35 fish on Fly
On board today, I had my good friend, Lt. Col. Richard “The Machine” Comstock, for fly or die striped bass. Not a charter today, but just a relaxing morning to poke around the bay.
At first light, heavy overcast and last hour of dropping tide. A spit of rain and a wisp of North wind. And lots of birds, bait and bass on topwater. For a while, it looked like fall out there.
We got into lots of small fish on the fly. We saw some nice breaks in the schools of medium-sized schoolies to 25″ inches. There were also a few small blues in the mix, but not many running with the bass.
The bait today was a 2 1/2″ peanut bunker, white with a gray back. Match the bait and you should do well. Richard was high rod, fishing a synthetic haired minnow with an olive back, yellow middle and white belly. It was about 3 1/2 inches long. For a time, the fish would also hit a topwater red/white Rainys Popper with a white tail. But overall, the fish are very skittish and selective so you have to keep at it.
Total catch and release on the fly today was 35 fish. A lovely morning on the water.
Capt. David Bitters, BAYMEN, www.baymenlife.com 29 Years Guiding The Bay
**Booking 2022 & 2023 Fly Fishing or Light Tackle Striped Bass On The MA Coast**
FYI – My Baymen Reports Media is not working so no photos can be posted today. See my FB or Instagram for today’s pics.