Angling Report from Artificial Lure: Cape Cod Canal - May 3, 2025

Good mornin' fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Saturday report for the Canal and surroundin' waters.

Folks, we're seein' some real promising action as we head into the first weekend of May. The weather's finally cooperatin' after that miserable cold spring we had. Water temps have warmed considerably over the past week, which has got the fish movin'.

Tautog are providing the most reliable action right now, especially in Buzzards Bay where charter boats are reportin' easy limits. If you're headin' out, focus on rocky structure in about 20 feet of water or less. Green crabs are your best bet for bait, the smaller ones seem to be workin' better. Some of the south side jetties are also holdin' good numbers if you're fishin' from shore.

As for stripers, we're in that in-between period. The resident fish are stirrin' in the estuaries and salt ponds, but they're being wicked finicky, only feedin' during certain tide stages. We saw a small wave of fresh migrators with sea lice hit the south side last week, but they've likely spread out into the backwaters. The Canal itself should start seeing more consistent action as these fish push through.

With all the herring, squid, and now bunker in our waters, match your presentations accordingly. For schoolies, go with 3-5 inch soft plastics on light jigheads or 1/2 to 3/4 ounce bucktail jigs. For the bigger residents that are chasin' herring, try surface swimmers, glidebaits, and deep-bodied soft plastics.

The squid run is underway too, with good numbers being taken by the night boats out of Hyannis. Daytime bite's been slower but should improve.

Hot spots this weekend: Scusset Beach on the east end of the Canal has been producing some decent schoolies during the dropping tide. The west end by the railroad bridge has given up a few better-sized fish during first light. And don't overlook the Sandwich creeks on the outgoing - a few locals have been tight-lipped about some quality fish in there.

Tide-wise, we've got a dropping tide through mid-morning today, which should create some good opportunities along the Canal's east end. First light coincided nicely with the tail end of the incoming, which is always a good combo.

Remember, the stripers are still a bit sluggish, so slow your retrieve and fish deeper water adjacent to shallows where they can warm up.

If the wind kicks up as forecast, the backwaters of Scorton Creek or the lee side of Sandy Neck might be your best bet.

That's the word from the Canal today, folks. Tight lines and see ya on the water!

- Artificial Lure