Yesterday, I had the pleasure of guiding repeat clients, Ken and Marta Johnston, on the bay for fly and light tackle striped bass. The morning started out beautiful and flat calm. We found working fish up on the flats in very shallow water and boated six fish, including a keeper, landed by Marta. The second half of the morning became very windy and choppy out of the north. We fished some sheltered waters then made the cut across the bay in the chop and called it a great morning on the water!

Today, I had repeat clients Tom Cook, and Steve and George, for light tackle striped bass. Winds were calm at first light and we started to search the flats for stripers. No birds, no breaking fish. So we fished an area that has been producing for the past week and there they were! Tons of of bass with keepers in the mix, feeding quietly up on the flats in 12″-24″ inches of water!!!

Our tackle was Super spooks on 30lb braid. We twitched them over the flats and the bass would explode on them! The strikes were quite intense with big blow ups in the skinny water. Tom hooked into the monster of the morning and that fish screamed line off the drag. In fact, many fish screamed line off the drags today. All very strong, healthy, feisty fish.

About mid-morning, the winds turned NE (!) and the bite shut down. All except those teasing “East Windahs” that follow your tackle, swipe it with their tails, but never take the bait! I have seen it a hundred times over the years and hereby coin the phrase, “East Winders.” The “R” is silent!

We ended the morning today with 26 striped bass, and 2 keepers to 25 pounds. A fantastic morning fishing the flats.

Happy Labor Day Weekend & Tight Lines!

Capt. David Bitters
www.baymenlife.com