Provincetown

[brownoarsman]

Did this trip last summer with three friends for a weekend getaway, leaving from Boston Harbor. We were on a similar sized boat to yours. Like other posters have said, we were on a beam reach both ways, an exceedingly comfortable journey. Lobster pots were only very prevalent for the first five miles or so out of Hull. Not many the rest of the way.

The mooring fields aren't too bad and were mostly empty when we were there (September), but inside the breakwater and at the town tie-up things can get tight with all the boat traffic. If you don't have a lot of 'back and fill' experience it may be worth brushing up on that.

Enjoy the trip!

[Cormorant]

If you're not a fan of mooring fields (I'm not), there's plenty of room to anchor out.

Here's a chart showing a good spot east of the breakwater that will keep you close to town. So long as there isn't a strong SE wind, you'll be perfectly comfortable there. Just watch the depth and tide so you don't ground out at low.

And two spots out by Long Point (really anywhere out there is fine -- again just watch that depth, as it comes up fast). It's gorgeous out there . . . great swimming, beach walks, and playing on the big sandbar that rises at low tide. Usually a few seals come by and check you out.

We generally park ourselves out by Long Point, and then move close to town when we desire ice cream or all the delights of a walk down Commercial Street.

[Cormorant]

One last thought, as I relive the joys of summer in P-town on this gray winter day. . . .

If you're into spearfishing, there are tautog galore along the breakwater.

Not to mention all the bluefish you can catch if you troll a line on the crossing. . . .

[lorenzo b]

Ptown is the best, bring your bikes.
My other favorite is Wellfleet outer harbor, next to Great Island.
Spend the whole summer, it's free.

[Cotemar]

Never been in Well Fleet harbor before. Looks interesting

[brownoarsman]

Originally Posted by Cormorant

Not to mention all the bluefish you can catch if you troll a line on the crossing. . . .

Please tell me your secrets! We had a line out on the way down and were very disappointed nothing hooked on. (In fairness to the non-obliging fish, it was sort of a last minute thing we jury-rigged out of spare line, old hooks and bits of our breakfast for bait; but I'd love some tips for next year when I actually get serious about it!)

[Cormorant]

I confess I'm actually not a very knowledgeable fisherman. I only know that the blues will hit anything shiny. Big gold or silver spoons seem to work well. Some people swear by plugs skimming at the surface or just below.

It's also just a matter of luck -- if you go through a school of them, you get one, or several. We've had best luck between Wellfleet and P-town, and of course right off Race Point.

Also saw schools of tuna leaping out there (2- to 3-footers). Never caught one of those, but sure wish I could. . . .

[Neo]

I'm eating up all this talk of a trip to P-town. Warm breezes and fish jumping. Can't wait for spring. We will be headed there from Salem in June.

[Cormorant]

One more thing on bluefish -- if you haven't read John Hersey's book "Blues," definitely grab a used copy on Bookfinder for a few bucks. Excellent book, which one can happily re-read every winter . . . dreaming of Cape cod summers. . . .

[brownoarsman]

That's a similar setup to what we had, so we may have just been unlucky! I'll definitely pick up the book you recommend. When we were there in September the tuna were also in town; and it seemed every skiff in town was floating around the wall a short ways off the approach.

Strangely, I've had better luck catching bluefish after someone else has already caught them. Six of us took a boat out of Westport, three of them young ladies, and whenever the three ladies came back from a visit to the marina, they always came back with filets from the local fishers! I guess it is all about using the right bait.

Thanks again for the suggestions, can't wait to put them to practice when the season starts!