Flats Remain Flat

[Wild Bill]

Helped flyslinger break in his new motor yesterday and covered most of the flats. Did not catch any fish above 18". Did not talk to anyone who caught a good fish in the flats Tues. Water conditions are good with temps in the low 60's and fairly good clarity. Only have theories as to what is going on. By afternoon there were less than a dozen boats in the entire area. On May 1 other years there would be over 100 boats out there on such a nice weather day. I am pulling my rig out of the slip tomorrow in Charlestown. They need that slip for a season long customer. The fish may still show by the end of the extended season but no one knows.

BTW, the boat is a 23' Carolina Skiff DLV with an F150. That is the modified vee version that has been available for a couple of years. It is a wonderful fly fishing platform. I would not consider it a blue water boat, but in protected waters it is a great rig. It will really scoot. It now has 5 hours on it and we can open it up for short bursts. We are going to try it with a SS prop tomorrow. We will check the fish out also to see if a new batch came in. Strange year so far.

[Bob G]

I thought the flats closed to C&R on April 30, but may be wrong. That could explain the few boats.

[Shortylong01]

Bob: Doesn't close until May 4th... The season may be extended based on judgement of temperature by DNR....

Bill: Mine is going out on saturday... I am off to greener pastures... (and to get some quick work done on the rig...

Good luck to all up there... hope it turns on the second the boat is removed... at least someone will be catching fish....

[Wild Bill]

Hi Bob-

The flats season was extended because of cool water temps until May 10, but so far it has been of little value. Yesterday, May 3 would have been open under the original season but the lack of fish has kept people from fishing. If you go several times and do not catch a fish, it may be time to reevaluate where you are fishing. It would be better to catch shad in some numbers than target stripers and catch nothing. With the internet most guys wait for good reports before they go fishing. If you have limited time, that is not a bad strategy.

At least we had a new rig to explore.

[Salmo trutta]

I thought that DLV was a new model this year? Or am I confusing it with something else? I really like it BTW.

Keep up the reports. I heard of some decent action there this weekend but there's not much going on it other C & R areas either.

[msaba]

Bill,

did you get a chance to try the shooting head?

mark

[Wild Bill]

Bill,

did you get a chance to try the shooting head?

mark

On what? I cannot even catch fish on lures in the flats right now. I just got off the phone with Capt Mike Benjamin and he has had two days in a row without a fish. He is casting lures plus had two live herring swimming around back 50 yds without a touch. He said he had 62 degrees and 6' vis without a tap. When Mike is not getting them, there are not many out there. He has a map of the flats contours and bottom imprinted on his brain. He is not only out there in the spring, summer and fall but also out there body booting in the winter.

ST-

Flyslinger had a summer place at Longneck DE. He passed the CS boats every time he went down and liked what he saw. I know they were there last season and I thought the season before but am not sure. They ride better than the flat bottom CS and are very stabile. We have not tested in rough water yet, but I am sure it will slap some and if big enough, I can see green water coming over the bow. Great fly fishing boats for somewhat protected water. With the F150 it goes like a scalded dog and is pretty economical. I just installed a stainless prop which we are going to try tomorrow. Glad we have a new toy to play with since the fishing is so slow. The boat is rated for 16 people. We are looking for 14 more fly fishers to test that out.

[HJS]

The Flats are sounding grime indeed!!! Seems to be getting worse instead of better. Who knows WHATS wrong?!?!? Its like a giant jigsaw puzzel with too many pieces missing.

[jrzfly]

Hey Bill,

Big blues are funneling in up here, I'll fill you in when I go out friday & Saturday!

[Wild Bill]

Thanks Ean-

I have bud who is fishing the kayak tounament on Jamaica Bay. I should have a report from him in a couple of days. I am thinking of JB or Raritan Bay or going south to Roanoke Rapids.

Will be anxious to hear how you do.