speed, aggressive strikes, and tasty fillets, bonito are a favorite among inshore anglers. Here's everything you need to know to catch bonito on Cape Cod.
When to Fish for Bonito on Cape Cod
Bonito typically arrive around late July through September, depending on water temperatures and bait availability. They thrive in warm, clear water and often follow schools of baitfish like peanut bunker, silversides, and sand eels.
Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to target them, especially during slack tide or the first couple hours of a moving tide.
Where to Catch Bonito
Bonito are most often found along the south side of the Cape and around the islands, including:
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Woods Hole
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Waquoit Bay
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Vineyard Sound
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Monomoy Island
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Great Point (Nantucket)
They often stay just outside rocky points, rips, or near bait-filled flats, and occasionally blitz on the surface in open water.
Gear and Tackle
Rod & Reel:A 7-8 foot medium or medium-light spinning rod paired with a 3000–4000 size reel works well. Bonito are fast and powerful, so choose a reel with a smooth drag and high line capacity.
Line:Use 10–20 lb braided line with a 20–30 lb fluorocarbon leader to reduce visibility in clear water.
Best Lures for Bonito
Bonito are visual feeders and prefer small, flashy lures that imitate baitfish. Some top choices include:
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Epoxy jigs (Albie Snax, Epoxy Jig, JoeBaggs Resin Jigs)
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Small metal lures like Deadly Dicks or Kastmasters
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Soft plastics on a jighead (RON Z or BERKLEY GULP! SALTWATER JERK SHAD)
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Small swimming plugs like DADDY MAC DM MNNOW
Cast beyond the surface activity and retrieve quickly to trigger a reaction strike.
Techniques
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Run and Gun: Spot surface activity or bird action and approach slowly from upwind or up-current. Cast just ahead of the school and retrieve fast.
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Blind Casting: In areas known for bonito, blind casting into rips or along drop-offs can be effective even when fish aren't visible.
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Trolling: If you’re in a boat and not seeing surface action, try trolling small lures at 5–7 knots to cover ground.
Tips for Success
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Be Stealthy: Bonito are skittish and will flee from loud boats or heavy splashes.
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Match the Hatch: Use lures that closely resemble the size and color of the local baitfish.
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Stay Ready: Surface blitzes can happen fast and end quickly. Keep a rod rigged and ready at all times.
Cleaning and Cooking Bonito
Unlike false albacore, Atlantic bonito are excellent table fare. Bleed them immediately, ice them down, and clean them as soon as possible. Bonito are great grilled, seared, or even used in sushi.
Final Thoughts
Catching bonito on Cape Cod is an exhilarating experience that combines the thrill of sight-fishing with the satisfaction of landing a prized gamefish. With the right gear, strategy, and timing, you’ll be well on your way to hooking into one of the Cape’s fastest and most fun fish.