Kid Friendly Cape Cod Striped Bass Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour family-friendly inshore fishing charter departing 11:00am dailyTargets striped bass, bluefish, mackerel and flounder in Cape Cod BayIncludes tackle, bait, fishing license and professional fish cleaning service
Captain Bob Joyce knows exactly what it takes to get kids hooked on fishing for life. His four-hour morning trips out of Sandwich focus on one simple goal: putting fish in the boat while keeping everyone safe and having a blast. Running from mid-May through the end of July, these half-day charters target the prime season when stripers and blues are feeding heavily in Cape Cod Bay. The 11am departure gives families time for breakfast and gets you back to the dock by mid-afternoon with fresh fillets ready for dinner. At just four anglers max, Captain Bob can give each junior angler the personal attention they need to master their technique and land their first keeper.
The 28-foot sportfishing boat provides plenty of elbow room for casting without tangling lines, plus the stability young anglers need when fighting fish. Captain Bob has been running these waters for years and knows exactly where the fish stack up during different tides and weather conditions. You'll start the trip with a quick safety briefing and tackle rundown before heading to the first fishing spot. The private head onboard means no worries about bathroom breaks, and there's plenty of shade when the sun gets hot. Captain Bob focuses on spots where the action stays consistent rather than chasing trophy fish, because nothing beats seeing a kid's face light up when they feel that first solid hookup. The boat comes equipped with top-shelf Diawa rods and reels sized appropriately for smaller hands, along with all the terminal tackle you'll need.
Captain Bob runs a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are hitting that day. Live mackerel and pogies work great for stripers, while chunk bait often triggers aggressive bluefish strikes. For the kids who want to try lures, he's got an arsenal of soft plastics and spoons that are easy to work and deadly effective in Cape Cod Bay. The tackle is sized perfectly for junior anglers - not too heavy to wear them out, but strong enough to handle a decent fish. You'll learn basic jigging techniques and how to work live bait naturally in the current. Captain Bob teaches proper fish handling from the start, showing kids how to safely land, unhook, and release fish they're not keeping. The fishing license is included in your trip cost, so parents don't need to worry about paperwork. All keeper fish get the full treatment at the dock - professionally cleaned, filleted, and bagged so you can head straight home or to your hotel.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of Cape Cod fishing, and late spring through early summer puts you right in their prime feeding period. These fish migrate north along the coast and flood into Cape Cod Bay to gorge on baitfish before continuing their journey. School bass in the 18-28 inch range are perfect for young anglers - big enough to put up a real fight but manageable to land. Stripers hit both live bait and lures hard, often making multiple runs that get kids screaming with excitement. The meat is outstanding eating, with firm white fillets that taste great grilled or baked. Captain Bob knows exactly where these fish cruise along the edges and drop-offs, positioning the boat so everyone gets shots at active fish.
Bluefish bring pure aggression to the party, attacking baits and lures with ferocious strikes that often catch young anglers off guard. These toothy predators travel in schools and feed competitively, meaning when you find them, the action can be absolutely wild. Blues in the 2-8 pound range are common in Cape Cod Bay during summer months, providing arm-burning fights that teach kids how to work the reel drag properly. They'll hit just about any bait or lure you throw at them, making them perfect confidence builders for junior anglers. The rich, oily meat has a distinctive flavor that many families love, especially when prepared fresh the same day. Captain Bob always carries wire leaders when blues are around, since their razor-sharp teeth can slice through regular fishing line instantly.
Mackerel and flounder round out the typical catch, with mackerel providing fast action on light tackle and flounder offering a different bottom fishing experience. Mackerel schools often mark clearly on the fish finder, and kids love the rapid-fire action when you drop into a feeding school. These smaller fish are perfect for teaching proper hook setting and reeling technique without overwhelming young anglers. Flounder require more patience and finesse, helping kids learn to detect subtle bites and work baits along the bottom structure.
This isn't just another fishing trip - it's the kind of experience that creates lifelong anglers and builds family memories that last forever. Captain Bob's patient teaching style and focus on consistent action over trophy hunting makes this the perfect introduction to Cape Cod fishing for kids. The four-hour timeframe hits the sweet spot where everyone stays engaged without getting tired or cranky. With all gear, bait, and fish cleaning included, plus the professional fish cleaning service, you're getting tremendous value for a top-rated charter experience. The season runs from May 15th through July 30th, covering the absolute prime time for striped bass and bluefish action in Cape Cod Bay. Don't wait too long to book - these family-friendly trips fill up fast once word gets out about Captain Bob's success rate with junior anglers.
The "Tigger Too" is a well-equipped 27-foot Polar that's built for productive Cape Cod inshore fishing trips. Twin 225 HP Yamahas get you to the productive waters of Cape Cod Bay quickly, while the wireless trolling motor lets Captain Bob position the boat quietly over prime striped bass and bluefish spots without spooking the fish. The boat's stable design makes it perfect for kids learning to handle bigger fish, and the stand-up head means no rushing back to shore when nature calls. GPS and fish finder technology help locate schools of bait and the predators following them. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space for families to fish comfortably without getting tangled lines. The boat comes rigged with quality Diawa tackle and Captain Bob provides everything from lures to live bait, so you just need to bring drinks and snacks for your half-day on the water.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are pure adrenaline on a fishing line. These aggressive predators have razor-sharp teeth and attitudes to match - they'll hit lures hard and fight dirty all the way to the boat. Most blues we catch range 3-10 pounds, perfect size for young anglers to handle while still getting that heart-pumping action. They travel in schools through Cape Cod Bay chasing baitfish, often creating feeding frenzies right on the surface. Summer months are peak season when they're most active in our shallow waters. The smaller "snapper" blues make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. Pro tip: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon - those teeth will slice through regular line like butter. When you see birds diving and water churning, get your lure in there fast.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the crown jewel of Cape Cod fishing. These silvery beauties with their distinctive dark stripes typically run 20-40 pounds in our waters, though we've pulled in some real giants. They're strong fighters that'll test your drag and give kids a thrill they won't forget. You'll find them around structure - rocks, drop-offs, and tide lines where baitfish gather. The cooler waters of early morning and evening are prime time, especially during our season when they're feeding heavily before their fall migration south. The meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. Here's a local secret: watch for diving birds - they'll show you where the bait is, and the stripers are usually right underneath.
Cape Cod