The waters around the west end of the Cape Cod Canal and Hog Island Channel are truly one-of-a-kind. There are strong currents, lots of rocks and boulders, and oftentimes lots of boat traffic.
There are certain conditions here that can create potential hazards on the water.
In particular, the combination of a strong south running current from the Cape Cod Canal, colliding with a strong southwest wind can create 6+ foot standing waves at Hog Island Channel, which are large enough to capsize a small vessel.
In the following video we interview captain Shawn Brule of TowBoatUS Cape Cod/Plymouth, who regularly provides towing assistance for broken down boaters in the Buzzard's Bay area.
After performing hundreds of tows through Hog Island Channel, Shawn has learned a thing or two about the nuances and potential hazards of this area.
Please click play below to watch!
Do you have experience in Hog Island Channel?
Please let us know by leaving a comment below.
Without a doubt the west end of the Canal is one of the most popular areas for MFCC members to fish. It's a hot spot during the season for striped bass, bluefish, fluke, albies and tautog.
Our goal in sharing this video is to make all boaters on MFCC aware of the potential dangers of Hog Island Channel when the southwest wind is blowing against the current.
Tight lines! 
I fished this area regularly by boat for a dozen years. Fishing is safer during an incoming tide. The current from the canal will be rushing to the east (Sagamore) at this time. Fish mornings, dawn to 11 am to minimize wind.
Fish the outer Phinney’s Harbor. In the incoming tide the current will slowly drift your boat towards the canal. Fish the shoreline during the drift. Outside the harbor but north of the Mashnee Flats (4-10’ depth) there is a submerged rock pile that holds bait. Find stripers there during the migration periods & Albies there in the fall. Birds will help you find this spot. Mashnee Flats are a place to drift, generally holding small bass in the grassy areas. Certainly worth a few drifts if fishing is slow elsewhere.
Fish the tip of the dike (Abel’s Ledge). Depending on the tide, the current wraps around the ledge one direction or the other. Fish right up on the rocks and let your clouser sink as your line falls into deeper water.
I ALWAYS fished a sink tip line, often with two flies, one from a dropper loop 4-5’ ahead of the tip. Often had double hookups.
Don’t miss fishing the T/V Kennedy when it is tied up at Mass Maritime Academy. Throw clousers against the hull, let the current take your line under the ship. Count between 3-10 before stripping the line to find the fish. Also, fish the hull from left to right to locate them. They are Always there. Just to the left of the Kennedy, there is a flat that drops off suddenly from 3’ to 15’. Cast your clouser over the flat, let the current take it over the edge to deeper water where the bass hold.
The west end of the canal is a great place to find fish! Rainy days will find schools of bass feeding on the surface a half mile west of the canal opening.
Sept-Oct is a great time to find Albies in or just outside the Canal. It can get wild. A lot of run n gun fishing as the Albies run up & down the outer canal. BUT be aware the canal police do not permit fishing in the channel. Back off if you see the patrol boats out. You could get fined or worse. Also, fish for Albies on the Vineyard Sound side of Woods Hole. You will find them all over Nobska Point. Be aware of and learn where the rocks are. The Albies cruise Nobska and up the beach to the east.
I have more. You can contact me at [email protected]
Bret Bokelkamp
Great comment Bret. Thank you for taking the time to share all that!
I see us tow boats out there and that’s great. The one thing that wasn’t mentioned was how the fog can roll in quickly on you.
Ryan: Experience has taught me to visit the link below when planning a trip to the west end of the CC canal. First I view predicted tides & currents for the west end to determine when conditions will be most favorable. This site also provides tidal information for other sites inside and around the canal. I also check other sites to view predicted winds (SW) for the area.
https://tidesnear.me/current_stations/1762
You are quite right about the standing waves at Hog Island Channel. Years ago I delivered a Cheoy Lee 44’ from Quincy to South Dartmouth and encountered the aforementioned waves. I’m glad there was 44’ of boat underneath me. Anything less would have been treacherous.
So true Stephen. If you take that route again, an incoming tide will minimize the incoming waves at the west end of the canal. However you will be pushing against the tide through the canal.
Morning passage before 11 will minimize wind, also reducing the size of rather famous Buzzards Bay Chop. Mid afternoon on an outgoing tide (west current) would be the toughest time.