Sportfishing off Chatham, Cape Cod during Striper Season

Chatham, located on the elbow of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is a renowned destination for sportfishing, particularly during the striped bass (striper) season.¹ The area boasts diverse fishing environments, from the inshore waters of Nantucket Sound and Pleasant Bay to the dynamic rips and currents around Monomoy Island and the open Atlantic.

Striper Season in Cape Cod

The striped bass season in Cape Cod generally runs year-round, but the most productive periods are typically:

• Mid-May to early July: This is when the first major wave of migratory stripers arrives, often larger fish that have overwintered further south. The presence of spawning herring in the estuaries attracts these trophy-sized bass.²
• September through mid-October: As water temperatures cool, another strong migration of stripers moves through the Cape Cod area.³ This fall run can offer excellent fishing opportunities.

Currently, it is mid-May 2025, placing us right in the heart of the spring striper season, a prime time for targeting these prized game fish off Chatham.

Fishing Locations around Chatham

Chatham offers various access points and fishing grounds for striped bass:

• Monomoy Island: This barrier island and its surrounding shoals are famous for strong currents and abundant baitfish, making it a prime location for stripers.⁴ Boat trips to the rips and flats around Monomoy are popular.
• Nauset Beach: Surfcasting along the miles of sandy beach can be productive, especially during dawn, dusk, and tide changes. The strong currents near the inlets also attract stripers.
• Pleasant Bay: This extensive bay system offers calmer waters and can be excellent for light tackle fishing or fly fishing for stripers, particularly around the mouths of creeks and channels.
• Inshore waters of Nantucket Sound: Charter boats frequently fish these waters, targeting stripers with various methods like trolling, jigging, and live bait.
• Chatham Harbor: While there might be restrictions on commercial fishing at town landings, recreational boaters and kayakers can often find striped bass within the harbor and its approaches.

Fishing Methods

Anglers in the Chatham area employ a range of techniques to catch striped bass:

• Live Bait Fishing: Using live eels, menhaden (pogies), or herring is a highly effective method, especially for larger fish.
• Artificial Lures: Popular choices include swimming plugs, bucktail jigs, soft plastic baits, and topwater lures, which can be effective in various water conditions.
• Fly Fishing: The flats and calmer inshore areas offer excellent opportunities for fly fishing for striped bass.
• Trolling: Drifting or slowly motoring while pulling lures or live bait can cover a lot of ground and locate fish.
• Jigging: Fishing vertically with weighted lures, especially in deeper water or around structure, can be very productive.

Regulations (as of May 15, 2025)

It's crucial to be aware of the current Massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing regulations for striped bass:

• Minimum and Maximum Size Limit: Striped bass must be 28 inches to less than 31 inches in total length to be kept. The measurement must be taken with the tail pinched together from the anterior most tip of the jaw or snout (mouth closed) to the farthest extremity of the tail.⁵
• Possession Limit: The recreational possession limit is 1 fish per person per day.
• Season: The striped bass season is open year-round.
• Bait Fishing: When fishing for striped bass with bait (any marine or aquatic organism, live or dead, whole or parts thereof), only circle hooks are allowed.⁶ This regulation aims to reduce the mortality of released fish.

Additionally, be aware of any local regulations specific to Chatham or the Cape Cod National Seashore. For instance, shore-based shark fishing is prohibited in certain areas around Cape Cod Bay and the Outer Cape, including Chatham Harbor and Monomoy Island, unless specific leader and hook restrictions are met.

Sportfishing Charters in Chatham

For anglers who prefer guided trips, numerous experienced charter boat operators run trips out of Chatham.⁷ These charters offer various options, from half-day inshore trips targeting striped bass and bluefish to full-day excursions exploring the waters around Monomoy and beyond. Charter captains provide valuable local knowledge, fishing gear, and ensure compliance with regulations.⁸

Some popular charter services in the Chatham area include:

• Coastline Sport Fishing Inc.
• Got Stryper Fishing Charters
• Liveliner Sportfishing
• Headhunter Sportfishing Charters

Tips for Striper Fishing in Chatham Now

Given that it is mid-May, here are some tips for sportfishing for striped bass off Chatham:

• Focus on areas with herring runs: Stripers are actively feeding on these migrating baitfish in estuaries and nearshore waters.
• Fish during tide changes: Incoming and outgoing tides create currents that can concentrate baitfish and trigger feeding activity in striped bass.
• Early morning and late evening: These low-light periods often see increased striper activity.
• Look for surface activity: Keep an eye out for feeding frenzies where stripers may be chasing baitfish on the surface.
• Be prepared for varying conditions: Spring weather can be unpredictable, so dress in layers and be ready for wind and changes in temperature.⁹
• Respect regulations: Always adhere to the current size and possession limits and use circle hooks when fishing with bait.

Sportfishing for striped bass off Chatham in May offers an exciting opportunity to hook into some impressive fish in a beautiful coastal setting. By understanding the seasonal patterns, local fishing spots, effective techniques, and current regulations, anglers can maximize their chances of a successful and enjoyable fishing experience.