Finding Joy in Fishing Cape Cod with Captain Mark Haley

A Little Something About Me

I am Capt. Mark Haley of Shannon Sea Sportfishing based in beautiful Dennis, MA. I’ve been fishing since I was a kid, ever since my father first took me out on his boat to introduce me to what would be my lifelong passion. The rest, as they say, is history. Now I am considered one of the top guides in my area with 19 years of experience. Even with decades of fishing in the same area under my belt, I still find constant joy in fishing Cape Cod. But what I enjoy most is being able to introduce more people to the beauty and richness of this region I call home and guiding them through the joys and challenges of fishing, both for sport and recreation.

My first fishing memory is being with my father on his 14-foot Starcraft boat. We were looking for breaking fish in the water and finally found them. My father did the casting. Then once he hooked up a fish, he handed me the rod, and there I was, fighting my first striped bass. It was such an exhilarating experience, and my father coached me on what to do and how to land the fish all the way through. I ended up successful with it, thanks to my dad, and while the fish was too short to be a keeper, I still look at it fondly as the perfect size for my first keeper. This experience, I believe, led me to become the fishing guide I am today. With every angler I guide, I call to mind how my father introduced me to fishing, helping me build my skills and confidence.

More than the sport itself, what I love about fishing is the serenity of being on the water, enjoying the views, and feeling the fresh air all around me. I love that once I’m on a boat fishing, I can just leave everything else that is going on in my life at the dock and focus on creating memories that will last a lifetime, memories that no one can take away from me, my family, and my friends. It is exactly the kind of experience I strive to bring to any guest who hops aboard my boat to fish with Shannon Sea Sportfishing. More than guiding them to the best fishing hot spots or helping them with their catch, I want to impart the joy of simply being in the water and savoring every moment as a memory of a lifetime. 

Spots That I Like to Frequent

I would say that Cape Cod Bay is my favorite fishing spot. I consider it home and my sandbox for fishing. What makes Cape Cod Bay so amazing is that it is dotted with many productive hot spots. It is impossible to exhaust your options in this bay. Its waters offer some of the most ecologically diverse and abundant habitats in this part of the world, attracting a great number of fish species. 

Cape Cod Bay is surrounded by Cape Cod to the south and east, Massachusetts Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to the north, and Plymouth County to the west. It connects to another productive waterbody, Buzzards Bay, by way of the Cape Cod Canal. It is also partly surrounded by beaches with dunes and bluffs, and near these beaches, you will find flats where you can enjoy more inshore fishing.

Cape Cod Bay is a part of the Gulf of Maine, which is largely considered one of the most productive water bodies not just in the states but in the entire world. What makes the water of Cape Cod Bay consistently healthy is the strong tidal movement that helps it flush out its system with rich ocean water. 

So many fish species are attracted to the waters of Cape Cod Bay, but it is most known for its striped bass fishery — and it’s easy to see why. It’s impossible to have a bad fishing day out on the bay if you’re hunting for these stripers. They come in trophy sizes in this part of Cape Cod, especially in May. They’re best targeted with mackerel as your bait, which is great because mackerel also abound in the water around the same time. If you come in later in the month, you will also find bluefish joining in the surface, feeding fun. This time of the year is a spectacular time to fish in Cape Cod Bay as you see plenty of exciting top water action. However, I would argue that the bay is an excellent hot spot to visit and fish most of the year. If we’re lucky, we might even witness some whales on their migration and feeding route. 

My Charter’s Main Targets and Techniques We Use

Our fishing charter, Shannon Sea Sportfishing, specializes in fishing in the Cape Cod area, including Cape Cod Bay, Nantucket, Buzzards Bay, Nantucket Sound, Vineyard Sound, Provincetown area, Woods Hole, and the Atlantic Ocean. Our main target fish species are two of the area’s favorite game fish – striped bass and bluefish. We’ll fish for them through what I call “Cape Cod Cardio” – light tackle casting or trolling with live baits or jigging wire. We either cast on the surface or go deep sea fishing and hunt for them if they’re on the bottom, depending on the season. No need to worry about gear or lure – rods, reels, tackle, and live bait are included in your fishing trip fee. Just bring snacks, enough sun protection (SPF 50, sunglasses, and your favorite bucket hat), and your camera to document your catch.

Why Book Your Trip with Captain Mark Haley

At Shannon Sea Sportfishing, my crew and I pride ourselves on our deep knowledge of the area and our focus on providing the best fishing charter experience possible. We accommodate novice anglers and experienced ones and tailor the experience based on their level and needs. On our charter, novice anglers can enjoy a kind of masterclass on fishing techniques and the use of gear with my crew and me. Expert anglers, on the other hand, can lean on us for support as they challenge themselves with a target catch.

To provide the best experience possible for our guests, I make sure that our boat is always up to snuff. My 26’ Sailfish boat can comfortably seat up to six guests and is equipped with amenities like a GPS, fishfinder, live bait tanks, and even a private toilet. I prioritize speed and safety on my boat, so I’ve outfitted it with a Yamaha engine that can run up to 28 mph and USCG-required safety equipment. Fishing with us can take you all over the Cape Cod area – endlessly beautiful nature views, extremely productive waters, and a memorable experience all around.

Book a fishing trip with us at Shannon Sea Sportfishing if you want to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime fishing experience not just on Cape Cod Bay but all over the Cape area. You can find out more about us on our website and Facebook page, where we post about our trips and fishing reports on the catch of the season and more.