October is one of the most rewarding months for anglers on Cape Cod. The summer crowds have thinned, the beaches are quiet, and the crisp autumn air brings with it some of the best fishing opportunities of the year. Striped bass and bluefish are migrating south, tautog are feeding heavily on rocky structure, and the last of the false albacore might still be blitzing the surface. If you know where to go, October can deliver both variety and quality.
1. Nauset Beach (Orleans)
Nauset remains one of the premier surfcasting destinations on the Outer Cape. In October, migrating stripers cruise close to shore chasing peanut bunker and sand eels. Early mornings and evenings are best, especially around an outgoing tide. Bucktail jigs, soft plastics, and swimming plugs all produce, while fresh chunk baits can tempt larger fish. Keep an eye out for bluefish blitzes, which can erupt suddenly in the surf.
2. Canal (Cape Cod Canal)
The Canal is always a gamble in October, but when the migration lines up with the tides, it can be electric. Stripers often push through in waves, feeding on mackerel and squid. Heavy jigs and plugs are the ticket here, especially during the pre-dawn hours. The west end near Bourne Bridge is often a hotspot, but the entire stretch can light up when fish are on the move.
3. Monomoy Island (Chatham)
For boat anglers, Monomoy in October is a gold mine. Striped bass stage around rips and shoals, feeding aggressively before heading south. Trolling tube-and-worm rigs, casting soft plastics, or working topwater plugs can all put fish in the boat. Bluefish are also common, and if water temperatures stay mild, there’s even a chance of hooking a late-season bonito.
4. Buzzards Bay (West Falmouth & Wareham)
October is tautog time in Buzzards Bay. Rocky ledges, wrecks, and breakwaters hold some of the best tog fishing in New England this month. Green crabs fished on jigs or rigs produce consistently. Many anglers consider October the peak of the tautog season, and it’s the perfect chance to fill a cooler before the chill of November sets in.
5. Wellfleet & Truro Beaches
The backside beaches in Wellfleet and Truro see steady striper movement through October. The surf can be lively with birds working over bait balls, and it’s not unusual to see schools of bass pushing bait right onto the sand. Lures that imitate sand eels—like slender metals or soft plastics—are particularly effective here.
6. Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket Sound
While technically offshore from the Cape, ferry-accessible Martha’s Vineyard and the shoals of Nantucket Sound remain top spots in October. False albacore can sometimes linger into the first week or two, and stripers are still plentiful. Fly anglers especially love the rips and flats here, where sight fishing opportunities can be world-class on clear autumn days.
October is a transition month on Cape Cod: the fishing changes quickly as water temperatures cool, but for those willing to chase the bite, it can be one of the most productive times of the year. Whether you’re casting into the surf at Nauset, jigging tautog in Buzzards Bay, or chasing stripers through the Canal, Cape Cod in October offers opportunities that rival any month of the season.