On board today, new client Stephen Lachance, from Maine, for light tackle and fly fishing striped bass.

At first light, low tide, light W wind and near calm conditions. Water temps 67 degrees out in the bay. And lots of fish, bait and birds working topwater.

We ran across the bay to look for fish up on the flats and we found them in number. VERY shallow waters of 6″ inches to 2-3 feet was where they were at. We bumped along the bottom for several hours as the tide began to rise, working our way out to deep water and drifting up over the flats.

The fish were a little spooky but nothing like the last few weeks. The bass are schooled up on baitballs and chasing the fishing right into 6″ inches of water. It is so exciting to see and be a part of that ecosystem and to hook into those fish!

Stephen is a great angler on both fly and light tackle gear and we got him his biggest striped bass to date on the fly, using a topwater red/white popper on the Thomas & Thomas 9 wt. For light tackle, we fished rubber crank baits, topwater poppers, spooks, 9″ inch sluggos, and Baymen Jigs. We had our best success with rubber crankbaits fished fast using the Baymen Bounce.

As the morning went on, we ran to the other end of the bay and found a major fall blitz in about three feet of water. It was absolute mayhem. The bass had the bait balled up and surrounded and I don’t think a single bait got out of that blitz alive. The bass were absolute predators! 

Towards the end of our trip we landed an 8 lb bluefish (the only one) and then a summer fluke on a Baymen Jig. All fish were released. Total catch today was 27 fish for one rod. A great Fall Blitz morning on the bay with some spectacular fish shows.

Back at it for three more weeks as the Fall Run continues… Stay Posted:

Capt. David Bitters, BAYMEN, www.baymenlife.com 29 Years Guiding The Bay

****BOOKING 2022 & 2023 STRIPED BASS ON THE FLY & LIGHT TACKLE****