The Nor’easter Just Supercharged Saltwater Fishing
If you thought the big nor’easter meant the end of Cape Cod’s fall saltwater fishing, think again.
In fact, the opposite is happening.
After several days of brutal northeast winds, heavy surf and rough seas, Cape Cod’s saltwater fishing has exploded back to life. As the ocean settles down and anglers get back on the water, reports are showing exactly what we look for this time of year: striped bass, false albacore, bonito and bluefish moving with bait and feeding aggressively.
The storm may have been a headache for fishermen for several days, but it could turn out to be a major catalyst for the fall run.
The Storm Changed Everything
A major late-September nor’easter hammered the Northeast with strong winds, heavy rain, rough seas and coastal flooding. On Cape Cod, wind gusts reached extremely high levels and offshore fishing was effectively shut down for much of the storm.
But storms like this can dramatically rearrange the nearshore environment.
Strong northeast winds push enormous amounts of water, bait and debris around the Cape. Sand and sediment get stirred up. Baitfish relocate. Predators follow.
And once the wind finally backs off, fishermen can find themselves looking at a completely different fishing situation than they had before the storm.
That appears to be exactly what is happening.
Big Striped Bass Are Back in the Spotlight
One of the biggest stories coming out of the storm is the movement of striped bass.
Reports immediately before the nor’easter already showed excellent striper activity, including large fish moving into Cape Cod Bay and the Canal. Fish ranging from schoolies to bass approaching 30 pounds were being caught before the worst weather arrived.
Now, post-storm reports indicate that big striped bass have been pushed closer to shore inside Cape Cod Bay and the Outer Beaches.
That is fantastic news for surfcasters.
Fall stripers are all about bait. As water temperatures continue to fall and the migration accelerates, bass become increasingly focused on putting on weight before continuing south.
A major weather event can concentrate baitfish and predators into areas where shore fishermen can reach them.
That means beaches, rips, inlets, jetties and the Cape Cod Canal can all become extremely interesting places to fish.
The False Albacore Didn't Leave
For albie fishermen, there was a legitimate question going into the storm:
Would the nor’easter push the false albacore out of the area?
Apparently not.
That is huge.
Albies can be notoriously unpredictable. One day they can be everywhere, and the next day they can seemingly disappear.
But when the bait stays, there is always a reason to keep looking.
And right now, there is plenty of reason.
Bonito Are Still Part of the Picture
Bonito were already providing excellent action before the storm, with fish reported throughout portions of Cape Cod and Nantucket Sound.
The nor’easter temporarily made chasing them difficult, but that doesn't necessarily mean the fish have left.
In fact, the post-storm period can be one of the most interesting times to search.
Look for cleaner water, concentrations of bait and birds working over feeding fish. Don't assume that the spot that produced before the storm will produce afterward.
The fish may have moved.
That's part of the game.
Why the Fall Run Could Get Really Good
This is the time of year when everything starts coming together.
Water temperatures are dropping.
Bait is moving.
Gamefish are feeding.
And migratory fish are preparing for the journey south.
The nor’easter adds another variable to the equation.
The latest Goose Hummock customer reports are already pointing toward a post-storm mix of striped bass, bonito, tautog, football tuna and other species as conditions improve.
Offshore fishermen are also preparing to get back after bluefin, yellowfin, swordfish and bigeye tuna now that the weather is finally opening a window.
In other words, the storm didn't end fishing.
It reset the board.
What Should Cape Cod Anglers Throw?
For striped bass, have a selection of larger plugs, paddletails, needlefish, darters and metal-lip swimmers ready.
If you're hunting albies and bonito, think smaller.
Epoxy jigs, small metals and compact soft plastics should have a place in your bag.
Match the hatch whenever possible. If the fish are eating tiny bait, throwing a giant plug because it looks good to you isn't necessarily going to get the job done.
And don't forget that fall conditions can change quickly.
One minute you're standing on a calm beach.
The next minute the wind is howling and the surf is building.
Bring the right clothing, stay mobile and be prepared to fish different water.
The Best Part? We're Just Getting Started
The first big nor’easter of the fall often feels like a dividing line.
Summer is officially over.
The crowds are thinning.
The water is cooling.
And the fish are beginning their annual migration.
For Cape Cod anglers, this is when the fishing can become truly special.
The latest reports suggest that the storm didn't wipe out the fall run—it may have helped reorganize it. False albacore are still feeding. Big striped bass have moved closer to shore. Bonito remain part of the mix, and offshore opportunities are beginning to reopen.
So if you put your saltwater gear away when the nor’easter arrived, it's time to get it back out.
The storm is over. The water is settling down. And Cape Cod's fall saltwater fishing may just be getting started.
Get Ready for the Fall Run at Goose Hummock
Whether you're chasing a blitzing school of albies with an epoxy jig, working a plug through the Cape Cod surf for a big striped bass, or heading offshore in search of tuna, Goose Hummock has the tackle and gear to keep you ready for whatever Cape Cod throws at you.
Stop by the Goose Hummock shops or check out TheMightyFish.com before your next trip.
The fall run waits for nobody.
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