Striped Bass and Tautog Bonanza at the Buzzing Cape Cod Canal

As of October 24, 2024, the Cape Cod Canal is buzzing with activity, making it an exciting time for anglers. Here’s what you need to know for today’s fishing trip. ### Weather and Tides The weather is expected to be mild, with daytime highs in the low 70s and overnight lows around 60 degrees. Sunrise is at 7:04 AM, and sunset will be at 5:43 PM. Tides are crucial in the Canal, and today you can expect a west tide, which is often referred to as the migration tide. This tide typically brings striped bass from Cape Cod Bay into Buzzards Bay. ### Fish Activity Striped bass fishing has been excellent in the Canal, especially during the morning hours on the east end. Anglers have been catching quality fish, with reports of bass up to 37 inches and weighing up to 40 pounds. Tautog fishing is also on fire, with many quality fish being caught in shallow waters between 20 and 30 feet deep. The tog bite has been consistent, with fish up to 7 pounds being landed. ### Best Lures and Bait For striped bass, swimming jigs on a steady retrieve have proven most effective. Lures like the green mack FishLab, white Guppy JoBo, and Kastmaster have been getting plenty of bites. Peanut bunker resin jigs and metals are also popular choices as the bass have grown picky towards plugs. For tautog, green crabs are the go-to bait. The action has been good in the Sound, but be prepared to weed through short fish and sea bass to find keepers. ### Hot Spots One of the best spots to fish is around the east end of the Canal during the west tide. This area has seen a lot of action, with multiple anglers catching large bass simultaneously. Another hot spot is around pole 80, where the fish tend to congregate during the west tide. If you're looking for a different experience, the jetties and beaches along the Canal are also producing good results, especially during the morning hours. With the mild weather and active fish, today is a great day to get out on the water and enjoy some of the best fall fishing Cape Cod has to offer.