Striped bass fishing, which started late and slowly, broke out with a big bang last week, producing some of the best spring fishing in memory.

Schools of bass from 20 to 40-lbs showed up first in Buzzards Bay, moved into the Canal and then Cape Cod Bay, following migrating schools of herring and mackerel.

Bill Townsend of Bangor, Maine, was fly fishing in Buzzards Bay with fellow Mainer and guide Doug Jowett, on May 18 landed and released 20 bass in a morning of fishing.  The largest measured 47-1/2 inches, truly a fish of a lifetime for a fly angler.

Last week’s bass bonanza was gone by the weekend but the Canal still holds good numbers of keeper-sized fish.

This week and heading into the holiday weekend the best bass fishing has been along the islands, off Gay Head, on Middle Ground and, particularly, in the Hole.  Bob Bowman used a live scup to haul in a 41-lb bass on May 24.

Fluke, sea bass and scup seasons are now open.  Fluke reports have been scarce but sea bass and scup fishing have been very good.

Bluefish continue to dominate Nantucket Sound from Menahaut Beach in Falmouth down to Cotuit.  Most evenings there are  blitzes on the south side beaches.