Striped bass and now blue fish continue to move into — and sometimes out of — the local waters. Migrating schools have shown up throughout the area, have hung around for several days, and often have moved on, probably in search of bait or headed for their more northern destination.

Put it altogether, though, the spring runs are underway and the fishing is often good if not very good, and occasionally not very good at all.

The principal bait is squid with the annual run taking place in Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds. Three anglers boated more than 30 blues during a brief morning trip midweek in Nantucket Sound.  Blues have also shown up off South Cape Beach in Mashpee and Oregon Beach in Cotuit.

Striped bass fishing is mostly for schoolies, although occasional keepers are being taken. Small top water plugs, soft plastics and jigs with grub tails are classic spring baits and all are working well.  The bigger bass should be arriving during the next week and boat and beach fishing should take off.

Tautog fishing has been very good, if you’re in a boat and in Buzzards Bay.  From shore, there’s been so-so action in Woods Hole and from the Knob in Falmouth.  Fluke and sea bass are starting to move in shore but seasons for those fish do not open until May 22.

Freshwater trout and bass fishing continues to be very good.  Barring an unusual streak of hot weather, freshwater fishing will hold up throughout the month.