I'm excited to announce we've organized a bunch of new group fishing trips that will be happening this July! Group fishing trips are an easy way for My Fishing Cape Cod members to experience some of the best fishing Cape Cod has to offer, at affordable per person rates.
Specifically we'll be offering:
Registration for July trips will take place Saturday June 28th at 9am. In the rest of this blog post we'll cover more information and details about these adventures. Let's dive right in!
Dates & Prices
All of the striper, overnight canyon, and rec tuna trips listed below will be available when online registration opens on Saturday June 28th at 9am.
Striper Trips: $289/person
Early morning departures unless otherwise stated.
Tuesday July 1st
Wednesday July 2nd
Saturday July 5th (11am departure)
Monday July 7th
Wednesday July 9th
Sunday July 13th
Tuesday July 15th
Friday July 18th
Monday July 21st
Wednesday July 23rd
Thursday July 24th
Saturday July 26th (mid morning departure)
Sunday July 27th
Monday July 28th
Wednesday July 30th
Overnight Canyons: $1,599/person
July 20-21
Rec Bluefin Tuna: $589/person
Wednesday July 2nd
Tuesday July 8th
Tuesday July 22nd
Overnight Canyons Trip: July 20-21
Fishing the offshore canyons 100 miles to the south of Cape Cod is an experience unlike any other! This is where the warm water of the Gulf Stream collides with the edge of the continental shelf.
Mass amounts of baitfish draw mahi, marlin, tunas, swordfish, wahoo and other pelagic sport fish to this incredibly special place.
And today I am pumped to report that I've booked a July 20-21 overnight canyons trip with one of New England's best offshore captains, Willy Hatch of Machaca Sport Fishing!
Captain Willy (center with the halibut) is highly regarded as an expert when it comes to fishing the Canyons, as well as in other fisheries up and down the East Coast and even in Latin America.
About Capt. Willy & His Boat the Machaca
Captain Willy has fished his entire life since graduating from Union College with a BS in Environmental Science and Fisheries. Aside from chartering and commercial fishing off the coast of Cape Cod, Willy has run charter & commercial boats in Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, North Carolina, Florida and the Bahamas.
His boat the Machaca is a 36 ft BHM which was totally rebuilt in 2014 with a new 400 hp cummins motor. This is a true lobsterboat and a very stable fishing platform for the offshore waters.
The Machaca is outfitted with top of the line fishing tackle and new Simrad electronics. The boat has a current USCG commercial safety inspection for 100 miles plus, and all safety equipment.
Willy is highly regarded as an authority on canyons fishing and comes highly recommended. You will be in good hands both from a safety and fish-catching perspective.
Captain Willy has decades of experience, an extensive network of contacts, and the technical fishing knowledge necessary to make the July 20-21 overnight canyons adventure the trip of a lifetime.
During this trip you will be heading 100 miles offshore to fish the legendary offshore canyons for yellowfin, bigeye, bluefin tuna, wahoo, marlin, mahi and whatever else comes up in the spread! You'll also have a great chance of hooking up with swordfish.
Fishing the Canyons 101
The most effective techniques at the Northeast Canyons include trolling and chunking. Trolling lures and medium- to select-sized ballyhoo are very effective, generating bites from mahi to marlin.
Vertical jigging with butterfly-style jigs targets fish holding deep in the water column, while live bait fishing can prove highly productive as well. Casting lures to breaking tuna and deep dropping for swordfish is also a real possibility.
In addition, you'll have a terrific chance of bringing home hundreds of dollars worth of seafood. Yellowfin tuna in particular are a favorite of mine for sushi, and their steaks freeze well.
Marlin are one of the most exciting offshore species, and during this trip you'll have a legit chance of hooking into one.
Trip Details
Members of My Fishing Cape Cod will be the only people able to reserve spots onboard this trip when registration opens at 9am on Saturday June 28th. Members may purchase spots for their non-member friends and family. The cost will be $1,599/person, plus tip which is not included (see below for estimated tip).
Last year our trips to the canyons were cancelled due to weather. Two of the members onboard those trips were rescheduled to this year's July 20-21 trip. Therefore there will be 2 spots available onboard this trip.
In the meantime, here are more details about this adventure:
If you'd like to learn more about fishing the canyons, then I invite you to check out some of my previous canyons fishing adventures by visiting this page on MFCC > Canyons Fishing.
Rec Bluefin Tuna Trips
Fishing for recreational bluefin tuna is perhaps the most adrenaline-pumping fishing Cape Cod has to offer.
And today I'm excited to report we've scheduled 3 rec bluefin tuna trips for July 2nd, July 8th and July 22nd with captain Willy Hatch of the Machaca out of Falmouth Harbor!
Captain Willy with a beautiful giant bluefin tuna. During the July 2, 8 and 22 trips you'll be targeting recreational-size bluefin tuna that you can bring home to eat.
About Capt. Willy Hatch
You may already know a bit about captain Willy after reading the section above about our July 20-21 overnight canyons trip. Willy has fished his entire life and has chartered and commercial fished off the coast of Cape Cod, Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, North Carolina, Florida and the Bahamas.
Like all of our MFCC group trip captains, Willy has an extensive network of contacts to help him stay on the fish. His boat the Machaca is a 36 ft BHM-a true lobsterboat and a very stable fishing platform for the offshore waters.
The Machaca is outfitted with top of the line fishing tackle and new Simrad electronics. The boat has a current USCG commercial safety inspection for 100 miles plus, and all safety equipment.
During these trips you'll likely be trolling for tuna south of Martha's Vineyard, but you may fish other areas and use different techniques. Captain Willy is setup to do whatever it takes to put tuna on the boat.
He has all the gear and expertise required to troll, cast plugs, vertical jig and fish bait. It all just depends on where the best tuna fishing is happening and what's working the best.
One of captain Willy's many happy clients, with a recreational size bluefin tuna caught on a jig using spinning tackle.
Not only is fishing for rec bluefin tuna exhilarating, but the meat of the bluefin is one of the most highly prized seafoods on Planet Earth.
During these trips you'll have a great chance of hooking into Cape Cod's most powerful fish, and going home with a bag full of delicious tuna steaks. It's not unusual to go home with $400+ worth of tuna meat!
Seared or eaten raw, bluefin tuna is as good as it gets.
Trip Details
Members of My Fishing Cape Cod will be the only people able to reserve spots onboard these trips when registration opens at 9am on Saturday June 28th. However, members are welcome to purchase spots for their non-member friends and family. The cost will be $589/person.
Here are the details:
If you'd like to learn more about fishing for bluefin tuna, then I invite you to check out some of my previous tuna fishing adventures by visiting this tuna page on MFCC > Tuna & Offshore.
Striped Bass Trips
I'm thrilled to announce our upcoming July striper fishing trips with Captain Tyler Putney, a seasoned professional and good friend who's been delivering exceptional fishing experiences for our members year after year.
Tyler brings a unique combination of expertise and personality that makes every trip memorable:
Not only is Tyler plugged-in to the bite and consistently on the fish, but he's also a friendly and patient charter captain who we've worked with for several years. We've done well over 100 trips with Tyler!
Right off the bat, I like to let people know that you'll be supplied with your own light tackle spinning rod and reel. This makes the fishing experience a ton of fun!
On MFCC group trips, our preference is always casting plugs. Topwater fishing in particular is our favorite because you get to watch fish smash lures on the surface.
During striper trips we rarely troll and never use wire line.
If casting topwater plugs is not working, then you'll often switch to using subsurface lures or diamond jigs. If there's an opportunity, then you might live-line mackerel or pogies which is also a blast.
During these trips you'll be supplied with your own light tackle spinning rod and reel. Pictured here is longtime MFCC member Darren Jacobs. Darren does several trips with us each year, and he's one of our top returning customers!
Your Striper Fishing Platform
During these upcoming striper trips, Captain Tyler will provide you with direction and helpful assistance, but you'll be the one doing all the casting and fishing.
Beginners, as well as experienced anglers are both welcome. I'm confident you're going to enjoy the experience no matter what level of fishing experience you have.
Captain Tyler operates a 28' Whitewater Center Console specifically chosen for comfort and fishing performance:
- 2021 300hp Mercury outboard for reliable power and efficiency
- Top-of-the-line Simrad electronics for precision fish-finding
- Spacious, open fishing platform with ample deck space for casting and fighting fish
- Soft, stable ride that keeps you comfortable all day
- Mobile operation - Tyler trailers his boat to fish where conditions are optimal
Tyler's 28' Whitewater can easily accommodate up to 6 anglers, but to maximize fishing space for these striper trips, we limit the max number of anglers per trip to 4.
Trip Details
Duration: 5 hours from departure to return
Group Size: Maximum 4 anglers (reduced from boat's 6-person capacity for optimal space)
Departure Times: Typically 5am-8am (varies based on tides, weather, and fish location). All details will be emailed to you the day before your trip.
Equipment: All top-quality gear provided
Departure Location: Port varies based on conditions and fish location - you'll receive detailed instructions including departure time, location, parking info, and map the day before your trip.
"It was a wonderful trip. Met 2 other MFCC members and topped my previous personal best 2 times with the largest measuring 38”. Great day!" - Howard Hausman
Getting to Know Capt. Tyler
When he's not guiding fishing trips, Tyler stays connected to the water through boat maintenance and repair work. During the offseason he works on offshore fishing boats and sells clams that he harvests from his 12 foot tin boat.
We also filmed an episode of My Fishing Cape Cod TV with Tyler! In these videos we are targeting false albacore, not striped bass. However, you'll still be able to get a good feel and preview of what it's like to fish with Tyler onboard his 28' Whitewater center console.
Please click below to watch!
Video #1
Video #2
What Members Are Saying
Over the past few years quite a number of members have emailed me saying nice things about their trips with Tyler. Here's just a few examples of what people have been saying...
"Just wanted to give a shout out to captain Tyler. What a great day of fishing out at Monomoy. He had us on fish all day. It was my first time at Monomoy and what a beautiful place to fish." - Doug Jardine
"We had a great day fishing with Captain Tyler! Multiple whale sightings, saw a tuna chasing pogies, and caught our limit of keepers and a few above slot size! Tyler was very helpful and patient with us newbs." - Dave Spagnola
"Tyler was an outstanding guide. We covered more water in 5 hours than I think I ever have. I loved how he was very quick to move on if a particular area wasn’t producing." - Mike Elwood
"Yesterdays trip with Tyler was absolutely fabulous. Great captain, beautiful boat and perfect weather. The stripers and blues all cooperated to make a perfect trip. First time I've been on a charter since the late 90's. Well worth the wait." - David Shepherd
"I had a great experience with Tyler yesterday. He had a perfect way of getting us on the fish and made the time spent very enjoyable. I have had the pleasure of fishing with both Cullen and Tyler this year. They are both first class all the way." - Ken Ottariano
"It was a great trip! Captain Tyler excels at putting us on the fish!" - Elvin Atkins
"Had a great trip with Captain Tyler at the rips yesterday. We put over 30 fish on the boat. First four casts of the morning were hookups. Nice Bass and handful of Blues." - Jeff Cotto
"Captain Tyler was fantastic. Would rebook with him in a heartbeat. The trip was great!" - Jeff Carpenter
"Great time today. Birds all over the place. Hit the stripers early with a limit, and then Tautog with the same results. Tylers the best." - Ken Walker
Striper Trip Dates
These trips often fill up quickly, so don't wait to secure your spot for what promises to be an incredible striper fishing experience!
All of the trips listed below will be available when online registration opens this Saturday June 28th at 9am. The cost will be $289/person with a max of 4 anglers per trip.
Available dates:
Early morning departures unless otherwise stated.
Tuesday July 1st
Wednesday July 2nd
Saturday July 5th (11am departure)
Monday July 7th
Wednesday July 9th
Sunday July 13th
Tuesday July 15th
Friday July 18th
Monday July 21st
Wednesday July 23rd
Thursday July 24th
Saturday July 26th (mid morning departure)
Sunday July 27th
Monday July 28th
Wednesday July 30th
Fishing Trip Locations
The beautiful thing about our upcoming July group fishing trips is that captain Tyler and Willy go wherever the best fishing is taking place.
Both Tyler and Willy are on the water every day, plus they have extensive fishing networks and contacts that provide them with intel as to where the best striper and offshore fishing is taking place.
Overnight Canyon Trip Locations
Captain Willy's boat the Machaca is strategically situated in Falmouth Harbor, which provides access to the Northeast Canyons south of the Islands. Exactly which canyon you'll fish is of course dependent on where the best fishing is taking place.
The Northeast Canyons are underwater geological formations, located roughly 100 miles offshore.
Image courtesy of the US Geological Survey.
The canyons were carved by ancient glacial rivers and create dramatic underwater topography that attracts an abundance of pelagic species. As warm water eddies break away from the Gulf Stream and travel towards the edge of the canyons, they are met by the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Labrador Current, creating ideal feeding conditions.
This convergence produces exceptional fishing for yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, bluefin tuna, mahi-mahi, white and blue marlin, wahoo, and various shark species including makos.
Rec Bluefin Tuna Trip Locations
Captain Willy's recreational bluefin tuna trips will bring you to areas closer to shore around Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and off Chatham. At times it's possible to catch bluefin tuna within just a mile or two from the beach, but typically you'll travel anywhere from 10-40 miles offshore.
The most productive bluefin hotspots include several well-known locations. South of Martha's Vineyard, Gordon's Gully serves as an excellent starting point, while The Fingers and northern wall of the Dump are particularly productive.
Image courtesy of Salty Cape.
East of Chatham, Crab Ledge is the closest bluefin tuna spot, followed by the BC Buoy, Regal Sword, and BB Buoy.
Image courtesy of Salty Cape.
Striper Trip Locations
So far this year a lot of captain Tyler's striper trips have been to the Monomoy Rips off Chatham. These rips are renowned for producing exceptional striped bass fishing.
The turbulent waters off Monomoy area created by strong tidal currents which concentrate baitfish, attracting feeding striped bass that ambush prey in the churning waters.
Chart view of the Monomoy Rips off Chatham.
Cape Cod Bay is another area routinely fished by captain Tyler. The bay offers world-class striped bass fishing from the east end of the canal to Billingsgate.
Cape Cod Bay north to Duxbury can also be productive, especially when mackerel and pogies are present.
Chart view of Cape Cod Bay.
Finally, the Outer Cape from Provincetown to Chatham can offer exceptional opportunities for striped bass and bluefish. At Provincetown enormous schools will sometimes stacking up on the drop-off west of the Bath House and Race Point. This pristine stretch of federally protected coastline is a wonderful place to fish.
As always, the exact location for these striper trips will depend upon the weather and where the best fishing is taking palce.
Chart view of the Provincetown.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will registration work?
At 9am sharp on Saturday June 28th all members of My Fishing Cape Cod will receive an email with a link to register for the trips. Members will be able to click on specific trips and submit payment for spots onboard. Spots are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and they often sell out pretty quick, so just make sure you're ready to go at 9am tomorrow.
Can I purchase spots for non-member friends and family?
Of course! Members are welcome to purchase spots for their non-member friends and family.
What's the refund/cancellation policy?
We never sail if the weather is unsafe or if there simply aren't any fish around (which is more of a concern when targeting tuna, and less of a concern when targeting stripers). If the trip is cancelled by the captains due to bad weather, or for any other reason, then you will receive a full refund, or your choice of a spot on another trip.
If you need to cancel your reservation, and if you are able to let us know with at least 14 days notice, then we will be able to offer you a full refund with no questions asked. Due to the logistics of organizing these trips, if it's less than 14 days notice, we might not have enough time to find a replacement and might not be able to offer you a refund. With that said my team and I will try our absolute best to find someone who can take your spot so we can issue you a refund.
Who are the captains?
Our captain for the striper trips is my friend Tyler Putney of Flatliner Charters. We have done over 100 striper trips with Tyler over the past several years.
Our captain for the overnight canyon and recreational bluefin tuna trips is Willy Hatch of Machaca Sportfishing. Willy is highly regarded as one of the top charter captains in the region.
What are the boats like?
Captain Tyler runs a 28' Whitewater Center Console with a 2021 300 horsepower Mercury outboard. The boat is equipped with top of the line Simrad electronics. The Whitewater is known for a soft ride and an open spacious fishing platform.
Captain Willy's boat the Machaca is a 36 ft BHM which was totally rebuilt in 2014 with a new 400 hp cummins motor. This is a true lobsterboat and a very stable fishing platform for the offshore waters.
Are there bathrooms onboard?
Willy's boat the Machaca does have a bathroom and cabin space for a rest and for getting out of the weather. Tyler's boat does not have a bathroom.
Where are we meeting and when?
The majority of the striper trips will depart between 5am-8am depending on tide, weather, and where the best fishing is. The July 5th trip will depart around 11am and the July 26th trip will depart around 10am. Captain Tyler trailers his boat, so the port of departure will vary based on conditions and where the fish are. I will email you the exact time and port of departure the day before your trip, complete with a map, instructions for where to park etc.
The overnight canyon trip with Willy will depart around 5am on July 20 and return around 6pm the following day. Recreational bluefin tuna trips with Willy will depart at sunrise or a little before and return to the dock in the late afternoon. Captain Willy keeps his boat at a slip in Falmouth Harbor.
How long are the trips?
The striper trips will be 5 hours from the time you depart, to the time you return. Recreational bluefin tuna trips will be 10-12 hours and the overnight canyon trip is 36 hours.
How many people will be onboard?
For the striper trips Tyler's 28' Whitewater can accommodate up to 6 anglers. However, to maximize space for these striper trips, the max number of anglers per trip will be 4.
Same concept holds true for the recreational bluefin tuna and overnight canyon trips. Willy can accommodate up to 6 anglers but for rec tuna there will be 4-5 anglers onboard and for the canyon trip there will be 3-4 anglers onboard.
Should I leave a tip?
Tipping for the striper trips is completely optional but it is a nice gesture, and is common practice in the industry. A sufficient cash tip for the striper trips would be around $35/person, but again, you're free to tip as you feel fit, and you don't have to if you don't want to.
For the rec bluefin and canyon trips, Willy will likely have a mate onboard, so we definitely want to give the mate a tip at the end of the day. A sufficient cash tip for the rec bluefin tuna trips will be around $90/person and for the canyon trip it will be around $225/person.
Can I bring my own gear?
Sure! However you don't have to. Tyler and Willy are happy to supply all necessary fishing gear and tackle.
What else should I bring?
Dress warm and bring sunglasses. Boots or sneakers are better than flip flops. Dress as waterproof as you can. A light snack and some water is a good idea for the striper trips. I'd recommend bringing a snack and a lunch for the recreational bluefin trips.
For the canyons trip, meals, food, drinks etc. will be figured out once we have the groups finalized. Willy has a grill, microwave and Keriug coffeee maker on the boat, along with a single burner gas stove. There's a bathroom but no shower. Pack light, but be sure to bring a sweatshirt, some rain gear, sunglasses, sun screen etc.
Both Tyler and Willy have an ice box so there's no need to bring a cooler onboard, but it is a good idea to have one in your vehicle for transporting fish home.
Is it OK to bring kids?
Definitely for the striper trips! Tyler has young kids of his own so he's used to having kids onboard. If your kids are super young then just email me a heads up so I can let Tyler know.
The bluefin tuna and canyon trips are long adventures, so it's probably best to not bring any youngsters unless you are 110% sure they'll be ok for the duration of the trip.