Category Archives: New York Fly Fishing Reports

Read the latest northeast fly fishing reports from Jamaica Bay, NY Harbor and NY Bight.

Warming Trends

Rockaway Striper caught in July

As the weather warms the water and the gulf stream continues to push its warm currents closer to shore, the fishing is heating up more than ever! Any given day, there have been opportunities to head out early and get on some really big bass, which are hanging around the remaining schools of bunker that are still present in NY Bight and Lower NY Harbor. This particular activity seems to be winding down as the water temperature begins to rise past the 70 degree mark.

These dolphinfish were very aggressive!

These Mahi-mahi came into the spread completely covered in solid blue neon colors! She hit the shotgun rigger and she put on a spectacular show! These fish are aggressive and travel in packs…

We will be hunting these beauties through the summer along with some school bluefin… Plan to use some hookless teasers to get’em on the fly!

With over 7 species of baitfish in the water and more on the way, there are great chances to have a fantastic summer run of spanish mackerel, bonito, skipjack tunas and certainly the false albacore.

Give me a call asap if you want to get out on the water!

Sight Casting Stripers

Good Morning America!

It was such a pleasure to host Alex and Peter of Patagonia River Guides for a little saltwater flyfishing R&R (rest and relaxation) while they were visiting NY!

Hands-down these guys are some of the best fly fisherman to which I have had the privilege of working with!

There are days when all factors in the equation are present, +fish crazy anglers +loads of bait-fish swimming freely, and +fish = chances for some serious action. But sometimes at the end of the day you know the fish showed up and they won this time. The best way to deal with knowing that the striped bass ran game on you was that you know you had just as much fun as the fish did! At least everyone showed up for the game!

On some rare occasions, a day like this ends up standing out most among any other day spent on the water fly fishing… Something phenomenal happened on that strange day and as lifelong fishermen, we know that we were the lucky ones to have been in the right place at the right time to witness such an event.

No matter how many times I get the chance to observe fish feeding up close and personal, it is still an excellent experience when you spot a striper resting at peace, motionless like a piece of drift wood in the middle of a giant school of bunker hovering over deep water… You think to yourself, how crazy are those bunker to be swimming circles around that giant bass!?!?!?

And then it happens…

Whoooosh! The water ignites into a burst of spray that will soak you and large speeding wakes flow in multiple directions by the lone striped bass making his move…

I cant help but imagine how a huge striper like that just mosey into a school of bunker, as if completely undetected… It is just an amazing thing to watch… Until next time…

¡adiós! mis amigos

Striper Fishing NYC

: Topwater Striped Bass

Have you ever wanted to catch a huge striped bass on top?

I have to admit, these fish are brutal eaters! They like to tail slap the bait around and play with their food like a cat with a mouse. Some say they do this just for fun, others believe they do this to tenderize their food before making it a meal. Others think that the fish is just checking their food for hooks, and that certainly makes this fish smarter than most people give them credit for. Another theory is that the fish is injuring their prey to make an easier meal. In my experience, all of these reasons seem to be true at one point or another.

On many occassions I have witnessed these fish hit a plug up to 5 or 6 times before they finally commit and eat… when this happens it can be the most exhilirating time to be an observer and an even more exciting time as an angler!

If you want to chase after these ocean bulldogs called stripers, they will ceratinly test your wits and keep you on your toes simply give me a call to check availability. There are only a few dates left in June and if it was anything like last year, JUNE was the best month for bass fishing!!!

On another note, a moderate to experienced fly fisherman should be able to reach these fish with a topwater fly, something that which is certain to take this fishing to the next level!

To book a reservation, contact me ASAP at 361-500-2552 or email [email protected]

Keeping the hooks sharp,Captain Ken JonesKenjo Fly FishingBrooklyn, New York

Fishing Jamaica Bay

It is never too early!

Should have been there yesterday! Better be there tomorrow!

It is never easy to coordinate a NY lifestyle to accommodate a little fish action, but with a little bit of effort and spontaneity you can find yourself in a situation like this.

Have fun out there this Memorial Day weekend and remember to thank a serviceman or servicewoman for their dedication in keeping our country safe!

Good times

Grinning from ear to ear!

The Grip and Grin – hard earned and well deserved!

The cards fell into place and we were able to pull off a winning day on the water. Tom and Rob put the smack down on some very hot striped bass action and those Jamaica Bay stripers didn’t stand a chance although each and every fish was shown mercy and was released safely. Best fish went 17lbs on the Boga Grip!

Striped Bass Jammin

Want to pet a striped bass?

Although many people haved frowned upon all the cloudy and rainy weather we have had recently, this has actually in fact turned on the stripers, and they have taken up transient residence in Jamaica Bay! The best part of all this weather is that the wind has been minimal. The topwater action has also been very good when placing the fly in the right spot and when imparting just the right action! Move it too fast, and it wont get touched, and if you move it too slow, it will still be ignored… The key is to keep it moving erratically, changing up the cadence as much as possible without moving the fly too far on each strip!

There are still a few days free in May and not too many left in June! Give me a call or shoot me an email asap to get onboard to take your shots at some of the biggest bass of the year!

Call: 361-500-2552 or [email protected]

Fly Fishing NY Harbor

Just an average size striped bass

The quick turn from Winter to Spring almost makes everyone think that summer is already here! I will never complain as I love the warm sun more than anything!

With the air temperatures already reaching 70 and bluebird skies that New York has experienced recently, this has caused the top layer of the water column to warm nicely while the lower portion of the water column has remained cold. Of course this has the fish spread out all along the surface which can make it difficult to locate fish. BUT, it can also bring about some explosive topwater action! Knowing the minute details of the area you are fishing such as underwater structure, currents and proximity to habitat, utilizing patience is critical and covering alot of water with your fly can prove to be worthwhile!

I’ve always said, “Trust your sonar, but do not let it be your only set of eyes into the water”! The last week or two has felt like being a baseball player watching a hundred change-up pitches whizz past, if you dont adapt your strategy several times throughout the day it isnt hard to strike out… The keys are to use stealthy approaches, keep a wide bearth when near other boaters, and just because the gulls move on does not mean all the fish moved with them!

Please keep in mind when you are out there, that one 28inch fish (when filleted properly) will feed a housefull of people, as long as you dont forget the hushpuppies, coleslaw, and potato salad! Throw the biggest fish back alive! They are better for breeding than for eating!

Give me a call asap to book a date. I still have some dates available in May. 361-500-2552

NY Striped Bass

Thirty-two inches and growing!

We left the dock this morning and headed straight to the fish! The bite wasn’t gangbusters but definitely worth chasing. Mark did a very fine job of fighting these hefty bass for a quick and safe release on just about every drift! All bass were in the 30-34inch range looking healthy and strong broad shoulders.

There are still a few weekdays open in May. Give me a call if you want to slip out for some great fishing with little to no boat traffic!

Capt Ken 361-500-2552

J-bay fish action

It is taking all my strength to not divulge all the nasty details here of the fish that I encountered this weekend, but those secrets were hard earned and learned by t.o.w (time on the water)…

To avoid any unnecessary drooling, I will keep this report short… Was out on the prowl in Jamaica Bay this weekend and I’ve got to admit that I like what I saw… At most docks you will see “barely legal” sized bass on the cutting boards, but I can tell you first-hand that there are MUCH BIGGER fish in Jamaica Bay RIGHT NOW and they are catchable with the right technique and approach to these fish…

Call me ASAP to check on available dates, it only takes a few minutes to find out when the next shot at a mega striper could be on the end of your flyline!!!

Keeping the hooks sharp,
Captain Ken Jones
Kenjo Fly Fishing – Guide Services
Licensed by USCG (OUPV)
361-500-2552
[email protected]

Fly Fishing JFK

First Striped Bass of the year JFK New York

Catch a flight and catch a bass

Fly Fishing Jamaica Bay New York, NY

Early Season Fly Fishing in JBay can have some very productive fishing due to the lack of boating traffic which at times can ruin a good fishing spot…

This time of year, with the weather changes more rapidly than a NYC Taxi changes lanes, but with persistence and plenty of warm clothes you can get your spring bass on the fly without having to go very far… All it takes is the right fly, the right presentation (slow) and the right amount of patience. Some call it insanity to freeze in 40 degree temps, with wind chills feeling closer to 30 degrees F but the one thing in Jamaica Bay that will warm up just about anybody is feeling the strike from a striped bass, and knowing that it may be, just may be the fish of a lifetime…

HURRY and book your trip now as my available dates in May are almost full. Call me directly so as to not miss your next chance to catch striped bass on the fly in New York!!!

361-500-2552

Kenjo Fly Fishing Charters

Texas Saltwater Flats Fishing Charters