Striped Bass & Bluefish Charter from Harwich
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target striped bass and bluefish on Cape Cod watersPrivate 45 hour charter accommodates up to 4 guestsAll fishing gear, rods, and bait provided onboard
Cape Cod's waters hold some of the East Coast's best striped bass and bluefish action, and this 4-5 hour charter puts you right in the thick of it. Captain-guided trips aboard Unreel, a fast 30' Contender, give you access to productive fishing grounds that locals have worked for years. With space for up to 4 anglers, it's perfectly sized for families wanting to get kids on fish or small groups looking to fill the cooler. All your tackle, bait, and gear comes included – you just need to show up ready to fish.
Your day starts at Harwich with a quick gear check and species briefing from your captain. The 30' Contender gets you to the fishing grounds fast, and once you're there, expect to work both casting and trolling depending on what the fish are doing. Mornings often start with trolling umbrella rigs or wire line setups to locate schools, then switch to casting when you mark active fish. The boat's setup handles everything from light spinning tackle for smaller blues to heavier gear when big stripers are around. Your captain reads the water constantly – watching for birds, bait, and electronics to keep you on productive water. Between the Contender's fishability and local knowledge, you're fishing prime spots that produce consistently throughout the season.
This charter runs a mix of techniques that keep rods bent all day. Trolling gets you covering water fast, especially effective for stripers holding on structure or following bait schools. Umbrella rigs with tube-and-worm combos are deadly on bass, while smaller spoons and plugs pick up aggressive bluefish. When fish are located, the action switches to casting – live eels for trophy stripers, chunk bait for steady action, or topwater plugs when fish are busting on the surface. The boat carries spinning and conventional setups matched to conditions, from 20-pound class tackle for general fishing up to heavier gear when cow bass are around. Circle hooks keep fish healthy for release, and the captain handles all rigging so you focus on fishing. Wire leaders come out when blues are thick, preventing bite-offs that cost fish and lures.
Striped bass are the Cape's signature gamefish, and Harwich waters hold them from late spring through fall. These fish run anywhere from schoolie size around 20 inches up to genuine cows pushing 40-plus pounds. Stripers are structure-oriented, hanging around rocks, drop-offs, and current breaks where baitfish get pushed around. They're smart feeders that can be picky – sometimes wanting live bait presented just right, other times crushing anything that moves. Peak action often comes during tide changes when bass move up to feed. The fight combines strong runs with head-shaking jumps, and bigger fish really test your drag. Most anglers target the 28-36 inch slot where fish are thick and fight hard without being breeding stock.
Bluefish bring pure aggression to every hookup, hitting lures with violent strikes that can catch you off guard. These toothy predators school up in big numbers around Harwich, especially during summer months when baitfish are thick. Blues range from snapper size perfect for kids up to chopper blues over 10 pounds that'll straighten hooks. They're opportunistic feeders that crush topwater plugs, spoons, and chunk bait with equal enthusiasm. The fight is all power – strong runs and violent head shakes that can throw hooks if you don't keep pressure on. Bluefish also make excellent table fare when bled and iced properly, with firm white meat that grills beautifully. When schools are located, expect fast action with multiple hookups common.
Cape Cod fishing delivers some of the East Coast's most consistent striper and bluefish action, and this charter puts you on fish with experienced local captains who know these waters inside and out. The 4-5 hour timeframe gives you plenty of fishing without wearing out kids or novice anglers, while the 4-person capacity keeps groups small and fishing productive. All tackle and bait comes included, making this a hassle-free way to experience world-class fishing just off Harwich. Whether you're looking to introduce family to saltwater fishing or targeting personal-best bass, this trip delivers the goods. Book your dates early – prime summer and fall slots fill up fast when fish are most active.
The Contender 27 Open is built for serious fishing around Cape Cod waters. Twin Suzuki 300s give this boat the speed and reliability to chase down striped bass and bluefish wherever they're biting. The open layout keeps up to 4 anglers moving freely while casting or fighting fish. An onboard fish finder helps locate schools and structure, while the radar keeps you safe when fog rolls in. The icebox handles your catch and cold drinks, and VHF radio maintains contact with other boats and shore. This hull design cuts through chop smoothly, getting you to productive fishing grounds fast and keeping you comfortable during long fights with big stripers. GPS navigation ensures you can return to hot spots and find your way back to port. Whether you're trolling the outer bars or casting to breaking fish, this Contender delivers the performance Cape Cod fishing demands.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are pure aggression with fins—perfect for anyone who wants non-stop action. These blue-green fighters typically weigh 3-15 pounds and are built for speed with razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through anything careless. You'll find them in schools around here from mid-June through October, often pushing baitfish right into the surf or around structure. They hit hard, fight harder, and never give up until they're in the boat. What guests love most is the consistent action—when you find one, you've usually found a hundred. Fresh blues are fantastic eating if you bleed them right away and keep them cold. Pro tip: bring wire leaders or heavy fluorocarbon, and watch your fingers when unhooking. These guys will bite anything that moves, including you.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are Cape Cod legends for good reason. These silver beauties with their signature dark stripes typically run 20-40 pounds around here, though we've seen plenty bigger. They love structure—rocky points, drop-offs, and anywhere baitfish get pushed around by current. Spring through fall is prime time, especially during dawn and dusk when they move shallow to feed. What makes them special? They fight smart, not just hard, using their weight and that broad tail to test your drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Local tip: when you see birds diving or bait getting nervous on the surface, get your line in the water fast. Those feeding windows don't last long, but when stripers are up and feeding, it's game on.
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