Monomoy Island Stripers

The day started with this beautiful sunrise at the mouth of the Bass River in S. Dennis. The southern Cape Cod waters were relatively calm and our spirits were high. We soon learned that looks can be deceiving. As we approached the island from the SW we started running into the different rips that form all along the south end of Monomoy, out to Butler's Hole and Pollock Shoals. A large buck tail jig was the lure of choice today. We had many different colors to choose from and most caught fish. we were soon in the thick of things and the fast moving waters that stack up the bait and large fish. Capt. G-No at the helm with Rock Bottom and Elmer as the crew, drove right through the first rip we came to and hooked up with a nice Saw Toothed Striper.

We didn't have problems hooking up with the "Blues", but it wasn't what we wanted. A few schoolies added to the fun but we were looking for something larger. We moved from shoal to shoal looking for the good rips to form. As the tide changes so the rips form and disappear. Watching the other boats in the area helped to give us more information about where to fish.

The Monomoy Island seal population is continuing to grow and warm sunny days brings them to the southern tip of the island. Rock Bottom surveys the water to see where the next good rip will form and in we go. Some boats were sitting up in the shallows, while feeding buck tails and other lures back into the deeper water.

 Our patience was rewarded with this 37 inch, 23lb 6oz, striper caught in a rip that forms off the SW point of the island. We released all our fish to fight another day. 

This beautiful stretch of ocean holds some of the best fishing in Massachusetts. Be sure you put the waters of the South Cape and Islands on your list of must fish areas.

story by Elmer Mudguaard   photos by Elmer & G-No