Playing Favorites
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t is no secret what my favorite season for striped bass fishing in the Northeast is. Hint: It’s not Fall. That’s right. I savor every minute of every flats day in the Spring and early Summer. Why? Because it is site fishing in clear shallow water for beautiful stripers. Throw in the fact that we fish to and catch some hard earned bruisers as well and it’s a no brainer on which time of year I prefer. In my book, this is the creme de la creme of striped bass fishing, poling a traditional bonefish skiff across mottled and light bottom flats for a chance at a fish of a lifetime in skinny water. All of this takes place just 2 hours from New York City.
Shallow water specimen. Photo: A. Derr
When, where & what…
Because these fish are migratory, their exact arrival isn’t totally predictable but generally they start to show in late April or early May. Fishing sparse sand eel patterns and crab patterns on 8 or 9 weight rods with floating lines and long leaders allows us to target these fish in very clear and shallow water where their intelligence and awareness seems to come to a peak and when stealthy approach becomes mandatory.
Fishing the entire east end of Long Island, NY allows me to run my charters in the area that is most ripe for success. These fish move and it helps me if I can embark on trips from different locations to stay nearest to the body of fish and in the lee of prevailing winds. It also keeps things very exciting to be able to fish two entirely different areas from one day to the next.
June flats striper from the bay. Photo: A. Derr
Expectations. No sugar coating…
On some days, this can be very difficult fishing and other days it all falls into place easily. That said, the difficulty is far outweighed by the intense anticipation and excitement while sight fishing this way and the massive satisfaction felt when success is achieved. Everything else in the world seems to fall by the wayside on a good day of flats fishing on Peconic Bay or Gardiners Bay. At the end of the fishing day at this time of year, I usually shut my eyes and see that one big bruiser that either spooked on the re-cast or simply refused our presentation for one reason or another. It may keep me up thinking later than usual but memories like it bring me back to the flats time and time again. These memories of beautiful fish caught and lost drive my thirst for more experiences, scenarios and flats fishing puzzles. Soon we will be playing the game again.
Click here to Book Flats Trips for this season now… or call 212.495.9062
So nice when it all comes together. Photo: Brendan McCarthy
