Over on a pilgrimage to the Hollowed Ground again from the 19th Aug to the 2nd Sept, although this time I’m towing the family as baggage. So, my fishing is going to be early mornings and late evenings, with the occasional day thrown in for good behaviour.
Need to tie some flies – but what? I understand the fish are more difficult to locate and a lot spookier at this time of year, so logic tells me small, dull and sparse. Any suggestions from the Cape Apostles would be gratefully received.
"Adventure, heh, excitement, heh, a Jedi craves not these things." Yoda – "Damn! guess it is the Dark Side for me then." Jamie Griffiths
That's about right for the Ray's fly. Remember to add a little weight to the hook shank on some of your flies. You have to get the fly sometimes on the bottom.
FishHawk :smokin:
You'll be glad to know the dog days are essentially over with the arrival of mind-boggling biomass of bunker to the area and appearances of cold water surges like the 51 degree chill that took the area down over the weekend. We don't want that to linger but it shuffles the deck.
The constriction at the southway had reduced the flushing in and out of fish from the area but I am confident that the seasonal advance will make things very interesting and quite different from your last visit in terms of behavior.
Most years in Aug I see a mix of fish clinging onto their habits while others lose all inhibitions for the streaming schools of premium protein 'pogies'. Sometimes you see bass working shrimp while huge schools of bunker pass by unmolested, other gangs of striped marauders have shifted gears and bust wide open in the middle of the day.
A good durable deceiver pattern like Page's bigeye baitfish or a variation is good to have but when busting they are either not picky or picky beyond belief. In either case the fly is not as important as the presentation, etc.
You might have the same trouble many do when there are masses of tiny bunker - the fish target clouds of bait and not individuals so they ignore your fly. The key in this instance is to find the behavior patterns that the fish are keying on and fish into the patterns, not necessarily the bait.
For instance fish may be busting on and off with 30 second intervals. What are they doing while off? I observed them making a large circle, then busting into the school from one side. My ability to hook these big bass depended on where in their circle I presented the fly. At one point in their loop the take was automatic regardless of the fly and it was NOT while they were busting. I could not buy a hit while they were busting, only at other points in their pattern. Just something to keep in mind.
Sand eels
... are thick, acres of them on the oceanside now. They are also thick in the sand on the bayside which is free of mung and active with stripers in August. Sand eel flies like the deep eel double as silverside imitations and have good flats "trap-setting" characteristics because they don't snag. I could probably fish out the rest of my life with this one pattern, but of course I won't live without poppers and big bunkers and crabs etc. Keep them handy.
If you see bunker in the 2-4" range, get ready for some serious action as the fish chasing those will be large and looking for individual baits to eat. A baitfish pattern offers the perfect allure in these situations.
Don't forget to use a fast sinking line and scrape the sandy humps in the bottom of rips this time of year. I usually catch the fattest, strongest, most gorgeous ocean stripers from Aug-Oct by this method.
If you find fish on big schools of bunker you will undoubtedly encounter the "too much bait" scenario. Rather than a typical deceiver you may want to carry a few Mushmouth flies which can be tied to spec but will also stand out in a crowd.
If you are going to stay within the refuge a deep eel works about as well as anything.
You may want to consider a trip to the bayside where the large and angry bluefish are abundant. Lots of different places to fish if you are based in Chatham - the refuge is one small part of the bigger picture.
In addition to Daves great advice, also consider a drive up north to Head of the Meadows or other national seashore beaches where the stream of bunker will get coralled in the shoreline structures by big fish. I prefer those areas with the most dramatic features to confuse bait and provide a buffet line for bass. Off hours are usually best, but then again I've sight fished among surfers with great success as well so play it as you see it.
HAHA fred, I was going to name my first striper book "the Psychology of Striped Bass" (TIC) but now I think you've given me a better name "Fish Porn" :lildevl:
WOW :Eyecrazy: Some outstanding advice here guys. I am going to have to chew on this lot for a quite a while, in order to make sure I do not get indigestion.
But essentially we are talking;
Sand eels and silverside
Sand Shrimp
Menhaden
Crabs
Bangers and gurglers
Fish ‘em down, fish ‘em tactically and fish the right places.
Be good to catch up Juro. When are you likely to be around?
Just caught your inquiry - I will be presenting/teaching at the Salmon River Spey Clave as you arrive but will likely be able to hook up before you leave. You will have some good tides early in the stay, but since the drop is best for bunker the rest of the week should be fun as well. You might get the big sand eel show at the inlets while you are here too which bodes well in terms of big fish for the fly guys. If my work schedule permits I will be able to swing a day I'm sure.
If you find an Olive over White Clouser on North Monomoy, be so kind as to return it, as it was my last one.
Look forward to the report.
Nemo
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