BUMP IN THE ROAD

September 17, 2009 - Traditionally I personally have never experienced a lot of success during early September, after all isn't it just an extension of August? According to numerous reports we've been fielding during the previous week, shore bound fly guys have been struggling to find a few striped bass and even bluefish seem to be less than plentiful. I can assure you that this is only a temporary phenomenon as the month of October looms in the not to distant future.

The secret to success when campaigning your favorite autumn venue is obvious, be there when the fish are there. A good push of migrating striped bass is often triggered by a coastal storm so it is not uncommon to experience some of the premier opportunities of the entire season just after the event passes. Surf beaches will often harbor hoards of fish in route to warmer climates and even daylight hours can provide consistent action.

Boat anglers haven't been immune to a break in the action either. Brothers Steve and Larry Haley, no strangers to the saltwater scene, recently canvassed the area from Sesuit Harbor in Dennis to the Pamet River in Truro with nothing to show for their effort. The entire Bay, at least the inshore real estate, was void of any activity, and even bait seemed absent. The infamous Brewster Flats area was void of striped bass, diving birds and forage. I will reiterate… this is certain to change in the next few weeks.

MISSION ALBACORE
While striped bass seem to be in hiatus, the false albacore season is in full swing and Massachusetts seems to be experiencing one of the best migrations in many years. As reported in the previous article, the Buzzards Bay area has been a Mecca for harboring numerous schools of transients. Brothers Paul and Jack Bakstran (men for all seasons) had a recent opportunity to fish the area and report that albacore were busting throughout BB, and as you can witness by the photo, even Paul was able to convince a fish or two.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB