August 13, 2018 — Whether you fish the sometime-angry seas of Buzzards Bay from a power boat, its quiet inshore waters from a rowboat, or if you prefer to keep your feet firmly planted along the 245 miles of her shoreline from Wareham to Westport, you can find fish of all shapes and sizes eager to tug on your line and put a welcome bend in your fishing rod, bringing primal excitement to anglers of all ages and abilities.
It’s a combination of factors that make the Bay the popular fishing destination it is, explains Marine Fisheries Aquatic Biologist II John Boardman, who works from the New Bedford office, overlooking the Bay.
“Buzzards Bay has a variety of structure, such as rocky bottom, ledges and wrecks where many different species of fish congregate, and there’s an abundance of baitfish and other food sources like crustaceans and shellfish,” said Boardman. “Accessibility is another component with the coastline offering many boat ramps, marinas and shore fishing access. From spring through fall, there are fish to catch in the Bay.”
Boardman also notes that the black sea bass fishing has become phenomenal in the spring, during the spawning season at the east end of the Bay. “As the fish disperse after the spawn, they still can be caught through the summer and fall in deeper water,” he said. “The sea bass fishing is a big draw for fishermen.”
As coordinator for Marine Fisheries’ Saltwater Fishing Derby, Boardman also said he’s had many submissions into the derby for black sea bass running from four to six pounds this season. He also said that in the late summer and fall, anglers can look forward to the tautog fishing picking up, along with the fall run of stripers and bluefish.