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Cape Cod Canal Fishing Update: Tog, Stripers, and Squid Bite Strong in Early May
Artificial Lure here with your Cape Cod Canal fishing report for Sunday, May 4, 2025.
Early May has brought classic spring unpredictability, but the bite is showing signs of real life along the big Ditch and the surrounding bays. Sunrise is at 5:33 AM and sunset at 7:42 PM, giving us long windows to work the changing tides. Today, the outgoing tide in the morning is worth targeting, especially for stripers set up around bait as the current picks up.
Weather-wise, it’s a cool start with temps rising toward the upper 50s by midday and a light southwest breeze. Water temps have ticked up this week, putting both baitfish and predators on the move.
The most reliable action right now is tautog. Both shore and small boat anglers are doing well picking through shorts to find keepers around rocky structure, with the Maritime Academy docks and the mouth of the Canal near Bourne Bridge being hot spots. Green crabs and Asian shore crabs are the ticket for tog, with a simple hi-lo rig fished tight to structure. Be patient and be ready to weed through a few throwbacks for a limit.
Stripers are waking up, with the first waves of schoolies and some slot-size fish reported in the Canal and estuaries. Most are hitting in the early morning or during moving water on the outgoing tide, and their bite is closely tied to the presence of herring, bunker, and especially squid. Top producers have been 4- to 7-inch soft plastics like Albie Snax and Hogy Originals in white or pink, as well as classic Canal jigs and any plugs that imitate small baitfish or squid. Swimmers and bucktail jigs worked through deeper sections have also accounted for a few better fish. If you’re targeting a bigger striper, try the east end of the Canal at daybreak or around the herring run.
Squid are running strong in the evenings and after dark at the Sandwich bulkhead and Hyannis harbors. Jigs in pink or chartreuse have been best. Daytime squidding is slower, but there are enough around to keep it interesting.
Freshwater action is still off the charts if you want to mix it up—trout and largemouth bass are chewing hard in the ponds, with best results on small jigs and shiners.
In summary, the top targets right now are tautog on crab baits around rocky structure, and schoolie stripers chasing bait at dawn or as the tide swings. The east end and the Maritime docks are the go-to spots for action. Bring your soft plastics, bucktails, and a handful of squid jigs. Fish the tides, follow the bait, and you’re in for a classic Cape Cod Canal May morning.
Tight lines,
Artificial Lure
Sources: On The Water May 1, 2025 fishing report, The Fisherman, Spreaker Cape Cod Canal Daily Fishing Report, Goose Hummock Shops[1][2][3][5].
Early May has brought classic spring unpredictability, but the bite is showing signs of real life along the big Ditch and the surrounding bays. Sunrise is at 5:33 AM and sunset at 7:42 PM, giving us long windows to work the changing tides. Today, the outgoing tide in the morning is worth targeting, especially for stripers set up around bait as the current picks up.
Weather-wise, it’s a cool start with temps rising toward the upper 50s by midday and a light southwest breeze. Water temps have ticked up this week, putting both baitfish and predators on the move.
The most reliable action right now is tautog. Both shore and small boat anglers are doing well picking through shorts to find keepers around rocky structure, with the Maritime Academy docks and the mouth of the Canal near Bourne Bridge being hot spots. Green crabs and Asian shore crabs are the ticket for tog, with a simple hi-lo rig fished tight to structure. Be patient and be ready to weed through a few throwbacks for a limit.
Stripers are waking up, with the first waves of schoolies and some slot-size fish reported in the Canal and estuaries. Most are hitting in the early morning or during moving water on the outgoing tide, and their bite is closely tied to the presence of herring, bunker, and especially squid. Top producers have been 4- to 7-inch soft plastics like Albie Snax and Hogy Originals in white or pink, as well as classic Canal jigs and any plugs that imitate small baitfish or squid. Swimmers and bucktail jigs worked through deeper sections have also accounted for a few better fish. If you’re targeting a bigger striper, try the east end of the Canal at daybreak or around the herring run.
Squid are running strong in the evenings and after dark at the Sandwich bulkhead and Hyannis harbors. Jigs in pink or chartreuse have been best. Daytime squidding is slower, but there are enough around to keep it interesting.
Freshwater action is still off the charts if you want to mix it up—trout and largemouth bass are chewing hard in the ponds, with best results on small jigs and shiners.
In summary, the top targets right now are tautog on crab baits around rocky structure, and schoolie stripers chasing bait at dawn or as the tide swings. The east end and the Maritime docks are the go-to spots for action. Bring your soft plastics, bucktails, and a handful of squid jigs. Fish the tides, follow the bait, and you’re in for a classic Cape Cod Canal May morning.
Tight lines,
Artificial Lure
Sources: On The Water May 1, 2025 fishing report, The Fisherman, Spreaker Cape Cod Canal Daily Fishing Report, Goose Hummock Shops[1][2][3][5].
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By Quiet. PleaseArtificial Lure here with your Cape Cod Canal fishing report for Sunday, May 4, 2025.
Early May has brought classic spring unpredictability, but the bite is showing signs of real life along the big Ditch and the surrounding bays. Sunrise is at 5:33 AM and sunset at 7:42 PM, giving us long windows to work the changing tides. Today, the outgoing tide in the morning is worth targeting, especially for stripers set up around bait as the current picks up.
Weather-wise, it’s a cool start with temps rising toward the upper 50s by midday and a light southwest breeze. Water temps have ticked up this week, putting both baitfish and predators on the move.
The most reliable action right now is tautog. Both shore and small boat anglers are doing well picking through shorts to find keepers around rocky structure, with the Maritime Academy docks and the mouth of the Canal near Bourne Bridge being hot spots. Green crabs and Asian shore crabs are the ticket for tog, with a simple hi-lo rig fished tight to structure. Be patient and be ready to weed through a few throwbacks for a limit.
Stripers are waking up, with the first waves of schoolies and some slot-size fish reported in the Canal and estuaries. Most are hitting in the early morning or during moving water on the outgoing tide, and their bite is closely tied to the presence of herring, bunker, and especially squid. Top producers have been 4- to 7-inch soft plastics like Albie Snax and Hogy Originals in white or pink, as well as classic Canal jigs and any plugs that imitate small baitfish or squid. Swimmers and bucktail jigs worked through deeper sections have also accounted for a few better fish. If you’re targeting a bigger striper, try the east end of the Canal at daybreak or around the herring run.
Squid are running strong in the evenings and after dark at the Sandwich bulkhead and Hyannis harbors. Jigs in pink or chartreuse have been best. Daytime squidding is slower, but there are enough around to keep it interesting.
Freshwater action is still off the charts if you want to mix it up—trout and largemouth bass are chewing hard in the ponds, with best results on small jigs and shiners.
In summary, the top targets right now are tautog on crab baits around rocky structure, and schoolie stripers chasing bait at dawn or as the tide swings. The east end and the Maritime docks are the go-to spots for action. Bring your soft plastics, bucktails, and a handful of squid jigs. Fish the tides, follow the bait, and you’re in for a classic Cape Cod Canal May morning.
Tight lines,
Artificial Lure
Sources: On The Water May 1, 2025 fishing report, The Fisherman, Spreaker Cape Cod Canal Daily Fishing Report, Goose Hummock Shops[1][2][3][5].
Early May has brought classic spring unpredictability, but the bite is showing signs of real life along the big Ditch and the surrounding bays. Sunrise is at 5:33 AM and sunset at 7:42 PM, giving us long windows to work the changing tides. Today, the outgoing tide in the morning is worth targeting, especially for stripers set up around bait as the current picks up.
Weather-wise, it’s a cool start with temps rising toward the upper 50s by midday and a light southwest breeze. Water temps have ticked up this week, putting both baitfish and predators on the move.
The most reliable action right now is tautog. Both shore and small boat anglers are doing well picking through shorts to find keepers around rocky structure, with the Maritime Academy docks and the mouth of the Canal near Bourne Bridge being hot spots. Green crabs and Asian shore crabs are the ticket for tog, with a simple hi-lo rig fished tight to structure. Be patient and be ready to weed through a few throwbacks for a limit.
Stripers are waking up, with the first waves of schoolies and some slot-size fish reported in the Canal and estuaries. Most are hitting in the early morning or during moving water on the outgoing tide, and their bite is closely tied to the presence of herring, bunker, and especially squid. Top producers have been 4- to 7-inch soft plastics like Albie Snax and Hogy Originals in white or pink, as well as classic Canal jigs and any plugs that imitate small baitfish or squid. Swimmers and bucktail jigs worked through deeper sections have also accounted for a few better fish. If you’re targeting a bigger striper, try the east end of the Canal at daybreak or around the herring run.
Squid are running strong in the evenings and after dark at the Sandwich bulkhead and Hyannis harbors. Jigs in pink or chartreuse have been best. Daytime squidding is slower, but there are enough around to keep it interesting.
Freshwater action is still off the charts if you want to mix it up—trout and largemouth bass are chewing hard in the ponds, with best results on small jigs and shiners.
In summary, the top targets right now are tautog on crab baits around rocky structure, and schoolie stripers chasing bait at dawn or as the tide swings. The east end and the Maritime docks are the go-to spots for action. Bring your soft plastics, bucktails, and a handful of squid jigs. Fish the tides, follow the bait, and you’re in for a classic Cape Cod Canal May morning.
Tight lines,
Artificial Lure
Sources: On The Water May 1, 2025 fishing report, The Fisherman, Spreaker Cape Cod Canal Daily Fishing Report, Goose Hummock Shops[1][2][3][5].