CAPE COD CANAL FISHING REPORT
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Mornin' anglers! Artificial Lure here with your weekend fishing update for the Canal and surrounding waters.
Let me tell ya, things are really heating up around the Big Ditch this week! Water temps have finally pushed past that magic 50-degree mark we've been waitin' on, and the stripers are responding. The early migration seems to be in full swing with schoolies and some keeper-sized bass showing up at the east end of the Canal and throughout Buzzards Bay.
The squid run that started earlier this month is still going strong, especially for the night boats out of Hyannis. Those squid are drawing in more stripers by the day. Speaking of bait, we've got the trifecta happening - squid, herring in the runs, and even some bunker showing up. It's like a striper buffet out there!
Tautog fishing remains excellent in Buzzards Bay, with charter captains reporting limit catches in rocky structure areas around 20 feet deep. If you're looking for a tasty alternative to stripers, these bulldogs are your best bet right now.
For today's tide, we're looking at a high around noon followed by an outgoing that should really get those bass feeding. The resident holdovers have been particularly active during the outgoing tide in the backwaters, so time your trips accordingly.
Weather-wise, we've got a light southwest wind today - exactly what we needed to push more migratory fish into our waters. Expect partly cloudy skies with temps hitting the mid-60s. Sunrise was at 5:26 AM, and sunset will be at 7:53 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get your lines wet.
As for hot spots, I'd recommend Scusset Beach on the Cape Cod Bay side, especially during the first couple hours of outgoing tide. The railroad bridge area has been producing some nice fish on the early morning incoming. If you're boat fishing, the west end of the Canal toward Buzzards Bay has been the place to be.
Lure selection is straightforward this time of year - white or bone-colored 5-7" soft plastics on 1-2 oz jigheads have been the ticket. The Hogy Pro Tail paddle shads are working well, and don't overlook the classic Canal staple - the white bucktail jig with a red pork rind. If you're bait fishing, fresh squid strips or chunked mackerel have been producing.
If the salt doesn't produce, the freshwater scene is ridiculous right now with trout fishing described as "crazy good" and pre-spawn bass activity in high gear.
Remember folks, we're just at the beginning of what promises to be a stellar season. The next few weeks should see more and bigger fish moving through, so get out there while you can!
Tight lines until next time!
- Artificial Lure