Catch Late October Bass and Tautog in Stormy Cape Cod Canal

As we head into the last day of October, the Cape Cod Canal is still offering some great fall fishing, despite the cooler weather and unpredictable winds. Today, October 31st, you can expect partly sunny skies with highs in the 50s and 60s, but be prepared for blustery winds that could gust up to 30 knots. Sunrise is at around 6:30 AM, and sunset will be just before 4:30 PM, giving you a decent window to get out on the water. The tides are crucial here; the east tide is expected to peak around mid-morning, and the west tide will be strongest in the late afternoon. Striped bass are still the main target in the Canal, although their numbers are dwindling as they continue their southbound migration. Anglers have been doing well, especially around the west end of the Canal, where heavier epoxy jigs and smaller pencils in the 2- to 4-ounce range have been effective in mimicking the prevalent peanut bunker and silversides. Bonito and false albacore are also present, though their numbers are thinning out. You might luck into a few while casting epoxy jigs for bass or bluefish. Tautog fishing has been excellent, with several fish in the teens landed recently, and green crabs are the go-to bait for these bottom dwellers. For stripers, focus on the rip rap areas and the edges where the Mashnee Flats drop off into the Canal. Soft plastics, glidebaits, and small topwaters are also good options, especially in the backwaters and estuaries where bass are picking off remaining baitfish. Hot spots include the west end of the Canal, particularly between the railroad bridge and the Bourne Bridge, and the east end where bonito and false albacore have been active. If you're looking for a more sheltered spot, the backwaters and marshes of Buzzards Bay are worth a try, as they tend to hold fish even in windy conditions. Remember, the fish are getting picky, so a deliberate approach and blind casting in likely areas can yield a lot of success. Keep an eye out for subtle signs of fish activity, and don't hesitate to switch lures if you're not getting bites. Enjoy the last hurrah of October fishing on the Cape This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.