It's officially been 10 years since I started kayak fishing on Cape Cod. Throughout that entire time I've kept it simple by using the same Hobie without any sonar or extra add-ons.
I just toss the kayak into the bed of my truck and drag it down the beach, over rocks, through mud-whatever it takes! For me personally, using the kayak is all about a simple, quick and easy outing.
One of the beautiful things about Cape Cod is the many wonderful bays, harbors, flats, boulder fields and other environments that are perfect for the kayak. Even on a windy day you can likely find a place that tucked out of the wind to safely fish and explore.
In this post which I've updated for 2024, we'll go through a list of just some of the many places on Cape Cod ideal for kayak fishing and exploring. Let's dive right in! 
1) The Flats
Before getting a kayak, I was accustomed to exploring and fishing the flats on foot. The tide was always my arch nemesis and my time on sandbars always limited.
Having a kayak at my disposal has opened up a whole new world of flats fishing potential because I can safely stay in spots longer and access more remote sandbars than I could when on foot.
With that said, your kayak is quite literally your lifeline in some flats fishing scenarios, so you don't want it to drift away. I will keep mine tethered to my hip and keeping close tabs on it at all times is my number one priority, especially in areas with a swift current.
The flats of Cape Cod Bay can feel nearly tropical. During low tide beaches of fine sand extend out into the ocean for miles. Six hours later, during high tide, these same spots are covered by up to 15 ft of water.
When I fish the flats off Barnstable, Dennis, and Brewster I like to focus on toughs and deep holes among the sand bars. Striped bass enjoy swimming and feeding in these spots. Off Brewster, one the most productive holes I've found is located more than 1/2 of a mile from shore.
3 Kayak Launch Spots for the Flats of Cape Cod Bay
Please login or start a membership to access 3 places to launch your kayak and access the flats of Cape Cod Bay.
2) In Tight Amongst Boulder Fields
Certain areas of Buzzard's Bay, Cape Cod Bay, Vineyard and even Nantucket Sound are filled with large rocks and boulders which striped bass gravitate towards. Fishing in tight to these spots in a large boat can be quite challenging, because it's pretty easy to hit a rock.
The nice thing about pedal drive kayaks is you can easily cast live eels and plugs, or troll a tube and worm right into the rocks and boulders, and easily maneuver through shallow gnarly spots using foot pedals. In other words, you have both arms to work and don't have to worry about bumping into the occasional boulder.
In the past fishing these areas in my fiberglass boat was a nerve-wrecking experience, but because the kayak is constructed of rotomolded polyethylene (very tough hard plastic) I don't have to worry much about bumping a rock or two. The kayak has given me peace of mind when fishing these treacherous, yet very fishy boulder strewn areas.
3 Launch Spots for Boulder Fields
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3) Cape Cod's Estuaries, Bays and Harbors
Most folks "pack it in" once late October and November arrive, but with the kayak I often do just the opposite! The bays and harbors of Cape Cod can produce good fishing right until Thanksgiving, and even throughout the winter months if you know where to look.
Access to many of the Cape's bays is pretty challenging. Many of the best areas are impossible to reach on foot, without trespassing over private property, or trudging through miles of muck.
With a kayak this is no longer an issue. You can launch from any public access spot, and then cruise over to areas that are impossible to access on foot.
My first striped bass of each season is usually taken in the hidden and protected back bays and upper reaches of Cape Cod's estuaries. I'm not exaggerating when I say these places are "hidden." A great deal of effort is required to reach these spots on foot.
This past spring I used the kayak to transport me to these hidden back bays without having to concern myself with private property restrictions or parking challenges.
Things get interesting in estuaries during the spring once the herring arrive on Cape Cod. Herring are silvery fish which make an amazing journey from the open sea to the Cape's freshwater ponds to spawn.
Striped bass take notice and can be found marauding the schools of herring whenever the situation and timing is right. Lots of the best action happens far offshore, but every so often a feed will occur in surprisingly skinny water.
Estuaries are naturally a good place to look for this type of activity. Herring often pass through estuaries to get to the next stage in their annual spawning journey.
Estuaries also provide protection from wind and waves which is ideal for kayak anglers. Calm conditions, plus the chance of finding stripers and other species, make estuaries a nice place for kayak fishing.
Just beware of the bugs such as no-see-ums and green head flies which often plague estuaries during the summertime months!
Striped bass also often winter over in some of these back bays.
I know winter fishing is a longs way off (after all it's not even July Fourth!) but certain years bitter cold temperatures will even kill dozens of holdover stripers in some of the areas I frequent.
At some point in early spring (and on warm winter days) these holdover stripers "awake" and begin to feed, albeit rather sluggishly at first. Not long after, usually sometime during late April and early May, migratory stripers join the party.
At this point in the summer the Cape's back bays and harbors are filled stripers and many other species like eels, blue crabs, and soon plenty of bluefish and more. It's a terrific experience for the kayak, being in a hidden back bay and experiencing all this life.
3 Launch Spots for Estuaries and Bays
Please login or start a membership to access 3 places to launch your kayak and access estuaries and bays.
4) Freshwater Kettle Ponds
Geology tells us that Cape Cod came into form as ice age glaciers melted. About 25,000 or so years ago, some of these glaciers melted to create these kettle ponds. You can find these kettle ponds scattered throughout the interior of Cape Cod.
Some kettle ponds I've fished and explored are like deep, dark blue oasis in the middle of the woods.
Earlier this season I splashed the kayak at Scargo Lake in Dennis and was reminded why I first started fishing. The experience was peaceful and calm, plus I caught a few fish! What more could anyone ask for?
The Cape is chock full of freshwater kettle ponds, many of which can be fished with ease via kayak. In particular, the ponds of Nickerson State Park in Brewster have always been a favorite of mine. Launching at Fisherman's Landing and fishing the circumference of Cliff Pond is a trip I usually do at least once per year.
The ponds in Nickerson State Park are terrific because the shoreline has no development. There are spots in Nickerson where beautiful pine forest leads onto a white powder sand beach, which almost looks tropical!
Each spring and fall the state stocks the kettle ponds of Cape Cod with a variety of different trout species. Trolling and casting along the circumference of these ponds for trout is a favorite spring and fall activity of mine.
Yet even ponds that are loaded with houses, where shoreline access for anglers on foot is impossible, are no longer a problem when you have a kayak. With a kayak at your disposal you can skirt this issue, and fish the entire pond without hassle.
3 Launch Spots for Kettle Ponds
Please login or start a membership to access 3 places to launch your kayak and access estuaries and bays.
About the author
Ryan Collins
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Awesome post Ryan, thank you
My pleasure. LMK if I can help with any kayak trips!
Thanks Ryan I hope to get out to some of these spots .
Sounds good Brian. Have fun!
So how has kayak fishing worked out for you ? I’d like to try with a rental pedal kayak before buying one. Do you know anyone who rents them ?
Great article Ryan,
You’ve got me pumped for this summer – l love fishing from my yak. Wished I lived on the Cape to invest time on the flats – seems like a perfect opportunity for a yak fisherman. Especially with the incoming tide pushing the wading fishermen back. Gluck this year!
Summer is coming George! Glad you are excited.
Like you mention, I feel the kayak will be a terrific tool over the flats this season.
Best,
Ryan
Considering how the great whites have reappeared in the past couple of decades, do you ever get visited in the kayak and if not, is it in the back of your mind?
A GW bit a kayak off Plymouth this past summer, so yes Jay the sharks are definitely in the back of my mind!
Fortunately I have not yet been visited by one…
Yet!…..just kidding, be safe! Great info keep it up!
LOL…If it does happen, at least I will probably have a GoPro camera running and might catch it all on video!
Great article. I can’t wait myself to start the kayak fishing adventure this spring. Looking forward to get together and take some fishing lessons from a master like you!
Spring is coming quick Emil! It’ll be here before we know it.
I have a feeling 2015 will be a great season.
Few tips; PHD required Sept 15 – May 15. know your physical limitations. Those with conventional yaks, tie a lanyard to your paddle. Nav lights for night fishing. Keep in mind Wind/currents when venturing out. Hundreds of horses aren’t available to get you back. Footnote; PHD’$ may help keep you afloat off the water but a PFD will save your life on the water.
Great insight Dave!
Thank you for chiming in
Your crazy going out there with sharky on a kayak alone
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I have I kayak and it’s awesome to find all these crazy hidden places you’ll love it p.s. I wouldn’t want to be out there alone with sharky on a kayak !
LOL – yeah I won’t intentionally be trying to create a close encounter with a GW, but it could happen…
There’s even been several great whites spotted around the hook, inside Cape Cod Bay this season.
Nice Ryan, my brother and I started our season kayaking cliff pond, it’s fun if its not too windy. Glad to hear your going through november, I’m planning on doing the same with the goal of one fish in December. Any help with this would be great, I don’t care if its just one micro schoolie!
Hey Brian – how about we try for one striper/month all year long?
It is definitely possible!
A fly guy did that some years back.
Yes I heard about that. I know some keeper size fish were taken last winter on Cape as well. Pretty cool stuff
I’m in! That would make the winter go by faster, hopefully it won’t be like last year where most holdovers were found dead. But some did make it, amazing a striper can survive temps like that
Terrific!
I feel our chances are good, granted we have a somewhat mild winter.
Let me know when your yak … I still have yet to get out and do some fishing on the Cape … dying to try the flats
Sounds good! Picking the yak up later today, very excited