Striped bass fishing out of Falmouth / Woods Hole runs from summer through fall. The fall run concentrates fish around the salt pond mouths and Woods Hole. This guide covers the local water: where boats run, what holds fish there, and how each spot is fished. Striped bass biology and general tactics are covered in a separate guide.
Season
Striped bass are in the water here from summer through fall. The fall run centers on the salt pond mouths (Bourne’s Pond, Green Pond, Great Pond and Surf Drive) and on Woods Hole.
Run timing for the whole coast is covered in the Northeast migration (see also the wider Atlantic Northeast guide), and this port is one stop along it. For a skiff out of Falmouth, the pond mouths matter most during the fall run.
Where boats run
Boats out of this port work four areas close to home, plus a longer run for the charter fleet:
- The salt pond mouths
- The Woods Hole and Nobska rips
- Hedge Fence
- The Elizabeth Islands
Salt pond mouths
Bourne’s Pond, Green Pond, Great Pond and Surf Drive fish best during the fall run. They are also where the slot fish come from.
Woods Hole and Nobska rips
At Woods Hole the rips are fall-run water, and they are fished on the tide.
Hedge Fence
Hedge Fence is a shoal fished by trolling. Its depth is in the grounds section below.
Elizabeth Islands
The Elizabeth Islands are part of the local circuit for anglers with their own boat.
Vineyard, Nantucket and Monomoy rips
Patriot Party Boats and Bluefin Charters also fish the rips off Vineyard, Nantucket and Monomoy. These are the longer runs the local fleet makes.
Grounds and structure
Five named grounds sit within the port’s range, and two of them have listed depths.
| Ground | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Hedge Fence Shoal | 20 ft | Between Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth |
| Port Hunter wreck | 25 ft | West end of Hedge Fence Shoal |
Hedge Fence Shoal
Hedge Fence Shoal is 20 ft deep and lies between Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth. It is fished by S-pattern trolling.
Port Hunter wreck
The Port Hunter wreck sits in 25 ft at the west end of Hedge Fence Shoal. It is structure for eels fished on the tide.
Nobska Light rips and boulder field
The rips and the boulder field off Nobska Light are fished with live eels on the tide. Both hold fish during the fall run at Woods Hole.
Stone Pier, Woods Hole
Stone Pier is Woods Hole structure and is fished with eels on the tide.
Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground
Lucas Shoal and Middle Ground are two more grounds near the port, and both are worth marking on your chart.
How it is fished locally
Three methods cover most of the striped bass fishing here. Tactics for other coastal gamefish are covered separately. The tide organizes the eel fishing, so plan drifts around it.
| Method | Where |
|---|---|
| Live eels on the tide | Woods Hole and Nobska rips, Nobska boulder field, Stone Pier, Port Hunter wreck |
| S-pattern trolling | Hedge Fence |
| Light tackle and topwater | Salt pond mouths |
Live eels on the tide
Boats drift live eels or fish them around structure on the tide. This method is used on the Woods Hole and Nobska rips, the Nobska boulder field, Stone Pier and the Port Hunter wreck.
S-pattern trolling
S-pattern trolling is the Hedge Fence method, fished over the 20 ft shoal.
Light tackle and topwater
Light tackle and topwater are used for slot fish at the salt pond mouths: Bourne’s Pond, Green Pond, Great Pond and Surf Drive.
Who fishes for them out of this port
These local charters list striped bass:
- Bluefin Charters
- Patriot Party Boats
- Castafari Sportfishing
- Tunacious Charters
Bluefin Charters
The Bluefin is a 28 ft BHM run by Capt. Brian Courville and berthed at Falmouth Harbor. Details are on the Bluefin Charters striped bass trips page. The boat also fishes the rips off Vineyard, Nantucket and Monomoy.
Patriot Party Boats
Patriot Party Boats is family owned. It also fishes the rips off Vineyard, Nantucket and Monomoy.
Castafari Sportfishing
Castafari Sportfishing runs a 45 ft custom Jim Smith express with Capt. Damon Sacco.
Tunacious Charters
Tunacious Charters with Capt. Manthorne is run by Capt. Bill Manthorne.
FAQ
When is the fall run out of Falmouth / Woods Hole?
Striped bass fishing out of Falmouth / Woods Hole runs from summer through fall. The fall run centers on the salt pond mouths and on Woods Hole.
How deep is Hedge Fence Shoal?
Hedge Fence Shoal is 20 ft deep and lies between Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth. The Port Hunter wreck sits in 25 ft at its west end.
How is Hedge Fence fished?
Hedge Fence is fished by S-pattern trolling over the shoal.
What do boats use in the Woods Hole rips?
Boats use live eels, drifted or fished around structure on the tide. Nobska and Stone Pier are the structure to work.
Which pond mouths hold fish?
Bourne’s Pond, Green Pond, Great Pond and Surf Drive hold fish. They are fished with light tackle and topwater for slot fish.
Which local charters run to Monomoy?
Bluefin Charters and Patriot Party Boats both fish the rips off Monomoy, along with the Vineyard and Nantucket rips.
