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World-Class Striped Bass Fishing on Cape Cod Bay

  • Published Date: July 22, 2025
  • Fishing
  • Cape Cod, MA
  • $550 - $1,400 price range

Summary

Get ready for an awesome day of fishing on Cape Cod Bay! Grey Dolphin Sportfishing Charters offers private 4-6 hour trips targeting stripers and bluefish. You'll head out with experienced guides who know these waters like the back of their hand. They'll take you to the best spots where the fish are biting. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to fishing, the crew will help you improve your technique and boost your chances of landing a big one. The crystal-clear waters around Cape Cod are perfect for sight fishing, and there's nothing quite like the rush of spotting a school and casting right to them. With room for up to 6 guests, it's a great trip to share with family or friends. Don't forget your camera – the scenery is just as impressive as the fishing. By the end of the day, you'll have some great catches, new skills, and plenty of fish stories to tell back on shore.
World-Class Striped Bass Fishing on Cape Cod Bay

Cape Cod Catch of the Day

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Striped Bass caught on fishing trip at Cape Cod

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Five people enjoying a day of fishing at Cape Cod

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Two striped bass and white bass caught on a fishing trip in Cape Cod

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Reel in Cape Cod's Finest: Stripers & Blues

Get ready to chase some of the East Coast's most prized gamefish on this 4-6 hour private charter in Cape Cod Bay. We're talking striped bass and bluefish, folks - the kind of fishing that'll have you grinning from ear to ear. Our seasoned captains know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're itching to put you on the fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time wetting a line, this trip's got something for everyone. So grab your hat and sunscreen, and let's hit the water!

What to Expect on the Water

As soon as we shove off from the dock, you'll feel the excitement in the air. Cape Cod Bay's got a charm all its own, with its sprawling sandbars and hidden channels. We'll cruise out to some of our favorite honey holes, keeping an eye out for birds working the surface - that's often a dead giveaway for where the fish are feeding. Once we find a promising spot, we'll set up and get those lines in the water. And let me tell you, when a big striper hits, you'll know it! These fish don't give up easy, so be ready for a fight. As for the blues, they're like mini torpedoes - all muscle and attitude. Half the fun is watching them tail-walk across the surface when they're hooked.

Fishing Techniques & Gear

On this trip, we'll be using a mix of techniques to target stripers and blues. Depending on the conditions, we might do some trolling with tube and worm rigs - a Cape Cod classic that stripers can't resist. Or we might switch it up and do some casting with topwater plugs or soft plastics. There's nothing quite like the explosion of a striper smashing a surface lure! For the bluefish, we often use metal lures or poppers. These aggressive feeders aren't picky, but they sure are fun to catch. We provide all the gear you'll need, from rods and reels to tackle. Just bring your enthusiasm and maybe a lucky hat!

Customer Stories

Don't just take our word for it - here's what some of our recent guests have to say:

"Our family of four greatly enjoyed the trip! The boys caught several striped bass, the first of which was pulled in just minutes after putting the line in the water. This fish was large! Captain John and Chase were so encouraging and knowledgeable." - LaDonna

"We have been vacationing on the Cape for over 30 years and have gone on a lot of fishing charters in that time. Captain John and the Grey Dolphin has been the best. This is the second year we booked with him and will only book with him in the future. He is courteous and responsive and works hard to get you the fish you're after. We were after Stripers this year and our family group of 6 pulled in 25 Stripers! We limited out with 6 keepers!" - Mark

"This is our fourth year with Captain John. We started out slow today at low tide, but Captain John kept trying new areas and methods. In about an hour we started getting hits and our group of four caught five nice stripers. Four were keepers. A great trip." - Norman

Species You'll Want to Hook

Striped Bass: Ah, the striper - the crown jewel of Northeast inshore fishing. These fish are the perfect mix of power and finesse. They can grow to over 50 pounds, and when they decide to make a run, you better hold on tight! Stripers typically show up in Cape Cod waters in late spring and stick around through the fall. They love to hang around structure, so we'll be targeting areas with rocky bottoms, drop-offs, and rips. The thrill of watching your rod double over when a big striper hits is something you won't soon forget.

Bluefish: If stripers are the gentlemen of the bay, bluefish are the rowdy cousins who crash the party. These toothy critters are pure aggression on fins. They'll hit just about anything that moves, and when they do, it's like hooking into a buzzsaw. Blues typically show up a bit later than the stripers, usually by early summer. They range from 2-3 pounds up to the coveted "gator" blues that can top 15 pounds or more. When a school of blues moves in, the action can be non-stop. Just watch those fingers when you're unhooking them - those teeth are no joke!

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, I could go on all day about the joys of chasing stripers and blues in Cape Cod Bay. But the truth is, nothing I say can compare to the feeling of that first big hit on your line. This 4-6 hour trip is the perfect way to experience some of the best inshore fishing the East Coast has to offer. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with some tasty fillets or just want to enjoy a day on the water with family and friends, we've got you covered. Our experienced captains will work their tails off to put you on the fish and make sure you have a blast doing it. So what are you waiting for? The fish are biting, and your spot on the boat is waiting. Give us a call and let's get your Cape Cod fishing adventure on the calendar. Trust me, your only regret will be not doing it sooner!

Customer Reviews

Family Bass Bonanza

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Our family of four greatly enjoyed the trip! The boys caught several striped bass, the first of which was pulled in just minutes after putting the line in the water. This fish was large! Captain John and Chase were so encouraging and knowledgeable.

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LaDonna Bosch

July 2, 2025

Striper Success

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We have been vacationing on the Cape for over 30 years and have gone on a lot of fishing charters in that time. Captain John and the Grey Dolphin has been the best. This is the second year we booked with him and will only book with him in the future. He is courteous and responsive and works hard to get you the fish you're after. We were after Stripers this year and our family group of 6 pulled in 25 Stripers! We limited out with 6 keepers! We had one beginner fisher with us. Captain John and Mate Casey paid close attention to her to make sure she was set up for success, and of course she was. Thanks for a great time, Captain John and Casey!

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Mark Sokolowski

August 4, 2024

One More Fish

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As always John went the extra mile for just one more fish!!

KG
kingsley GREENLAND

July 19, 2025

Persistent Catches

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This is our fourth year with Captain John. We started out slow today at low tide, but Captain John kept trying new areas and methods. In about an hour we started getting hits and our group of four caught five nice stripers. Four were keepers. A great trip.

Read More
NH
Norman Holcomb

July 9, 2024

Learn more about the species

Bluefish

Bluefish are the bad boys of Cape Cod. These aggressive predators arrive in mid-June and stick around through October. Most run 3-10 pounds, but 20-pounders aren't unheard of. Blues love to attack in packs, churning up the water in what we call a "blitz." You'll often spot them chasing bait near the surface - it's a sight to behold. They'll hit just about anything shiny or noisy. Expect a hard strike and an acrobatic fight. Blues have a reputation for being oily, but smaller ones are actually quite tasty when prepared right. For the best action, look for them around rips and tide lines, especially on incoming tides. My go-to trick is using wire leaders - those razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. Catching blues is pure, chaotic fun. Just watch your fingers when unhooking them!

Bluefish

Striped Bass

Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis) Description

The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), or Atlantic Striped Bass, Stripers, or Linesider, is a popular game fish for recreational and commercial fishers. As the name suggests, it has seven to eight stripes running down the sides of its body; its color can vary from light green and olive to brown and black. It also has a shimmering white belly and plump bodies that can grow as heavy as 70 pounds and as long as 5 feet, making it easily distinguishable from other species. 

Although this fish mostly lives in saltwater during its adult life, it’s anadromous as it spawns (and is even known to adapt well) in a freshwater environment.

It can naturally be found along the East Coast (from as far north as Canada to down south in the Gulf of Mexico). However, you can find it in most water bodies in North America as the species was introduced across the continent for recreational fishing and for controlling the gizzard shad population, which the Striped Bass is known to prey upon.

Interesting Facts 

Striped Bass spawn in freshwater and many of the Stripers become landlocked because of dams and other human-made obstructions; but, as earlier mentioned, they adapt well and can thrive in a freshwater habitat. 

If you’re fishing for food, the Striped Bass is excellent for eating not only for its plump and meaty body but also for its exquisite, sweet taste, similar to its close relative, the Black Sea Bass.

Striped Bass Size and Speed

For those of you who are planning to fish for this species, yes, they are known to be powerful swimmers, but they’re not particularly fast, making them reasonably easy to catch. Although they can grow much bigger, most caught weigh around twenty to forty pounds. 

Where do Striped Bass Live?

You can fish for Striped Bass pretty much any time of the year and can find them in nearly every body of water in the United States. It’s also worth noting that the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland is the major producer while the Hudson River in New York and New Jersey is the second. 

However, if you’re on the West Coast, you may want to try your luck in the San Francisco Bay and the surrounding coastline. Colorado rivers and lakes such as Lake Havasu, Lake Mead, Lake Powell, Lake Pleasant, and Lake Mohave are also known to have a great abundance of Striped Bass. 

Striped Bass is a structure-oriented fish meaning they can be found around physical structures such as coral reefs, sand bars, and drop-offs. They stay at the bottom of the ocean along the shores as it looks for food.  And because they love to swim in moving waters, you can most locate Stripers within yards of the shorelines.

Striped Bass Migration

One of the most exciting aspects of striped bass is their annual migration patterns. These fish are known to migrate long distances, sometimes thousands of miles, which makes them a fascinating subject for study. Striped bass prefers moderate temperatures between 55° F and 68° F. To stay within this temperature range, most striped bass migrate up and down the Atlantic coast from spring to fall. 
Scientists have been studying striped bass migration for many years, and they have discovered that these fish travel from estuaries to the open ocean and back again each year. Striped bass can migrate up to 2,000 miles during their lifetime! They typically move northward in the spring and summer months when water temperatures warm up, then head south towards warmer waters in the fall.

Striped Bass or Striper
A Striped Bass Close Up

The spring striped bass migration begins from the deeper waters off the Virginia and North Carolina coasts. In the spring, the stripers start their northern migration stopping to spawn in the rivers, estuaries, and bays such as the Delaware River, the Hudson River, and the Chesapeake Bay. The Stripers continue north and eventually spend their summers in the cool waters in New England, and sometimes further North to Canada. 

The striper migration bait typically begins in the fall as the water cools. If you want to experience this unique opportunity, you'll want to head for one of the most amazing events that an angler can experience. Striper bait, including pogies, peanut bunker, and silversides, will come out of bays and into the ocean early. The hungry stripers want to fatten up for the cold season as winter approaches, so they're actively searching out prey. Stripers seek out the enhanced bait pods that create feeding frenzies. Look for baitfish volcanoes erupting from the water or birds signaling the wounded baitfish. If you are truly fortunate, you will see whales coming from below the baitfish volcano. Fall migration continues all the way until December around the New Jersey coast and parts of January in the Virginia region.

Check out this detailed Striped Bass Migration article. 

Is Striped Bass Good to Eat?

Striped bass, also known as "striper," is a popular saltwater fish that can be found along the Atlantic coast of North America. Many people wonder if striped bass is good to eat, and the answer is yes! Striped bass is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients that can benefit your health. 

One of the benefits of eating striped bass is its high omega-3 content. Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that help reduce inflammation in the body, improve brain function, and even lower your risk of heart disease. Striper meat contains about 0.5 grams of omega-3s per 100 grams, making it an excellent nutrient source. Additionally, striped bass is rich in protein - a crucial component for building and repairing tissues in your body. A serving size of just 100 grams provides approximately 20 grams of protein.

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Striped Bass

Striped Bass can be caught year-round and in almost any condition; you can, however, increase your chances if you know exactly what, when, where, and how to look. Stripers are known to swim around and feed in moving waters, near structures along the shores, and you will find them where the water is cooler near the surface during dusk and dawn.  Cast your lines out early or late in the day from bridges, piers, bulkheads, or even while wading in the surf.

Choosing the Right Bait

Striped Bass are mostly finicky predators being picky about the baits they will take. It’s best to use live baits such as herring, menhaden, mackerel, eels, squid, anchovies, bloodworms, or shad as it will help attract them with the live bait’s movement.

Choosing the Right Equipment

Although you can use almost any rod and reel for Striped Bass fishing, you can be more successful using rods that are 8 to 14 feet in length, especially for fly fishing.  You should use a thinner and more sensitive yet stronger line with little stretch like a  braided line. If you prefer using the monofilament type, make sure that it’s strong enough to withstand up to 20 pounds of weight as these fish are not only big, heavy fish, but also strong fighters.

Find fishing tips, techniques, and the best destinations for Striped Bass Fishing

Why are Striped Bass Called Striper?

Striped bass, or Morone saxatilis, is a popular game fish native to the Atlantic coast of North America. It is widely known as "striper," which begs the question: Why do they call striped bass striper? The answer to this question lies in the distinct markings on the fish's body. 
The name "striped bass" comes from its characteristic stripes running along its sides. These stripes are typically seven to eight in number and run from just behind the gills to the base of the tail. When viewed from afar, these stripes can appear like bars or lines that make up a striped pattern on their silver-green skin.

Given that this species has such distinctive vertical stripes, it makes sense why they are called stripers. The name has become so widely used among anglers and fishing enthusiasts that it is now more common than calling them by their scientific name.

What is the Hybrid Striped Bass?

Hybrid striped bass is a popular fish species among anglers and seafood enthusiasts. As the name suggests, it's a crossbreed between two different types of bass: striped and white. The hybridization process has resulted in a fish with desirable traits such as rapid growth, aggressiveness, and resistance to diseases and parasites. 

Hybrid striped bass can grow up to 30 inches in length and weigh as much as 15 pounds. They have streamlined bodies with dark stripes running along their sides, which give them an attractive appearance. Moreover, these fish are known for their delicious taste and versatility in cooking methods.

Due to its popularity, hybrid striped bass is widely farmed across several regions in the United States. It's commonly used by chefs in various dishes such as sushi rolls, grilled fillets, or stews.

Striped Bass Population

The wild striped bass population is an essential aspect of marine fisheries conservation efforts. Striped bass are a popular game fish that attract recreational anglers from all over the world. Stripers also play an essential role in the natural resources ecosystem in the Atlantic Ocean and the many tributaries like Delaware Bay, Delaware River, Hudson River, and many coastal rivers.  Striped bass are a top predator in many coastal habitats, feeding on smaller fish and crustaceans. 

Unfortunately, the striped bass population has been under pressure for several decades due to overfishing and habitat loss. One of the primary conservation efforts underway is the implementation of regulations aimed at protecting striped bass populations from overfishing. This includes restrictions on fishing methods and gear, as well as limitations on catch limits for both recreational and commercial fishermen. Additionally, many states have implemented size limits for the fish that can be caught to allow younger fish to reach their reproductive age.

Despite these efforts, the future of the striped bass population remains uncertain. Climate change is causing significant shifts in ocean temperatures and currents that could impact the availability of prey species for striped bass.

A Few Striped Bass Resources:

-Striped Bass Migration, article tracking the Striped Bass Atlantic Coast migration

-Striped Bass Lures, expert guides weigh in with the best striped bass lures

-Striped Bass Bait, top 10 striped bass baits

-Striped Bass Cape Cod, expert guide talks about catching striped bass on Cape Cod 

-Striped Bass Chesapeake Bay, expert guides talk about catching striped bass on Chesapeake Bay

 

Striped Bass

Striped Bass

About the Grey Dolphin Sportfishing

Company vehicle

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Cummins

Maximum Cruising Speed: 16

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 370

Get ready for an awesome fishing adventure in Cape Cod Bay! Our 4-6 hour trips are perfect for reeling in some big stripers and bluefish. We've got room for up to 6 people, so bring your buddies or family along for the ride. Our experienced guides know all the best spots to find the fish and will help you make the most of your time on the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler or trying it out for the first time, you'll have a blast casting your line and feeling that rush when you get a bite. The scenery around Cape Cod is pretty sweet too - you might even spot some seals or other marine life while you're out there. We provide all the gear you need, so just show up ready to have fun and hopefully land some nice catches. It's a great way to spend a few hours soaking up the sun and enjoying the beauty of Cape Cod Bay. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture your big moment when you reel in that trophy fish!
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Immerse yourself in the fishing experience of your dreams! Join Cape Cod Fishing Charters now and discover why we specialize in the relentless pursuit of striped bass fishing. Stop waiting and start catching, as you embark on an adventure that'll be sure to provide a lifetime of memories and stories!

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