Memorial Day Weekend Fishing Report with Amy Wrightson of Sports Port

Memorial Day Weekend Black Sea Bass & Stripers

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer fishing season on Cape Cod, and this year's early reports are painting an exciting picture for anglers ready to get back on the water. With the black sea bass season now officially open and striped bass activity heating up in both Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound, there are plentiful opportunities for both bottom fishing enthusiasts and surfcasters.

Location Making All the Difference

The black sea bass season opened last Saturday, May 17th, and early reports from the first week reveal a tale of two fisheries depending on where you drop your lines. The key to success lies in understanding the depth preferences of the larger fish. Over the first week the results have been simple to understand, the deeper the water, the better chance at catching your limit. Shallower waters in Nantucket Sound have also yielded keeper sized sea bass, but anglers are having to pick through a lot more shorts. 

Buzzards Bay: The Deep Water Advantage

Anglers targeting the deeper waters of Buzzards Bay have been finding success with quality-sized black sea bass. The deeper structure in this area, typically around 40 feet or more, seems to be holding the larger fish that meet the 16.5-inch minimum size requirement. This makes sense from a biological standpoint, as mature black sea bass often prefer deeper, more structured environments.

For those planning to fish Buzzards Bay, you'll want to focus on areas with good bottom structure and adequate depth. The combination of rocky bottom and deeper water creates ideal habitat for keeper-sized sea bass, along with other bottom species like tautog and scup.

Nantucket Sound: Plenty of Fish, Mostly Shorts

The shallower waters of Nantucket Sound are producing excellent numbers of juvenile black sea bass, but anglers are finding themselves releasing most of their catch due to size. While this might seem frustrating, it's actually a positive sign for the overall health of the sea bass population, indicating a strong population of younger fish.

Don't completely write off Nantucket Sound, however. Some keeper-sized fish are being caught, and the area offers excellent opportunities for mixed-bag bottom fishing including an abundance of scup and tautog. Plus, the shorter runs from many Cape Cod ports make it an attractive option when weather windows are limited...

Tight lines, take care, and thank you for listening! 

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