Cape Cod, Barnstabe Co., MA, Sept 1 - 8, 2012

jay348

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2011
Messages
741
Part 1:

It's mid-week of my vacation with my girlfriend and our dog, Dilbert. And since its windy/pouring rain today, I figured I would report back with some info/pics.

I've even been lucky enough to have some partners when scouting out spots.

7936576448_e645dd76d8_z.jpg



7936558980_dedc9404a7_z.jpg





























































Baitfish are around, but finding anything bigger has been a challenge. Each spot in the area is completely different, and I'm just getting the hang of fishing them.

The local beach is pretty featureless. But there's a small jetty near a creek mouth at the end of the beach, and these guys are usually around when the tide is up:

7936849070_e783b31fd7_z.jpg




















At the next beach to the east, its about a 15 minute hike to the inlet. The lighthouse looked pretty cool at sunrise.

7936533664_59aa3015b9_z.jpg







































The water looked good too, but the little blues were the only fish showing themselves.

On my way back to the car, the tide was dropping; and I could now see the sandbars and grass patches lining the shallow beach. That's when I noticed the big grey shadow cruising along one of the patches. I got one cast off, but overshot it...the bass disappeared. Now I know why flats fishing is so popular.

This morning I slept in a bit, and I almost didn't even leave my car. The wind was gusting over 20 mph at a different inlet I was hoping to fish, and casting looked next to impossible. I wasn't sure if I should even bother fishing. But I noticed some birds diving in the shallows, so I walked down the steps and started casting once I reached water. Good thing I did...ten minutes later I felt a tug.

7936529690_6da7f5dd87_z.jpg




















It was tiny, but I was impressed with how strong this little guy felt...even on my 10 wt. And if anything, it was a confidence booster for the next few days.

Hopefully I'll have some more to report by the weekend.


and a few other pics...

7936579998_810a2c64e4_z.jpg




















7936556344_537587f531_z.jpg


















7936540054_6d69fced9b_z.jpg
 
What a neat report. Best of luck with the rest of your trip. Dilbert looks like a true fish dog. 🙂 Keep the pics coming. Maybe try a crab fly if you see any more cruising bass(?).
 
Jay,
Thanks for the report, lookin good.
John
 
You can wade out on the flats at low tide at Barnstable, but make sure you get the Hell out of there before the tide comes back. 8-12 tidal exchange there, and many have had to swim. You'll have about 60-90 minutes. Throw sinking tip or head with small Cape Minnows into the deep water off the edges, and strip up onto the flat. They hang at the edge of the flat on both the upstream and downstream sides, and on the current rip. If you see them cruising the flats, throw a light colored crab pattern. Lead them 10' or so-they won't take one dropped in their grille as often as a permit. Short, short strips.
 
One place I fished and had a lot of success was in manisha. The harbor had fish feeding on small sand eels in the morning and when the sun went down. Also fished lobstervile and had luck. The guide I went out said he fishes lobstervile and the harbor when fishing on the island is hard. According to him the place always has fish. He has won the fishing tornament for the biggest blue and bass a few times in the past years, and ties most the flies for Larry's bait and tackle. His name was herb. Great guy and knows the island like the back of his hand.
 
Beautiful pix and a wonderful report.

I also love the saltwater.
 
What kind of dog is Dilbert? He's adorable!


And that pic of the lighthouse is awesome!
 
Nice pics Jay but I want to see some fish in the double digits
 
Mark, you're thinking about the Vineyard. He is on the Cape proper, near the elbow, on the Bay side.
 
Fredrick wrote:
Nice pics Jay but I want to see some fish in the double digits

No such luck unfortunately.

The weather was crappy after I fished on Wed...

7940328320_73951bf21b_b.jpg




















...and I saw some humpback whales for the first time on Thurs.

7950567026_7774254a6c_z.jpg




















7950554928_6e69625386_z.jpg





































7950529874_cdfc69db3d_z.jpg



























The snappers were out in force, but the bass gave me the skunk for the rest of the week.

7950525718_7d63453436_z.jpg




















Despite my lack of fish finding skills, it was a great week. Looking forward to the fall around these parts now.
 
Gorosaurus wrote:
What kind of dog is Dilbert? He's adorable!


And that pic of the lighthouse is awesome!

Thanks!

He's a rescue so we aren't 100% sure. Definitely a beagle mix...the adoption place told us he was part chihuahua, but I could also see some jack russell or even dachshund. Those guesses are all we've got though.

Still hoping to get him used to coming fishing (FI, I think he could use a lesson from Benny). He loves exploring, but his nose will absolutely get him into trouble; so I still gotta keep a constant eye out. Someday!
 
SurfCowboyXX wrote:
You can wade out on the flats at low tide at Barnstable, but make sure you get the Hell out of there before the tide comes back. 8-12 tidal exchange there, and many have had to swim. You'll have about 60-90 minutes. Throw sinking tip or head with small Cape Minnows into the deep water off the edges, and strip up onto the flat. They hang at the edge of the flat on both the upstream and downstream sides, and on the current rip. If you see them cruising the flats, throw a light colored crab pattern. Lead them 10' or so-they won't take one dropped in their grille as often as a permit. Short, short strips.

Thanks for the tips surf!

I did give the flats around west orleans a try one day. It was clear and sunny, and the current still had me on edge. I was probably close to a mile out and when the tide rose from my shins above my knees in about 15 min. I'm sure I could have stayed longer, but I didn't feel like testing it...I've read enough horror stories about getting stuck out there.
 
Are you going to hit any trout streams while there?
 
When I'm on Cape Cod.....I'm chasing stripers. 🙂

I can chase little brookies back here in PA. But to each his own.

I'm sure there's some interesting fishing for trout - including for salter brookies - on Cape Cod and Long Island. I just can't envision driving to these areas and not fishing the salt.
 
jay348 wrote:
(FI, I think he could use a lesson from Benny). He loves exploring, but his nose will absolutely get him into trouble; so I still gotta keep a constant eye out. Someday!

Bring him. Benny just won't be able to keep up.....but lessons from The Incredible Fly Fishing Weiner Dog are available. 🙂
 
Back
Top