NO DOG
DAYS HERE!
August 6, 2001 - With cooler than normal
air temperatures gracing the month of July, shallow water angling has
held up quite nicely for both migratory species. Barring an unusually
torrid weather pattern, I am very optimistic about the immediate future
considering the fact that there has been a healthy population of surf
dwellers and flats citizenry to beguile longrodders throughout the mid
summer months. Our 7th month showed no indication that would
lead me to perceive August won’t continue the precedence.
HARDTAILS
The temperate weather we have been experiencing could delay the arrival
of the hardtail season as was the case with migrating stripers this
previous spring. With the exception of a smattering of rebels,
recognizable numbers of bonito have yet to make their presence felt
along the south side of Cape Cod, and, can not be considered targets of
opportunity as of this writing. If history is any indication, this could
change within a few weeks time and I would look for fishable migrants to
begin perusing Vineyard Sound sometime within the first two weeks of
August.
SOUTH BEACH SURF
Despite the impressive sand eel populations congregating a mile off
the coast of South Beach in Chatham, the ever increasing inshore seal
fraternity, and the tepid water temperatures, it’s certainly
delightful to be receiving so many positive surf reports originating
from this area. Central Mass resident Dennis Savage recently returned
from his initial sojourn to SB and experienced some of the most
rewarding angling of his saltwater career. "I could have tied rocks
on and they would have hit it" was his recount of the day’s
festivities. Dennis witnessed an hour of surf blitzing striper activity
(in the 22-25" class), not a bad indoctrination to this exciting
fishery. Springfield resident John McCarthy, a lifelong sweet water
zealot, needed his curiosity tweaked a bit but finally submitted to the
temptations of the salt and reveled in tempting a number of well
proportioned specimens from the SB surf. While not a total convert, we
wouldn’t be surprised to find John toiling the surfside beaches of
Chatham on a more frequent basis in the near future.
CCA-MA BAY STATE
CHALLENGE CUP
Just in case you are not privy to the latest conservation chit-chat,
CCA-Massachusetts is organizing the first annual "Bay State
Challenge Cup" catch & release, honor system, tourney to be
held on Sunday, September 23rd from 6am until noon. The
angling segment of the event will be succeeded by a BBQ and awards
presentation at Sons of Italy Hall on Rt. 3A in Hingham. Awards will be
issued for largest fish in each category (striped bass, bluefish, bonito
and false albacore), caught by any method within Massachusetts coastal
waters. The "CCA Challenge Cup" will be presented to the
chapter member that catches the largest striped bass measured by length
and girth. Entry fee is $40 for CCA members, $50 for non-members
(includes CCA membership), and ½ price for children. Interested parties
should contact Chapter President, Ted Purcell at tedpurcell@bigplanet.com
for more particulars.
Good fishing and safe
wading,
JB
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