Greetings from Capt. Dave & BAYMEN!

On board today, Kurt Upham, Founder and President of OhDeer Tick and Mosquito Control. Kurt has been fishing with me for many years on the bay and is a top-notch angler.

At first light, near calm conditions, two hours before low, and water temps 58-64 degrees. An easy west wind all morning long.

First stop of the morning we hit a ripline without bump. Next stop – Fish on! We found striped bass along another rip right where the smooth water met the chop. We did several drifts and landed fish on every drift.

Third spot of the morning: Yesterday’s Worm Hatch waters. I had figured out the tackle and technique on yesterday’s charter and was ready for another round with these fish. But to our delight, the worm hatch was over and the fish were stacked up on the flats! Lots and lots of fish in 6″ inches to 2 feet of water. They were feeding on small peanut bunkers taking refuge in the eel grass beds. It was stealth fishing, spot and stock as we eased our way into narrow cuts and shallow flats. Scores of striped bass were swimming around us. Kurt was putting the tackle on the X and the hook-ups and fights were awesome! Twice, bass slammed the lures the exact second the tackle hit the water. We also saw some BIG bass hugging bottom in deeper channels but the fishing up on the flats was just too good to pass up!

In addition to flats fishing, we got into some fine bass that had bait pinned up against the flats and the edge of sharp drop-offs. THAT was some intense and exciting fishing. Kurt made some incredible precise casting and the bass would slam his lure and run for the deep channels behind us. Man, what a lot fun and challenging fishing.

Many of the fish we targeted were so shallow their backs would be out of the water. We had to plow the mud flats and cut through a lot of sea grass today. But it was worth it all. Today was more like hunting, spotting and stalking the fish. It is one of the most exciting ways to catch striped bass on fly or light tackle.

Later in the morning, we found another large school of fish across the bay, several miles away. They would take nothing! We could not see any bait, and I think it was another cinder worm hatch over the sandy, muddy flats of the bay…

Total catch and release today was 21 striped bass, We did not see any hickory shad or blues inside the bay. Kurt saw a huge explosion on topwater in the distance that was most likely a shark, BFT, or Atlantic Sturgeon. We did see a few seals around the bay as well.

What a great day of challenging fishing, chasing bass up on the flats!

Back at it. Stay Posted: 

Capt. David Bitters, Baymen Guide Service, Inc. 31 Years Guiding The Bay. Still In Love.

Soli Deo Gloria!