By Kevin LaCroix – Owner & Guide
If you love the thrill of spotting fish before making your cast, sight fishing for striped bass on Cape Cod is an experience to be had. With its clear, shallow flats and dynamic tidal systems, Cape Cod provides a prime habitat for chasing stripers on the fly. Here, I’ll break down the basics of what makes sight fishing so special, the best times and locations to do it, and some tips to increase your success on the water.
Why Sight Fishing?
Sight fishing adds a visual element to the pursuit of striped bass that is both
challenging and rewarding. Instead of blind casting and hoping for a strike, you actively hunt the fish—watching their movements, reading the water, and making accurate presentations. It’s an intimate style of fishing that tests both your observation skills and casting precision.
When you spot a cruising striper, you have the opportunity to match your presentation to its behavior. Is the fish actively feeding? Is it moving fast or slow? Remember, Striped bass have very few predators on the flats. The comfort of their surroundings can make them very picky in shallow water. These details help you determine the right fly and the best retrieve to entice a strike. There’s nothing quite like seeing a bass turn on your fly, commit, and eat—it’s an adrenaline rush every time.
Prime Time for Sight Fishing on Cape Cod
The best sight fishing on Cape Cod typically occurs from late May through September, when water temperatures rise (usually 52-60F is the magic number), and
stripers move onto the flats to feed. Key conditions for productive sight fishing include:
- Clear Skies: Sunlight helps you see into the water and spot fish from a distance.
- Low Winds: Calm conditions reduce surface chop, improving visibility. Sometimes a little wind with mild chop allows you to sneak up on them better. Even really windy days can fish better with the heavy water movement.
- Tidal Movement: Incoming and outgoing tides stir up bait and bring stripers onto the flats. The bigger the tide, the more water movement generally spells success on the flats of Cape Cod.
A mid day low tide is our favorite because the sun is high and really opens up visibility on the flats. Paying attention to tidal cycles is crucial—many flats fish best during a flooding tide, while others shine on the drop.
Top Locations for Sight Fishing
Cape Cod is home to a variety of flats and estuaries perfect for sight fishing. While I won’t give away all the secrets, here are a few regions worth exploring:
- Monomoy Flats: This expansive area south of Chatham is famous for its gin-clear water and consistent striper action. Best Accessed by a boat.
- Cape Cod Bay Flats: Stretching from Bourne to Provincetown, these sandy flats are prime habitat during Spring, Summer, and Fall.
- Outer Cape Beaches: At the right tides, these beaches offer sight-fishing opportunities in shallow troughs and sandbars. The outer cape beaches can be better later in the year when Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound warm up.
Each location has its nuances, and spending time learning the water will greatly improve your chances of success. It's very important to mention that the tide swings on Cape Cod can be very large. Knowing the flats is absolutely crucial to your safety. If you are unsure, hire a guide. We have seen the worst out there from people not understanding the force of the tide.
Essential Gear and Flies
For sight fishing, having the right equipment can make all the difference. Here’s my go-to setup:
- Rod: A 9-foot, 8- or 9-weight fly rod provides the power to handle wind and larger stripers.
- Reel: Any modern saltwater reel will work for Stripers. You'll want to make sure the line balances out the rod for easy casting. Just have the prescribed amount of backing and you're all set.
- Line: A clear intermediate or floating line with a long leader (10-12 feet) helps with stealthy presentations. A Scientific Anglers Infinity Salt or Grand Slam taper floating line are great options. Even using tropical floating lines from Rio or Scientific Anglers, Airflo, all work fine. The cold water doesn't make your lines coil all that much especially if you stretch it regularly.
- Flies: Match the local forage—crab and shrimp patterns work well on the flats, while sand eel imitations are essential when stripers are chasing bait. Some favorites include:
- Realistic sand eel patterns
- Crab Patterns (Green and Tan)
- Surf Candies
Tips for Success
- Polarized Vision: Quality polarized sunglasses are non-negotiable for spotting fish and reducing glare.
- Slow and Steady: Move carefully and scan the water methodically. Stripers can be spooky in shallow water. Once they are spooked it's over…
- Lead the Fish: Cast ahead of cruising fish to avoid spooking them and allow time for your fly to sink.
- Read the Body Language: Watch how fish react. If they follow but don’t eat, adjust your retrieve or fly selection. Some times a quick twitch is all it takes to get them to strike.
- Practice Your Casts: Accuracy and speed matter. Work on quick presentations and double-hauls before you hit the water. Stay instinctual on your presentations. Don't wait for the perfect cast. Shoot your shots, just don't line them!! (this means presenting the fly line over the top of the fish.)
Book a Trip with Solstice Fly Fishing
Sight fishing for striped bass on Cape Cod is an fun experience, whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to the sport. At Solstice Fly Fishing, I offer guided trips tailored to help you locate and target these incredible fish. If you’re ready to elevate your fly fishing game and experience the thrill of watching a striper eat in shallow water, book a trip today!
Tight lines,
Kevin LaCroix
Owner & Guide