What a great first week of striped bass fishing on the MA coast! Gov. Baker lifted the COVID-19 ban on charters on Monday, May 25th and we have been going full tilt ever since.

Lt. Col. Richard “The Machine” Comstock was in town, as was Gene and Julie Dupuis, and Dick Bowman. All regulars that have been fishing with me for many years.

On Monday Lt. Col. Comstock and I fished a very cold ENE wind and dense fog. The Colonel landed 20 striped bass on his 9 wt. Top patterns were a Baymen Half/Half, and a Baymen Universal. Fish were in two main spots in the bay. We did pick up a single here and there as well. A great way to start off the season.

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On Tuesday, Lt. Col. Comstock was back out with me for day two of fly fishing. Rather than fish the morning tide, we did a rare late morning to late afternoon trip. Dense fog and a light East wind was the rule all day and it was the hottest day of the year so far, close to 90 degrees. Very few fish came into the bay on the rising tide today, and I blame that totally on the East wind. “East is least” is the general rule. That said, we worked the waters hard and landed 11 striped bass. We fished a variety of patterns including a Baymen Universal, Baymen Clouser, Baymen Flatwing, Baymen Half/Half, a white/red popper and a gray popper with white marabou tail. All the patterns caught fish. An intersting observation today that I have witnessed many times over the years: many bass would follow the fly but not take, over and over again. I would change out the fly to the same pattern but a fresh fly, and the bass would slam it. My theory is there is something that does not looked right to the bass or the bass smells an odor on the fly and does not take it.

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On Wednesday, I had Gene and Julie Dupuis on board for fly and LT striped bass. Gene fished my 8wt BVK with an intermediate line and did very well. Julie stayed with LT and held her own. Fish ranged from micro 8″ inchers to a few bass just a hair under 28″ inches. Gene fished a Baymen Universal and a Baymen Half/Half. Total catch and release today was 31 striped bass.

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On Thursday, I had Dick Bowman on board for light tackle striped bass. We also had fly gear on board and Dick told me to pick up a fly rod and fish with him while he fished LT. He did not have to tell me twice! Very fish fish on top today, but lots of fish holding on a couple of structure spots. One spot held the majority of fish. We did something new today: TROLLED both fly and light tackle! It was non-stop chop all morning with the SW winds so we found trolling a little easier today. Dick fished LT rubber crank baits with a spinner and I fished a Baymen Half/Half and also a Baymen LT jig. Some of the spots we visited had no fish or only a fish or two. But two other post had a lot of fish and the area we trolled had lots of bass down deep in 12-30 fow. Total catch and release today was 43 striped bass from 16″ inches to just under 28″ inches.

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A great first week back on the bay. COVID-19 Protocol was observed on all charters with frequent sanitizing, face masks worn the entire trip, and six foot safe distance at all times. We also use hand sanitizer regularly during the charters. Post charter, all gear and the entire boat is hosed down and sanitized. A lot of extra work but safety is always our #1 priority on all Baymen Charters.

The season is off to a great start. Five more moths of fishing ahead of us. Stay Posted:

Capt. David Bitters, F/V BAYMEN, www.baymenlife.com