Feeding Frenzy | Cape Cod Fisheries and Baitfish | Secondary Foods | Sight Fishing

Sight Fishing

The waters around Cape Cod are perhaps the best locations to sight fish in the Northeast. They provide many opportunities to take fish in shallow water, and when conditions are right, it's like bonefishing on a Bahamas flat.

The sheltered waters around Chatham and Monomoy Island, as well as the north side of Nantucket from the harbor to Tuckernuck Island, offer miles of shallow flats for both wading and boating anglers. The Brewster Flats, the waters inside Nauset Harbor, Pleasant Bay, and Barnstable Harbor all have extensive shallow water. Not all of it offers classic flats fishing like Monomoy, where you can work one large flat after another, but you can sight-fish each flat, working the edges, casting to fish as they move from a channel onto the flat. Any of the saltwater ponds and bays, like Sengekontacket and Menemsha ponds on Martha's Vineyard, offer flats fishing.

Look for areas of shallow water on a nautical chart; any of them may have fish. The north side of Cape Cod has tides that can fluctuate more than 12 feet, so wading some locations on an incoming tide can be dangerous. Watch the edges and gullies, where the fish retreat as the water drops during a falling tide. A rising tide brings the fish into the skinny water, as there is no chance of being trapped. Areas in Nantucket Sound with two- to four-foot tides are easier fishing, because the water level does not change severely. There a location might be fishable for most of the tide, while on and north of the Cape, a fishing location can go dry in several hours or drive anglers to shore before the fish move into range.

As in any sight-fishing situation, getting the fly to the fish without spooking them is the key; even the aggressive bluefish will run from an errant cast. Small poppers, sand eel imitations, and crab patterns can be effective. Good fly choices on calm days include small flies and patterns made with soft, light material, so that they land gently. Groups of feeding fish usually pounce on the fly, while singles take a look first.

In clear water a precise imitation might be the right choice, yet I have presented epoxy flies that mirrored the food and didn't even get a look from the gamefish. A Snake Fly's pulsating action, however, brought a strike from the same fish. I prefer a fly with action for most of my fishing. There are times when the wrong tippet color and size, not fly type, causes the problem. The new fluorocarbon tippet materials, which are less visible, work well in clear water. See the Gear section for more on the necessary equipment for fishing this kind of water.

If you plan to sight fish, spend time practicing your casting skills. Northern flats sight fishing is usually not as demanding as southern flats fishing. On some days the catching can be easy, but the big fish are smart and you may get only one good chance for a hookup, so be ready to make it count.

On-Line Catalogs
A.A. Outfitters Full service, fully stocked flyshop located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Allen Brothers Quality Fishing Flies Quality is more than just a word. We use Daichii hooks and all our beadheads are tied with tungsten. Check out unique variations on a lot of the classics, plus our original patterns! Angler's Pro Shop The finest products the fly fishing industry has to offer. Bighorn Fly and Tackle Shop Montana's premium fly shops, lodging and guide service. We're dedicated to helping you experience the best Montana has to offer. Bob Henley's TIE-A-FLY 19 traditional patterns. TIE-A-FLY kits have all materials needed to tie them, instructions/illustrations, a pre-tied fly to use as a model. Gary LaFontaine's "The Book Mailer" Every angling book & media in print—10% off 3 or more. LaFontaine fly patterns & materials. FREE anti-catalog. Crystal Fly Shop Online Store Quality products at reasonable prices from Winston, Elkhorn, St. Croix, Galvan, Solitude, Idylwilde, Chota, etc. Many items 15-35% off. Custom Fly Rod Crafters Fly rod building components, tools & supplies. Dan Bailey's Online Fly Shop Outfitting fly fishermen since 1938. Equipment & information to make your next fly fishing trip be a memorable one.		Fly Fishing Flies & Gear Shop RiverBum.com for premium FLIES and GEAR from Simms, Sage, Fishpond & more ... Free Shipping on orders over $25! FlyShack.com High quality, hand-tied flies. Assortments from $.60/fly. Great selection and excellent service. Free Shipping. FlyShopCloseouts.com Now—new and expanded—with much more brand name fly fishing tackle and gear at huge savings. Save 30-50% on quality brands you will recognize in an instant. Galloup's Slide Inn Online Fly Shop Full online store offering cutting-edge flies, equipment, and the best streamer selection found anywhere in the U.S. Hills Discount Flies Fly shop quality flies at wholesale prices. Over 1,000 patterns. Check out bargains in "Hot Deals" section. Hooked On Flies 65¢-69¢ a fly. That's 3 flies for less than the retail price of one fly. 450+ Trout Fly Patterns! Madison River Fishing Co. Spring is coming! We have TONS of new gear this year. Cloudveil, Simms, Sage, Under Armour, Vosseler Reels and lots more. Click or call 800-227-7127 for catalog. **Reelflies** - Fly Fishing Flies Offering incredible prices on top-quality Trout Flies: $0.49 - $0.79. Our flies have great fly illustrations . . . what you see is what you get! www.ShopUltimateAngler.com Your steelhead and smallmouth specialists featuring Simms, Sage, Patagonia, Orvis, guide services, local fishing reports and more!