Fishing 101:
Bluefish, Fishing Tips, & Freshwater Fishing Spots
Bluefish (pomatomus saltatrix) are numerous in Cape Cod waters; they are
good to eat, with a slightly stronger flavor than bass.
As a sportfish, the Blue is a formidable opponent. Its sharp
teeth and protruding lower jaw only hint at its prowess and fighting ability.
In fact, seasoned Blue fisherman tend to talk more about their scars than their
bait--a Bluefish will eat anything in front of it, even fingers trying to
unhook it!
Fun Fact: A feeding school of Bluefish gives off a
discernible watermelon odor.
Fishing Tips:
The following tips apply to fresh and
saltwater fishing. Remember, though, "Old Salts" believe their wisely-guarded
secrets should never be printed.
- The Best Time of the Month to Fish: Between the New Moon and
the Full Moon.
- The Best Time of the Day to Fish: Just before and for an hour
after high tide and low tide. This is when fish feed the most.
- The Best Weather for Fishing: During a steady or rising
barometric pressure.
Freshwater Fishing:
Cape Cod catches Include: Bass,
Pickerel, Yellow Perch, Bullheads, White Perch. Many ponds are stocked with
trout.
- Bourne: Flax & Red Brook Ponds
- Sandwich: Hoxie, Lawrence, Spectacle, & Triangle
Ponds.
- Mashpee: Ashumet, John's, Mashpee-Wakeby & Santuit
Ponds.
- Falmouth: Deep, Grews, Jenkins, Mares, & Siders
Ponds.
- Barnstable: Hathaway, Garretts, Long, Lovells & Shallow
Ponds plus Mystic Lake.
- Yarmouth: Dennis, Horse, Long & Big Sandy Ponds.
- Dennis: Scargo Lake & Fresh Pond
- Brewster: Almost 50 ponds, including Sheep, Cliff, Cahoon,
Flax, Higgin's, Long, Slough, & Walker Ponds
- Harwich: Bucks, Eldredge, Hinckley's, Long, Sand & Seymour
Ponds.
- Chatham: Schoolhouse, Goose, Mill & White Pond, Plus
Lovers Lake.
- Orleans: Baker's Pond plus Crystal & Pilgrim Lakes.
- Eastham: Depot, Great & Minister Ponds.
- Wellfleet: Great, Gull & Long Ponds.
- Truro: Great & Horseleech Ponds Plus Pilgrim Lake.
Fishing License: Required (except for kids under 15) for
freshwater fishing. Available from various Town Halls.
