b'Cape Cod NeighborAmerican Eel: A Well-Traveled Fish The long, slimy animal you might encounter in Cape waters is the American eel (Anguilla rostata) distributed from Greenland to Brazil. This fi sh has a narrow, streamlined body that helps it to swim rapidly. Eels are nocturnal, spending their days buried in mud. Part-time residents, adult eels leave the fresh and brackish waters of ourwaterways in the Fall for a one way voyage to the Sargasso Sea, offthe Bahamas, where they gather in great numbers with eels from around the Atlantic basin to reproduce and then die.Cape Cod Neighbor Lobsters: Life on the LedgeOnce known as poor mans food, lobster has made a comeback at dinner tables. Nearly 90% oflegal-sized adult inshore lobsters are harvested every season. The heart of the local lobster fl eet is based in Chatham Harbor and Stage Harbor. Nocturnal scavengers, lobsters eat almost anything they can fi nd by crushing and rip-ping food with their large claws. Most lobstering in New England occurs during the spring, summer, and fall.Cape Cod NeighborBluefi sh and Striped Bass: The Anglers Favorite Bluefi sh and Striped Bass are the most sought-after Cape fi shes providing great sport through catch and release fi shing, and great eating when you catch a keeper.Striped Bass is the largest fi sh available to the nearshore angler ranging from one to over 60 pounds. Bluefi sh are usually ravenous and will strike at just about anything you give them. Watch out for those teeth! Whatever your favorite fi shing spot, remember that only healthy waters provide the ideal habitat for your future dinner.Page 52 bluepages.indd 52 8/26/2009 1:52:42 PM'