Full Day Cape Cod Bay Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour inshore charter targeting striped bass and bluefishAccommodates up to six guests with flexible departure timesProfessional guide service in productive Cape Cod Bay waters
When you want serious fishing time without the long run offshore, this eight-hour inshore charter in Cape Cod Bay delivers exactly what you're looking for. Captain at Columbia Sportfishing knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with double the time of a typical half-day trip, you'll have plenty of opportunities to fill the cooler with stripers, blues, tautog, and black sea bass. The flexible departure time means we fish when the conditions are right, not when the schedule says so.
Cape Cod Bay offers some of the most consistent inshore fishing on the East Coast, and this full-day charter lets you make the most of it. You'll spend eight solid hours working the flats, structure, and drop-offs that hold fish year-round. The captain schedules departure times around the tides because that's when these fish feed hardest. Some days that means an early morning start to catch the incoming tide, other days you might leave mid-morning to fish the outgoing. Either way, you're fishing prime time. With space for up to six anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out and work different techniques without getting tangled up. The boat's equipped with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, and bait – so you just need to bring yourself and maybe some snacks since meals aren't included on this trip.
Inshore fishing in the Bay means adapting your approach to what's biting and where they're holding. You'll likely start with live bait – pogies, mackerel, or sea worms – drifted along the bottom for tautog and black sea bass around structure. When the stripers are active, we'll switch to chunk bait or live eels, especially during moving water. Bluefish often show up in schools, so when they're around, you might find yourself casting metals or working topwater plugs for some serious arm-burning action. The captain carries a full spread of tackle from light spinning gear for smaller fish to heavier conventional setups when the big stripers are prowling. Water depths range from 10 to 50 feet in most spots, so you're not dealing with the heavy sinkers needed for deep water fishing. The rocky bottom and scattered structure means you'll lose some tackle, but that's just part of fishing these productive areas.
Striped bass are the bread and butter of Cape Cod Bay inshore fishing, and for good reason. These fish range from schoolies around 20 inches up to keeper-sized fish over 28 inches, with the occasional cow pushing 40 pounds or more. Spring and fall see the biggest concentrations as bass move through the Bay following bait schools. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from live pogies to soft plastics, and when you hook into a solid striper in 20 feet of water, you'll feel every head shake. The fight never gets old, whether it's your first bass or your hundredth.
Tautog might not win any beauty contests, but they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish in these waters. These bottom dwellers love rocky structure and underwater boulders, using their powerful jaws to crush green crabs and other shellfish. They typically run 2-4 pounds in the Bay, though bigger fish over 6 pounds show up regularly. The season runs spring through late fall, with some of the best fishing happening in cooler water when they're feeding heavily before winter. Tautog are also some of the best eating fish you'll catch, with firm white meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Bluefish bring the excitement factor with their aggressive strikes and bulldogging runs. These toothy predators travel in schools and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. Bay blues typically range from snapper size up to 5-8 pounders, though larger fish move through during migration periods. They'll hit almost anything that moves – metals, plugs, chunk bait – and they're not subtle about it. The key with blues is having a wire leader because those razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat.
Black sea bass round out the mix as reliable bottom fish that are always willing to bite. These fish love structure and will often be mixed in with the tautog around rocky areas and wrecks. They're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat, and they're aggressive enough that kids and novice anglers can get in on the action. Most Bay sea bass run 1-3 pounds, perfect for a fish fry back home.
This full-day charter gives you twice the fishing time of shorter trips, which means twice the chances to connect with quality fish in Cape Cod Bay's productive inshore waters. The flexible scheduling ensures you're fishing during optimal tide conditions, and with the captain's local knowledge, you'll be working the spots that are producing. Whether you're looking to put meat in the freezer or just want a full day away from shore chasing whatever's biting, this eight-hour adventure delivers the goods. Message the captain directly to lock in your departure time and get ready for some serious Cape Cod Bay fishing action.
Step aboard this well-equipped motorboat for eight solid hours of fishing Cape Cod Bay's productive inshore waters. The boat comfortably handles up to six anglers and comes loaded with everything you need for a successful day targeting Striped Bass, Bluefish, and Tautog. The fish finder will help locate schools while GPS navigation keeps you on the hottest spots. Between catches, grab a cold drink from the onboard refrigerator or take a break on the flybridge for a better view of the action. The multimedia system keeps everyone entertained during slower periods, and the onboard toilet means no cutting the day short. Your captain works around the tides to maximize fishing time, so departure times stay flexible. Whether you're casting to surface feeding blues or bottom fishing for tog, this charter puts you right where the fish are biting in Cape Cod's rich inshore grounds.
Centropristis StriataSea bass are the reliable workhorses around Cape Cod's rocky bottom and structure. Most fish we catch run 1-3 pounds, though the deep water holds some chunky 5-6 pounders. They love wrecks, rocky ledges, and anywhere there's good bottom structure in 20-100 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to feed and spawn. Guests enjoy them because they're scrappy little fighters and some of the best table fare around - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for kids since they bite readily and fight hard for their size. Here's my tip: use a simple two-hook bottom rig with squid or clam strips. Drop it right on structure and keep it moving slightly. These fish are curious and competitive - once you hook one, keep fishing the same spot.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are the aggressive biters that make Cape Cod summers exciting. These blue-green torpedoes average 3-8 pounds but can hit 15+ when the big choppers show up. They travel in schools, hitting baitfish with such fury they'll churn the water white - we call it a "bluefish blitz." Mid-June through October is when they're here, feeding heavily in the bay and along the beaches. What makes them fun? They hit hard, fight dirty, and never give up until they're in the boat. Plus they're great eating when fresh - oily and rich, perfect for the smoker. Pro tip: when you find one blue, there's usually a whole school nearby. Keep your lures moving fast and aggressive - these fish like their prey trying to escape. Wire leaders help too since those teeth are razor sharp.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the backbone of Cape Cod fishing - these silver-sided beauties with their distinctive black stripes can hit 30-50 pounds, though most we catch run 20-40. They love structure like drop-offs, rocky ledges, and anywhere baitfish gather. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during their migration when they're feeding heavily. What makes them special? They fight hard, pull drag, and taste fantastic. The meat is sweet and flaky - perfect for the grill. Here's a local trick: watch for birds diving on bait pods. When you see that action, get your live eels or chunk bait down fast. These fish move with the tide, so timing your drift right can make all the difference between a slow day and filling the cooler.
Tautoga OnitisBlackfish are the bulldogs of Cape Cod waters - thick, stubborn fighters that live around rocky structure and wrecks. Most run 2-4 pounds, but we regularly see fish pushing 8-10 pounds in deeper water. They're homebodies, sticking tight to their rocky neighborhoods where they crush mussels and crabs with those powerful jaws. Best fishing is late spring through early fall when water temps are right. What guests love about tog fishing is the challenge - these fish have serious attitude and will test your tackle. The meat is white, firm, and some of the best eating you'll find. Local tip: use green crabs with the legs crushed off, and don't set the hook too quick. Let them take it and run a bit before you lift the rod. Patience pays off with these guys.
Hyannis