Looking at a map of Massachusetts, it appears the state is flexing its bicep into the Atlantic. That geographic “muscle” certainly has some powerful clout in seafaring industries. The state’s outstretched arm is Cape Cod, a fishing and boating haven since the 1600s.
Cape Cod, or “the Cape,” as locals refer to it, is a 65-mile-long peninsula along the southeastern coast of Massachusetts that’s comprised of several regions and many small towns. Visitors travel to the Upper Cape, Mid Cape, Lower Cape, and then onto the Outer Cape. The peninsula is comprised of a tapestry of ecosystems that entice fish and offer exceptional views while boating. Estuaries are formed where freshwater meets the ocean. Glacially formed eons ago, the Cape also has freshwater ponds where bass and trout now reside.
As a teen, I worked at a fish restaurant owned by family in Orleans, Massachusetts, on the Cape’s elbow each summer. I’d hear salty fishermen and boat crews share laughter and legends from long ago over the day’s fresh catch or a brew, along with tales of destructive storms, rogue waves, and record-breaking hauls. But when it comes to where they find the biggest fish, most anglers become quite tight lipped. So we’ve done the research for you on where to cruise or drop a line based on the most fish-friendly environs, navigable waters, and stunning scenery, in no particular order.
Chatham
Let’s begin in Chatham, an upscale Cape Cod resort town famed for delightful seafood, understandably given the amount of fish swimming in area waters. Chatham offers anglers direct access to multiple fishing grounds and much ecosystem diversity, which fish love, including dozens of freshwater ponds. Surrounding Monomoy Island, a land barrier off Chatham’s shore, the combination of chilly Atlantic waters converging with the warmer waters of Nantucket Sound plus dramatic depth changes and sandy shoals make for excellent striped bass fishing from late May into November…