December Striper reports from Cape May

[CapeMayRay]

Tough day today. Bright and sunny and left the dock, with a friend around 11:30 a.m. to find the inlet water dirty and a decent sea swell with the wind more from the south east. Found the north side of the jetty fishable and the water looking pretty good. Worked it for about and hour with out a strike finding it a little difficult to work with a number of jetty anglers.

Decided to try some spots in the back bay with the same results.

One of those days GOT THE BIG SKUNK TODAY

As we came in the wind died away and was tempted to go back to the inlet but had some things to do this afternoon.

Hope tomorrow it will different.

[BrothaBob]

Nice reporting Ray....

[CapeMayRay]

It was another beautiful day in Cape May today. Left the dock at about 1:30 this afternoon on a warm day. Headed out the inlet to work the north side of the rocks with a southwest wind. Worked it for about a half hour without a strike. Water wasn't bad clarity wise but no fish.

Decided to head up the beach toward Wildwood about a half mile off the beach looking for bird activity as we heard there was some at Herfords in the morning. Went all the way above the inlet to Stone Harbor and decided to work out to the three mile limit.

Found some bird activity offshore in 40 to 50 feet of water with some nice markings on the fish finder. Turned out to be bluefish. We had fun taking them on light spin rods. Kept the blue pictured below for my father-in-law and had one twice as big and released the rest. In belly found what looked like baby bunker or butterfish.


I tried the fly rod using heavy sinking line. With the current heading south and the wind blowing north it was difficult to get the line as deep as I wanted. I had some hits and a couple of bit offs. (Should of put on the wire tippet) By the time I was ready with wire the fish were gone and the wind started kicking up a bit and we were about 12 miles north of Cape May Inlet and a long trip back in a flats boat.

Headed in along the beach still looking for birds and tried the inlet again for awhile. Talked to a couple of plug fishermen on the rocks and they said it was dead all afternoon and they had fish all week until Saturday.

As the sun was setting it was still warm no foul weather gear or gloves needed. We tried a couple of spots in the back bay as the sun was setting and nothing. Only saw a few herring jumping and I couldn't get any of them to hit a fly

[CapeMayRay]

Was away yesterday and had to wait most of the day to get my windshield replaced. (Have to get it inspected this week and it had a ding from a stone right in the drivers side.)

Went out with local buddy and we fished for 2 hours 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Got out to the inlet and saw a friend in another boat land an nice 8 or 10 lb blue on a rubber bait and thought we were just in time for some action, but that was it. We worked both sides of the inlet rocks with out a strike and zero signs of bait or life. The tide was just starting to come in and the water was very brown, but we did have a nice sunset.

Worked the sod banks in the back for about 3/4 of and hour and my buddy had one hit and got a 19 inch bass on a rubber bait after dark. I had nothing on the fly rod and no hits.

[OffTheHookB&T]

It was another beautiful day in Cape May today. Left the dock at about 1:30 this afternoon on a warm day. Headed out the inlet to work the north side of the rocks with a southwest wind. Worked it for about a half hour without a strike. Water wasn't bad clarity wise but no fish.

Decided to head up the beach toward Wildwood about a half mile off the beach looking for bird activity as we heard there was some at Herfords in the morning. Went all the way above the inlet to Stone Harbor and decided to work out to the three mile limit.

Found some bird activity offshore in 40 to 50 feet of water with some nice markings on the fish finder. Turned out to be bluefish. We had fun taking them on light spin rods. Kept the blue pictured below for my father-in-law and had one twice as big and released the rest. In belly found what looked like baby bunker or butterfish.


I tried the fly rod using heavy sinking line. With the current heading south and the wind blowing north it was difficult to get the line as deep as I wanted. I had some hits and a couple of bit offs. (Should of put on the wire tippet) By the time I was ready with wire the fish were gone and the wind started kicking up a bit and we were about 12 miles north of Cape May Inlet and a long trip back in a flats boat.

Headed in along the beach still looking for birds and tried the inlet again for awhile. Talked to a couple of plug fishermen on the rocks and they said it was dead all afternoon and they had fish all week until Saturday.

As the sun was setting it was still warm no foul weather gear or gloves needed. We tried a couple of spots in the back bay as the sun was setting and nothing. Only saw a few herring jumping and I couldn't get any of them to hit a fly

Hey Ray,
Heard about this trip, Tom said he had a blast. This is probably the closest he'll get to the net Though Jr is a member here but doesn't post

[CapeMayRay]

Chuck, Tom couldn't make it this morning. Had to get a haircut and the dog groomed.

After a few tough trips with the fly rod I got back on track this morning. Was to go out with a friend this morning, but he could not make it so I decided to go myself. Left the dock at 9:00 a.m. a. It was cold, cloudy and damp with a decent Southwest wind.

As I was heading out along inlet rocks I noticed they were pulling in the dredge back to the inner harbor. Don't know if they are done or just for the holidays. Found the water nice and clean but it was a little too nasty for me go go out the inlet this time of year in a small boat.


Fished for 15 minutes on the inside of the rock with decent swell and wave action and decided to try the back with the out going tide.

First spot along sod banks in a small rip line I picked up a small 21 1/2 inch bass on a Yo-Zuri mag darter and switched over to my trusty baby bunker fly on intermediate line missing one and catching a 20 incher.

Moved between three points with small rip lines. The water was nice and clean between 3 and 7 feet of water. No signs of bait or fish activity but the fish were there. Was cold and raw and had a few sprinkles of rain just to add to the fun.

Fished for 3 hours and had 7 bass to 21 3/4 inches. Two on the plug and 5 on the bunker fly and must of missed at least 7 fish, having one follow my fly all the way to the boat.




Last fish of the day was this little squirt. 15 1/2 inches long that had a belly tag in it, which I removed and will send in. It will be interesting to see where it was released.

Cold was tough on the hands with the fly line keeping you hands wet, but worth the effort and a fun late season morning of fishing. May try and squeeze in another trip tomorrow morning with buddy who missed today.

[CapeMayRay]

Didn't know if I was going to get out today. Was coming back from Cape May Court House this morning and it was raining pretty good with a forecast of clouds and rain for today with the wind out of northeast.

Around 10:00 a.m. the sun peaked through and I had to go. Went straight to where I had caught yesterday and saw a buddy fishing rubber baits and he said he had 10 already to 26 inches.

I move up about 1/4 of a mile to another little rip where I could get a better angle with the fly rod and the wind.

First 15 minutes of fishing a little rip line in 4 foot of water, I had 3 bass to 24 inches, on what else, my trusty bunker fly with intermediate line. Thought I was going to be in for a huge day.


After that it was dead. Same tide, clean water like yesterday, just no fish. Guy I first mentioned and I worked the heck out of all the little rip lines and sod banks that worked yesterday and neither of us got even a strike.

We both went out the inlet as the wind had died to nothing. Water was super clean. The best it has been all fall. No birds, bait or anything as far as you could see. We worked the rocks an I picked up two more bass and think he got 3. All were that 21 to 22 inch size. It started to drizzle as I headed in and he was still fishing. It was a nice quick trip to feed my fly fishing addition.

Very shortly I am going to have to go Cold Turkey. It isn't going to be pretty!

[CapeMayRay]

Found out that the tag on that fish I caught Thursday came from Hudson River Striped Bass Mark and Recapture Program. I assume that little guy was tagged in the Hudson River. I will keep you posted.

[Dave Sikorski]

Keep it coming Ray. I'll be hunting down near OC next week and you've convinced me to bring a rod or three along.

What material is that Bunker Fly? Is it tied mushmouth style?

Thanks for sharing and keep after the little striped suckers.

-D

[CapeMayRay]

Dave, if the weather holds I hope to get in atleast one more trip. Want to pull the boat by the 31st.

Then I will be part of a Seminar Series in Atlanitc City on Jan 6th.

I was lucky enough to hook up with George Poveromo the Senior Editor of Saltwater Sportsman Magazine & Host of George Pervomo's World of Saltwater Fishing on ESPN2 and will be doing a seminar series with him and a few other local captains this January 6th in Atlantic City.

After that is will be up at our South Jersey Coastal Fly Anglers booth at the Somerset Fly Show at the end of the month.

That bunker fly is one of six that one of my charters gave to me this fall. It is made of Steve Farrar blended materials. The fly has held up super well. I have one that has to have taken atleast 25 fish and it still looks great.