From Schoolies to Squid with Sam Mullen of the Goose Hummock

After a long, cold winter, the fishing season on Cape Cod is finally heating up. The first week of May marks the traditional start to what promises to be an exciting 2025 season across the Cape and Islands. Water temperatures are slowly rising, baitfish are returning in force, and both saltwater and freshwater opportunities abound for anglers of all experience levels.

Stripers Making Their Spring Migration

The most anticipated event of early May is undoubtedly the arrival of schoolie striped bass. These smaller stripers (under 28 inches) are the first wave of the seasonal migration and provide excellent sport on light tackle. According to Sam, "This is when they really start to influx and then move with the herring."

The key to early success is focusing on estuaries, where these fish seek warmer water and abundant bait. The herring runs throughout the Cape are currently teeming with hundreds of thousands of fish, creating perfect feeding opportunities for hungry stripers. From Dennis to Wellfleet, numerous runs offer productive fishing.

For those targeting these early stripers, location and presentation are critical:

• Time of Day: While stripers can be caught throughout the day, dawn and dusk typically produce best. Night fishing with swimming plugs like SP Minnows and Bombers can be particularly effective.
• Lure Selection: Pencil poppers shine this time of year, especially with an onshore breeze. Yellow, pink, and blue colorways have been producing well.
• Location Strategy: Target areas where herring runs meet saltwater or where tidal flow creates natural feeding zones.

The upcoming full moon should further ignite the bite, especially if accompanied by consistent southwest winds. This lunar influence combined with warming waters should bring a major push of fish from Buzzards Bay through the Canal and into Cape Cod Bay...

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