Fly-Fishing 'the salt' for Striped Bass and Bluefish

Bob Mockard and his twin daughters, Janet, and Jean, wanted to learn how to fly fish for striped bass on the Chesapeake Bay. Once everyone was aboard we cruised out on Mezick Ponds at Sandy Point State Park.  A fly casting lesson was given, and after everyone took a cast or two, we headed south on the Bay.

It wasn't long before we saw some blitzing stripers and bluefish on the western shore.  Something special happened on our 1st drift.  Bob landed his 1st striped bass while using a fly rod.  Once we got on some nice size stripers Jean and Bob caught a couple simultaneously.

We had to keep moving in waters from 16 feet to 22 feet deep to stay on the nicer schools of striped bass.  Janet enjoyed taking photos and catching fish on the fly, as the one shown below.

Equipment Used this Trip:
9 weight, 4 piece, Tip Flex, Fly-Rods, LA V Large Arbor Reels, Full Sinking Line, 20# Fluorocarbon Leader (Tippet)

Productive Flies:
3" Sinking Clouser, Green & White Body and Tan & White Body

Most Productive Technique:

Fast Stripping the Fly

Cast the fly and count it down to the desired depth.  The rod tip should be parallel and very close to the water surface during the retrieve.  Start stripping swiftly in foot increments.  Keep stripping the fly all the way back to the boat.

This cool weather should help bring in some of the fall run that we usually enjoy from mid-October to December.  So don't worry about catching cabin fever.  There's still plenty of time to land some nice size stripers.