Cape Cod Bottom Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore charter targeting five seasonal fish speciesSmall group experience with maximum four guests aboardSummer season operation from July through September
When you want to get into some serious bottom fishing action around Cape Cod, this 6-hour charter with Endeavor Sportfishing delivers exactly what local anglers and visitors have been raving about. From July through September, these waters come alive with some of the best inshore fishing on the East Coast. You'll be targeting the classics - Winter Flounder, Tautog, Black Sea Bass, Scup, and Summer Flounder - all while enjoying the personalized attention that comes with a small group of just four anglers. No crowds, no fighting for rail space, just quality fishing time with plenty of room to work your lines.
This isn't your typical party boat experience. With only four spots available, you're getting a top-rated charter that feels more like fishing with friends than being packed onto a cattle boat. The crew knows these Cape Cod waters inside and out, and they'll put you on the productive bottom structure where these fish hang out during the summer months. You're looking at a full 6-hour day, which gives you plenty of time to work different spots and adjust techniques based on what's biting. The boat comes equipped with all the essentials, but you'll want to bring your own food and drinks since meals aren't included. Most trips launch early morning to take advantage of the best bite times, and you'll cover a good amount of water to find where the fish are stacked up that day.
Bottom fishing around Cape Cod is all about reading the structure and presenting your bait right where these fish are feeding. The crew will set you up with the right rigs - typically high-low rigs or dropper loops that let you work multiple baits at different depths. You'll be using everything from sea worms and clams to cut bait, depending on what species you're targeting. The key is getting your bait down to the bottom and keeping it there, even with the current and drift. These fish are structure-oriented, so you'll be fishing around rocky areas, ledges, and drop-offs where they come to feed. The captain will position the boat to drift over these productive spots, and you'll need to keep adjusting your weight and technique as conditions change throughout the day.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as most locals call them, are the prize catch during this season. These flatfish can run anywhere from keeper size at 19 inches up to doormat-sized fish pushing 8-10 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting to nail anything that swims by. The best fluke fishing happens when you're drifting with bucktails tipped with squid or using live bait rigs with killifish. What makes them so exciting is that explosive strike when they come up off the bottom - plus they're absolutely delicious on the table.
Scup, also known as porgy, might not be the biggest fish you'll catch, but they make up for it in numbers and fight. These silver-sided fish school up heavy during summer months and will absolutely bend your rod when you hook into a good one. They average 1-2 pounds but can push 3-4 pounds for the bigger fish. Scup are notorious bait stealers, so you need to stay sharp and set the hook fast. They're perfect for newer anglers because they bite aggressively and give you plenty of action throughout the day.
Winter Flounder are a bit different from their summer cousins - they're typically smaller but incredibly sweet eating. During the summer months, you'll find them in deeper, cooler waters where they're feeding heavily. These fish require a more finesse approach with smaller hooks and lighter tackle. They're known for their delicate bite, so you need to pay attention to your rod tip. When you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, that's your cue to set the hook gently but firmly.
Tautog, or blackfish, are the bulldogs of the bottom fishing world. These fish live around rocky structure and have powerful jaws designed for crushing shellfish. They're notorious for their hard fighting ability and their knack for wrapping you up in the rocks if you're not careful. Tog fishing requires heavy tackle and a quick hand on the reel to pull them away from structure once you hook up. They're excellent eating and a real trophy fish when you land a keeper over 16 inches.
Black Sea Bass round out your target species list and they're always a crowd favorite. These fish are curious and aggressive, often coming right up to investigate your bait. They have a distinctive appearance with their mottled coloring and can put up a surprisingly good fight for their size. Sea bass tend to school up around structure, so when you find one, there are usually more in the area. They're also one of the best eating fish you'll catch on this trip.
Cape Cod bottom fishing doesn't get much better than this. You're getting access to some of the most productive inshore waters on the East Coast with a crew that knows exactly where to find the fish. The summer season from July through September is prime time for all these species, and with only four anglers per trip, you're guaranteed the personal attention and fishing space you need to make the most of your day. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some Cape Cod species to your list or someone new to bottom fishing who wants to learn the ropes, this charter delivers the goods. Book your spot now and get ready for a day of serious fishing action that'll have you planning your return trip before you even hit the dock.
Captain Joey's 25-foot Bluefin center console is your ticket to Cape Cod's productive inshore waters. This well-maintained boat handles the chop with ease while you target bottom fish like flounder, tautog, black sea bass, scup, and fluke from July through September. The spacious deck gives up to four anglers plenty of room to work, and you'll have everything needed - quality rods, reels, tackle, lures, and live bait when conditions allow. Modern electronics including GPS, fish finder, and radar help locate the best spots, while the VHF radio keeps you connected. An onboard head and icebox add comfort for those long days on the water chasing Cape Cod's seasonal favorites. Whether you're dropping for keeper sea bass or drifting for doormat fluke, this reliable center console puts you right where the fish are biting.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, aggressive fish that love structure - wrecks, rocks, and jetties are prime spots. Most run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds, though you'll occasionally land a 4-5 pound male with that distinctive hump on his head during spawning season. They're perfect for our summer trips since they move inshore from late spring through September, congregating around any hard bottom structure in 20-60 feet of water. Guests love sea bass because they fight hard until they break the surface, and they're outstanding eating with sweet, firm white meat. They'll hit both bait and jigs aggressively. Key tip: once you hook one, get it up quickly - they'll dive straight back into the rocks and cut you off if you give them slack. Use squid strips or sea worms and keep your drag snug.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as the old-timers call them, are silver-scaled fish with compressed bodies that typically run 12-16 inches around Cape Cod. You'll find them near rocks, pilings, and structure where they use those strong jaws to crush shellfish and invertebrates. Peak season runs May through October when they migrate inshore, making our July-September trips perfect timing. While they're not the strongest fighters, scup make up for it with their willingness to bite and excellent eating quality. Many guests love them as live bait for stripers too. The trick with scup is using small hooks and staying patient - they'll nibble first before committing. Once you find a school, you can fill the cooler quickly since they travel in numbers.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke as we call them locally, are the chameleons of Cape Cod waters. These flatfish lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms, both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush baitfish and crabs. Most run 15-20 inches, but you'll occasionally hook into a real doormat pushing 4-5 pounds. They're active from July through September in our inshore waters, especially around structure and drop-offs. What makes fluke fishing so addictive is their aggressive strike and solid fight - plus they're outstanding table fare. Pro tip: when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them turn and swim with it for a few seconds, then reel tight and lift. Their sideways bite means they need time to get the bait positioned right.
Tautoga OnitisTautog, or blackfish, are the bulldogs of Cape Cod's rocky bottom structure. These chunky, dark-colored fish typically weigh 2-4 pounds but can push 6-8 pounds around deeper wrecks and boulder fields. They're homebodies that rarely venture far from their rocky hideouts, using powerful jaws to crush mussels, crabs, and barnacles. Summer months are prime time as they become more active in warmer water. What makes tog fishing special is their determined fight and incredible table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They're also territorial, so once you find them, you can usually catch several from the same spot. Best advice: use green crabs for bait, keep it tight to structure, and set the hook hard when you feel that distinctive tap-tap-pull.
Pseudopleuronectes AmericanusWinter flounder are the smaller cousins in the flatfish family, usually running 10-12 inches with the occasional keeper pushing 16-18 inches. Unlike summer fluke, these guys have their eyes on the right side and prefer muddy, sandy bottoms near eelgrass beds and quiet coves. While they're called "winter" flounder, we catch them consistently during our summer trips in shallow inshore waters. They're deliberate feeders with small mouths, so expect light taps rather than aggressive strikes. Guests appreciate their sweet, mild flavor - some say they're the best-eating flatfish we catch. The secret is using small hooks with fresh sea worms or clam pieces, and keeping your bait right on bottom. Be patient and feel for those subtle nibbles.
Cape Cod