Tag Archives: stripers

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
ken@kenjofly.com

Grunts heard around Jamaica Bay

Blasting 20-knot+ winds and hammering tides coming off a full moon had the bass inside Jamaica Bay pulling their Houdini hats down over their noggins yesterday.

Jamaica Bay Striper

Just look at the size of that TAIL! Is that a sign of BIG BASS potential?

The bait is there in some places, mostly 10-14inches in size and not in the denser concentrations we would all like to see. The striped bass inside the bay are being a little elusive and can sometimes make it necessary to get back on the hunt to check for fish in multiple spots… Outside in and around NY Bight is rumored to be another story…

Nonetheless, we managed to pickup a couple of striped bass, both had a good amount of energy when they swam away, tails kicking fast and furious! It was interesting also to see a schoolie bass come up that had survived, or should I say, narrowly escaped, what appeared to be 4 separate attacks from diving birds of some sort, most likely a gannet… For the bass’ sake, he was lucky to have escaped the clutching razor sharp beaks of those birds with only scratches and quite a few missing scales… and for the gannet, i hope he was more successful in subsequent attempts to find dinner!

On another note, it is good to see the kind officers of the DEC out on patrol, stopping on their way past, just to see how the fishing was going! Always good to know these men are out there on the water and brave enough to take on the elements to provide us marine security and enforcement of our fishing regulations.

As of late a few Osprey’s have been sighted as well, and are such magnificent animals to bear witness when they are able to pick up a 14-inch bunker and fly away with it!

Until next time, pray the wind lay low…

Keeping the hooks sharp,
Captain Ken Jones
Kenjo Fly Fishing
Licensed by USCG (OUPV)
361-500-2552
ken@kenjofly.com

Summertime Striped Bass in NY

jamaica bay bass in july

This was just a small bit of what we encountered yesterday

Typically by this time people have turned their attention to other species like tuna, mahi mahi, fluke, and porgies but dont overlook the striped bass just yet! They are still here on the west end of Long Island, only minutes away from NYC compared to the long haul out east… We got on the stripers big tme yesterday just a few miles from the dock and produced countless fish on fly, spin and poppers, all between 18-27 inches. There are also some biggers ones in the mix, just gotta catch a few of the schoolies to get into a real brute! Give me a call immediately to book a trip in the next few days before this water turns into a hottub and the bass dissapear until October!

Keeping the hooks sharp,
Captain Ken Jones
Kenjo Fly Fishing – Guide Services
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

Fly Fishing NY Harbor

Striped Bass NY

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

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

 

 

EEZ

Sure did love that rainstorm blowing through today. The last few days of weather have been rough water-wise but I tell you that the water temps were raised 2-4 degrees by that southerly blow. I couldnt have come at a more welcome time. Along with it came a great sigh of relief in knowing that spring is on it way. You can certainly hear and see the desperation in people to warm up and get OUSTIDE! I can say, I dont blame anyone for that!

Keep in mind as you are out fishing this year that the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) begins only three miles offshore! Lets respect our fishery and do our best to release those trophy fish alive and well… especially if you have fish at home in the freezer already!!!!!

Here is a very good article by Capt John McMurray. It is worth reading more than once!

The Urban Blitz

Hope everyone enjoys this video, I certainly enjoyed the adventure!

Snippet from guest of the day, Captain Nate: “When the blitz is on it’s all you can do to puke out a 20 foot cast and hold on as your line hopefully clears the deck. All the while you are convinced you’ve hooked a cargo ship hell bent on destroying your 10-weight…”
http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2010/10/27/new-york-state-of-mind-striper-time/