Cape Cod Inshore Fishing Charter Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4-6 hour Cape Cod fishing charter for four guestsTarget striped bass, bluefish, and bonito with provided gearLight tackle and fly fishing options with experienced captain
Want to fish some of the most productive waters on the East Coast? MoonDog Fishing Charters puts you right in the heart of Cape Cod's legendary fishing grounds for 4 to 6 hours of serious angling action. Whether you're a weekend warrior or picking up a rod for the first time, these waters deliver consistent action on Striped Bass, Bluefish, Weakfish, Bonito, and more. With quality gear provided and your choice between light tackle or fly fishing, you'll be set up for success from the moment you step aboard.
Cape Cod's inshore waters are legendary for good reason – the convergence of warm Gulf Stream waters and cooler northern currents creates a feeding paradise that draws baitfish and predators year-round. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, reading the structure, tide changes, and bait movements that make the difference between a good day and a great day. You'll work the productive rips, shallow flats, and rocky structure that hold the area's most sought-after species. The boat accommodates up to 4 anglers, keeping things personal and ensuring everyone gets plenty of shots at fish. Cold drinks are included to keep you refreshed, and lunch is provided so you can stay focused on what matters – putting fish in the boat. Just bring your snacks, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses, and dress for the weather forecast.
This top-rated charter gives you options based on how you like to fish. Light tackle enthusiasts will work with quality spinning and conventional gear perfectly matched to the target species – think 20-30 pound class rods with smooth drags that can handle the powerful runs of stripers and blues. Your captain provides everything from lures to live bait, including the local favorites like sand eels, herring, and various soft plastics that produce in these waters. Fly fishing anglers get a more technical experience with provided fly gear designed for saltwater conditions. Stripping streamers through the current or sight-casting to surface-feeding fish adds an extra level of challenge and satisfaction. Whether you're throwing poppers at dawn or working the bottom with bucktails, the gear is dialed in for Cape Cod conditions.
Striped Bass remain the crown jewel of Cape Cod fishing, and for good reason. These silver-sided fighters range from schoolie size around 20 inches up to true cows pushing 40+ pounds. Peak season runs from May through October, with the best action often happening during moving tides around structure. Stripers are ambush predators that love to pin baitfish against rocks, rips, and drop-offs, making them perfect targets for both live bait and lures. When you hook into a big bass, expect multiple drag-screaming runs and aerial displays that'll get your heart pumping.
White Weakfish, also known as sea trout, are making a strong comeback in Cape Cod waters after years of being scarce. These beautiful fish have delicate mouths and fight with surprising power for their size, typically running 2-5 pounds with occasional larger specimens. They're most active during dawn and dusk periods, feeding heavily on sand eels and small baitfish. Weakfish have this distinctive spotted pattern and when fresh from the water, they're absolutely gorgeous – plus they're excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few.
Little Tunny, often called bonito locally, show up in summer and fall when water temperatures climb. These small tunas are pure muscle and speed, making blistering runs that'll test your drag system. They school heavily and when you find them feeding on the surface, it's non-stop action with fish in the 5-12 pound range. Bonito are sight feeders that respond well to small lures and flies, making them a customer favorite for both their fight and the technical challenge they present.
Bluefish are the ultimate opportunistic predators in Cape Cod waters, and they're always ready to eat. These toothy critters range from "snapper" blues around a pound up to "gorilla" blues pushing 15+ pounds. They travel in schools and when they're feeding, the action can be absolutely wild with multiple hookups and non-stop bites. Blues are aggressive and will hit just about anything you throw at them, making them perfect for beginners while still providing plenty of excitement for experienced anglers.
Black Sea Bass round out the target list and they're a blast to catch around the rocky bottom structure Cape Cod is famous for. These chunky fighters typically run 1-4 pounds and are notorious for their powerful initial runs straight down toward the rocks. They're excellent table fare and fight much harder than their size suggests. Sea bass are year-round residents but peak action happens during warmer months when they move into shallower water to feed and spawn.
Cape Cod's inshore waters offer world-class fishing opportunities that consistently produce memorable days on the water. MoonDog Fishing Charters combines local knowledge, quality equipment, and prime fishing grounds to give you the best shot at multiple species in a single trip. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to saltwater fishing, celebrate a special occasion, or just get away from the daily grind, these 4 to 6-hour adventures deliver the goods. The intimate 4-person capacity means personalized attention and plenty of fishing time for everyone. Book your Cape Cod fishing charter today and discover why anglers keep coming back to these legendary waters season after season.
This clean-lined motorboat puts you right where the fish are feeding in Cape Cod's productive waters. Built specifically for inshore fly and light tackle work, she features a smart layout that keeps everything within easy reach when you're fighting stripers or chasing bluefish. The comfortable seating lets you fish hard all day without beating yourself up. GPS navigation gets you to the hot spots fast, while the fish finder shows you exactly what's swimming below. Perfect for up to 4 anglers targeting bass, blues, weakfish, and bonito in these famous coastal waters. The functional design means more time with your line wet and less time fumbling around the boat.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are the perfect bottom fish for steady action and great eating. These chunky, dark-colored fish typically run 1-4 pounds around here, hanging around wrecks, rocky structure, and jetties in 30-100 feet. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn and feed. What guests really appreciate is their reliability—when you find good structure, you'll usually find bass. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch, with firm white meat that's hard to beat. They'll put up a solid fight until they hit the surface, then give up quickly. My secret: use a two-hook rig with squid strips and bounce it right on bottom—they're not shy about hitting a bait that's sitting still in their territory.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are the aggressive bullies of Cape Cod waters, and that's what makes them so much fun. These guys run 2-15 pounds with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. They show up mid-June and stick around until October, hunting in schools along beaches, rips, and anywhere baitfish gather. When they're feeding, it's pure chaos—they'll attack anything that moves. Guests love the non-stop action and their decent eating quality when handled right (bleed them immediately). They hit hard and fight dirty, making them perfect for kids and beginners. Here's my advice: bring wire leaders because they'll bite through mono in a heartbeat, and when you find a school, work fast—they can disappear as quickly as they arrived.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle tunny, also called false albacore or bonito, are pure adrenaline on the water. These torpedo-shaped speedsters average 8-15 pounds and travel in schools, making for fast action when you find them. Look for them in 20-80 feet working baitfish near the surface—they're noisy feeders that create quite a commotion. Summer through early fall is peak season when they're chasing pogies and silversides. What makes them special? They're incredibly strong swimmers that'll peel line like crazy and test your tackle. The meat is darker and stronger-tasting than regular tuna, but fresh it's quite good. Pro tip: when you see them busting bait, get your lure in fast and hold on tight—once spooked, they disappear quickly, so make that first cast count.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the backbone of Cape Cod fishing—these silver beauties with their signature dark stripes can run anywhere from 20-40 pounds, though we've seen some real giants push 50+. They love structure like rocks, drop-offs, and moving water near shorelines. Spring through fall is prime time here, especially during their migration when they're actively feeding. What makes them special? They're strong fighters that'll test your drag, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. They follow the bait, so when you see birds working or bait breaking the surface, that's your cue. My go-to tip: fish the tide changes at dawn or dusk—that's when they really turn on and start hunting aggressively.
Atractoscion NobilisWhite weakfish are actually more closely related to croakers than true bass, but don't let that fool you—these silver-sided fighters can surprise you. Most run 3-7 pounds around here, though the occasional bigger one will show up. They prefer sandy bottoms and eelgrass beds in 15-60 feet of water, often hanging in the mid-column rather than tight to bottom. Late spring through early fall is your best bet when water temps are in that sweet spot. Guests love them because they're scrappy fighters and make excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. They can be picky eaters, so here's the trick: use light tackle and let your bait drift naturally rather than working it hard—they spook easily but bite well when you're subtle.
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