South Shore and South Coast Fishing Report I could have almost wrapped up the South Shore with the sweeping report by Captain Mark Rowell of Legit Fish Charters. The striped bass fishing not far from his Scituate slip has been fantastic in a number of fronts. Perhaps best of all is that there are many degrees to tight lines, so anglers can spread out. Sand eels and small herring are holding schoolies and slots throughout the North River – check. Mackerel and bite-sized pogies are the fuel for larger linesiders a short distance from the shoreline – another check. Ledges of all sorts are holding molting lobsters, and the stripers are capitalizing on their vulnerability. Green mackerel X Raps, bigger the better, burned around ledges in 55-70’ of water are getting mugged by 50” class bass – that is, unless a certain faster, toothy interloper intercepts the plug first. Legit Fish striper Legit Fish is putting patrons onto big South Shore stripers. As is typical of the peak of the summer, haddock numbers are surging from the bank through Stone Ledge, with keepers far outnumbering shorts. Tuna are more of a factor throughout Cape Cod Bay, with the size skewed towards giants. Overall, the action has been so furious that along with the remedial pre-launch technique and safety talk, Captain Rowell gives his charters, he’s asking them, “Are there any health issues I should be aware of before we start?” "on The Water"

Captain Mark Rowell of Legit Fish Charters told me that stripers are coming through the South Shore in three different waves. There are the beach runners, which are feeding on sand eels. Then there are the ledge-loving linesiders, which are chock full of Jonah crabs. The latter might be a thing because the crabs have shed their shells! As to specifics, Captain Rowell pointed out Collamore Ledge. And then there’s the deepwater fish, which are shadowing schools of pogies and prone to taking down a tuna-grade mackerel. Above all, there’s fish aplenty with the bite spread around, making mobbing other boats unnecessary. As for tuna, the skipper is spotting everything from 89” fish to footballs busting bait from Stellwagen through Cape Cod Bay. "On The Water"

As befitting “shark week”, Captain Mark Rowell of Legit Fish Charters has been pestered by “jaws” while targeting tuna. Porbeagles have been taking down the baits, but thanks to circle hooks are released quickly and without fanfare. There are football tuna within 2 1/2 miles of the shoreline, but typically are leery as they usually are close to the coast. Miles from shore, there are big schools of bite-sized pogies that whales are taking advantage of. Should the forage push into shore, the bass bite should get explosive. Scads of sand eels are holding slot and up striped bass in the North River with the incoming tide bringing the bait and bass upstream while the outgoing tide flushes everything towards the mouth of the river. "on the water"