The third week of April is still very early for Cape Cod striped bass fishing. According to fishing reports, the bulk of the migratory striped bass population is still to the south of Cape Cod, swimming off the shores of Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York. Millions of stripers are en route and will be arriving on Cape Cod any day now.

Because you are reading this Cape Cod fishing report, I would be willing to wager that you are chomping at the bit to catch a good size striped bass. This past week I have been catching fish in the 8 - 20 inch range which is great. Yet I am already feeling the call to fish areas that at least give me a slightly better chance of hooking a bigger specimen.

I am yet to catch a keeper bass during the month of April. My first keeper has always come during the first week of May. So even though it is early in the season, my goal for this trip was to catch a keeper striped bass. I might as well shoot for the stars.

My plan was to fish an estuary I thought may contain holdover striped bass above the 28 inch mark. I did not have much evidence to work from, despite seeing gannets dive bomb the surface of this estuary. Gannets are a good sign because they feed on medium size fish. If you encounter dive bombing gannets at this time of the year, you have most likely discovered an area with river herring.

Of course river herring are a big meal that attract large bass. I was eager to see what might happen.

Cape Cod Fishing Report April 19

I arrived at the estuary and headed right into the water. My plan was to wade around a small boulder field, before trekking back into the upper reaches of the marsh. If there was a bigger bass around, my best chance of catching him would be in the boulder field. My fall back plan was to target 15 inch stripers in the upper reaches of the system.

The sun was shining through small breaks in the ominous cloud cover. Rain was certainly falling to the west of me and heading my direction. A healthy and invigorating 25 knot breeze blew that oh so familiar salty sulfuric smell into my nostrils. It's nice being back on the beach.

Having the wind blowing at my back proved to be very helpful. Located just offshore of the boulder field was a deep cut in the estuary, where the water depth dropped considerably. I was able to easily reach this area with a cast because of the strong wind.

The incoming tide was sweeping along the shoreline, carrying unattached vegetation and tiny organisms along at a moderate pace. Small whirlpools developed behind the boulders, and I could feel the tug of the current on my waders. If there was a keeper striped bass around, then this would be the spot.

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