling”, especially liked the one where you forgot to bring your rod, Like I”ve never done that either!!

  • My car was broken near this time was wondering if there is new news of were they might be now. Was thinking of trying for them sometime this week if the wind calms down a bit.

    • As of Thursday September 22nd there were good schools of albies off Bass River over towards Monomoy.

      This past weekend albies were off the West End of the Canal with a fair amount of boats chasing them around.

      Albies have also made their way into the canal and several members here have caught them from the banks of the canal. During the east tide small pods of albies have even made their way to the east end.

  • I was out with Capt Cullen last Friday for Albies. My first time – and never expected the fight. I was like a kid pulling in a whale… I wasn’t ready and the fish completely over powered me.. He was dragging me to the front of the boat – back of the boat – under the boat – around the engine… once I lost control it was over… kept running and when I would get him close he would run again. It was hilarious – I am sure Capt Cullen was secretly laughing at the “Rookie”!…

    Anyway – great time – and I will be ready for next time.

    • Nice Steve! I am glad you guys got into some fish.

      They are a ton of fun and so easy to find/catch some days, then so difficult to find/catch the very next.

      Keep me posted if you try for albies again.

    • Absolutely a lot of work and I think getting lucky also helps. I tried from shore this weekend with Bill Couture who is a member of MFCC.

      Bill had never before caught an albie but he managed to catch a nice 4 pounder from the beach. Not bad way to catch his first-ever albie!

  • Were you tied directly onto the lure or using a leader? Albies can see any leader over 20 pound test with their excellent eyesight, even fluorocarbon.

  • Ryan, it’s time to break out the fly rod for Albies. Tie on any clear sparkly fly. A clear epoxy like Bob Popovich’s Surf Candy, a clear Clouser, Dave Skok’s Mushmouth, Richard Reagan’s Albie Whore (yes that’s really the name), Crease flys or Gummy Minnows.
    I would use clear fly line as well.
    Keep the rod low and sideways when playing the fish, not up in the air. That way the line stays in the water and the water resistance will help you tire out the fish. You can also “Palm” the reel to help your drag. Many fly reel drags are over matched by the speed and power of Albies

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