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Cape Cod's Best 8-Hour Fishing | MoonDog Charters

  • Published Date: July 23, 2025
  • Fishing
  • New Jersey
  • $450 - $1,500 price range

Summary

Welcome aboard MoonDog Fishing's 8-hour Cape Cod adventure. We'll spend a full day chasing Striped Bass, Bluefish, Bonito, and Weakfish in the rich coastal waters. Whether you prefer fly fishing or light tackle, we've got you covered with top-notch gear, lures, and live bait. Fly setups are available if that's your style – just let us know. We keep things simple: cold drinks are on us, but pack your own snacks and lunch. Don't forget the essentials like sunscreen, shades, and a hat – Cape Cod sun can be intense out on the water. With room for up to 4 guests, it's a great way to get some serious fishing in with friends or family. Our local knowledge and fully-equipped boat set you up for a productive day on the water. So grab your crew and get ready to reel in some memories on this full-day Cape Cod fishing trip.
Cape Cod's Best 8-Hour Fishing | MoonDog Charters

Reels and Keels

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Striped bass caught while fishing in Keansburg

Epic back bay action in NJ

Striped bass caught by person in Keansburg

Striped bass action never slows

Two people enjoying a fishing trip in Keansburg

South Jersey fishing at its best

Striped Bass caught in NJ

Jersey anglers chasing spring bass

Striped bass caught on fishing trip in NJ

Reeling in stripers on the Jersey coast

Striped Bass caught fishing in NJ

Calm seas, solid catches today

Angler with a big 24-inch fish caught while fishing in Keansburg

Big blues off the Jersey shoreline

Fishing adventure in NJ

Jersey shore, rod in hand again

Two striped bass caught by two people in Keansburg

Striper season kicking off strong

Striped bass caught by angler in New Jersey

Morning lines tight off Sandy Hook

Striped bass caught while fishing in Keansburg

Epic back bay action in NJ

Striped bass caught by person in Keansburg

Striped bass action never slows

Two people enjoying a fishing trip in Keansburg

South Jersey fishing at its best

Striped Bass caught in NJ

Jersey anglers chasing spring bass

Striped bass caught on fishing trip in NJ

Reeling in stripers on the Jersey coast

Striped Bass caught fishing in NJ

Calm seas, solid catches today

Angler with a big 24-inch fish caught while fishing in Keansburg

Big blues off the Jersey shoreline

Fishing adventure in NJ

Jersey shore, rod in hand again

Two striped bass caught by two people in Keansburg

Striper season kicking off strong

Striped bass caught by angler in New Jersey

Morning lines tight off Sandy Hook

Striped bass caught while fishing in Keansburg

Epic back bay action in NJ

Striped bass caught by person in Keansburg

Striped bass action never slows

Two people enjoying a fishing trip in Keansburg

South Jersey fishing at its best

Striped Bass caught in NJ

Jersey anglers chasing spring bass

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Cape Cod's Ultimate 8-Hour Fishing Adventure

Ready for a full day of rod-bending action on Cape Cod's legendary waters? MoonDog Fishing's 8-hour charter is your ticket to targeting some of the East Coast's most sought-after gamefish. We're talking stripers, blues, bonito, and weakfish – the works. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this trip's got everything you need for a day of serious fishing.

What to Expect on the Water

Picture this: You're cruising out as the sun's coming up, coffee in hand, ready to hit Cape Cod's prime fishing spots. We've got all the gear you need – top-notch rods, reels, and a mix of live bait and lures to tempt even the pickiest fish. Fly fishing more your style? Just give us a heads up, and we'll make sure you're set up. We'll spend the day moving between honey holes, switching up techniques to match what's biting. And don't worry about going thirsty – we've got cold drinks on board to keep you hydrated through all the action.

Techniques and Gear Rundown

On this trip, we're all about versatility. We might start off trolling for stripers along the rips, then switch to casting jigs for bluefish when the tide changes. If the bonito are running, get ready for some fast-paced light tackle action that'll test your skills. We use a mix of conventional and spinning gear, all top-quality stuff that can handle whatever Cape Cod throws at us. For the fly anglers, we've got 9-weight setups that are perfect for presenting streamers to cruising stripers or sight-casting to tailing fish on the flats. Remember to pack some snacks, throw on layers (it can get breezy out there), and don't forget the essentials – sunscreen, shades, and a hat. Trust me, you'll want 'em when we're out there all day.

Top Catches This Season

Cape Cod's waters have been on fire lately. We've been seeing some monster striped bass – talking 40-pounders that'll make your arms ache. The bluefish have been thick too, chomping through schools of bait and giving anglers a real workout. And let's not forget about the bonito – these speedsters have been showing up in good numbers, providing some of the best light tackle action you'll find anywhere. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler or just want the thrill of the catch, we've got you covered.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Striped Bass: The crown jewel of Cape Cod fishing. These bruisers can top 50 pounds and put up a fight that'll have you grinning for days. They're ambush predators, so we'll target them around structure, rips, and bait schools. The big ones typically show up in late spring and stick around through fall. There's nothing quite like the rush of a big striper crushing a topwater lure at dawn.

White Weakfish: Also known as sea trout, these silver beauties are prized for their delicate flavor and the challenge they present. They're most active in the warmer months and love to hang around eelgrass beds and sandy bottoms. Weakfish are known for their soft mouths, so finesse is key when fighting them. A 5-pounder is considered a trophy, and they're an absolute blast on light tackle.

Little Tunny (False Albacore): These pocket rockets are some of the fastest fish in our waters. They typically show up in late summer and fall, creating surface blitzes that'll have your heart racing. Albies, as we call 'em, are pure muscle and can smoke a reel faster than you can say "fish on!" They're catch-and-release only, but trust me, the fight is all the reward you need.

Bluefish: The bad boys of the bay, bluefish are all attitude and sharp teeth. They'll hit just about anything that moves and fight like they're twice their size. Blues can range from 2 to 20 pounds, and when they're in a feeding frenzy, it's non-stop action. Just watch your fingers when you're unhooking these guys – they don't play nice.

Black Sea Bass: These bottom-dwellers are the unsung heroes of our waters. They might not look as flashy as some of our other targets, but they're a blast to catch and even better on the dinner table. Sea bass love structure, so we'll drop lines near wrecks and reefs. The bigger ones, which we call "knuckleheads," can put up a surprising fight and make for some great photos.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, if you're after a full day of primo Cape Cod fishing, this 8-hour trip with MoonDog Fishing is the real deal. We've got the knowledge, the gear, and the spots to put you on fish all day long. Whether you're looking to bend a rod, fill the cooler, or just soak in a day on the water, we've got you covered. Spaces fill up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait to lock in your date. Give us a shout, and let's get you out there for a day of fishing you won't forget. Trust me, once you've fished the Cape with us, you'll be itching to come back for more.

Learn more about the species

Black Sea Bass

## Black Sea Bass Fish Species (Centropristis Striata) ## Fish Description Black Sea Bass is a member of the Grouper family. They are plump-bodied with an extended pelvic and dorsal fin. The dorsal fin comes with a soft rayed rear section and a spiny forward section, marked with a sequence of white spots and bands. Their body color is gray to black, but the center of the scales is white. During the spawning season, males can turn bright blue in color and have a large hump on their heads. Juveniles are brown and have a dark stripe running down the body. ## Fish Size The Black Seabass can reach about 25 inches in length; weigh more than 8 pounds, although most of them caught is less than 4 pounds in weight. The Black Sea Bass world record catch is 10 lb 4 oz. and was caught in Virginia Beach, January 2000. ## Fun Facts About Black Sea Bass Up until recently, the furthest north the black bass was found was Massachusetts. Because of the warming climate, the bass has ventured up to the Gulf of Maine where the water temperatures have increased over the years. They are born as females then change to males. This generally happens when they reach 9 - 13 inches Social interaction can play a big role in this sex reversal. The removal of the big male from the Black Sea Bass population may cause one or more of the remaining bigger females to change sex and play the male role. The female Black Seabass normally matures at the age of 2 to 5 years and produces about 280,000 pelagic eggs. ## Fish Diet Adult and juvenile Black Sea Bass feed on a variety of invertebrates such as hermit crabs, rock crabs, squid, and razor clams. ## Distribution and Habitat ![BlackSea_Bass_HeatMap@1600x](https://guidesly-assets.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/content/BlackSea_Bass_HeatMap%401600x_12e2b13d40.png) ## Fishing Method The best time to fish for Black Sea Bass is from late spring to summer when they congregate close to the shore. Underwater structures like jetties, piers, and wrecks, is where you will be likely to find them. The bigger males will be found in deeper water and a rocky bottom. The Black Seabass will put up a good fight until it breaks water. A medium-weight rod that's 6-8 feet long with a reel with a 20-30 pound fused, mono or braided line will be successful. They are mostly bottom feeders although they will occasionally strike at jigs, plugs, and lures including a 2 hook bait rig. Live bait such as squid or fish strips is a very good method. The Federal Recreational Black Sea Bass season is February 1 through 28, and May 15 through December 31. ## Habitat During the summer months, they will gather around sunken wrecks, rocky bottoms, old pilings, and wharves and are most abundant at depths of less than 120 feet. Juvenile seabass tend to prefer estuaries where they feed and avoid predators. During the winter months, they migrate to the more south Atlantic states and offshore. ## Distribution Black Seabass are found on the US eastern seaboard from the Gulf of Maine to the Florida Keys and then to the Gulf of Mexico.

Black Sea Bass

Bluefish

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) Fish Description

Bluefish is a common game fish that is known for its delicious taste. Bluefish is a warm-water migratory species living in the Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia to Argentina and Spain to southern Africa. In South Africa, the Bluefish is known as Shad or Elf; in New Zealand and Australia, it is called Tailor. Bluefish are seasonal visitors to Cape Cod waters, arriving in mid-June and remaining until mid-October. They spend the winter in warmer waters from North Carolina to Florida's tip.

The Bluefish has a moderately proportioned body; one of its distinctive features is its broad and corked tail and its spiny first dorsal and pectoral fins that are usually folded back in a grove. The Bluefish is generally grayish to blue-green in its dorsal area, whereas its belly and lower sides fade to white.

It is a voracious predator with a large mouth and flat, triangular teeth that are strong, sharp, and prominent teeth.

Bluefish Diet

As aggressively strong feeders, the Bluefish have a complex menu of prey. They can chase after schools of forage fish owing to their fast swimming speed. They usually go on a feeding frenzy by attacking these schools of fish even after having satisfied their stomachs. They especially like sardine-like fish, Menhaden, Weakfish, Grunt, Anchovy, Squid, and Shrimp. In return, the Bluefish serve as food for bigger fish like Dolphin, Billfish, Sharks, and Tuna, among others.

Bluefish Size

Commonly, the Bluefish can grow up to 7 inches; they weigh up to 40 lbs. However, most of the Bluefish population reaches only up to 20 lbs.

Interesting Facts About the Bluefish 

  • The Bluefish is the only remaining living species from the Pomatomidae family. It used to be grouped with Gnomefish, but the latter were separated.
  • Lophar miocaenus from Southern California is an extinct relative of the Bluefish from the Late Miocene Period.
  • Bluefish are reported to live up to 9 years.
  • The Bluefish are cannibalistic, and they sometimes eat their own young.
  • The Bluefish are known for churning water like a washing machine, attacking schools in shallow depths. This is called “Bluefish Blitz.”
  • Bluefish is a common host to many parasites; in particular, it is often inhabited by the parasite named Philometra saltatrix, which is found in the ovaries of the fish.
  • Despite being high in omega-3, children and adult women are warned against consuming Bluefish due to its significant mercury content.
  • When properly prepared, bluefish is extremely good to eat, with mild, flaky meat, though larger fish (those weighing more than 10 pounds) have a stronger flavor than their smaller brethren.

Bluefish — Fishing Techniques

To reel in lots of Bluefish, you can use the following harvesting methods: trawls, hook and line, and gillnet. Note that you can only use a circle hook and nothing else; recreational anglers can only capture up to three pieces of Bluefish per day (no minimum size). As for artificial lures or flies, you can use only up to a maximum of two treble hooks. Be careful when handling Bluefish since they can bite you, leading to some serious wounds. Oily fish, such as eels, make excellent bait for bluefish. However, almost any type of baitfish can be used. When learning how to catch bluefish, another option is to use cut bait. Try chunks shaped like a small lure.

You can best fish for Bluefish from tidal rivers, bays, and sandy harbors during summer. In late summer, small, juvenile bluefish known as "baby blues" or "snappers" can be caught in sandy harbors, bays, and tidal rivers. This is an excellent fish for young and inexperienced anglers to catch. Bluefish are frequently caught using gillnets in the commercial bluefish fishery, but they can also be nabbed using a hook, line, or trawl gear.

A permit must be secured to catch Bluefish in commercial fisheries. Some states also impose a specific catch limit for commercial and recreational fishing.

Bluefish Habitat and Distribution

As a marine pelagic fish species, the Bluefish generally inhabit subtropical and temperate waters all around the globe. Most thrive along the continental shelves of America (except in northern South America and south Florida), Australia, and Southeast Asia. Interestingly, the Bluefish is also not found on the north side of the Pacific Ocean.

Typically, anglers find school of Bluefish in various habitats, including brackish waters, estuaries, rock headlands, surf beaches, or above the continental shelf. From time to time, the Bluefish migrate to open waters in schools.

Bluefish fishery management employs a bag limit for recreational fishing and an annual quota distributed to states for commercial fisheries to avoid overfishing.

Bluefish

Little Tunny

Little Tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) Description

The Little Tunny is a variant of tuna, known also as a Bonita, False Albacore, or Little Tuna (hence the nickname). Little Tunnies is also considered one of the smaller variants of tuna. Because of their size, one of the Little Tunny’s defense mechanisms includes going in schools and being migratory. As migratory fish, they usually head south during Winter or Fall.

The Little Tunny resembles a hybrid between a Skipjack Tuna, different species of mackerel, and an Atlantic Bonito. It appears quite small and has a fusiform body, looking more torpedo-shaped. This allows them less friction in water and makes them less tired as they migrate. It has a slight underbite with cone-shaped teeth lining with a small bone sticking out from the roof of the mouth. If you open its mouth, you’ll also notice that the Little Tunny’s tongue has two vertical lines for ridges.

Aesthetically, the Little Tunny has a rounded snout to lessen the water resistance. To prevent themselves from being picked off, their scales and skin are a dark metallic blue with dark blue-green stripes from the midpoint of their dorsal fin to their tail. They also have little, black fingerprint-looking spots on its body which distinguishes them from other fish such as the Atlantic Bonito.
 

Diet

The Little Tunny is carnivorous. They usually feast on small fish and small invertebrates which are clumped up together in groups. Another reason why Little Tunny travels in schools: because their preys are in schools, they usually swim around them in a school to gather them up. However, Little Tunnies are also okay in eating some cephalopods (i.e., squid) and crustaceans.
 

Little Tunny Size

The Little Tunny is usually measured by weight. Their average weight is around 10-12 lbs. Sometimes, they can even hit 20 lbs. The highest ever recorded was around 36 lbs.

 

Interesting Facts about the Little Tunny

  • A Little Tunny only has a short lifespan of about 5 years.
  • When tracking a Little Tunny, listen for sounds. Little Tunnies are quite noisy when they eat.
  • Because its flesh is red, the Little Tunny isn’t always eaten.
    • Most would confuse it for having red tide when in reality, its meat is very similar to that of a Yellowfin Tuna.
    • Most people prefer white meat fish. However, when finding a Little Tunny, the redder the meat, the fresher it is.
    • Little Tunny has stronger tasting meat over the usual tuna.
  • Little Tunnies are strong swimmers. Be warned; they definitely can give you a good fight.
  • Clean your Little Tunny well before eating! Especially in the stomach! Little Tunnies are known for housing many different kinds of parasites.

 

Little Tunny – Fishing Techniques: How to Fish for a Little Tunny

The Little Tunny is known for its hard, fighting spirit, making it a prized game fish. Asides from that, Little Tunnies are often fished out by anglers who are shooting for bigger prizes such as sharks and marlins.

The most common technique anglers use in fishing out a Little Tunny is via trolling. Since the Little Tunny travel in schools, anglers usually set up multiple fishing lines to catch them. They add ballyhoos and mullets while decorating it with some brightly colored feathers to attract them. However, Little Tunny won’t shy away from live bait. Some live baits they would prefer would be Bluefish or Pinfish. 

Another recommended technique is Flyfishing. Using a lightweight bait, cast the line in the water. But don’t yank it! When flyfishing, you’re supposed to let the fish do the work for you. Any tugging and resistance might cause your line to snap. 

 

Little Tunny Habitat and Distribution

Little Tunny are pelagic fish and prefer warm to temperate waters. They like staying in nearshore waters, preferring to be near the surface. They sometimes loiter around in points, inlets, jetties, and sandbars. They sometimes swarm underneath the jetty especially if there’s a school of their prey swimming nearby.

 

Little Tunny

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

White Weakfish

White Weakfish (Atractoscion nobilis) Description

The White Weakfish is a large brackishwater game fish. Its body is elongated and slender. It has a pointy head with a big mouth with small teeth. It has a blue-grey color speckled with white and its belly is silvery-white and its fins have an olive hue except for the pectoral fin which is blue-grey. To separate the white weakfish from other croakers, check if the fish has a ridge along its belly, it’s a white weakfish if it has one.

 

White Weakfish Size and Diet 

The white weakfish is the largest croaker species. They can get an amazing size of 5.4 feet and weigh 88 lbs. On average they are still huge; 28 inches in length and weigh 7.5 lbs. The white weakfish are carnivores. They often eat smaller fish such as crayfish, anchovies, sardines, and mackerel. Their favorite meal is a mollusk, the squid.

 

Interesting Facts About the White Weakfish

  • Like other croaker species, the white weakfish can make sounds to communicate. They use 5 distinct sounds to communicate with other whitefish weakfish.
  • This big fish reaches sexual maturity fast. Females can breed at age four and males at age three.
  • The white weakfish is more commonly known as “white seabass”s, they are not part of the seabass family but rather of the croakers such as the Atlantic Croaker.
  • As a popular gamefish, the white seabass has a high market value as a food source and for recreational fishing. Their numbers drastically decline because of this demand, forcing the government to make strict limits on catching this fish.
  • To identify if the white weakfish is young, check if the body has vertical bars. The more pale these vertical bars are, the older they are.

 

Fishing Techniques: How to Fish the White Weakfish

According to anglers, the most effective way to catch a white weakfish is by using live baits. Take a boat and you can look for squid nests which is a good spot to catch them. They are said to be lazy and you often need to use chum buckets to catch their attention. Fly fishing a white weakfish is fun, despite their name weakfish, they are known as strong fighters. They generally swim between the bottom and the surface of the ocean. You will rarely get them at the demersal area. You need to set your fly rig presentation to suspend near the bottom and between the surface. If your fly reaches the bottom just reel it in and cast again. Just let it drift and wait for the fish to bite.

If you want to fly fish the white weakfish, use 9-weight fly rods of between 7 to 9 feet. Use 20-30 lbs monofilament test line with hook sizes ranging from #2 to 2/0. To get to your sweet spot, use egg weights of ¾ ounce up to 1 ounce.

The best lures to use are artificial squid, tube baits, and bone jigs. The best bait is the squid. You can also use anchovies, sardines, and mackerel.

 

Habitat and Distribution

The white weakfish swims near the surface down to 400 feet of the Eastern Pacific region. Their range is from Alaska down to Baja California. The white weakfish thrives in a subtropical climate with temperatures between 58 to 65°F. They are generally saltwater fish but juveniles can be found in estuaries and bays. The white weakfish are migratory species, they migrate northwards during summer, although their migration pattern is still being studied. Their spawning season is from March to September; the peak season is in late spring to early summer.

Anglers often catch them swimming in schools of offshore waters. They often find them where the squids are. Other angling habitats are estuaries, rocky reefs, bays, and kelp forests. The best spot to catch this fish is in Baja California. Other good fishing spots in California are San Francisco Bay, Catalina, Channel Islands, and San Clemente Island. In Alaska, you can check the waters of Juneau.

White Weakfish

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Company vehicle

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 40

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 175

Ready for a full day of fishing fun on Cape Cod? This 8-hour charter takes you to the best spots for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Bonito, Weakfish, and more. Whether you prefer fly fishing or light tackle, we've got you covered with top-notch gear, lures, and live bait. Just let us know if you want fly fishing setups. We'll keep you hydrated with cold drinks, but don't forget to pack some snacks to keep your energy up. Dress for a day on the water and bring along sun protection essentials. With room for up to 4 guests, it's a great way to spend quality time with friends or family while reeling in some impressive catches. Get ready to cast your line and make some fishy memories on the beautiful Cape Cod coast!
MoonDog Fishing

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Reel in Adventure, NJ Awaits!

Cast off on an amazing New Jersey England charter in the northern area with Captain Michael Behot of MoonDog Fishing. Chase and catch a ‘reel’ adventure with MoonDog Fishing!

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