Artificial Lure here with your Cape Cod Canal fishing report for Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

Sunrise cracked at 5:08AM and sunset won’t hit until 8:21PM, offering you a long window to put in the hours—plenty of daylight for tracking down the big ones. Weather’s shaping up classic for mid-June: expect mild early mornings with the kind of overcast haze that keeps the fish feeling safe and active, pushing up into the low 70s by afternoon, and only a mild breeze out of the southwest. The strong canal currents, driven by the tidal differences between Cape Cod Bay and Buzzards Bay, have been cooperating—this morning’s low tide was just before sunrise and the next big high tide will top out around lunchtime, which should really get the bite going according to Tide-Forecast.com.

Striper migration is still in full swing. Bass of mixed sizes continue to move through the canal—On The Water’s latest striper migration update reports fish from low-to-mid 20-inch schoolies all the way up to mid-40-inch cows working through both the canal and the outer beaches. Early mornings and change-of-tide windows have been the ticket for these bigger fish, especially as bait pushes in on the moving water. Buzzards Bay is still holding some quality bass, thanks to pockets of pogies and mackerel, but the Cape Cod Canal is where the excitement’s at for shore-bound anglers right now.

Canal regulars over at Canal Bait & Tackle have been seeing steady action on striped bass, with a solid number of legal-sized fish picked off the swinging currents on big heavy jigs, soft plastics, and classic topwater plugs. Flutter spoons and live pogies are working for the boat crowd, but from shore, it’s all about tossing pencil poppers, Savage Sand Eels, and bucktail jigs—those have been responsible for much of this week’s success. In the deeper holes, especially near the Railroad Bridge and around the East End, guys are sticking bigger soft plastics on heavy jigheads for those mid-channel bruisers.

Bluefish presence is still light but on the uptick along the south-facing beaches, and a few have moved into the canal itself, so be ready—metal lures and surface plugs will get those hits. Bonito blitzes have been spotted just outside the harbors, and fluke are showing up in better numbers along shoal edges if you want to mix it up.

As far as hotspots: the Middle Ground by the Herring Run has been especially active in the early AM, and the stretch from the Sagamore Bridge down toward Bell Road is worth a slow walk with a topwater just before and after slack tide. Locals also report better luck on the west tide as bait gets pushed east to west, drawing the stripers in tight, especially during overcast hours.

That wraps it up for this Cape Cod Canal fishing report. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe for your next update. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Cape Cod Canal fishing report for June 6th, 2025.

We're looking at another prime early June day on the Canal with sunrise at 5:08 AM and sunset around 8:13 PM, giving you plenty of daylight hours to work those tides. Speaking of tides, we've got a similar pattern to yesterday with early morning high tide followed by a midday low and evening high - perfect for both dawn patrol and after-work sessions.

The Canal action has been steady but not spectacular this week. Those XL stripers that were crushing metal lips and needlefish in Cape Cod Bay have moved on somewhat, but don't worry - there are still plenty of fish in the system. The west end of the Canal has been more productive for bass, while the east end is holding some hefty bluefish hugging the bottom.

If you're hitting the Canal today, mobility is key. Schools of stripers have been pressing through the ditch, so having a bike to cover ground will significantly improve your odds. Those big tidal swings we're experiencing are moving substantial amounts of bait through the system.

For lures, flutter spoons are absolutely deadly right now, especially in the deeper mid-Canal stretches. Nichols, Fat Cow, and Tsunami brands are all producing. When you locate fish, large walk-the-dog style topwaters have been bringing bass up to 30 pounds to the surface. Swimming plugs are also effective for slot-sized stripers up to mid-30 inches.

The bait situation is promising - sand eels are moving into Cape Cod Bay, while mackerel and bunker are still fueling topwater feeds further offshore. Red Top Sporting Goods in Buzzards Bay reports they've got fresh bunker in stock, so chunking at night is definitely worth considering.

Hot spots to check: The west end has been more consistent for stripers this week, particularly during the early morning high tide. For boaters, trolling Rapala X-Raps in open water has been effective for locating schools. Once you find them, switch to topwaters. And don't overlook Buzzards Bay, where stripers are hitting flutter spoons and Docs when they lock onto random pods of pogies.

Beyond stripers, the sea bass bite is picking up in Buzzards Bay. Fish the end of the incoming tide around peak high and into the early ebb for best results. Higher tides have been producing more keepers for whatever reason.

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Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Cape Cod Canal fishing report for June 4th, 2025. Today’s shaping up as a classic early June day along the Canal, with a fair weather window and prime conditions for those willing to put the time in.

We’ve got a sunrise at 5:08 AM and sunset at 8:12 PM, giving everyone a long stretch of daylight to work the tides. This morning’s high hit around 6:30 AM at Sagamore with another big high at 7:05 PM—just in time for evening action. Low tides are rolling through mid-day and late night, so there’s a solid swing for both the sunrise crew and the night owls. With these big swings, the current is cranking and moving a lot of bait through the system.

This week, the Canal’s been lively. According to On The Water’s late May update, most catches have been striped bass in the slot up to mid-30 inches, banging on swimming plugs and classic Canal hardware. Those big bunker schools are pushing in from Buzzards Bay and the big stripers are right on their heels—flutter spoons have been deadly lately when worked through the deeper mid-Canal stretches. The On The Water crew even landed some bass topping 35 pounds out by the West End. Nichols Lures, Fat Cow Fishing, and Tsunami flutter spoons are getting the job done. If you’re running into bluefish, bump your leader up to 50 or 60-pound fluoro to avoid bite-offs.

Mixed in with the bass we’re seeing plenty of 2-3 pound bluefish, especially when the current gets moving. Smaller stripers—schoolies—are blitzing on sea herring in harbors and along the edges from Bourne to Woods Hole. On the Canal itself, night bites on bucktails, small soft plastics, and skinny plugs have been consistent. The topwater bite’s been a little spotty, but those who roll out at first light with pencils or spooks are sticking a few nice fish.

If you’re targeting action, the “Herring Run” and the “Cribbin” remain two perennial hotspots. The east end near the Sagamore Bridge is seeing decent bait pushes with some early-morning busts. West End near the Railroad Bridge is also producing, especially on the tail end of the outgoing tide. Keep your eyes peeled for surface action or nervous bait—they’re your cues to tie on a big pencil popper or switch to a big paddle tail if the fish move deeper.

Live eels will always tempt a trophy if you’re fishing the night shift, but right now, nothing’s outfishing metal—jigs and heavy soft plastics like Savage Gear Sandeel or JoeBaggs Dark Nights are perfect for riding those ripping tidal currents.

Weather’s looking favorable, light westerly winds, air in the low 60s early and warming by midday, and water temps creeping into the sweet spot for peak striper activity. Expect the bite to stay good as long as this stretch of stable weather holds.

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Sunday, June 1st, 2025—Cape Cod Canal is heating up as we roll into June, and the bite is on for those willing to put in the hours, especially if you know your tides and spots.

Today’s weather is looking like a typical early summer Cape Cod mix—crisp in the morning, warming up by mid-day with a touch of that marine haze. Sunrise hit at 5:08AM and sunset won’t be until 8:21PM, so there’s plenty of daylight for both the dawn patrol and the evening tide chasers. The wind is light out of the southwest—ideal for casting big lures across the current.

Tides are always the name of the game along the Big Ditch. According to Tide-Forecast.com, you’re looking at a low tide around 1:00AM and high tide coming in right after breakfast, so your best bet is to fish the last of the west tide into the slack, especially on the east end or mid-canal where the current sets up some perfect rips and eddies.

On the catch front, things have picked up since the last new moon. According to On The Water’s May 29th report, most bass are running slot to mid-30-inch range, with a strong showing of stripers up to 40 inches caught on recent outings. Blues are in the mix, too—big ones off Buzzards Bay and smaller ones chasing sea herring. White and light-colored swimming plugs like the SP Minnow, oversized bucktails, Al Gags jigs, and classic Bill Hurley Canal Killers are all getting chewed. For a little insurance against bluefish, bump your leader up to 50 or 60-pound fluoro. Canal regulars have also had luck with flutter spoons—Nichols Lures, Fat Cow, and Tsunami are all producing—especially when the bunker schools push through.

Live baiters are scoring as well, but if you’re throwing artificials, keep a mix of 4 to 6-ounce plugs and jigheads in your bag. Don’t sleep on soft plastics at first light or after dark—white or light pink always seem to produce, especially around the herring runs.

Top hot spots right now: Scusset Harbor at the east end is seeing consistent action, especially early and late. The mid-canal stretch from the Cribbin to the Herring Run is loaded with both slot stripers and the occasional cow—word is there was even a basking shark sighting in the area this weekend for some added excitement.

So, if you’re coming down to the Canal today, pack your big plugs, bring the heavy leader, and keep an eye on those tides. The bite is there for the taking if you play it smart. Thanks for tuning in to today’s canal report—be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next update.

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Cape Cod Canal is alive with action as we head into the last day of May. Striper fishing has really turned on over the past week. According to On The Water, surfcasters have been connecting with above-slot striped bass—fish from 33 up to 40 inches—along much of the Canal. Most activity has centered around the rising east tide, particularly toward the west end and mid-canal. Hot hands like Justin “Shooter” Dorsey and “Slap Shot Scottie” Ewell have been landing solid fish on white Al Gags Whip-It Eels and SP Minnows, while the veteran “Boys of Summer” crew managed several near-40-inch linesiders on white Joe Baggs Swarters, Bill Hurley Canal Killers, and Albie Super Snax. Jigs in the 4- to 5-ounce range, especially in white, black & pink, have been producing consistently.

Tides are a huge factor in the Canal, and understanding the timing is key. The tide forecast today calls for the first low at 1:53am and high tide at 7:54am, with another low at 2:10pm and high at 8:12pm around the Bournedale stretch of the Canal, so plan your outings to hit that first light high slack for your best shot at a trophy. Sunrise today is at 5:29am and sunset at 7:48pm, offering a solid window for dawn and dusk bites, which have both been productive all week.

Weather’s been classic spring Cape Cod—cool mornings warming up by midday, with light southerlies and water temps creeping toward that magic 50-degree mark. Fish activity has mirrored the warming trend, with more and larger stripers showing up daily, including reports of a few bluefish and a steady trickle of fluke from folks fishing Buzzards Bay and the bay edges.

If you’re looking to dial in your approach, stick with proven Canal lures. Heavy jigs like the Shaddy Daddy and Canal Killers are a must for working the strong current, and swimmers like the SP Minnow and Swarter have been hammering fish during slower water. For bait, fresh chunk mackerel and sea worms will always draw strikes if you prefer bait-and-wait. If you’re after a mixed bag, folks have still been pulling sea bass and the occasional flounder adjacent to the Canal in Buzzards Bay.

For hot spots, check out the Cribbin on the west end at first light and the Herring Run area for mid-tide action. Both have produced quality fish this week, and the regulars are seeing consistent schools moving through.

That wraps up today’s Cape Cod Canal fishing report from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for more local fishing updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Welcome to the Cape Cod Canal fishing report for Friday, May 30, 2025. I’m Artificial Lure, your local angling expert, bringing you the latest from the Ditch and surrounding waters.

Sunrise hit at 5:28 AM and sunset will be at 7:49 PM, giving you all-day light to wet a line. The weather is classic late May—cool mornings warming to the low 70s, light southwest wind, and fair skies. For tides, this morning’s first high was just before 8 AM at Bournedale, with another high running close to 9 PM. The outgoing tide after this morning’s peak and the evening flood are both prime windows for some serious action, especially as the water gets moving and baitfish get swept through the Canal.

Striped bass are the name of the game right now. According to On The Water’s report yesterday, the Canal action has been steady, especially with fish running right around the slot and into the mid-30-inch range. There have also been above-slot fish caught, up to 40 inches and even a few tipping the scales at 17 pounds and over, especially when the tide is right and the current’s ripping. The east tide has been hot for surfcasters, particularly near the west end and mid-Canal. Local legends—guys like “Shooter” Dorsey, “Slap Shot Scottie” Ewell, and the “Boys of Summer”—have been scoring big fish bouncing heavy jigs and swimming plugs. White has been the color—Al Gags Whip-It Eels, Joe Baggs Swarters, Striper Gear Shaddy Daddys, and Canal Killers in 4–5 oz sizes have all put fish on the rocks. The SP Minnow in lighter shades is also getting attention on that eastward current.

Don’t overlook the big flutter spoons or heavy metal lips either, especially when bunker schools pass through. Some transient pods of bunker have been moving in and out of the Bay, so be ready for a sudden blitz. Bluefish are in the mix too, hammering topwaters and minnow plugs—try the Doc or a classic surface pencil for some toothy fun.

If you’re after something for the cooler, sea bass are around, though catches in Buzzards Bay are a bit more reliable than in the Canal itself right now. Try diamond jigs, bucktails tipped with Gulp, or classic clam and squid strips in 20–40 feet if you want to branch out. For bonus fish, you might tie into some fluke or big scup out there.

A couple of hot spots: The Cribbin near mid-Canal is always worth a cast on a moving tide, and the west end around the railroad bridge stays productive, especially just as the tide swings. For easier access, the stretch behind the Bourne Recreation Area makes a solid bet early and late.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s report. For more daily updates and expert tips, don’t forget to subscribe and stay sharp out there! This has been a Quiet Please production—for more, check out quietplease.ai.

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure with your Cape Cod Canal fishing report for May 28, 2025. The weather’s shaping up real nice out there—gentle southwest breeze with temps in the high 60s to low 70s, mostly sunny with a few scattered clouds rolling in late afternoon. Sunrise fired up around 5:15am, and sunset is set for a peaceful close at 8:10pm, giving you plenty of time to chase linesiders.

The tide’s been steady and strong through the Canal, with high tide coming in about late morning and low tide pushing through mid-afternoon today. If you want to fish the swing, aim for those two hours around each transition—striped bass are more likely to stack up and move through on moving water.

This past week, the Canal’s been firing on all cylinders. Striped bass are the main show, no doubt about it. Anglers are reporting good pods of fish feeding on herring, especially mid-Canal. The west end’s been hot too, ever since Friday the 16th, and the east end still gets a few decent shots at schoolies and some mid-size fish. We’re seeing a lot of fish in that 20- to 40-inch range, with some real bruisers pushing past 40 inches and even a few over 48 inches reported just outside the Canal around Duxbury and Plymouth beaches. These big bass are often chasing pogies, but in the Canal, herring and sand eels are the main menu.

Bluefish have started to make an appearance, mostly smaller “racer” blues in the 6- to 8-pound class, but the true big boys—those double-digit gators—should start showing up any day now as June rolls in. Bottom fishing in Buzzards Bay is also picking up, with tautog, black sea bass, and some jumbo scup hitting baits on the structure.

For lures, you can’t go wrong with big soft plastics, especially paddle tails in white or chartreuse, and pencil poppers for surface action. Jigging bucktails or Savage Gear sand eel lures gets results, too, especially if you match the hatch to whatever’s in the water. For bait, fresh herring or live eels are king for the big stripers, but chunk mackerel or pogies will score as well.

Hot spots: The mid-Canal stretch between the Maritime Academy and Bourne Bridge is putting out solid fish, especially around the herring runs. The west end, near the Railroad Bridge, has been producing best during outgoing tide. Don’t forget to check the outside beaches like Plymouth and Duxbury if you want to target those extra-large bass working the pogies.

Tight lines and good luck out there—see you on the riprap! —Artificial Lure

CAPE COD CANAL FISHING REPORT - Monday, May 26, 2025

Mornin' anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Memorial Day fishing report for the Canal and surrounding waters.

The bite's been nothing short of fantastic as we round out May, folks. Water temps are holding steady around 56-58 degrees throughout most of the Canal, creating prime conditions for our striped friends. Today's tide schedule shows a strong east current starting early morning, with slack water mid-morning before switching to west. With sunrise at 5:11 AM and sunset not until 8:09 PM, you've got plenty of daylight to wet a line.

Weather today is cooperative - light southwest winds around 5-8 knots with partly cloudy skies and highs near 73 degrees. Perfect conditions to spend your holiday on the water!

The striped bass action has really taken off these past couple weeks. We're seeing excellent numbers of slot-sized fish (28-35 inches) throughout the Canal, with increasingly more over-slot specimens in the 38-40 inch range. Just this past weekend, several 40-inch linesiders were brought to the rocks by the local experts.

Those gator blues I mentioned earlier this month have arrived in force, particularly in Buzzards Bay, with some hefty 10-12 pounders being reported. Early in the season we were seeing those skinny "racer" blues in the 6-8 pound range, but the true monsters are here now.

Bait-wise, there are good numbers of herring in the Canal, and squid have been reported in the north end of Buzzards Bay. This has really fired up the bite for those bigger fish.

Lure selection has been critical lately. White has been the hot color - white Joe Baggs Swarters, 5-ounce Bill Hurley Canal Killers, and 4-ounce Al Gags jigs have been producing consistently. For those who prefer swimming plugs, light-colored SP Minnows and white/black/pink Shaddy Daddies from Striper Gear have fooled some impressive fish. Redfins have also been effective for the ditch casters working the herring schools.

Hot spots to try: The west end has been productive during rising east tides, with Justin "Shooter" Dorsey landing a 33-incher there last week. Mid-canal has seen action from some over-slot fish, and the cribbin and mid gate areas hosted some nice catches over the weekend - plus a bonus basking shark sighting! For those venturing beyond the Canal, the north end of Buzzards Bay has been holding squid and herring with some bigger fish on them.

For the tautog enthusiasts, fishing remains very good on small rock piles throughout northern Buzzards, with consistent numbers throughout the tide.

That's all for now, folks. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and see ya on the water!

Artificial Lure here with your Sunday, May 25 Cape Cod Canal fishing report.

The Canal’s been electric this week, no doubt about it. Early mornings have been the best bet, with sunrise today at 5:13 AM and sunset at 8:05 PM. Winds are coming out of the southwest around 10 to 15 mph, skies partly cloudy, and air temps hovering in the mid-50s early, creeping into the low 70s midday. Tides are running strong: the early morning brought a rising east tide transitioning to the west in the late morning—classic Canal action hours.

The bite’s been hot on quality striped bass, with regulars and first-timers after trophy linesiders. Plenty of above-slot and over-slot fish have hit the rocks the last few days, including a solid 33-incher landed on a white Al Gags Whip-It Eel near the west end. Mid-Canal’s been lively as well, with fish up to 40 inches taken casting light-colored SP Minnows into the east tide. The late west tide on Friday saw “Bill on the Grill” prod out a pair of 39 and 40-inchers, so the big ones are definitely still moving through. Lots of fish in the 35 to 39-inch range, with a steady supply of keeper and over-slot bass if you put in the hours and fish the moving water[1][4].

As for lures, white remains the Canal’s top producer right now. The hot list: Al Gags Whip-It Eels, Striper Gear Shaddy Daddy in white-black-pink, Joe Baggs Swarters, 5-ounce Bill Hurley Canal Killers, Albie Super Snax, and 4-ounce Al Gags jigs. If bait’s your game, herring are thick in the runs and mackerel, clams, and sea worms are available at most shops. The influx of herring has had the bigger linesiders feeding heavy, but the bite can turn finicky—try matching the hatch and working your lure with a slower retrieve if you’re getting follows but no takes[1][2].

On the bycatch front, bluefish have shown up in Buzzards Bay and occasionally in the Canal, especially early morning, chasing herring and squid. Fluke are starting to nose in, and flounder fishing remains steady in Cape Cod Bay[1].

Top hot spots this week are the west end around the Herring Run for the early bite and the mid-Canal stretches from the Cribbin down to the Railroad Bridge, especially near structure on the moving tide. Don’t overlook the east end if you’re after some lighter crowds and want a crack at that first push of incoming bass[1][4].

All in all, these next few days should be excellent for anyone looking to tangle with a big striper. Pack up your white jigs, get there for the tide change, and keep your eyes peeled for bird activity and surface pushes. Tight lines!

CAPE COD CANAL FISHING REPORT - Saturday, May 24, 2025

Mornin' anglers! Artificial Lure here with your weekend fishing report for the Canal and surrounding waters.

The bite has been heating up nicely as we move deeper into May. Water temps have pushed well past the magic 50-degree mark, sitting around 56-58 degrees throughout most of the Canal. Today's tide schedule shows a strong east current starting at 8:42 AM, perfect for the morning crew. Slack water around 11:30 AM before it switches to west. Sunrise was at 5:12 AM and we'll have daylight until 8:07 PM, giving you plenty of time to work those lures.

Weather today is looking cooperative with light southwest winds around 5-8 knots and partly cloudy skies. High of 72 degrees - not too shabby for late May!

The striped bass action has really ramped up since mid-month. We're seeing good numbers of slot-sized fish (28-35 inches) throughout the Canal, with some bigger specimens in the 38-40 inch range mixed in. Those gator blues I mentioned earlier this month are showing up in force now, particularly in Buzzards Bay, with some hefty 10-12 pounders being reported.

Most successful Canal rats are throwing white or chartreuse paddletails on 1-2 oz jigheads during the east current. SP Minnows, Daiwa SP swimmers, and the trusty Canal Special metal lips are producing well during the west tide. For those bait fishermen, fresh mackerel chunks and sea worms have been the ticket.

Tautog fishing remains strong on the rock piles in northern Buzzards Bay. Green crabs are the go-to bait, and the shop at Red Top has 'em fresh.

Hot spots this week include the herring run near the east end, Murderer's Row during the west tide, and the area just outside Onset for those boating. The Scusset jetty has been giving up some nice fish during the early morning hours.

Word from the regulars is that another wave of big stripers is expected to push through with the new moon coming next week. So if you're looking for that trophy fish, you might want to mark your calendar.

For those new to the Canal, remember the etiquette - don't crowd other anglers, no crossing lines, and pack out what you pack in. The wardens have been checking licenses and catch limits, so keep it legal, folks.

That's the word from the ditch today. Tight lines and see you on the riprap!

Artificial Lure, signing off from Cape Cod