Want to Surf Fish Nauset? Here's What You Need to Know

Spring (May–June): Striped bass arrive first in the final weeks of May, chasing schools of herring, mackerel and squid close to shore. This is a prime time for surfcasting.

Summer (July–August): Though Nauset waters never get" hot" lke they do on the Nantucket Soundside Beaches, the waters do warm up suffciently to drve most stripers further offshore during the heat of the day. Bluefish dominate the surf from early July until mid August, often in aggressive schools. Striped bass can still be caught early morning and all through the night .

Fall (September–October): The cooling waters kick off the fall run and brings a big surge of striped bass and bluefish close to the beach. False albacore and bonito sometimes appear close to shore.

Winter( December-April): Fishing is generally inactive due to colder waters and migratory species moving south.

9’ to 10’ surf rod with a saltwater worthy spinning reel constructed from quality components. There is no need to go into debt gearing, but don't go excessively cheap. Nauset can be a harsh , marine environment and bg box store cheap usually doesn't make the grade.

30–50 lb braid or mono line (depending on surf conditions)

Sand spike rod holder

Waders recommended all season. Even in the hottest weather, Nauset waters usually maintain around mid 50's...too chilly for most folks to wet wade comfortably.

Topwater poppers and pencil plugs (for bluefish and bass). YoZuri Pencils and TSUNAMI POPPERS are a good choice.

Soft plastics like RONZ or BILL HURLEY SAND EELS (perfectly mimic the stripers favorite summer time food stuff- sand eels). You are going to want to put soft plastics away though if you think bluefish are around...you will go through bags of them in minutes due to the bluefishes sharp teeth. Speaking of which, you should always have a pack of good wire leaders on hand if the blues are in residence.

Diamond jigs and metal spoons for distance casting

Fresh bait: mackerel, clams, bunker chunks, or eels (especially at night)

Main Beach Access (Orleans): Good for general access, especially early in the morning or just before sunset. Plenty of parking available (fee required).

Over Sand Vehicle (OSV) Zone: With a valid permit, you can drive your 4x4 along the beach for access to remote and less-pressured fishing spots. Always check local restrictions due to nesting shorebirds.

Nauset Inlet (south end near Chatham): Where tidal currents can concentrate baitfish—excellent for larger stripers, especially on an incoming tide.

Fish the tides: Incoming and outgoing tides are best, especially around high tide. Striped bass feed aggressively when the water is moving.

Time it right: Dusk and dawn are the golden hours. Night fishing can be especially productive for larger stripers using bait.

Match the hatch: Pay attention to what baitfish are present (sand eels, squid, herring) and use lures that mimic them.

Be shark-aware: In late summer, seals and white sharks can frequent the area. Keep bait out of the swim zone and follow safety advisories.

Fishing License: You need a Massachusetts saltwater fishing permit (available online).

Vehicle Permit: For OSV access, apply for a Nauset Beach ORV sticker through the Town of Orleans.

Bag Limits: Always follow state fishing regulations for size and daily limits for striped bass, bluefish, and other species.

Bait and Tackle Shops: Goose Hummock in Orleans is a great stop for gear, bait, and local advice and up to the minute fishing reports.

Fishing Reports: Check local Cape Cod fishing forums or MassWildlife’s reports for real-time updates.

Charters: While Nauset is great for surfcasting, consider a local charter if you want to explore offshore options.