About the Fish...   

The following descriptions are the main types of fish we target.  These fish are, however, by no means the only types we catch.  Along with our targeted species, there are many additional species we catch including many strays from southern waters that reach the Cape in late summer / early fall.  Rather than describing all of them here, I will offer detailed information on board anytime one is landed.  While fishing the diverse waters of Cape Cod, you never know what will be at the end of your line!    

Scup (“Porgy”)

Stenotomus Versicolor                         picture 

Our favorite bottom fish, these silver, deep-bodied battlers inhabit inshore reefs and rock piles all over Buzzard’s Bay and Vineyard Sound.  Usually found in vast schools, they readily take baited hooks.  Large scup put up a great fight on light tackle.  

Size:   8 - 16 inches,  and run approx. 1 - 3 pounds

Current regulations:  9 inch minimum, 100 fish per person per day.

Edibility: Excellent!

(I have developed my own technique for filleting these delicious fish yielding small, but  boneless, pieces.)  

Black Sea Bass

Centrorristes Striatus                         

Although not as numerous as Scup, these great tasting fighters have made a remarkable comeback over the last few years.    Usually caught on reefs and rock piles, alongside of Scup, some people say that their white fillets are the best in our waters.

Size:  1 - 2 feet long, and run approx. 1 - 5 pounds

Current regulations:  12 inch minimum, 25 fish per person per day.

Edibility:  Excellent!!  

Tautog  (“Blackfish”)

Tautoga Onitis                                   picture

A large, deep-bodied fish that also inhabits reefs and rock piles of Buzzard’s Bay.  It feeds on mussels, clams and crabs by crushing them with its molar-like teeth.  Baited with crabs, the larger fish are caught in early spring and late fall.  Tautog are often the first and last fish of the season.

Size:  12 - 36 inches, and run approx. 2 - 10 pounds.

Current regulations:  16 inch minimum, 6 fish per person per day.

Edibility:  Excellent!!!  Nothing beats Tautog Chowder!  

Fluke (“Summer Flounder”)

Paralichthys Dentatus                          picture

Fluke is your ordinary flatfish.  There is good reason for the Latin name “Dentatus”.  This is an aggressive predator with a mouth full of razor sharp teeth.

Another comeback story, once scarce , they now inhabit sandbars of Vineyard Sound in numbers that have not been seen in years.  Caught by drifting baits over humps and sandbars, a large specimen will give you a memorable fight.

Size:  1 - 3 feet, and run approx. 2 - 15 pounds ( 3 - 5 pound fish are fairly common)

Current regulations:  16 inch minimum, 7 fish per person per day.

Edibility:  Along with Sea Bass, probably the best!!!  

Striped Bass (“Striper”)

Morone Saxatilis                                 picture

Probably the Cape’s most famous game fish, Stripers are usually caught by either chunking, casting or trolling.  They are the largest fish we target at Lemke-Ann Charters.     Probably one of the most remarkable comeback stories, back in the ‘80’s, the Striped Bass population off the Cape and Islands were fished almost to the brink of collapse.   Because of strict regulations and the cleanup of their spawning grounds in the Chesapeake Bay and the Hudson River, they have reclaimed their place as the Cape’s main game fish.  Although not as speedy as Blues or Bonito, a large specimen will give you a tug-of-war you never will forget!

Size:  2 - 4 feet long, and run approx. 5 - 50+ pounds.

Current regulations:  28 inch minimum, 1 fish per person per day.

Edibility:  Very Good!  

Bluefish (“Blues”)

Pomatomus Saltatrix                          picture

One of the most numerous of the Cape’s game fish, these large predators can run in vast schools.  Blues are also called “Choppers”, because of their tendency to run through schools of  bait fish, cutting them to pieces as they run through them with their sharp teeth.  A hooked “Blue” will make fast runs.  They are also known to jump and “tail walk” across the water, much like a Tarpon.  Blues can be caught by chunking, casting or trolling and, as with the Bass, they sometimes take a fluke rig.  

Size:  2 - 3 1/2 feet, and run approx. 3 - 20 pounds.

Current regulations:  No size limit, 10 fish per person per day.

Edibility: Good, only if eaten fresh, bled and handled properly.  They do not freeze well.  (Smoked Bluefish makes a great appetizer!)      

Atlantic Bonito

Sarda Sarda                                      picture

A member of the Tuna family, pound for pound, by far the best fighting fish we catch.  When first hooked, all you can do is hold on and watch as the Bonito peels line off your reel.  They have incredibly good eyesight and can be difficult to catch.  However, my chunking method provides consistent catches of this most sought-after game fish.

Size:  2 - 3 feet, and run approx. 5 - 10 pounds.

Current regulations: none

Edibility:  Excellent, if handled properly bled and iced.  Eaten fresh, Bonito tastes like white meat Tuna.  However, its soft flesh spoils quickly and does not freeze well.    

False Albacore (“Little Tunny”)

Euthynnus Alleteratus                             

Our other inshore Tuna, large schools of them can be seen feeding in Buzzard’s Bay in late summer.  Fast moving and wary, they are very difficult to catch.  However, they will take a correctly placed lure and give you the fight of your life.  

Size: 2 - 3 feet , and run approx. 5 - 15 pounds.

Current regulations: none

Edibility:  Poor.  I suggest Catch and Release.