Opportunities for saltwater, freshwater and shell fishing abound on Cape Cod. Saltwater anglers can fish for bluefish, tuna, striped bass, cod and flounder, oftentimes within reach of surfcasting along the Cape’s 40 miles of Atlantic beach. No license is required for saltwater fishing.

The fish that is supreme in saltwater is the Striped Bass. This is the fish most anglers are interested in and the one most often caught. Many visitors hire a guide to catch more stripers and bigger stripers than they would on their own. Striped Bass have recovered their numbers under federal protection and the possibilities for a gratifying catch are excellent. Many fish have matured to the 24" to 30" class, providing the fisherman with great sporting opportunities.

Another prized catch off the Cape is the Bluefish. A Blue can be difficult to land, but the fight is well worth the reward. Bluefish are fairly oily, and are delicious grilled. There are other fish in the sea too, such as Bonito and Albies. These are very commendable catches and often available in sufficient numbers to make pursuing them worthwhile and exciting. Also on the Cape, there are cod and mackerel for the anglers who are out there. Bigger fish are also plentiful and catching a "keeper" with a guide is more likely than not.

A chartered trip aboard the many available fishing boats affords one the comfort and pleasure of a sea kindly vessel outfitted for sport fishing. All tackle may be furnished, all electronics are employed and one may fish on a "catch and release" or "take home" basis. "Take home" fish can be filleted and packaged.

A familiar sound at the shore is that of excited gulls singing the high-pitched melody they offer whenever bass and blues push bait to the surface. Listen and follow this sound and you are sure to see pods of breaking fish with their aerial escort churning the glassy surface of the water.

Freshwater catches include rainbow, brook and brown trout, black bass, pike, pickerel, perch, walleye, bullheads and shad. There are also many opportunities to gain experience catching robust fish from the local ponds often stocked in the spring. Check out the 78 ponds available on the Cape for fishing. Freshwater fishing requires a license available at town halls.

Some of the most experienced and successful Cape anglers believe the best time of the month to fish is between the New Moon and the Full Moon. These practiced enthusiasts also state that the best time of the day to fish is just after high and low tide.

Shell fishing on the Cape includes a wide range of collection techniques and rewards. Before going shell fishing make sure to check the regulations for the town you intend to gather shellfish in and get a permit if it is required. The regulations let you know when, where, and how you can shellfish along with the limits on size and quantity allowed.

Gathering shellfish is a great activity and a really nice family outing. You can hunt for your own underfoot, set out on a search or combine shell fishing with a nature expedition and a guide. Shellfish are one of our greatest renewable resources if we act responsibly and with care for our environment and the life, we seek.

Shell fishing for clams, bay scallops and quahogs is subject to local regulations and requires a license as well, also available in area town halls.

'Carpe Diem' does not mean 'fish of the day'. --Unknown

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