6 Hour Cape Cod Bottom Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour bottom fishing adventure targeting seabass, scup, tautog, and flukeAll equipment, bait, tackle, and fishing licenses included onboardSmall group experience accommodating maximum six guests per trip
Looking for some serious bottom fishing action on Cape Cod? Captain Vinny Schettino knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some quality fish. This top-rated 6-hour charter targets the kind of bottom dwellers that make Cape Cod famous – black sea bass, scup, and tautog. We're talking about fishing the structure where these fish live and feed, using proven techniques that consistently produce results. With everything included from your fishing license to bait and tackle, all you need to bring is your appetite for some world-class inshore fishing.
This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – Captain Vinny runs a serious operation focused on putting fish in the boat. You'll be targeting structure like rocky ledges, boulder fields, and underwater outcroppings where bottom fish congregate to feed. The boat accommodates up to 6 anglers, which means plenty of room to work without bumping elbows. Departure times shift with the seasons to hit optimal fishing windows, so you'll be fishing when conditions are prime. The captain provides all your terminal tackle, fresh bait, and knows exactly which spots are producing. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, you'll get hands-on guidance to maximize your success rate.
Bottom fishing around Cape Cod is all about precision and patience. We'll be using conventional rods with enough backbone to handle decent-sized fish while still maintaining sensitivity to feel those subtle bottom taps. The captain rigs you up with high-low rigs, jigs, and whatever's working best for current conditions. You'll learn to read the bottom structure on the fish finder, understand how tidal movement affects fish behavior, and master the art of keeping your bait in the strike zone. Sinker selection varies based on depth and current – sometimes you need 4 ounces, other times you might get away with 2. The key is maintaining bottom contact while detecting bites. Captain Vinny will show you the difference between a fish picking up your bait versus just dragging bottom, and how to set the hook when these fish commit.
Tautog are the heavyweight champions of Cape Cod bottom fishing, and for good reason. These bruisers love rocky structure and can easily reach 5-8 pounds, with trophy fish pushing double digits. Peak tautog season runs from late April through December, with fall producing the biggest specimens as they fatten up before winter. What makes tautog so exciting is their bulldogging fight – they'll use every rock and crevice to try breaking you off. Their crushing jaws are designed for eating crabs and mussels, so when they grab your bait, you'll know it. The trick is getting them away from structure quickly, because once they dig in, they're tough to budge.
Scup might be smaller than tautog, but they make up for size with numbers and fight. These aggressive feeders school up heavily during summer months and will absolutely bend your rod. A good scup weighs 1-2 pounds, but they punch above their weight class when it comes to putting up a scrap. They're also fantastic eating – sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Scup bite consistently throughout the warmer months, and when you find a school, you can catch them as fast as you can drop your line.
Black sea bass are the customer favorites on these trips, combining solid size with incredible table fare. These fish average 2-4 pounds but can reach 6-7 pounds around Cape Cod's prime structure. They're curious fish that often follow hooked fish to the surface, giving you shots at multiple bass per drop. Sea bass season typically runs May through December, with summer and early fall producing the most consistent action. What anglers love most is their willingness to bite – they're aggressive feeders that will grab everything from clams to jigs. Plus, their firm white meat makes them one of the best eating fish in these waters.
Captain Vinny's bottom fishing charters consistently deliver results because he puts in the work to stay on productive fish. With all tackle, bait, and licensing handled, this represents serious value for anglers wanting to experience Cape Cod's renowned bottom fishing without the hassle of rigging and planning. The 6-hour format gives you plenty of time to work multiple spots and adapt to changing conditions throughout the trip. Whether you're after keeper-sized fish for dinner or just want to experience the Cape's legendary fishing, this charter delivers the complete package. Book your spot with Pointe N Shoot Sport Fishing and get ready to see why Cape Cod bottom fishing has such a devoted following among serious anglers.
The "Angelina Ellie" is built for serious bottom fishing around Cape Cod's productive waters. This 2021 Pair Custom 24 Deep V cuts through chop with ease, powered by twin 225hp Mercury 4-strokes that'll get you to the best fishing spots fast while burning less fuel. Captain Vinny keeps her equipped with top-shelf SIMRAD electronics including GPS, radar, fish finder, and VHF radio - essential gear for locating those rocky ledges and structure where black seabass, scup, tautog, and fluke like to hang out. The deep V hull design handles Cape Cod's variable conditions well, keeping you comfortable while working the bottom for keeper fish. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out along the rails without getting tangled up. Everything you need is provided - license, bait, tackle, and local knowledge of where the fish are biting.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are stocky, aggressive bottom fish that love structure around Cape Cod. Most run 1-4 pounds, but we get some nice ones pushing 6-8 pounds around deeper wrecks and boulder piles. They hang out in 30-100 feet of water near jetties, ledges, and rocky bottom from late spring through fall. What makes them popular is their strong initial fight and they're some of the best eating fish we catch - firm, white, almost lobster-like meat. They're also pretty cooperative, readily hitting squid, clams, or small jigs bounced near bottom. One thing to remember: once you hook a sea bass, reel fast and keep steady pressure. They'll try to duck back into the rocks and cut your line on the structure. A medium rod with 20-30 pound braid gives you the backbone to muscle them up and away from trouble.
Stenotomus ChrysopsScup, or porgy as some call them, are silver-sided bottom dwellers that show up in big schools around Cape Cod's rocky areas and ledges. Most run 8-14 inches and put up a scrappy fight for their size. You'll find them from May through October in 20-80 feet of water, especially around structure where they feed on worms, small crabs, and mollusks. They're actually pretty easy to catch once you locate a school, and they make great table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Guests love them because kids can catch them easily, and they're perfect for filling the cooler when other fish aren't cooperating. Here's a trick: once you hook one, don't move the boat. Scup travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually a bunch more. Small pieces of squid or clam on a simple bottom rig work best.
Tautoga OnitisAlso called blackfish, tautog are chunky, hard-fighting fish that love rocky structure around Cape Cod. They typically run 1-3 pounds, though bigger ones over 10 pounds are possible. You'll find them hugging jetties, boulder fields, and ledges where they crush mussels and crabs with powerful jaws. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're feeding aggressively in 15-60 feet of water. What makes them fun is their stubborn fight - they'll try to wrap you around every rock down there. Plus they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. My tip: use green crabs for bait and crush up some shells to chum the area. Keep your drag tight and pull them up fast once hooked, or they'll dive straight back into the rocks and cut you off.
East Boston, MA