As daylight hours lengthen and the apple trees blossom across New England, it is time to start preparing for Massachusetts' greatest sportfish, the striped bass. You will never be disappointed on a striped bass trip. The thrill of catching schoolie bass on light tackle can only be trumped by hooking into a 40-pound trophy fish that will provide you memories for a lifetime. Not far behind the striped bass will be the marauding bluefish. These 'chompers' range from 4 pounds to 15 pounds and will test even the heaviest of tackle. You'll sleep well after a day of tangling with these powerful fish. Depending on water temperature during late spring and early summer, there is a very good possibility of catching over a half dozen different species of fish including pollock, mackerel, flounder, bluefish, striped bass, cod and sea bass.

   Mid to late summer will be filled with solid action of bass and blues. In recent years, school bluefin tuna have taken up residence just outside Boston Harbor. With a little luck, you could hook up with one of the most powerful fish in the ocean and take a 'Nantucket Sleigh Ride' for a few hours.

   Fall fishing in Boston Harbor and Cape Cod Bay is a sportsmen's paradise. The striped bass and bluefish school up and start their southerly migration. These schools feed aggressively this time of year and it is not uncommon to land over 100 fish per trip. On those

crisp, refreshing September mornings, you can hear the gulls and terns screeching and calling, hovered over acres and acres of blitzing bluefish and striped bass. It is an awe-inspiring experience that is hard to articulate on the pages of a website.

   With cooling water moving into the harbor and the bay, the cod return in strong numbers to inshore areas in September and October. Don't forget about those powerful bluefin tuna. At this time of year, they will be mixed in the feeding frenzy and will be hell bent on ripping your arms off if they fall prey to your well-placed lure.

   Boston Harbor truly is a world-class fishery and it is right at your back door. Come experience it for yourself!!!

   For those of you brave enough when the hard water arrives on inland freshwater ponds, CAN-DO charters even offers ice fishing trips that include everything but the boots and mittens. This is one of the fastest growing winter activities. It is family and friend oriented and lots of fun. Don't knock it until you try it!!