Belsan’s Bait and Tackle

Pete grabbed the horn over at Belsan’s Bait & Tackle and he said it’s been another tough week for the striper guys, but the season is still breathing. There were reports of some fish being landed along Egypt Beach this week and some guys were also getting some fish slinging eels in the daytime around the mouth of the North River. Inshore water temps are sitting at 57 degrees, which is well within the comfort zone for stripers of all sizes. Togging has been the real draw though and lots of boats have been out hitting the local ledges and rock piles with good success. These guys are also catching a ton of throwback cod with a few keepers mixed in. For those looking for more consistent opportunities to hook keeper cod, you’ll have to run out to places like Scarlet’s Ledge or the south end of Stone Ledge. The cod season wraps up on Halloween, so you’ll have to make it happen, quick! Freshwater anglers have been doing well slow-rolling spinnerbaits and sputtering buzzbaits along deep cover, Pete says now through November is a great time to hook that personal best LMB. Trout fishing in Plymouth has also been solid after recent stockings, which seem to be mostly rainbows, but a few nice browns have also been reported.

Pete was back in the shop at Belsan’s Bait & Tackle and he sounded a little somber on the subject of stripers. He said that he felt like most of the fish that were coming through were passing offshore lately, and with no peanut bunker in local waters, there wasn’t much reason for them to stop. Some anglers were catching a few on live eels in the North River, where herring fry were still trickling out. Tuna reports slowed way down after the departure of the rec fish and the closure of the giant fishery, it was down to just a few catch and release charter guys. He did say that there were tons of macks and squid on the bank, but the commercial boats were out there sucking them up, leaving few to attract gamefish. Those seeking tog should try 21 Ledge, the 21 Buoy, Flat Ledge and Minot. All of those spots were producing and you’re likely to get yourself a keeper cod as well (just remember that the season closes 10/31). The Plymouth ponds were recently stocked as well, making for some fast freshwater action.