If you are going on the water to fish, you want to have the right equipment and bait. If you are fishing for striped bass, you know that you can’t simply release any bait into the water. Why not explore the most commonly used baits for striped bass if you are unsure? If you know the best baits for striped bass, you are well on your way to set yourself up to have a rewarding catch. For those who don’t know, here’s a quick guide that can help you to prepare for your next fishing trip. 

Clams

Clam makes great bait for stripers that love the gooey entrails. The fresher the clam, the better bait they make. Buy them in the shell from your favorite tackle shop. If you can’t get your clams fresh, opt for salted clams, but let the frozen option be your last pick. Early or late in the season are ideal times for surf fishermen to use clam bait especially in mud bottom bays and along sandy beaches. Boat fishermen can bring stripers to the boat with clam bellies when anchored around the back-bay structure.

Seaworms

Striper fishermen like to use two types of seaworm as bass bait: the bloodworm and the sandworm. While both are relatively fragile, the bloodworm hooks a bit better when comparing the two. A recipe for success for big stripers is a worm tipped at the end of a tube-and-worm rig. The scent of the worm is the real bait that hooks the striped bass. 

Bunker

Bunker can be live bait or sliced into chunks, which is the most popular way the bait is one. Bunker is a good shift from clam in the spring when big striped bass makes their arrival in the waters. Live bunker is typically hooked through the nose using a large hook and fished weightlessly, but surf fishermen tend to use the “snag and drop” method. When out in deep waters or faced with currents, it’s a good idea to use a three-way rig with a sinker to help it land in the target zone.  

Mackerel

Mackerel make great live baits for striped bass. Fishermen tend to use mackerel bait that’s fished weightless on a live-lining rig or under a float around rocky shoreline and structure. Others use the slow-trolling technique to tempt large stripers. Still, dead mackerel make for solid bait when cut into chunks and fished on the bottom. If fresh pogies aren’t available, let frozen mackerel be a last resort.

Book a Cape Cod Fishing Charter

If you are getting ready to go on your next fishing trip, let Cape Cod Bay Outfitters take you out! Our fishing charter runs all summer long and we’d love to have you and your family and friends join us for a day on Barnstable Harbor. For more information don’t hesitate to give us a call at 617-721-9182 or fill out a contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. 

 

Braided fishing line is sometimes referred to more simply as “braided line”. It’s a modern take on a fishing line, created from woven synthetic material, like gel-spun polyethylene, which makes it quite thin and strong. Sometimes referred to as “superlines”, braided fishing lines are worth the investment. Why would you want to purchase braided fishing lines over the other options on the market? You may not know enough about braided fishing lines to make an informed decision. A good start is knowing the benefits that braided fishing lines provide. Take a look at some of the top reasons to say yes to braided fishing lines.

Minimal Stretch

Braided fishing lines have a little stretch to them which makes them a great option for fishing in deep waters. This means that these lines can handle significant pressure and still hold up and not break. Furthermore, you’ll still be able to feel the fish bite even when doing deep water fishing, as well as debris on a line, lure, or hook. The minimal stretch feature of braided lines makes them well-suited for fishing topwater lures with plenty of fishing line and also aids in allowing you to plug deep diving crankbaits, like jigs and trolled plugs, even deeper. You can expect greater hookup potential because of the limited stretch braided lines provide.

Significant Abrasion Resistance

A braided fishing line is a high-quality line that will resist breakage upon exposure to UV light. It’s not a line that just about any species of fish can break easily. Except for a few species, like muskies and pike, that have strong, sharp teeth that can be seen through the braided line. As a result of its strong abrasion resistance, braided lines are longer-lasting in comparison to monofilament fishing lines for example, that feature a single strand.

Great For Fishing in Heavy Vegetation

With braided fishing lines, the ability to cut through particular underwater vegetation is made easier than with other fishing lines. When playing on a strong fish, braided fishing lines cut through aquatic plants, like cattails, lily pads, hydrilla, and water hyacinths without any troubles. This way, you don’t have to struggle with a nasty tangle that could damage your line and lose the fish. The low diameter or thinness of the lines allows them to perform better, with less chance of twisting.

Fishing Charter in Barnstable Harbor

Looking to enjoy a fun day fishing on a boat in Barnstable Harbor? Choose Cape Cod Bay Outfitters! We’ll show you an awesome time and teach you everything we know about both fishing and facts about the harbor. Contact us today at 617-721-9182 or fill out a contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

There is an almost endless combination of rod and reel combos you can use, but the combination you should use depends on what you’re fishing. Striped bass is a great catch and come in a variety of sizes depending on when and where they’re caught. Let’s break down some of the key terms you need to know to find the best rod and reel combo for your striped bass fishing trip. 

Rod Action

There are three types of rod action – fast, moderate, and slow. In this instance, the term action refers to how much and where the rod will bend once it’s holding the weight. 

• Fast action – fast action rods are ideal for light setups using smaller plugs. Fast action is great during early spring with a more experienced caster using the rod. These rods are stiff and only the front 1/3 of the rod will bend when casting the rod. 
• Moderate action – a moderate action rod bends through the top half of the rod when loaded. You can use heavier lures and expect easier casting. These rods are ideal in late spring through summer and you’ll get a good feel when you’re fighting with a fish you’ve hooked. Moderate action rods are very versatile compared to fast or slow action rods. 
• Slow action – slow action rods have a bend throughout the entire rod when weight is applied. They’re great for live bait fishing, although there’s definitely a learning curve. 

Rod Power

Rod power refers to how much weight the rod can handle. Striped bass typically requires a medium or medium/heavy rod power. It’s important to note that rod power ratings vary greatly from one brand to the next so you’ll want to feel the rod in person before making a decision. A rod with medium power can handle a lure from 5/8 oz to 10 oz and should be paired with a 4,000-5,000-class reel. A medium-heavy rod can handle a 7/8 oz to 1.5 oz lure and is best paired with a 5,000-6,000-class reel. A heavy or extra heavy rod power is good for casting the largest striper lures and can also be used for tuna but casting this rod will be extremely tiring and difficult to use. 

Finding the perfect rod and reel combination for striped bass largely comes down to your experience level, the time of year, and the type of lure you’ll be using. It may take some trial and error to find the best combination for you. To learn more about finding the right rod and reel combination for your upcoming spring fishing trip, contact Cape Cod Bay Outfitters today! We have the experience and insight about supplies you need for a great catch! Give us a call at 617-721-9182 or fill out a contact form.

After a long day of fishing, how fun would it be to cook your fish over a campfire instead of using your kitchen? We can’t emphasize much how the ability to feed yourself can prove to be the greatest skill ever to acquire when you are amidst such times.

In this article, we are going to guide you about how you can cook a fish on a campfire. We are assuming you already know how a fish is caught and cleans. Here, you are going to learn some basic tips to create a mouthwatering fish-only meal.

Wrap It in a Foil

There is no easier way than cooking a fish hobo style. It is not only a simple but effective method. So, how to go about it?

Start by cleaning and gutting the fish. The next step is to stuff the fish with different herbs and vegetables. After stuffing, wrap it in aluminum foil. To ensure that flames don’t end up burning a hole, use extra layers of aluminum foil. Place it on hot coals and flip it periodically so that it cooks just right.

Cooking It on a Stick

Another way to effectively cook your fish is doing it on a stick. Gut your fish and then spear it on a long stick through the mouth. Now for stability, use a bunch of smaller sticks and pass them through the belly and back. This will give the grip you need to cook it to the best. Roast the fish until it is cooked!

Sauté Your Fish

If you have a skillet, you can enjoy a sautéed fish. Speaking of it, this particular method is ideal when you want to cook fish such as cod. Layer your skillet with butter or oil, coat the fish fillets with flour, and place them into it. Cook each side of the fish for about 30 seconds to 3-minutes until it is golden brown. The cooking time varies as per the fish’s thickness.

Tips

If you want your fish to turn out delicious every single time, follow these simple hacks.

Make sure to leave that skin on

Leave the skin of the fish on while you cook. This way, you will be able to flip it easily, and it will turn out crispy.

Set the fire before

Make sure to light the fire before you cook your catch so that everything goes smoothly.

Stuff it earlier

It is best to score and stuff your fish before you set it out to cook. This will make sure that enough flavor is there already, regardless of what way you choose to cook it.

Contact Cape Cod Bay Outfitters

When cooked, squeeze a lemon on to it and serve it hot alongside rice or vegetables. Pairing your fish with these will make it a meal that is not only tasty but full of nutrition too. If you are looking for more advice contact Cape Cod Bay Outfitters! Also, be sure to join us on Barnstable Harbor this summer for an amazing fishing, sunset, or whale watching charter!

The first thing you should know about catching and releasing fishing is that each river, lake, or ocean that you are fishing in will have different regulations and laws in regards to how the fish you catch should be handled. In reality, you could kill a fish by accident and even the regulations on how to correctly dispose or keep the fish may be varied by the state or country that you are fishing in.

Some of the items that will be mentioned below are ways to ethically fish so that you minimize the possibility of accidentally injuring or killing your catch and steps in between hooking the fish and letting the fish go.

These are the best handling practice tips in regard to catching a releasing a fish.

The important thing is to enjoy fishing and appreciate the privilege of enjoying nature. If you are practicing the guidelines that are discussed on how to fish, the chances of harming or killing fish will be reduced drastically.

 

Tips to Remember When Handling Fish

The main points to remember are:

• Have wet hands when you are handling a fish or use a rubber net. This will ensure that the protective mucus layer of the fish is not harmed.
• Handle the fish so that it is horizontal as much as possible. Horizontal is the natural position of a fish in the water. You must take care to not knock or drop your catch onto any rough, pointy, or hard surfaces.
• Never put your fingers or hands in the gills of a fish to hold it. It is important to remember to not touch around the eyes.
• Attempt to remove the hook the fastest and easiest way possible. The best way to remove the hook from the fish is to use a pair of pliers or a specialized dehooking tool.
• Minimize the time any fish is out of water as much as possible. If you have experienced a long fight with the fish to catch it, you can help the fish recover by swimming it in the water until it is ready to leave. Place one hand under the belly and the other hand on the tail and begin to slowly swim the fish to aid in the recovery process.
• Be up to date with the fishing regulations in the area that you are fishing in. Be sure to know the size, bag limits, and fishing techniques that are allowed in the specific area where you are because the rules and regulations differ from place to place.

 

It is important to remember the basics of preparing for any kind of fishing starts with paying attention to the regulations that are required in regard to how many fish that you can catch and what sort of can that you are able to use. In some places, the laws and regulations may be more specific than others in different regions. The variety of laws that are used universally are for all fishing techniques and are done in order to protect fish species through rebuilding overfished stocks in order to increase long term social and economic benefits.

 

To learn more about the proper way to handle and release fish, contact Cape Cod Bay Outfitters so we can assist you.