Another Keeper On The Fly
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2021
On board today, Lt. Col. Richard “The Machine” Comstock for Fly or Die striped bass.
Lots of bass in the bay this morning chasing bait with birds working overhead. Not a good day to be a baitfish. Few fish and birds in the bay than the past few trips, which is to be expected as the migration continues to pass through our waters moving south to the Chesapeake, Delaware, and Hudson rivers for the winter months.
The Colonel was on his mark and landed another keeper today on the fly, just east of Bug Light. A big school of bass was chasing peanut bunker and we rigged out a 350 grain sinking line with a Blane Chocklett Polar Changer fly pattern in white and counted it down… WHAM! A nice keeper slammed it and took line right to the backing. That fish put up a great fight. (You can see the photo of the Colonel holding the bass before release with the Bug Light in the background on my FB page, Baymen Guide Service, Inc. Baymen Charters).
We continued to chase three main schools of VERY fast moving fish that continue to be selective. This may be due to the shear mass of thousands of peanut bunker in the bay or perhaps they all take a liking to the size, shape, color and taste of peanut bunker and go “selective.” One thing I have noticed that is of interest. Amongst the schools of selective bass, there are a few individual bass among the schools that are not selective and will take a variety of fly patterns. It is always a fun challenge trying to figure it all out and “break the code.”
We also fished the Colonels favorite – a topwater popper – and landed several finicky fish on the Red/White with white marabou tail. A fun morning with some great fly fishing action in fast moving schools of fish.
Back at it as the Fall Run continues. Stay Posted:
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***