In today's podcast and blog post, longtime MFCC member Gretchen Stiers discusses her fishing journey, memorable catches, and the strong sense of community she's found through My Fishing Cape Cod.
As a resident of Eastham, MA and MFCC member since 2020, Stiers has become an active participant in both the forum and local fishing community.
We cover a lot in today's podcast and post!
Click play below to start listening, or scroll down to access a table of contents and written version (with photos and links to additional resources) of everything we cover.
Finding Her Path to Cape Cod Fishing
Stiers' journey into Cape Cod fishing began with a surf casting lesson at Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, offered by the National Seashore.
"It only took that one lesson and I was totally hooked," she recalls. While she enjoys all forms of saltwater fishing, surf casting has become her primary passion, with striped bass being her favorite target species.
One of Gretchen's passions is surfcasting the beaches of the Outer Cape.
Surfcasting for stripers is a passion for Gretchen, but when the action from shore is slow, Gretchen makes up for it by joining many of the weekly group fishing trips that are offered to My Fishing Cape Cod members. In particular, Gretchen has encountered great action on these trips, catching striped bass, false albacore and black sea bass.
One consistent bright spot throughout the season was the fishing around Monomoy. "That was amazing," Stiers shares. "Just consistently hot." Through MFCC's group charter trips, she was able to join several successful outings with Captains Tyler and Cullen, targeting various species.
Gretchen's Favorite Lures
According to Gretchen, lure and bait selection play a crucial role in targeting striped bass and other species on Cape Cod.
Here are some of Gretchen's favorite lures:
Pictured here is MFCC member Gretchen Stiers with a solid striped bass caught using an Albie Snax lure (one of her favorites) from an Outer Cape Beach.
Surfcasting Strategies
Location plays a significant role in surfcasting success. According to Gretchen, different geographic regions on Cape Cod, such as Race Point versus Sandwich or Bourne, may yield varying results depending on the season.
Time and patience are key—regular casting, changing spots, and adjusting techniques are necessary to find fish consistently. A tactic that's worked for Gretchen has been using tackle that covers different water columns, from topwater plugs to mid-column lures and deep-diving metals.
During our conversation, we also chatted about how surfcasters must also adapt to changing conditions, including weather, tide, and fish behavior. Flexibility is essential, as switching from topwater to sinking lures can make a significant difference.
Community and Connection
Pictured here is Gretchen (center) alongside Carol Girard Irwin (far left), Jean Lapienne (left), Ryan Collins and Amy Wrightston (far right) at MFCC 2025 Women Anglers' Meetup at Fishermen's View Restaurant.
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of MFCC membership for Stiers has been the connections she's made with fellow anglers. "It's really that sense of community," she explains, "getting to know people both in person and through the forum and blog, being able to share knowledge that you gain, techniques, things that have worked."
She particularly appreciates the opportunity to connect with other female anglers through MFCC. "It's been especially wonderful to hook up with other women and to get to know other women who enjoy fishing as much as I do," Stiers notes. "To have that kind of safe space... that's been a real benefit."
Looking Ahead
As Stiers looks forward to next season, she has set her sights on catching her first recreational bluefin tuna. She remains enthusiastic about the opportunity in the coming year.
Beyond her personal fishing goals, Stiers is expanding her involvement in the Cape Cod fishing community. She currently serves as President for the Cape Cod Salties fishing club.
Gretchen with a beautiful striped bass caught during a MFCC group fishing trip.
When asked to describe MFCC to those unfamiliar with the organization, Stiers emphasizes its role as more than just a fishing club: "It's an online fishing club that really is a way to learn more than just fishing techniques, it's a way to meet people and to create community, and it really is a way to learn about the fisheries around Cape Cod."
Closing Thoughts
Throughout my conversation with Gretchen I kept thinking about how impressed I was by her passion in the sport. Fishing is a male dominated endeavor, but more and more women anglers (especially on MFCC) are showing an interest in fishing.
Gretchen is not just a wonderful ambassador for these female anglers, but she's also a wonderful ambassador for all of My Fishing Cape Cod. It was a pleasure speaking with her and it's terrific having her as an MFCC member!
Tight lines and take care 🎣
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