01 DE MAYO April 29, 2010 - I guess subconsciously I've always considered May 1st the unofficial commencement of the migratory striper season here in Massachusetts. With this momentous day looming right around the corner we are beginning to receive our first confirmed reports of fish being taken on the south side of Cape Cod. We've spoken with a number of day-trippers that have been successful in the Cotuit, Mashpee and Falmouth areas on the south side and as far east as the West Dennis Beach area of the Bass River. Captain Keith Lincoln, of Rip Rider fame, is reporting sporadic activity in the Bridge Street area of Stage Harbor as well as the Stage Harbor inlet near Morris Island. Keep in mind that these early reports, while they are somewhat encouraging, are very sporadic and we have yet to receive intelligence that stellar results are being experienced. It's mostly been a fish here, a few there type of result so typical of late April. In our opinion in the next week or two we should continue to witness considerable pushes of migrating school fish with more portly specimens arriving in their wake. A good bit of advise would be to concentrate your efforts in south facing estuaries, ponds and rivers were bait is concentrated and water temperatures tend to be a few degrees warmer. Areas like Popponeesset Bay, Cotuit Highlands, Waquoit Bay, Bournes Pond, Bass River, Parker River and Swan River can generally improve on a daily basis depending of water temperatures. Many of these areas have water in the low to mid 50's that is essential to encourage migrating striped bass. Due to the fact that we must contend with 10 foot water displacements (in many cases) and varied current velocities (depending on tidal flow), the well equipped fly angler would be wise to employ both intermediate and grain lines as the situation warrants. It is our opinion that this is far more critical than fly selection particularly during this initial faze of migration when fish are notoriously less selective. We are personally preparing our initial assault of the season and should have some first hand information in our next report. Good fishing and safe
wading, |
