Picky Fish Fall to a Fly

[pattondds]

Headed out solo on Sunday in the mid-bay area, got the go ahead from wifey, no strings attached, no timeframe, just go. With a 5 month old at home i jumped on the opportunity. Wind was blowing 10-12kt from the west, outgoing tide started later than i thought, so i poked around for over an hour. Found some fish holding that just would not bite a jig. Spent hours trying different combos, literally 2 hours with constant fish under me and just could not make it happen. Finally busted out the flyrod and it did the trick. Purple/white clouser on a full sink Class V density compensated line and i was in business. Quick 12" strip with a good pause between each one was the only way they would bite. Too short of a pause or too short of a strip and forget it. All fish were spitting up worms left and right. Gave a thought to tieing on a red clouser but just didnt want to mess up good thing since it took so long to figure out. Enjoyed some pullage for over 2 hours. Tide slacked but the fish were still biting. Best bite was at the end of the outgoing tide just before slack. When the tide was running hard it was tough to get down to them and stay there long enough to entice a strike. So, frustration lead to success

Below are photos from sunday, screen shot and A sample of the size and quality of fish. Notice the sore on the side of the fat one...are we seeing this so soon?

[Rocks and Rye]

that's a nice report and some good fish on the fly rod. i fished the c/a tournament this weekend and there were plenty of fish in the 40 ft range suspended at 25 feet which is tough to get to with a fly rod even with 350 grain sinking line like i typically fish. i just ordered some 450 for my 10 wt for days like you described above when you need to get down quick with the current and tide running in the same direction you don't stand a chance at fish below 20 feet with anything less than 400 grains.

nice report and nice to hear someone else valuing their time on the water with a youngster. i've got an 11 month old at home and the wife gives me the green light every now and then and i take it without ever asking are you sure. enjoy the time when your little guy is stationary - mobile is a whole new lifestyle.

[chrisdetweiler]

Nice report. Way to stay with it. My dad and I were out a few weeks ago midbay and got skunked. Found some fish holding deep, but just couldn't get a bite. It didn't help that it was blowing 15+. I was also without a 350 grain line which ended up around my prop on our previous trip. I was prospecting with a 250 grain line. Not easy this time of year with the flyrod. Keep the positive reports coming. BTW...my daughter is 21 months old. Just keeps getting better and better! ;)

[pattondds]

Rocks and Rye, congrats on the little one. We are in for an eye opener when my little guy starts moving around.

Chrisdetweiler, there was no way a 250 was going to get me down. Even the class V full sink line was tough. Fun though!

[Bonefish79]

Nice report, nothing more satisfying than figuring out picky fish. Love that purple on the clouser, that's a neat contrast. What color is the flash?