Fishing Outlook & Conditions
Inshore Temp:
49
Offshore Temp:
49
Capt. Tom Hughes's Tip of the Week
The striped bass fishery will be closed on April 1, 2024 and will reopen on May 16, 2024. It's time to check out your rods, reels, lines, etc. for the upcoming spring.
Directions open in app
Tide data
Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby
Captain Tom Hughes5-Day Outlook as of 3/25/24
The striped bass fishery will be closed on April 1, 2024 and will reopen on May 16, 2024. It's time to check out your rods, reels, lines, etc. for the upcoming spring.
Techniques & Tips as of 3/25/24
MAY through NOVEMBER when FLY-FISHING SALTWATER - All equipment should be Saltwater Rated. When fish are BUSTING TOPWATER, use a floating fly-line with a tapered leader. A Blados Crease or Mylar Popping Fly are highly productive. TOPWATER TECHNIQUE - when the fly hits the water, the rod tip should be down just above the water, pointing directly at the fly, with all the slack out of the line. Immediately start swiftly moving the fly in 1 to 2 foot strips. From December through March the fish will be in deeper waters. APRIL is closed to striped bass fishing. When the fish are LOCATED IN DIFFERENT WATER COLUMNS, use sinking fly-line with a 4 foot leader. A sinking Clouser Minnow or a Lefty Deceiver are highly productive. SINKING LINE TECHNIQUE - when the fly hits the water, the rod tip should be down just above the water, pointing directly at the fly. Count down the fly to the desired depth. EXAMPLE: The fish are located in the 20 foot water column. Using a sinking Clouser Minnow, 3” length, 2/0 hook on PRO Saltwater All Rounder Fly Line—Smooth sink rate with this fly and fly-line will be 1 foot per second. The countdown will be between 15 to 18 seconds. Now start swiftly moving the fly in 1 to 2 foot strips. ALL OTHER TIMES use a sinking fly line with a 4-foot leader. Attach a Clouser sinking minnow or Half & Half minnow. Count the fly down to just above the fish. Start stripping in 2-foot increments swiftly. REDFISH — when busting topwater use floating line with a large Blados Crease Fly or when down use sinking line & clousers. SPANISH MACKERELS —Once the fly hits the water immediately start a double-handed retrieve. Move the fly as fast as possible. The fly should be just under topwater. This makes it possible to use floating fly line. NOTE: Install 6 feet of Absolute Predator Toothy Fish Leader (Orvis Item #3A0A) from the end of the fly line to the fly.
Current Conditions as of 3/25/24
Striped bass fishery closed.Capt. Tom Hughes's Recommended Fly Patterns
"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
Name: | Colors: | Size(s): |
---|---|---|
Mylar Popper | BLUE/WHITE | 2/0 Hook |
Blados Crease Fly | OLIVE/PEARL | 3/0 Hook |
Clouser Minnow | YELLOW | 2/0 Hook |
Half And Half | TAN/WHITE | 2/0 Hook |
Lefty's Deceiver | CHARTREUSE | 2/0Hook |
Burk's Hot Flash Minnow | ANCHOVY | 1/0 Hook |
Capt. Tom Hughes's Recommended Gear
-
Best Leader:
Mirage Big Game Leaders
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Best Tippet:
Mirage Pure Fluorocarbon Tippet
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Best Fly Fishing Rod:
9-Weight 9' Fly Rod
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Best Floating Fly Line:
Saltwater All-Rounder WF Fly Line
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Best Sinking Fly Line:
Class V Sink Tip Fly Line