Cape Cod Striped Bass and Bluefish Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Five-hour morning charter targeting striped bass and bluefish inshoreAll tackle, bait, and fishing licenses included with professional serviceCaptain provides catch cleaning and filleting at the dock
When you're looking for that perfect Cape Cod fishing experience, Captain Bob Joyce knows exactly where to find the action. This five-hour morning charter out of Sesuit Harbor puts you right in the heart of Cape Cod Bay's most productive waters, where stripers and blues have been feeding for generations. Starting at first light with a 7:00 AM departure, you'll have the bay mostly to yourself while the fish are still actively feeding from their overnight hunts.
Captain Bob runs a tight ship aboard his 27-foot Polar, and you'll appreciate the twin engines when it's time to chase down breaking fish or make that run back to the harbor. The boat handles Cape Cod Bay's chop like a dream, and with space for up to four anglers, everyone gets plenty of elbow room at the rail. The private head is a nice touch for those longer sessions, especially when the fish are cooperative and nobody wants to head in early. You'll be fishing from May 15 through September 30, which covers the prime season when both stripers and bluefish are thick in these waters. The $625 rate covers everything you need to fish – your Massachusetts license, top-shelf Shimano and Penn gear, plus all the lures and live bait you can use. Captain Bob even throws in professional cleaning and filleting service right at the dock, so you'll head home with perfectly prepared fillets ready for the grill.
The beauty of Cape Cod Bay fishing lies in its versatility, and Captain Bob's approach reflects that perfectly. You'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are showing you. When the baitfish are thick and the bass are feeding aggressively, nothing beats a fresh-caught live eel or mackerel dropped right into the action. The Shimano and Penn setups are perfectly matched to handle everything from schoolie stripers to those bruiser bass that can peel drag like nobody's business. For bluefish, Captain Bob often switches to wire leaders and heavier jigs – these toothy predators will slice through mono like butter, and you don't want to lose the fish of a lifetime to a cutoff. The boat's electronics help locate bait schools and structure, but Captain Bob's decades of experience reading Cape Cod Bay is what really puts fish in the boat. He knows where the bass stage during different tide phases and can predict bluefish movements based on water temperature and bait concentrations.
Cape Cod Bay striped bass are the stuff of New England fishing legends, and for good reason. These fish spend their summers feeding heavily in the bay's rich waters, building up fat reserves for their fall migration. You'll typically encounter fish ranging from keeper-sized 28-inchers up to true cows pushing 40 pounds or more. The best action usually happens during moving water – either the incoming tide pushing bait into the shallows or the outgoing tide concentrating prey fish in deeper channels. Stripers are ambush predators at heart, so they love to set up along drop-offs, around structure, or wherever current creates feeding opportunities. What makes catching them so addictive is their fight – a big striper will make multiple runs, often heading straight for the bottom or trying to wrap you around any available structure. The bluefish that frequent these waters are equally impressive but fight with a completely different style. These aggressive predators are pure muscle and attitude, making blazing runs and jumping when they feel the hook. Cape Cod blues typically run from snapper size up to gorilla blues exceeding 15 pounds. They're opportunistic feeders that travel in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more around. Bluefish are also excellent table fare when handled properly, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking.
This charter represents everything that makes Cape Cod fishing special – experienced local knowledge, quality equipment, and access to some of the most productive striper and bluefish waters on the East Coast. Captain Bob's approach of providing everything from tackle to cleaning services means you can focus on what matters most: enjoying a day on the water and bringing home dinner. The morning departure time puts you on the water when fish are most active, and five hours gives you plenty of opportunity to work different areas as conditions change. With the season running from mid-May through the end of September, you have flexibility to choose dates that work with your schedule. Just remember to bring your own food and drinks – after a morning of battling Cape Cod Bay's finest, you'll definitely work up an appetite.
The "Tigger Too" is a serious fishing machine built for Cape Cod's productive waters. This 27-foot Polar boat cuts through the bay with twin 225 HP Yamaha engines, getting you to the bass and blues fast. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure or bait schools - no spooking fish when you're dialed in. GPS and fish finder help locate the action, whether you're targeting stripers along the drop-offs or chasing bluefish in the shallows. The stand-up head means comfort during those long morning trips, and there's room for four anglers to fish without getting tangled up. Captain Bob knows these waters and keeps the boat stocked with quality Shimano and Penn gear, plus he'll catch your live bait on the way out. Perfect setup for Cape Cod inshore fishing from May through September.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are Cape Cod's ultimate scrapper - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that'll bend your rod and test your drag. These blue-green torpedoes typically weigh 3-15 pounds in our waters, with razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through anything. They show up in Cape Cod Bay from mid-June through October, feeding in schools around bait concentrations. You'll find them in shallow water, often creating feeding frenzies called "bluefish blitz" where the water looks like it's boiling. What guests love? The non-stop action and fierce fights - blues hit hard and don't give up easy. They're also great table fare when prepared fresh. Local tip: use wire leaders or heavy fluorocarbon - their teeth will cut regular line in seconds. And keep your fingers clear when unhooking; those chompers don't discriminate.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the bread and butter of Cape Cod fishing, and for good reason. These silver-sided beauties with their distinctive black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds in our waters, though we see some real monsters pushing 50+. They're structure lovers - you'll find them around drop-offs, sandbars, and rocky areas where baitfish gather. Peak season runs May through September when they migrate through Cape Cod Bay. What makes them special? They fight hard, pulling drag and making runs that'll test your skills. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local tip: watch for diving birds - they'll point you right to feeding stripers working bait schools. When you see that commotion, get your lines in fast because the bite can turn off just as quick as it started.
Cape Cod