Date: 2026-07-20
Quick Take: Striped bass are actively feeding on squid in Cape Cod Bay and the rips out east, while bluefish blitzes fueled by sand eels are strong in Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay. Fluke fishing is solid on the Westport side of Buzzards Bay and offshore Nantucket Shoals. Black sea bass continue to hold around reefs and wrecks near Westport River.
Best Bet This Week: Target striped bass in Cape Cod Bay using squid as bait. The bite is consistent with large bass feeding heavily on squid, especially near rips and ledges.
What Fish Are Active: Striped bass, bluefish, fluke, black sea bass, and cod are all active. Bluefish blitzes are notable in Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay, while fluke are biting well offshore and near channel markers.
Where to Fish: Cape Cod Bay for striped bass on squid; Vineyard Sound for bluefish and fluke using sand eels; Westport River reefs for black sea bass; Monomoy rips for striped bass, tide dependent; Race Point for large concentrations of stripers feeding on squid and mackerel. Specific marks in the reports include Martin’s Ledge and B Buoy, Race Point, and Hull Gut around Nut Island Pier and Pemberton Pier.
Freshwater Focus: No specific freshwater update was available from the current sources.
How to Fish: Drift with squid or sand eels near rips for striped bass and fluke. Anchor up-current from ledges and chum to attract stripers boat-side. Cast or troll mackerel near ledges for black sea bass and mackerel.
Best Baits and Lures: Use squid and sand eels for striped bass and bluefish. Live or chunked mackerel work well for black sea bass and as a secondary bait for stripers. Gulp and drifting bucktails are effective for fluke.
Trend Watch: Striped bass fishing is peaking in Cape Cod Bay with steady squid availability. Bluefish numbers have slowed since mid-June but remain active in blitzes. Fluke fishing is improving with more keeper-sized fish showing near Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound.
Regulation and Access Changes: No new regulation or access changes were reported for this period.