Greetings from Capt. Dave & BAYMEN!

On board today, regular, Greg Sanchez and friend, Jack for Fly or Die striped bass. At first light, north with near calm, tide two hours before low. Water temps 64. Air temps about the same.

Greg is a seasoned fly rodder and Jack is new to the sport. The goal today was to get Jack up to speed on casting techniques, teach him the double haul, and get him his first striped bass on the fly. I am happy to say mission accomplished!

First stop of the morning was where yesterday’s charters got to two fat keepers right off. Today? Dead. Not a single bump on any of the drifts – and conditions looked perfect.

Second spot of the morning – breaking fish on topwater! Only the second time we have seen fish on top this spring in our three bays! We set up on them and drifted right through them. Then several more drifts. Not a single hit and then they left with the tide. Marked about 20+ fish. They were on a selective feed on micro baits and by the time we got that figured out, they were gone. Ugh.

Third stop of the morning – Fish on! Greg hooked into a really nice bass that gave a great fight but got off. Then, much everyone’s delight, Jack hooked into his first ever striped bass that I netted and brought on board for a quick photo and release. Then Greg hooked into a nice fish and I netted that one and we got a great photo. Then Jack hooked into two more bass on the fly! It is safe to say he is hooked for life and off and running in this great sport.

We did fish two other spots later in the morning and all were void of fish. We did have a follow in about two fow, but no hits. I also marked five BIG bass with their bellies on the bottom that would take nothing. I also marked several fish earlier in the morning that showed up as vertical lines on sonar = Striped Bass noses down in the weed beds looking for small green crabs!

All in all, a lovely and successful morning on the bay. Welcome to Fly Fishing, Jack.

Capt. David Bitters, BAYMEN, baymenlife.com 32 Years Guiding The Bay. Soli Deo Gloria!