Cape Cod Fishing Calendar
What's Biting Month by Month
Cape Cod's fishing season runs from late April through mid-December, and every month brings something different. Species migrate in and out with the water temperature, bait shifts with the tides, and the techniques that produce change week to week. Whether you want to chase trophy stripers on light tackle, battle bluefin tuna offshore, or load the cooler with sea bass and fluke, the key is knowing when to go.
This guide breaks down what you can expect each month so you can plan your charter trip around the fishing, not the other way around. We update it based on what we see on the water every season.
For real-time weather, wind, and tide data before your trip, check our live conditions page.
Late April – May
What's Biting
Striped bass arriving (spring run starting), squid running strong, bluefish arriving late May
The harbor comes alive. Stripers follow the bait into Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound as water temperatures climb past 50 degrees. Early inshore action on light tackle is excellent, and squid jigging is productive on calm evenings. Late May brings the first bluefish of the season, adding variety to every trip.
June
What's Biting
Peak spring striper run, bluefish in full force, bluefin tuna season opens June 1, sea bass bite turns on, tautog on structure
The best month for variety. Inshore fishing is on fire with the peak spring striper run in full swing and bluefish blitzes erupting across Vineyard Sound. Offshore, bluefin tuna season opens June 1 and the first fish start showing on the grounds south of Martha's Vineyard. Sea bass fishing turns on over rocky structure, giving bottom fishermen steady action.
July
What's Biting
Stripers holding in cooler pockets, bluefish aggressive on surface, bluefin tuna prime, shark season opens July 1, fluke fishing excellent on Nantucket Shoals
Summer is here. Warm water brings the big predators offshore and pushes stripers into cooler pockets around structure and deep rips. Bluefish are aggressive on the surface, making for explosive topwater action. Best month for shark fishing, with blue sharks, makos, and threshers patrolling the warm offshore currents. Fluke fishing on Nantucket Shoals is excellent.
Best Trips
August
What's Biting
Bluefin tuna peak, bonito and false albacore arriving, bluefish everywhere, canyon trips begin
The offshore bite is at its peak. Warm water pushes bait and bluefin tuna close to shore, and some of the best tuna fishing of the year happens in August. Bonito and false albacore begin arriving in the sounds, offering fast light-tackle action for experienced anglers. Canyon trips for yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi come into play as warm eddies push north.
Best Trips
September
What's Biting
Fall striper run begins, bluefin tuna still strong, false albacore blitzes in Vineyard Sound
The fall run is magical. Big stripers return heading south, staging around the Elizabeth Islands and through Vineyard Sound. False albacore blitzes erupt without warning, offering some of the most exciting light-tackle fishing of the year. Offshore, bluefin tuna are still feeding heavily as they build reserves for their own migration.
October
What's Biting
Peak fall striper run, bluefin tuna feeding aggressively, large bluefish, sea bass still biting
October is arguably the best month to fish Cape Cod. Everything is biting. The fall striper run is at its peak with large migratory fish stacking up in Buzzards Bay and the Canal. Bluefin tuna feed aggressively before heading south. Big bluefish are gorging on peanut bunker, and sea bass are still holding on structure before the water cools.
November – December
What's Biting
Late fall stripers (trophy fish heading south), bluefin tuna late season push, season winds down
Die-hard fishing month. Fewer boats on the water means less pressure and more aggressive fish. Trophy stripers push through on their final migration south, and bluefin tuna make a late-season push that can produce some of the year's biggest fish. The season winds down by mid-December, but the fishing right up to the end can be outstanding.
Ready to Book?
Pick your month, pick your species, and let us handle the rest. Bloodline Charters departs daily from Falmouth Harbor with all gear, bait, and tackle provided.