The Labor Day Weekend Fishing Forecast: What Cape Cod Fishermen Should Expect

The unofficial end of summer could be the beginning of one of the most exciting stretches of fishing on Cape Cod.

Labor Day weekend has always been a special time to fish Cape Cod. The summer crowds begin to thin, water temperatures start their gradual decline, baitfish movements become increasingly important, and some of the most exciting fish of the year begin showing up.

This year, there is an especially good reason to keep a rod in the truck.

Bonito are around, the first false albacore have already been reported, bluefish have become increasingly available, and striped bass remain spread across several productive areas. Bottom fishermen also have plenty of options, with black sea bass continuing to provide good action as the season moves into September.

Recent reports from the South Side indicate that bonito and the first albies are beginning to appear around the edges of Nantucket Sound and Monomoy.

And that means Labor Day weekend could be the weekend when Cape Cod's fall fishing really starts to announce itself.

Stripers: Follow the Bait

Striped bass should remain one of the most dependable targets over the holiday weekend, although anglers will need to be flexible.

Cape Cod Bay has continued to hold quality bass chasing squid, sandeels and bunker, while the Outer Cape and Monomoy region offer additional opportunities when conditions line up. Earlier reports this summer showed bass feeding on squid, sand eels and bunker, with fish ranging from schoolies to quality slot and over-slot fish.

The key now is finding the bait rather than simply fishing a favorite spot.

Look for:

• Sand eels

• Peanut bunker

• Squid

• Mackerel

• Diving birds

• Surface disturbances

Surfcasters should pay particular attention to early mornings and evenings. Boat fishermen should be willing to cover ground until they locate concentrations of bait and feeding bass.

If the weather turns breezy and pushes bait toward the beach, the surf could become particularly interesting.

Bluefish: Don't Count Them Out

Bluefish have been one of the more encouraging stories of the late-summer season.

Recent South Side reports coming into the shop indicate that blues are available from both boats and beaches, giving anglers another opportunity to experience some serious rod-bending action.

The size and location of the fish can change quickly, so come prepared for everything from cocktail blues crashing small bait to larger fish capable of destroying a plug.

For shore anglers, metals, epoxy jigs, topwaters and small swimming plugs should all have a place in the bag.

And if birds start working over nervous bait, get ready quickly.

A bluefish blitz can develop and disappear in minutes.

Bonito: The Weekend's Big Attraction?

If there is one fish that could make Labor Day weekend especially memorable, it may be bonito.

Bonito have been reported in increasing numbers around the South Side, with fish available to both boat and shore anglers.

That's particularly encouraging because bonito fishing can change dramatically with only a small shift in weather, water temperature or bait availability.

The best strategy is to keep a lightweight setup ready with:

• Epoxy jigs

• Small metals

• Slim casting jigs

• Small topwaters

• Light fluorocarbon leader

Watch for terns, gulls and surface disturbances. Bonito can appear almost anywhere when they are chasing small bait, and the fish may be feeding on tiny forage that makes lure selection critical.

If you see bait spraying from the surface, don't automatically assume it's bluefish.

It could be the fish you've been waiting for all summer.

False Albacore: The First Signs Are Here

This is where things get really interesting.

The first false albacore reports have already appeared around Nantucket Sound and Monomoy, while bonito are becoming increasingly widespread.

That doesn't necessarily mean Cape Cod will be covered in albies by Labor Day. But it does mean anglers should be prepared.

The arrival of false albacore is one of the clearest signs that Cape Cod's late-summer fishery is beginning to transition toward fall.

Keep a dedicated albie rod rigged with a small metal or epoxy jig. Use light leader when water conditions allow, and don't be afraid to downsize when the fish become selective.

The biggest mistake is being caught without the right tackle when the first pod suddenly appears.

You can spend hours looking for albies and then have them erupt 30 yards from the boat or beach.

Be ready.

Bottom Fishing: Still Plenty of Action

Labor Day isn't just about chasing stripers, blues and bonito.

Black sea bass remain an excellent option, particularly for anglers looking to put some fish in the cooler. Recent reports have described improving sea bass fishing in Nantucket Sound and other deeper structure.

One important change comes with the calendar: Massachusetts' black sea bass recreational bag limit drops from four fish to two fish per angler on September 1, while the season remains open into October.

Golden Sea Bream and fluke should also remain available in a variety of locations.

For bottom fishermen, the formula is simple: find structure, locate the bait and be willing to move if you're catching nothing but shorts.

A productive bottom-fishing trip can also provide a nice change of pace if wind or boat traffic makes the hardtail hunt difficult.

What Could Make Labor Day Weekend Special?

The biggest wildcard is weather.

A change in wind direction, an increase in wind speed or a passing front can dramatically alter Cape Cod fishing.

The current forecast suggests a fairly unsettled start to the holiday weekend, followed by cooler conditions. That could be important for anglers because changing weather can push baitfish, alter water temperatures and concentrate predators.

The best fishing may not necessarily happen during the calmest, prettiest part of the weekend.

Sometimes the conditions that make the beach less comfortable are exactly what make the fishing better.

An onshore breeze can push bait tight to shore. A change in wind can reposition surface-feeding fish. A little cloud cover can extend the bite well beyond the traditional low-light periods.

In other words, don't judge a fishing day by how nice it looks from the parking lot.

The Labor Day Game Plan

If you're fishing Cape Cod this weekend, versatility should be the name of the game.

Bring a few rods and be prepared to switch targets.

Early morning: Look for stripers, bonito, bluefish and albies around bait and surface activity.

Midday: If the surface bite disappears, move to deeper structure for sea bass, scup or fluke.

Afternoon: Keep an eye on the horizon for birds and breaking fish. Bonito and albies don't care what time your watch says.

Evening: Return to the beaches for striped bass.

And keep an eye on the wind.

A Labor Day weekend with the right combination of wind, bait and moving water could produce one of those classic Cape Cod fishing weekends where almost anything is possible.

The Fall Run Is Starting

Labor Day is traditionally viewed as the end of summer.

For Cape Cod fishermen, it's more accurate to call it the beginning of the next chapter.

The first false albacore are showing. Bonito are becoming more widespread. Bluefish are available. Striped bass begin staging to find abundant forage. Bottom fishing remains productive.

And the water is beginning its long transition toward fall.

That combination makes Labor Day weekend one of the best times of the year to have a fishing rod in your hands.

The crowds may be thinking about beaches, cookouts and the last weekend of summer.

Cape Cod anglers should be thinking about bait, birds, moving water—and what might be underneath them.

Because once the first big school of albies or bonito shows up under a flock of diving birds, summer ending suddenly won't seem quite so important anymore.

The fall fishing season is coming. And on Cape Cod, it may already be here.