Tag Archives: saltwater

Flies beat artificials on NYC striped bass

Loads of life have poured into Jamaica Bay NY recently. Bunker schools are growing thicker and tons of heavy sonar marks indicating big striped bass are appearing in just all the usual places. Trust your sonar and work the area thoroughly then move onto another area until you find the fish that are feeding. If they are not feeding in one spot at one moment, they will be a little later when the tide is a bit different. Keep moving and working different areas and you’ll run into them.

JBay Striper

WIDE LOADS

Surprisingly, the biggest flies and the smallest flies were not as effective, but anything medium bodied really got smacked by these fat striped bass. It is a good idea to not horse these bass, as you can see the result from the picture, even if they don’t feel big and especially at boat-side! These bass are full of energy and ready to rock because of the prime water temperatures. Normally for this time of year, the water temperatures are colder and the bass are more sluggish. But that does not hold true this season. It was impressive to feel the brute force that the broad shoulders and heavy heads of these bass could put out and even forced another Sage xi3 to bite the dust… Would be prudent to say that 10-weights are better rod of choice considering the strength of these fish…

So get in on the action one way or another and get out there! These fish have tails, and are not shy when presented with the right size offering! And remember when it comes to fly fishing for striped bass in NYC, you cannot catch a fish if the fly is dry!!!

Keep your hooks sharp,
Capt Ken Jones
361-500-2552
[email protected]

Jamaica Bay Bass Action

The bass action in Jamaica Bay is officially ON (THE FLY)!!!

Jamaica Bay Striped Bass

early season striped bass j-bay

…after a brief scouting mission and initial sea trial, lady luck was on our side and the striped bass are eating flies already this spring and that means good stuff!!!

Nothing like getting the backing salty during the second to last day of March!!!

If you are looking for striped bass they are definitely here with quality sized fish in the mix… There will be some bruisers here in no-time. Hope to hear from you soon.

Feel free to call anytime!
Keeping the hooks sharp,
Captain Ken Jones
Kenjo Fly Fishing
Licensed by USCG (OUPV)
361-500-2552

Sight Casting Stripers

 

Illegally Parked Striper

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

Striped Bass are in Jamaica Bay

Gunnel Reels - Hatch Outdoors
Under the Gunnels – Hatch Outdoors

The spring season is upon us…

…and the water temps are rising quickly as the striped bass begin to move into Jamaica Bay on the hunt for food. Luckily for the bass there are still herring inside the bay, and the bunker are gaining popularity as well. This past winter’s batch of fresh bunker and herring flies should do just the trick! Only a few days ago some lethargic bass were even playing cat and mouse with a nice sized popper fly creation that evolved from the tying desk of Kenjo Flies this past winter… Cant wait to really see this secret popper fly in pure form and action!

With Sweetpea locked and loaded, all systems are a go. Everything has been checked twice, and most things were even triple checked… Last Sunday was windy but proved to be a very good sea trial for the season, and Sweet Pea handled the wind waves just as expected…

This weekend I will be heading to Charleston, South Carolina for some much needed R&R with my ‘lil lady after such a very long winter in the city! It is safe to say we are definitely ready for some warmer weather!

There are still a few dates available in May so give me a call to make your reservation ASAP!

Keeping the hooks sharp,
Captain Ken Jones
Kenjo Fly Fishing – Guide Services
Licensed by USCG (OUPV)
361-500-2552
Member F.C.A.
www.kenjofly.com