Cape Cod has long been a Mecca for saltwater fishermen, and the most sought-after fish in New England's coastal waters is the striped bass. A 2005 Massachusetts Striped Bass Report indicates that the annual striper harvest over the past several years is up significantly from the 1990's. Gary Nelson, senior fisheries biologist at the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, believes that 2006 will be another good year for Bay State striper anglers.

Among other positives, Nelson pointed out that during the 2005 season, the commercial striper quota was reached in just 19 days despite additional commercial restrictions that were introduced last year.

You need not venture far offshore to find great bass fishing on the Cape. There are numerous opportunities for the shore-bound angler: beaches, jetties, estuary creeks, salt ponds, flats, inlets, harbors and rivers all contain fish. Whether you prefer to drift live bait, sight-cast to cruising stripers on the flats or sling hardware into the surf, you'll find what you're looking for on the Cape.

There are always some holdover fish, but the Cape's primary striper fishery is largely seasonal. Schoolies typically appear in late April, while the larger bass usually show up in mid-June and remain there through October.

In Massachusetts, the minimum legal length on stripers is 28 inches, and there's currently a two-fish limit.

Popular baits include chunk mackerel, porgy, eels, sea worms and sand eels, which are especially effective on the bay side. Kastmasters and Hopkins have traditionally been two of the more popular sinking lures, and over the past several years, a number of fishermen have changed over to soft plastics. These life-like lures are a staple in my tackle box. Swimming plugs, Clousers, Deceivers, and sand eel imitations are also popular.

Take note that many beaches and public parking lots charge fees during the tourist season, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. During the peak tourist months of July and August, many anglers prefer to fish early and late in the day to avoid crowds and boat traffic. Because the water is cooler, these times are typically the most productive for fishing during this time of year. Fish may be taken throughout the day in some locations, however, depending on conditions and tides, so fish when you are able!

The following 10 areas are proven Cape Cod hotspots. Before heading out, visit a local bait and tackle store for an up-to-the-minute report on how the fishing is going. These shops can provide a wealth of information on where the fish are being taken and what they're hitting.

UPPER CAPE
The Cape Cod Canal is one of the more popular upper Cape spots. There's some great access along the canal's shoreline, much of which is paralleled by bicycle paths.

One of the best areas on the mainland side of the canal is Scussett Beach State Reservation in Sandwich, which has some 1.5 miles of frontage along the eastern end of the canal, including two well-known spots, Pip's Rip and Murderer's Row.

Walking toward the canal from the parking lot, Pip's Rip is on the left. Unlike much of the canal, the bottom in the Pip's Rip area is mostly sandy, and it's one of the few spots along the canal that offers some limited wading. Murderer's Row is about one-half mile west of Pip's Rip.