The Mighty Fish A17 Diamond Jig: A Fall Cape Cod Essential
If there is one lure that has earned permanent residency in every “in the know” Cape Cod fisherman’s tackle bag, it’s the The Mighty Fish A17 Diamond Jig.
September is when Cape Cod fishing really starts to change. The water begins cooling, baitfish start moving, and everything from striped bass and bluefish to bonito and false albacore becomes increasingly focused on finding an easy meal. One day can feel like summer, while the next brings a taste of fall.
That’s exactly why September is the perfect time to have an A17 Diamond Jig ready to go.
Why the A17 Is Perfect for Fall
Fall fishing on Cape Cod is all about bait—and lots of it.
Sand eels, silversides, peanut bunker, juvenile mackerel and other small baitfish are on the menu as predators begin feeding heavily in preparation for the fall migration. The A17’s slender profile does an excellent job of imitating these long, narrow baitfish.
Its compact, aerodynamic design also allows you to make the long casts that can be critical this time of year.
Whether you’re fishing a Cape Cod beach, jetty, rip, inlet, kayak or boat, the A17 lets you cover water quickly and get your lure in front of fish that may be feeding well beyond casting range.
October Is Prime Time for the A17
October can produce some of the most exciting mixed-bag fishing of the entire Cape Cod season.
Striped Bass
As water temperatures begin to fall, striped bass become increasingly active. Look for them around rips, rocky shorelines, current breaks, beaches and areas holding concentrations of bait.
Cast the A17 and experiment with your retrieve. A fast, steady retrieve can imitate fleeing bait, while allowing the jig to sink and then working it with short lifts can put the lure in front of deeper fish.
Bluefish
Bluefish remain a major part of the October picture, and when they move onto bait, the action can be explosive.
The A17’s flash and speed make it an excellent choice when blues are chasing small baitfish near the surface. Cast beyond the feeding fish and burn the jig back through the blitz.
Just remember to carry a few extras—bluefish aren't exactly known for being easy on tackle.
Bonito
Fall can be prime bonito time on Cape Cod.
When bonito are crashing small bait near shore, long casting distance becomes extremely important. The A17 can help you reach fish that are feeding just beyond the range of lighter plugs.
Keep the retrieve quick and steady and be ready for the strike. Bonito can turn an ordinary September morning into a memorable trip in a matter of minutes.
False Albacore
Then there are the albies.
For many Cape Cod anglers, the arrival of false albacore is one of the biggest signs that fall fishing has arrived. These speedsters can appear suddenly, feed aggressively and disappear just as quickly.
The A17’s compact profile and long-casting ability make it a valuable lure to have ready when an albie blitz erupts offshore.
Surf, Boat or Kayak
One of the biggest advantages of the A17 is its versatility.
From the surf, its weight helps anglers launch long casts and cover plenty of water.
From a boat, it can be cast into breaking fish or jigged around rips, structure and deeper water.
From a kayak, it is an easy lure to carry and gives anglers an option for everything from surface-feeding fish to deeper predators.
Fall fishing can change quickly, so having a lure that can adapt with it is a major advantage.
Keep the Retrieve Simple
You don't need a complicated presentation to make the A17 produce.
Try these proven retrieves:
Fast and steady when targeting bonito, bluefish or false albacore.
Medium-speed retrieve with occasional twitches for striped bass.
Let it sink, then use a lift-and-drop presentation around deeper structure.
Vary the retrieve speed when fish are feeding on different sizes of bait.
When sand eels are thick, consider adding a small teaser above the jig.
The key is to let the fish tell you what they want. Fall can bring everything from aggressive surface feeds to fish holding deeper in the water column.
Don't Leave Home With Just One
Experienced Cape Cod anglers know that Fall fishing can be hard on tackle.
Rocks, structure, bluefish teeth and aggressive strikes can all cost you a lure. And when the fish suddenly turn on, the last thing you want to do is discover that your only productive jig is sitting on the bottom of Cape Cod Bay.
Keep several A17s in the tackle box.
When the wind picks up, bait starts spraying out of the water and predators begin crashing through it, you'll be glad you did.
The Cape Cod Confidence Lure
Every angler has a lure they reach for when they simply want to catch fish.
On Cape Cod, the The Mighty Fish A17 Diamond Jig deserves a spot in that category.
It casts a mile, imitates the small baitfish that predators are feeding on, works from the beach or boat, and can put you in the middle of some of September’s most exciting fishing.
Summer may be winding down, but Cape Cod fishing is just getting started for the fall.
Don't put the rods away yet. Load up the tackle box with A17 Diamond Jigs and get ready for the September bite.
Order the The Mighty Fish A17 Diamond Jig online or stop by Goose Hummock Shops and pick up a few before your next trip.
When the bait is moving and the stripers are feeding, having an A17 ready to launch can make all the difference.
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