Massachusetts Oct. 1: trophy tautog, harbor stripers, and cod off the rocks

Massachusetts saltwater fishing flipped after the nor’easter. On The Water’s Oct. 1, 2026 report, by Ron Powers, says settled seas put fish on the feed, with stripers tight to structure and October tautog shifting from limits toward bigger fish.

On the South Coast, Capt. Jason Colby’s Little Sister limited blackfish to 24 inches in coffee-colored water out of the Westport River, and also limited black sea bass. The crew used tandem bait rigs while the bottom was still churned, with jigs expected back once it clears. Pete at Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate said surfcasters scored on clam after the storm rolled quahogs and lobsters onto South Shore beaches, including Humarock, Rexhame, Egypt, and Peggotty. Cod came off rocks and wrecks near Humarock, the North River mouth, and Minot. Recreational tuna were still in play off Stellwagen.

Around Boston, Pete Santini’s Fishing FINatics in Everett was sending harbor anglers after stripers on eels, and clam and lobster remnants were drawing bass at Short Beach and Revere Beach. Lisa at Fore River Fishing Tackle in Quincy said herring fry held back in Whitman’s Pond during the drought have been released into the estuary after the rain, which should pull stripers through the Weymouth Back River and Hingham Bay. On the North Shore, Tomo’s Tackle in Salem had stripers on mackerel along ledges at Preston Beach and Castle Rock, and Three Lantern Marine in Gloucester still had pogies and stripers inside the harbor. Cod boats were looking toward Southern Jeffreys and Tillies. The Merrimack was quiet. Powers’ forecast puts trophy tautog first on the South Coast and fat harbor bass second as the fall bait flush continues.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: On The Water — Massachusetts Fishing Report, October 1, 2026 (Ron Powers, Oct. 1, 2026).