Welcome to CapeCod.com’s Summer Bucket List series, brought to you by the good folks at Cape Cod Calling. Each week, we will bring you a new idea for you to enjoy your summer here on Cape Cod.

In case you didn’t know, “fishing” and “Cape Cod” practically go hand in hand. Whether you prefer the simple, peaceful quiet of a smaller stream or pond, or if you’d rather experience the wilder adventure of deep-sea fishing, Cape Cod has it all.

There are plenty of fun sport-fishing options for aspiring anglers to choose from here and, for both saltwater and freshwater fishing, the Cape is hard to beat.

Bluefish, fluke, haddock, flounder, cod, mackerel and even blue fin tuna all prowl Cape Cod waters during the spring, summer and fall. Many of these fish can be caught from the rocks and shores all around Cape Cod, including along the Canal (try early morning or after sunset), while others are best fished for buy boat.

Deep-sea fishing excursions, particularly for bass and bluefish, depart during the season from a variety of the Cape’s harbors, as well as from the Vineyard and Nantucket. They are available in a variety of sizes, such as two-person charters on small boats, six-pack charters (six people or less), and party boats on which fishermen pay per head (sometimes called head boats). You can even rent your own boat. It all depends on what you prefer.

Most towns along the Cape’s coastline offer charters, such as Yankee Deep Sea Fishing and Magellan Deep Sea Fishing Charters, both in Harwich Port; Cape Cod Family Charters in Barnstable: Helen H Deep Sea Fishing in Hyannis; Coastal Charters Sportfishing in Brewster; Reelezee Sportfishing Charters in Truro; Seadog Charters in Dennis, and so many more.

For freshwater fishing, the Cape’s 365 ponds and lakes (many of which are fully stocked), are just waiting for you, your rod and your reel. You can find a list of local ponds and lakes, as well as their boundaries, depths, and public access points at www.mass.gov/service-details/massachusetts-pond-maps-state-view. Some of the larger ponds may accommodate trailered power boats. Or, if it’s quiet and solitude you seek, plenty of smaller ponds are suited to canoe or kayak fishing.

Largemouth bass, sunfish and perch can be found in these places, and are sure to excite young anglers who are new to the sport. A pond fishing set-up can be as simple as bobber and worm, or the more challenging fly fishing. Check at a local tackle shop for suggestions for out-of-the-way or overlooked small ponds.

Knowing the fishing regulations for each town is a smart place to start when fishing on Cape Cod or anywhere else. What type and size of fish you can catch, and the number you can actually keep, is regulated under Massachusetts state law. If you have questions, you can visit the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries website at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-marine-fisheries.

Fishing is a great way to spend a few hours by yourself, with friends, or even with the whole family. Make it a tradition! It’s a sport that you can teach your children or grandchildren. It’s absolutely the other great American pastime.

So, whether it’s surf-casting for stripers and bluefish, or fly-fishing for trout and largemouth bass, our waters are full and the fish are plentiful.

So, what are you waiting for? Come and get ‘em!

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