BOSTON HARBOR-Stripers and CAPE COD BAY-School Bluefin-9/3/05
This past week the Peanut Bunker Blitz has continued in both Boston’s inner and outer harbors. The feeding forays had brought some of the most spectacular surface action of the season for both numbers of bass and big bass on light-tackle and fly gear. Offshore from the dumping grounds off Boston to the fishing ledge out to Stellwagen Bank and beyond, school bluefin between 20 and 120 pounds are hitting trolled squid rigs and casting lures on both heavy spinning gear and fly tackle.
Early in the week, inshore bass charters to Boston’s outer harbor were excellent for numbers of school-sized bass between 20 and 27 inches. Surface presentation on light-spinning gear and fly tackle brought the best action. The morning blitz lasted well into the mid-morning. Keeper bass to 32 inches were common.
By week’s end, the surface action in the early morning was not as extensive as earlier in the week. This made it easier to get the presentations to larger bass---the smaller fish tend to be more aggressive. On Friday, B-Fast’s BAY FLY and B-FAST fly boats found the bass early pushing the bait-fish into the coves and pockets along Boston’s outer harbor. Mark Seymour and friend from Amherst, MA had excellent fishing with both the long rod casting chartreuse half & halfs and large herring patterns and small Fin-S plastics on ½ oz jig head on the spin rods. Numbers of bass between 24 and 27 inches came over the rails to be quickly released.
Bob Pike on the B-FAST was making quick work of the breaking bass using a large white gurgler. His best bass of the day slammed the gurgler and ran well into the backing before throwing the hook. During last hours of the flood in late morning, a small pod of bass surfaced. Mike Bartlett, Jr’s second cast with a Bassin’ Assassin’ rose a monster bass and we were off to the races. Mike was invited by Bob and as luck would have it,
Mike’s 44 inch, 36 pound trophy proved to be our largest of the season—his personal-best at age 15. I immediately radioed Capt. Tom on the BAY FLY. By the time we revived and released Mike big bass, Capt. Tom’s anglers were double on slammers also. Unfortunately, Mark’s big fish threw the hook after a long run into the backing. Mark’s friend landed then released a 37”, 18 pound beauty.
Meanwhile, on the B-Fast’s JANET B out of Brant Rock, Capt. Bob and mate Terry guided Dennis Kelly and friends from Hingham on a school bluefin charter. The anglers managed to hook six tuna casting Japanese plugs on heavy spinning gear. School bluefin were all over the surface in Cape Cod Bay feeding on sand eels. Dennis’s group landed two tuna to 30 pounds, just missing there limit of 3 for this time in the season. This fishery, like the bass fishery, should continue well into the fall as long as bait concentrations hold.
Saturday’s trip with long-time client, Roger Thuot and daughter Angela from Petersham, MA was equally productive for school bass. Roger landed his best bass of the season at 37 inches and 18 pounds, out fishing his Angela for the first time in years!
Capt. Mike Bartlett
B-Fast Charters
www.bfastcharters.com
