Andrew Burke
MFCC Intern
The moment I crossed the Sagamore bridge and looked down at the Cape Cod Canal, I simply couldn't resist the urge to wet a line.
When I finally arrived at home for Thanksgiving break, I wasn't in the house for more than 10 minutes before I was out the door again with my freshwater rod.
I had my sights set on catching any freshwater fish I could, whether it be bass, trout, or even chain pickerel. Catching a fish would surely help the cure the fishing bug that had suddenly gotten ahold of me!
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Exploring a Cape Cod
Kettle Pond
I am by know means a freshwater expert, but I enjoy regularly fishing the kettle ponds scattered throughout Cape Cod. Most larger kettle ponds are home to largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and yellow perch. Some of these ponds are even stocked by the state with a supply of rainbow, brown, and brook trout.
The particular pond I was fishing this trip is loaded with all of the species previously mentioned, making for a great freshwater fishery. However, this pond also has a species that is not quite as common in freshwater, the alewife.
Both herring and alewives make their way into the freshwater ponds of Cape Cod to spawn. I was lucky enough to encounter a huge number of alewives congregating near the freshwater side of a herring run...
Matching the Hatch
With all this bait around, surely there must be some freshwater predators nearby looking for a quick meal!
In an effort to mimic the forage, I tied on a Rapala Shadow Rap in bone color.
I also chose to remove one of the lures three treble hooks, and crush the barbs.
I fan casted around the immediate area of the herring run, and it didn't take long to hook up...
About the author
Caught a PB 8.53# and A 6.79# Largemouth out of the cape ponds this week.. Porkers
Awesome fish, especially for December!
Great report Andrew, I made it out thanksgiving morning and was able to catch some nice bows. The pond I’m fishing the water level is sssoooo low the herring run is cut off so the alewives have no where to go. Hopefully the fishing will stay hot for a while.
Nice Ryan! I think we’re supposed to get some rain this week, so hopefully that brings the water level up enough so those little guys can escape. Tight lines!
I enjoyed your report Andrew. Very impressed that you figured out the answer to the puzzle and found out how to get some hits!
Thanks Dex! Hope the fish are treating you well too!
Great report Andrew ! Those fish are getting big with all the forage fish ????????????
They certainly are! Glad you enjoyed!