Cape Cod Inshore Black Sea Bass and Bluefish Charter
Looking for a fishing trip that's perfect for the whole crew? Captain Bruce and the team at Strike 2 Fishing Charters have dialed in the perfect Cape Cod inshore experience. We're talking about productive waters where the fish are biting, gear that's ready to go, and a captain who knows exactly where to put you on the best action. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing adventure or you're a seasoned angler wanting to load the cooler with dinner, this charter delivers every single time.
What to Expect on the Water
This is Cape Cod fishing at its finest – we're heading to the inshore waters where black sea bass, bluefish, striped bass, and scup are hanging out in good numbers. The beauty of this trip is how we read the tide and adjust our spots accordingly. When the tide's moving just right, we'll hit the structure where sea bass love to hold. If conditions favor topwater action, we'll chase those aggressive bluefish that'll bend your rod and put up a real fight. Captain Bruce has been working these waters for years, and he's got the local knowledge to put you on fish regardless of what Mother Nature throws our way. The boat handles up to six anglers comfortably, so there's plenty of room to spread out and everyone gets their shot at the action. We keep things relaxed and family-friendly – this isn't about egos or competition, it's about having a great day catching fish and making memories on Cape Cod's legendary waters.
Gear Setup and Tactics
Everything's included and ready to rock when you step aboard. We're talking quality rods and reels spooled with fresh line, a tackle box full of the right jigs, hooks, and sinkers for whatever we're targeting that day. For black sea bass, we'll be dropping down with bucktails and squid strips to those rocky bottom spots where they love to ambush prey. The bluefish action often calls for different tactics – sometimes we'll troll small spoons or cast metal jigs when we mark schools on the fish finder. Striped bass can be finicky, so we'll switch between live bait rigs and artificials depending on what they're showing us. The scup bite is usually pretty reliable, and they're perfect for getting kids hooked on fishing since they're aggressive and plentiful. Captain Bruce handles all the navigation and fish-finding, while you focus on the fun part – fighting fish and learning new techniques. Don't worry about licenses either – we've got that covered so you can just show up ready to fish.
Customer Stories
"Thank you to Capt Bruce for a great fishing experience! Our group had a fantastic time! We traveled all the way from Sunapee, NH. He got us on the fish and caught about 8 pds of black sea bass and a couple of scup. Every time I put my hook in the water I caught a fish...even if some weren't keepers I had a blast catching them! My goal was to catch a shark and I did!!! It was a sand shark, but still...lol...thanks again for an awesome trip! Definitely recommend!!" - Kimberly
Species You'll Want to Hook
Black sea bass are the bread and butter of Cape Cod inshore fishing, and for good reason. These chunky, hard-fighting fish love structure – think rocky bottoms, wrecks, and reefs where they can ambush crabs and small baitfish. They're most active during the warmer months from late spring through early fall, with peak action often coming during moving tides. What makes them so appealing is their aggressive nature and excellent table fare. A keeper black sea bass (15 inches minimum in Massachusetts waters) will give you a solid fight on medium tackle, and they're absolutely delicious when prepared fresh. They've got this habit of diving straight back to the bottom when hooked, so you need to keep steady pressure and work them up slowly.
Bluefish are pure aggression on fins, and they'll test your drag system every single time. These voracious predators travel in schools and when you find them feeding, the action can be absolutely wild. Cape Cod sees excellent bluefish runs from late spring through fall, with some of the best fishing happening when they're chasing baitfish in shallow water. They'll hit just about anything that moves – metal jigs, spoons, cut bait, you name it. The key with blues is their razor-sharp teeth, so we use wire leaders to prevent bite-offs. They're fantastic on the grill and their oily, rich meat is perfect for smoking. Just remember they're best eaten fresh, so plan your dinner accordingly.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of New England fishing, and Cape Cod's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent striper action on the East Coast. These fish are smart, strong, and can grow to impressive sizes even in the shallows. We see them year-round in Cape Cod waters, but the best action typically comes during their spring and fall migrations when they're actively feeding. Stripers are structure-oriented fish that love current breaks, drop-offs, and areas where baitfish get pushed around by the tide. They can be incredibly finicky – hitting topwater lures at dawn one day and only wanting live eels on the bottom the next. That's part of what makes them so addictive to target.
Scup, also called porgies, are the perfect fish for families and kids getting into fishing. They're abundant in Cape Cod waters, they bite aggressively, and they're the right size for young anglers to handle confidently. These fish love structure just like sea bass, but they'll often feed higher in the water column and in slightly different spots. Scup are most active from late spring through early fall, and they're not shy about hitting baits. They've got small mouths, so we use smaller hooks and cut bait like squid or clams. While they might not be the biggest