Why Cape Cod is a Fishing Destination

An Insider Look at the Region by Capt. Ross Walkinshaw of the Cape Cod Charter Guys 

It’s no secret: Cape Cod is a stunning fishing destination. A beautiful peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, the Cape has enjoyed a long fishing tradition that dates back to the era of the Vikings. To this day, the region is famous for its productive and diverse fishing experiences, both saltwater and freshwater. 

Speaking from my personal experience, I fell in love with fishing itself when I moved into the area years ago. Perhaps to say that I fell in love would be an understatement because once I started Cape Cod fishing, there truly was no going back for me. I loved it so much that I was able to pass down my passion to my own son, Jayden, who now happens to be my first mate and runs Cape Cod Charter Guys with me.

Believe me when I tell you that my experience is not unique. So many more have fallen in love with fishing with a simple trip to Cape Cod. Just come here any time of the year, and you'll see why this marvelous peninsula is a truly fantastic fishing region rivaling the best of them, with more productive fishing spots to last you a lifetime.

However, if you need a little more convincing, here are just some reasons why Cape Cod is a Fishing Destination worth including on your ultimate bucket list.

Unique Fishing Spots All In One Region

Cape Cod is a region subdivided into districts. Each district offers different fishing experiences for the angler who wants to get a taste of everything.

For the quintessential Cape Cod experience, fishing the Cape Cod Canal is a must. This waterway connects the fresh waterbodies of the region to the open sea, which makes for some truly exciting surf fishing, particularly for the prized striped bass.

On the other hand, if you want to try your hand at trout fishing, Yarmouth's Gull Pond is the place to be, as it is teeming with brown trout, tiger trout, and rainbow trout. Fly fishing anglers flock to Falmouth's saltwater marshes to catch some largemouth and smallmouth bass. 

Sport anglers eager for the open seas catch a fishing charter to take them to Stellwagen Bank, a fishing spot that offers opportunities to catch some hard-fighting tuna amongst Cape Cod fishing staples like cod, haddock, and pollock.

So Many Fish!

You’ll never leave Cape Cod with an empty bucket if you’re not choosy and you’ve got the time. Cape Cod is always hopping with fish no matter what time of the year. It has striped bass, bluefish, and bluefin tuna as perennial favorites among sport anglers. But don’t turn your noses up at black sea bass, cod, haddock, and pollock, which all make great table fare. 

Apart from this hit list, Cape Cod offers exciting opportunities to fish for billfish like white marlin and common dolphinfish and shark-like mako, thresher, and blue shark offshore. 

Freshwater fish species also abound in this legendary region, with many of its streams and ponds holding smallmouth and largemouth bass, as well as a nice variety of trout.

Extended Fishing Seasons

There's always something to catch in Cape Cod as long as you know where to look and what to look for. Fishing season opens in early spring when the stripers come to play. False albacore get active around late fall. And summer is just a free-for-all - though it does tend to get crowded. If you insist on fishing in Cape Cod in the summer, go all in and try your mettle at snagging some bluefin tuna offshore with a good Cape Cod fishing charter. Not too keen on going in the deep? You can always try for some bluefish and flounder in the shallow waters from summer to fall. If all else fails, you can always depend on year-round cod and haddock, even during winter. Or if you're keen, you can always try some ice fishing in frozen ponds around Sandwich and Barnstable.

A Bounty of Professional Guides and Charters

As a region built around a great passion for fishing, Cape Cod has some of the best and finest charters and guides in all of Massachusetts. I like to count our charter business, Cape Cod Charter Guys, among them. I’m proud to be a part of such a fleet of amazing fishing charters, which I can honestly say is a gathering of some of the best not just in the state but all over the United States. You won’t find a more passionate group of captains, guides, and anglers anywhere else. 

Booking a guide or a charter boat to fish in Cape Cod may be a luxury, but it’s the kind of luxury that will prove worthwhile in the end. If it’s your first time fishing on Cape Cod, it’s highly recommended as it’s the safest way to experience the area. Even if you’re an expert angler from out of town, it can’t hurt to have a local guide with you who can show you around the honey holes and spots that only locals will know about.

Choosing a Cape Cod fishing charter can prove to be a challenge because there are so many good ones out there. Some criteria you can use to choose your charter: your target fish, your budget, and where your home base is. For example, we at Cape Cod Charter Guys target a wide range of fish depending on the season. We can meet guests in different locations all over Cape Cod and launch from Cape Cod Bay, Buzzards Bay, and Vineyard Sound. We mostly fish in the waters of Cape Cod Bay, Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound, Nantucket Sound, the Provincetown area, Woods Hole, and the Atlantic Ocean - seeking to go where the fish are biting at specific times of the year.

As you can see, Cape Cod is definitely not an overrated fishing destination. It’s just as great as many guides and articles would have you believe. However, the only way to believe its claim is by experiencing what it has to offer. So if you haven’t given Cape Cod a try, book your next fishing trip on the peninsula and schedule a private boat experience with Cape Cod Charter Guys while you’re at it.