Greetings from Capt. Dave & BAYMEN!

The “Glorious Twenty-Fifth” of August is typically the start of the Fall Run in our bay here on the Massachusetts coast! With this morning’s cool weather, fish were on the move…

With my season-ending torn rotator cuff injury, I have been forced to do all my “fishing” from the beach with binoculars in hand, looking for fish. As a 32 year seasoned guide with hundreds of clients in the wings, this has been brutal. But the good news – I have once again turned the corner and am crushing it in physical therapy. This second go-around, we are taking it VERY slow and easy for the long term recovery. It was touch and go and surgery was on the table in many talks. But I made it clear that for me, that is an absolute last resort.

So, I cruise the beaches, glass the bay, and set my sights on 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons. This morning, I found three schools of fish at First Light and did not see a boat in sight. All three schools were miles apart around our bay, all working under birds. It is peanut bunker time, but there are a lot of baits on the move through and around bays, including squid, mackerel, pogy, green crab, to name a few. Bass tend to get much more selective as we move into the Fall Run period. Match the hatch can be a real challenge at times. Keep a variety of tackle and flies handy. One day they are slamming, next day they are ignoring most everything.

Some crazy tuna action continues but the season has closed for BFT from what I have read online. I am not chasing them this season, so have not been staying on top of the latest dates.

Fluke bite continues inside our bay and also up and down the coast, as does sea bass in some areas. Bluefish continue to mix with the striped bass inside and outside. Keep your wire leaders handy or go to fluro 40-50lb and check it after each fish.

Let’s not rush the arrival of Autumn. There is a lot summer fishing left before the leaves turn and there is frost on the windshield. But I was in Rangeley, Maine last week, and in one of the shops I visited – they had put up the first Christmas Tree of the season complete with ornaments!!!

Well, here in Baymen Land it is time to get geared for the fall fish. “The Glorious Twenty-Fifth” is just a few days way. I wish I was fishing with you all, but I am there with you in spirit. And I pray God bless you with an incredible Fall Run.

Tight Lines!

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