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Fishing Report

fishing on nantucket

The Tight Lines Fishing Report is brought to you by Corey and Cam Gammill via Bill Fisher Tackle and Bill Fisher Outfitters. Visit their website, their shop at 127 Orange Street, or give them a call at (508) 228-2261.

Dear Fisherman and Friends,

While it took us a while to get here, the fish are finally here and in decent numbers. It is the latest and slowest start to the season that we can remember. The first fish wasn’t caught until May 12th and since then it’s gotten better every day. However, the flood gates certainly have not opened!

We do expect fishing to get good in the next few days given the wind has come around from the southwest and the water temps have been on the rise. The introduction of sun has been a gift. Truly a gift! It appears we have plenty of bait. In fact, I caught a herring a few days ago, which was quite fun. The south shore is loaded right now with bait. If you take a walk, you’ll love the bird life. We have ospreys actively hunting and coming up with bigger fish. We have Gannets diving coming up with medium fish and we have gulls and terns picking at the water focusing on smaller fish. 

Where to Fish on Nantucket

We would focus on the west end and the north shore for the next week. This is where the warmer water will be and where the fish will be the most active. These fish will be cruising in relatively shallow water, so no need for swimming plugs yet. I have been using soft baits just under the surface and this is where most of my luck has come from. Use a smaller rod this time of year, so that you can be more responsive. I would focus on fish from the beach for the next few weeks. These fish are in tight hunting, so there is no need to spook them from a boat or wading out too much.

Very soon, the south shore will also turn on. Especially as the wind turns and comes from the southwest this week. This will blow warmer air and warmer water into our fishery. This will push some of those fish that are sitting offshore into the bait. Then these fish will be here to stay. In fact, we saw some decent activity there over the last few nights. The fishing on the south shore is quite spotty, but when you stumble on fish, you’ll be rewarded as they are eating. I would still target these fish primarily from the top of the water column, but mix in jigs to see if they are lower.

Memorial Day weekend historically has been the time when we see our first bluefish. There are some bluefish on the Cape, so it would not be a big surprise to have someone catch one. However, I think we are another week away this year, considering the calendar has slid back a week this year and water is a bit cooler.

Make sure you have fresh line on those reels and get out there. We have been waiting since November for this moment.

Go catch that first fish and tight lines!

Sincerely,

Captain Corey Gammill: 203-962-8867
Captain Cam Gammill: 508-332-9149
Captain Mike Ruby: 508-221-7144
Captain Nat Reeder