As September unfolds across Cape Cod, anglers are witnessing the exciting transition from summer doldrums to the highly anticipated fall fishing season. Amy Wrightson from Sports Port in Hyannis has been experiencing firsthand the uptick in fishing activity that many consider the start of the legendary Cape Cod fall run.
Recent reports from the waters around Hyannis and the south side of Cape Cod paint an encouraging picture for both boat and shore-based anglers targeting false albacore and striped bass. Amy's recent outings provide valuable insights into what's working, where fish are being found, and how anglers can capitalize on this productive period.
False Albacore: The Thrill of the Chase
False albacore, affectionately known as "albies" by local anglers, have become increasingly active over the past week. These hard-fighting members of the tuna family provide an adrenaline-pumping experience that keeps anglers coming back despite their notorious reputation for being finicky and unpredictable.
Prime Locations for False Albacore
From the Boat: The most productive waters have been from Craigville Beach extending out to Popponesset, with particular success reported right off Craigville Beach. This area has been attracting quite a few boats, even on weekdays, as word spreads about the consistent action. What's particularly encouraging is that these fish aren't requiring long runs – they've been found relatively close to shore and even inside Hyannis Harbor on occasion.
The key to success has been following the birds. Diving birds can be a great indicator of actively feeding fish, and experienced anglers like Amy recommend looking for birds that become "more clustered and actively diving". The pattern typically involves watching for birds to concentrate in tight groups before diving down onto the bait.
From Shore: Shore-based anglers haven't been left out of the action. Craigville Beach remains a go-to spot for surf fishing targeting false albacore, with recent reports of successful catches from the surf. It can be frustrating when the schools of albies are just out of range so consider a kayak when making the trip. West Dennis Beach also offers opportunities for shore anglers, particularly around the cuts and inlets where baitfish are funneled by incoming and outgoing tides.
Productive Lures and Techniques
The false albacore bite has been somewhat varied in terms of productive lures, which is typical for these selective feeders. Recent successful patterns include:
- Pink epoxy jigs – This color proved effective this morning for Amy
- Silver patterns mimicking shrimp and anchovies
- Shrimp-colored lures – matching the prevalent bait in the area
For shore anglers, slightly heavier presentations are necessary to achieve the casting distance required to reach feeding fish. One to one-and-a-half ounce resin jigs (Monomoy Tackle), deadly dicks, and crippled herrings have all proven effective. Albee snacks, while popular, can be more challenging to cast from shore depending on wind conditions.
Tackle Considerations
The eternal challenge when targeting false albacore is dealing with bluefish that often feed in the same areas. This creates a balancing act between using tackle light enough to fool the line-shy albies while being robust enough to handle the sharp teeth of blues.
Most successful anglers are using 12-20 pound fluorocarbon leaders, with 15-20 pound being the sweet spot. While bluefish can bite through fluorocarbon, it's possible to land them without getting cut off, and using wire leaders will guarantee you won't catch an albacore.
An interesting revelation from Amy is the successful use of tactical angler clips – small paperclip-style connectors that allow for quick lure changes. Contrary to what many funny fish anglers might expect, these clips don't seem to deter the notoriously finicky false albacore, and they save valuable time when trying to crack the code on a particular day.
Striped Bass: The Fall Run
Perhaps even more encouraging than the false albacore action is the marked improvement in striped bass fishing throughout the bays and harbors. After what many described as sluggish summer fishing on the south side, the stripers are showing clear signs of fall activity.
Prime Striped Bass Locations
The harbors and bays around Cape Cod's south side have become increasingly productive for slot-sized and larger striped bass. Osterville Harbor has produced multiple fish in the 30-32 inch range, with reports of successful early evening and nighttime fishing sessions.
The beauty of this current bite is its accessibility – anglers don't need to venture far from shore or make long boat runs to encounter quality fish. Shore-based anglers have legitimate opportunities to connect with above slot-size striped bass right from the beach!
Effective Striped Bass Techniques
Evening into nighttime has proven to be the most productive period for striped bass along the south side. Top water poppers have been particularly effective, with reports of 32-inch fish falling to surface lures during the early evening hours.
This timing aligns perfectly with the cooler water temperatures and increased baitfish activity that characterizes the transition into fall fishing. The abundance of small bait in the area – including peanut bunker in the bays and what appears to be bay anchovies or rain bait in the sound – provides ample forage to keep bass feeding actively.
Bluefish: The Wild Card
Both cocktail-sized blues in the sound and snapper blues in the harbors are providing additional action for anglers on the south side. While bluefish can be frustrating when you're specifically targeting false albacore, they represent good eating and exciting fights for anglers who embrace the mixed bag approach.
For families with children, the snapper blue action from the beaches has been particularly welcome, providing consistent action and introducing young anglers to the excitement of Cape Cod fishing.
Looking Ahead
The timing of this increased activity in mid-September suggests that the fall run may be underway! The combination of cooling water temperatures, abundant bait, and active predators is setting the table for excellent September and October fishing.
Weather patterns can play a significant role in funny fish activity, with foggy, rainy conditions often producing surface disturbances that trigger false albacore feeds. Stormy weather can enhance the bite, so don't let less-than-perfect conditions keep you off the water.
Gear Recommendations and Final Thoughts
For anglers looking to capitalize on this action, having the right setup is crucial. Fluorocarbon leaders in the 15-20 pound range provide the best balance of invisibility and strength. A selection of lures in different colors and sizes allows for adaptation to changing conditions and fish preferences.
As Amy noted, there's still plenty of time left in the season, and with the fish showing this level of activity in mid-September, the peak of fall fishing could be exceptional. The combination of false albacore providing heart-stopping runs and BIG striped bass offering the chance at a personal best, the time is now to get out on the water and make a memory!
Tight lines, take care, and thank you for listening!