Greetings from Capt. Dave & BAYMEN!

On board today, Gary “SetTheHook” Condon and Greg “The Turtle” Powers for light tackle striped bass. Gary & Co. have been fishing with me for maybe twenty years or so. Time sure flies! Gary handed me a cup of coffee and a muffin as we headed out of the harbor, as has been his habit since I have know him.

At first light, a rising tide, WSW light breeze with a touch of chop. We gambled today and made a long run to see if fish were where they should be on this tide, wind, and time of year. They were not. Zero fish in Spot #1 on the bay.

We ran all the way back to where we should have started and found fish right off! Birds, bait and bass. WHAM! Double hook-ups on the light tackle. Spooks, Gibbs, Storms, and Baymen Jigs. They all worked when deployed in the right waters to the right fish: rips, drop-offs, deep cuts, channels, flats, weedbeds, rocks, guzzles… Every piece of tackle has it’s place.

We worked spot #2 and Spot #3 back and forth, chasing common terns, least terns and laughing gulls working the fish. Lots of fun and only two other boats in the area. After some time, the fishing began to die down and we moved on to Spot #4. Zip! What  a surprise. Perfect tide, perfect piece of water, no fish.

On to Spot #5 Zip! Wow… The waters once again looked perfect. Water temps had dropped from 68 in the harbor to 57 out in the bay on the incoming tide that brought the chill back into the bay. But one thing for sure we know in fishing: if there is not bait, there is almost always no fish.

Spot #6, known for being a VERY hot night fishing spot: Zip! On to Spot #7, structure to die for. ZIP! Spot # 8  – one fish. Spot #9 Another fish and a couple more hits. Spot #10 one fish. Spot #11 Zip. Time For Brunch!!!

Gary laid out a spread of subs with all the fixings, chips, beverages, and for desert – Montillio’s pastries! The really BIG cream puffs. Not wanting to be disrespectful, I pounded down everything until I was in a food coma and waddling around the boat :0) 

We enjoyed great conversation about everything under the sun from fishing to family to politics of the day. It was truly a glorious morning. We ended with 18 fish and 4 keepers caught and released all on light tackle. We kept one 30 1/2″ inch striped bass that I filleted and skinned for Gary who is going to give it to the widow of Gary’s late best friend, Kevin Erickson, who fished with us for many years. A great day on a lovely bay with great clients, anglers, and friends.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Capt. David Bitters, BAYMEN, baymenlife.com 31 Years Guiding The Bay, Still In Love.

** BOOKING 2026 STRIPED BASS ON THE MA COAST. SHALLOW WATER FISHING WITH FLY & LIGHT TACKLE. BOOK EARLY, DATES GO A YEAR OR MORE IN ADVANCE**