Cape Cod Bottom Fishing with Captain Vinny
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour bottom fishing trip targeting seabass, scup, tautog, and flukeAll equipment, bait, tackle, and fishing license included onboardSmall group charter accommodates up to six guests maximum
Captain Vinny Schettino knows Cape Cod's inshore waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious bottom fish. This six-hour adventure targets the Cape's best structure fishing spots where tautog, black sea bass, and scup hang out year-round. You'll fish the rocky ledges, boulder fields, and wrecks that make Cape Cod one of the top-rated bottom fishing destinations on the East Coast. Everything's included – your fishing license, fresh bait, quality tackle, and a comfortable boat that handles six anglers without feeling crowded.
Captain Vinny runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed and fun for anglers of all skill levels. Your day starts with a brief rundown of the target species and techniques before heading to his proven honey holes along Cape Cod's structure-rich coastline. These aren't your typical sand bottom spots – we're talking serious rocky terrain where the fish actually live and feed. The boat's equipped with quality bottom fishing gear, but feel free to bring your own setup if you've got a favorite rod. Departure times shift with the seasons to hit optimal fishing conditions, so you might be heading out early morning in summer or mid-morning during cooler months. The six-hour window gives you plenty of time to work multiple spots and adapt to what the fish are doing that day.
This is classic New England structure fishing at its finest. You'll be dropping baited rigs down to rocky ledges, boulders, and artificial reefs where these bottom species make their living. Captain Vinny provides everything from high-low rigs for sea bass to specialized tautog setups with green crabs and other preferred baits. The key is reading the bottom structure on the fish finder and positioning the boat so your bait lands right in the strike zone. Expect to fish in 15 to 60 feet of water, depending on conditions and where the bite is happening. The rocky bottom means you'll lose some tackle – that's just part of the game when you're fishing where the big ones live. Captain Vinny knows how to work these spots efficiently, keeping you in the fish while minimizing snags.
Tautog are the crown jewel of Cape Cod structure fishing, and these bruisers put up a fight that'll test your drag system. Also called blackfish, they're notorious for their crushing bite and bulldog-like runs straight back to the rocks. Tautog fishing peaks in spring and fall when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 50-65 degrees. These fish have human-like teeth for crushing shellfish, so they're incredibly smart about bait presentation. A keeper tautog starts at 16 inches, but the real prizes are those 5-8 pound fish that feel like you hooked a cinder block with attitude.
Black sea bass are customer favorites because they're aggressive feeders and excellent table fare. These spiny beauties hang around the same rocky structure as tautog but are generally more cooperative when it comes to biting. Sea bass season typically runs May through December, with summer and early fall producing the most consistent action. They'll hit everything from squid strips to small jigs, and once you find a school, you can often catch multiple fish from the same spot. The minimum size is 15 inches, and a good day can put several keepers in the cooler.
Scup, or porgy as the old-timers call them, are the most reliable biters in this mixed bag and perfect for getting kids or new anglers hooked on bottom fishing. Don't let their smaller size fool you – scup are scrappy fighters and make excellent fish cakes or whole fried fish. They school up heavily around structure during summer months and will often save the day when tautog and sea bass are being finicky. The 10-inch minimum size means you'll release plenty, but the keepers are worth their weight in gold for their sweet, flaky meat.
Captain Vinny's bottom fishing trips book up fast, especially during prime tautog season in spring and fall. With only six spots available, you're getting personalized attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably. This world-class bottom fishing experience includes everything you need except lunch and drinks, so just bring yourself and get ready for some of the best structure fishing Cape Cod has to offer. Whether you're a seasoned bottom fisherman or new to the game, Captain Vinny will put you on fish and teach you why Cape Cod's rocky inshore waters produce some of New England's best catches. Book now and experience why anglers keep coming back to fish these legendary waters with Pointe N Shoot Sport Fishing.
The "Angelina Ellie" is your ticket to Cape Cod's best bottom fishing spots. This 2021 Pair Custom 24 Deep V cuts through the water with twin 225 Mercury 4-stroke engines, getting you to productive fishing grounds fast while burning less fuel. Captain Vinny has rigged her with top-notch SIMRAD electronics including GPS, radar, fish finder, and VHF radio - everything needed to locate structure and stay safe on the water. The deep V hull handles Cape Cod's choppy conditions smoothly, keeping you comfortable while targeting black seabass, scup, tautog, and fluke around rocky ledges and drop-offs. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out and work different spots along the rails. The boat comes fully equipped with rods, reels, tackle, and fresh bait, plus your fishing license is covered. Just bring yourself and get ready to drop lines on some of the Cape's most productive inshore structure.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky members of the grouper family that put up a solid scrap until they hit the surface. Most run 1-4 pounds, but they can reach 8+ pounds around deeper structure. These guys love wrecks, rocky bottom, and ledges in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn - males turn bright blue and develop a distinctive hump. What makes them popular is the combination of good fight and great eating. They're also curious fish that often hang around the boat. My advice: once you hook one, keep fishing the same spot since they school up. Use medium tackle with squid or fish strips on a two-hook rig. The bigger males stay deeper, so if you want size, don't be afraid to hit the outer ledges.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy, are fun bottom dwellers that show up reliably from May through October when water warms up. These silver-scaled fish average 8-14 inches but can reach 18 inches and 4 pounds. They hang around rocks, pilings, and structure in relatively shallow water, making them perfect for our Cape Cod trips. What guests love about scup is how cooperative they are - great for families and kids getting into fishing. They fight decent for their size and make excellent table fare or live bait for stripers. You'll often catch them while targeting other species since they're aggressive feeders. Pro tip: when you find one scup, there's usually more nearby. Use small hooks with squid, clams, or worms, and jig slowly near the bottom. They school up tight around structure.
Tautoga OnitisAlso called blackfish, tautog are thick-bodied fighters that love rocky structure around Cape Cod. These territorial fish run 1-3 pounds typically, though they can hit 28 pounds and live 40 years. You'll find them hugging boulders, jetties, and ledges in shallow to moderate depths. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially late April to August when they're spawning and extra aggressive. What makes tautog special is their bulldog fight - they'll try to wrap your line around rocks with that thick, rubbery body. Plus, they're excellent table fare. My tip: use green crabs for bait, crush up some shells around your spot to create a feeding scent, and change baits every 4-5 minutes. Their powerful jaws crush shellfish easily, so fresh bait is key.
East Boston, MA