It's easy to walk right past some of the best water on Cape Cod because it looks like any other pile of rocks.
Today I want to share a secret. Boulder fields are fishy. Everyone knows that. But a boulder field with current sweeping through it is a different animal entirely. That's where big striped bass set up, wait, and ambush whatever the tide delivers to their doorstep.
On Wednesday morning, October 14th, I was standing in exactly that kind of place.
Before the Sun
I reached a spot in this area of Cape Cod before sunrise, on the tail end of the outgoing tide. The current was still ripping through the rocks. A southwest wind was pushing hard, close to 20 mph, and waves were breaking over the boulder I was standing on. The water was dirty, full of weed and sediment.
Working the boulder field at first light as the last of the outgoing tide sweeps through the rocks.
And it was warm. Last week I fished a 39-degree morning. On Wednesday it was in the 60s, with a summer-like day coming.
I tied on an old friend: a 6½" white slow-sinking Magic Swimmer. I take the tail hook off and put one heavy-duty treble on the belly, which means fewer fouled hook fish and easier releases. I fish it with a straight retrieve, moderate to fast, and pause every once in a while.
The 6½" slow-sinking Magic Swimmer, rigged with the tail hook removed and a single heavy-duty treble on the belly.
I've thrown this lure all over the world. It has caught jacks, mackerel, roosterfish, bluefish, and a lot of big stripers. It keeps earning its spot in my bag.
Cast Number Five
Maybe my fifth or sixth cast, the lure got crushed.
The fish hit less than 10 feet from the boulders, practically at my feet, and immediately started taking line. I knew it was a striper from the first head shake.
Then the tension set in. I had rocks all around me and snags everywhere, the wind was howling, and whitewater was washing over my footing. Every run toward the boulders made my stomach tighten.
But the fish came in. It was a beautiful striper, around 35 inches and well over the slot, glowing in that soft pre-dawn light that makes every bass look like a painting. I got a quick photo, made a quick release, and watched it swim off strong.
A quick photo of a 35 or so inch striper in the pre-dawn glow, just before she went back into the current.
It turned out to be my only fish of the morning. Bonito were busting offshore just past casting range, and the bonito rod I'd rigged never saw any action. That's fishing.
But one fish like that, from a spot I've trusted for years, is enough. It reminded me why I keep coming back. The current never stops doing its job.
Why I'm So Fired Up Right Now
It's October, and I feel confident going to the beach at almost any hour: dawn, night, even midday when the weather turns ugly.
Where am I heading next? I break down the areas of the Cape I’m most excited about for late October and early November, and share a map of this trip’s spot, exclusively for MFCC members, right here.
My takeaway from this trip: find moving water running through structure, and there's a good chance a nice bass will be lurking nearby.
A big fish could be 10 feet from your feet.
🎁 Giveaway: Win a Magic Swimmer
I'm giving 3 lucky MFCC members a chance to win a 6½" slow-sinking Magic Swimmer. It's the same lure that fooled this bass, but just a slightly different color.
To enter, just leave a fishing report in the comments below. Tell us what you've been up to this October, even if you've been skunked.
Haven't fished at all this October? No problem. Share a story from your 2026 season and you're entered.
Winners will be chosen at random on or around October 24th and announced in the comments.
Tight lines! 🎣
Ryan
Giveaway winners have been drawn! Congrats to Tommy, Tom and Vincent. Good luck to everyone who is able to get out this week!
Haven’t been out much this year. Did catch some nice tinker mackerel by Bug Light outside Plymouth Harbor.
I was out last Thursday for Tog in BB, and was able to get a 22″, 18″ and a few shorts. Hoping to get out again in a week and stock up the freezer.
Traded the plugs for crabs from shore this weekend. Lots of fish chewing. Wasn’t keeping/measuring but seemed to all be shorts, maybe a few just over. Count me in for the drawing please!
Last Saturday I had fun catching tog even though I had to sift thru plenty of shorts. I also caught 3 sculpin which I’ve never caught before. So that was kind of cool.
Thanks for the oppprtunity Ryan! I’ve actually never fished a magic swimmer. That sounds like fun. I’ve had a little luck in october, but not too much – lower and outer cape been pretty quiet. Not like past years. But i had a handful of fish in brewster and dennis. Hoping for a few more before the season comes to a close.
Chased weakfish & tog last week out of Falmouth. They’re both out there – go get’em!
Quick trip late afternoon to monomoy two days ago, just a little window before sunset, East side of the island was pretty rough still but came back to the sound side of Handkerchief and got one small striper and a few 3-5 pound blue fish on swimming plugs. Beautiful sunset!
For a variety of reasons and excuses, I only made four short trips in October. Two were surf fishing in saltwater and two were in freshwater. The only catches were by my seven year old grandson who had a ball catching banded killifish, pumpkinseed and yellow perch at two kettle ponds. The closest I came to catching was when three trout cruised by my lure. But there’s still hope with lots of October left…
We went togging last week out of Norwalk, Ct. Got 2 keepers. Going out again tomorrow morning with my grandson.:blush:
I have been fishing for Tautog and Sea Bass in Buzzards bay. You have to go through the short fish but the Keepers are there.