A Central Massachusetts native who now calls Cape Cod home, Anthony Besaw's journey from freshwater to saltwater fishing reflects his deep-rooted passion for the sport.
Anthony exemplifies the heart of MFCC—a dedicated angler whose genuine connections and community spirit have transformed forum friendships into lifelong bonds.
Click play below to listen to our interview with Anthony, or continue scrolling for a written summary of the topics discussed.
Anthony's Fishing Background
Originally from Worcester, Anthony’s Cape Cod passion began during childhood family vacations from Barnstable to the Outer Cape. The 1999 purchase of a 19-foot Bayliner Trophy center console launched his saltwater obsession, expanding adventures from Cape waters to Rhode Island and Florida.
Raised at his grandparents’ lake house targeting bluegill and largemouth, with his father and grandfather competing in BASS tournaments, Anthony learned from exceptional teachers. That foundation led to remarkable saltwater achievements: landing a 35-pound striper on 6-weight fly tackle at Race Point as a teenager, his first 111-inch bluefin in 2020, annual Michigan steelhead trips, and recent tuna adventures with fellow MFCC member Chris Gonyer.
Anthony with a monster 111 inch giant bluefin tuna.
For Anthony, fishing provides essential head-clearing and nature connection, whether by boat, kayak, or surf. But MFCC represents something deeper—a community sharing knowledge, supporting success, and rallying during emergencies or charitable causes.
Anthony’s pride in our community reflects what makes MFCC special: transforming shared fishing passion into genuine family bonds that extend far beyond the water. Anthony would also like to give a special shoutout to MFCC member Nick Caparell for all the wonderful trips on his boat! 🙌🏻
Finding Success with False Albacore
Catching false albacore can prove particularly challenging from shore or boat, but Anthony has found success on the water by adapting his techniques.
Anthony has discovered success using a combination of Albie Snax and epoxy jigs, but his most innovative approach came through vertical jigging. "When they were under the boat and we vertical jigged, it actually produced a decent amount of fish," Anthony shared.
Anthony with a 2025 false albacore caught on the old reliable Albie Snax, while fishing with fellow member Chris Gonyer.
When vertical jigging for albies, he recommends targeting water depths between 60 and 90 feet, particularly around the Elizabeth Islands, while cautioning that shallower waters often result in catching sea bass instead.
Striped Bass Highlights
For stripers, Anthony's preferred techniques include using Albie Snax in the off-color amber variety and spooks. He is predominantly practicing catch and release along the southside of the Cape and Buzzard's Bay, although during the spring of 2025 he began exploring the flats of Cape Cod Bay.
The fall run has proved especially productive in recent years, with some outings yielding up to 50 fish. Working the back bays of Buzzards Bay in a small tin boat with a friend, Anthony has encountered an encouraging mix of sizes, including the smaller class fish of stripers that has been notably absent in the spring.
During the spring of 2025 Anthony teamed up with several MFCC members for a nighttime surfcasting trip into Cape Cod Bay that ended up being a night none of them will soon forget.
Tackle and Techniques
Anthony's approach to tackle selection reflects both his conservation mindset and effectiveness on the water. He consistently carries four rods rigged with different setups when targeting false albacore, allowing for quick transitions as fish preferences change throughout the day.
For striped bass, his primary choice is the Albie Snax in the "off-color amber" variety - a unique clear pink variation that has proven consistently effective across multiple seasons. He prefers single-hook configurations to minimize harm to the fish, aligning with his catch-and-release philosophy. Spooks were particularly productive during the spring run, offering an effective alternative when conditions called for different presentations.
In addition to his love of fishing, Anthony also has a passion for plug building. You can see many of his creation by visiting the Lure Building Should Come With a Warning topic inside our forum.
When targeting false albacore by boat, Anthony emphasizes the importance of proper boat positioning and stealth. He found that traditional run-and-gun tactics can be less effective, as the fish prove exceptionally wary of engine noise. His solution involves positioning the boat to utilize wind and tide, allowing for strategic drifts into feeding pods. This approach, combined with his vertical jigging technique in deeper waters, has helped to put albies in the boat.
During the fall run, Anthony has had remarkable success in shallow back bays along the southside and in Buzzards. Operating from a small tin boat with just a trolling motor, he proved that sophisticated equipment isn't always necessary for productive fishing. His willingness to fish during challenging weather conditions - including one notably successful outing during a significant storm with 30+ mph winds and heavy rain - highlights the importance of "scratching that itch" no matter the weather.
In addition to his fishing pursuits, Anthony dedicates winter months to lure building, focusing particularly on glide baits and spooks. This hands-on approach to tackle development provides him with unique insights into lure action and fish behavior, while also allowing him to fine-tune his presentations for specific conditions.
Community Impact
As an active MFCC member, Anthony emphasizes the value of community information sharing. "Everyone on there, it's a big give-take community. Everyone's out there trying to help everyone on the website," he explains. Rather than chasing specific spots or blitzes, Anthony uses the forum's information to guide his general approach and location selection.
Anthony's experience demonstrates that success in fishing often comes from a combination of traditional techniques, innovative approaches, and a willingness to adapt to changing conditions. 🎣
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