After weeks of very poor fishing, there are signs that fall fishing may live up to its traditional potential.

Striped bass have started to stir from their deep water haunts.  Schoolies and a few keepers are being caught from the local beaches.  Early morning and late evening anglers are doing the best on bass with bluefish and the occasional shark or dogfish mixed in.

Boat anglers pitching live eels along the Elizabeth Islands are coming up with bass in the 20 to 30-lb range.  Anglers heading to the holes off Gay Head and Squibnocket would be wise to take some fresh pogies.  The commercial crowd chummed and chunked pogies for nearly two months in those spots and that’s what the fish are looking for.

Bonito and albies are still scarce on the Cape side of Nantucket Sound, probably because there is little bait in the water. The ‘funny fish” are holding well around the Vineyard and well as off the west end of the Canal.

Black sea bass fishing, which held up very well during the summer months, continues to be strong. Boat anglers are finding plenty of sea bass around just about any type of structure.

Having suffered through one of the worst August fishing months, everyone has their fingers crossed that these early signs of renewed activity will lead to much better fishing this month and next.