The Cape Codder -7/15/05

1. We didn't have our famous fourth of July bass blitz, but it was decent fishing. The bass are sticking to the deep water on the north edge of the shoals and up toward the Path. We've had to jig for them with extra-long wires, 350 feet or longer, or umbrella rigs with a little weight.I have no idea how long this will last. Right now the tides are on the smaller side, so this may be one of the reasons.
2. The bluefishing is still fairly good. There is a good amount up in the Sunken Meadow area, which can be taken by trolling hootchies or swimming plugs. Those who like to cast can find fish up in the meadow itself. Any popping plug will work, but any plug that's blue and white seems to work the best so far.
3. There's lots of bluefish out in the deep water along with the bass. They are hitting the umbrella rig as well as plugs in the outriggers on the surface. It does not seem that this good bluefishing will change anytime soon. In fact, it should improve as the water warms up.
4. I mentioned that one of the reasons the bass fishing may have slowed a little is the fact that the tides are getting smaller. Without going into a long explanation on the differences in the sizes of tides, it's simply put that the phase of the moon produces different tide sizes.
5. The sizes range from as little as an 8.2-foot rise and fall to as much as a 12-foot rise and fall. To give you an idea of the size, today it's a 10.1-foot tide at high tide at 12:58 this morning and a 8.9-foot tide at 1:38 during the afternoon tide. During the daylight, the tide does not move much, so the fish and bait move more easily and are therefore harder to find. As in all things in New England, wait a while and things will change.
6. On July 4, I took a new mate out to get him some practice on the light tackle I use. We put out the 2-pound test gear up in the Sunken Meadow area, and it wasn't long before we hooked up on a fish. After 55 minutes, Dave Koppel of Brewster landed a nice 7-pound bluefish. This is not an easy accomplishment.