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Bill O'Connor invited me to join him on his boat today to try for some stripers (or rockfish as we call them on the Chesapeake Bay) during the last few days of this year's catch and release season. The day was beautiful, although a bit windy with 10-15 MPH out of the northeast. Catching was very good so we quickly forgot about the wind and Captain Bill was a great host, guiding me to pretty much constant action for 8+ hours!!
Here is a shot of the good captain with one of the average size "schoolie" stripers we caught:
Here is a picture of one of the bigger ones:
Here are some details of our trip:
Time fished: 5:30 am to 1:30 pm
Tide: second half of incoming and first half of outgoing
Water temperature: 59-60 degrees F
Flies used: 2/0 chartreuse and white half and half with a "flash tail"
Lines: Airflo 300 grain and Teeney 450 grain integrated shooting heads
Rods: Bill used a Loomis 8 wt. Cross Current GLX and I had a Sage 9 wt. TCR
Number of fish caught: about 25 for Bill O. and about a dozen or so for me
Size of fish caught: 16-28 inches estimated (one actually measured at 28")
Strip: quick 24" strip followed by a pause. Fish usually hit at the start of the pause
I started using my own flies but Bill quickly caught 10 while during the same time I caught only one or two. Bill's fly has a freshwater flashabou and crystal flash "flash tail" which extends about 3/4" behind all the hair and hackle. We believe this is what makes his fly so effective. Once I tied on one of Bill's flies, which he so generously gave me, I was in the zone, too.
Great day on the water. Thanks Bill!
[excited]
Here is a shot of the good captain with one of the average size "schoolie" stripers we caught:
Here is a picture of one of the bigger ones:
Here are some details of our trip:
Time fished: 5:30 am to 1:30 pm
Tide: second half of incoming and first half of outgoing
Water temperature: 59-60 degrees F
Flies used: 2/0 chartreuse and white half and half with a "flash tail"
Lines: Airflo 300 grain and Teeney 450 grain integrated shooting heads
Rods: Bill used a Loomis 8 wt. Cross Current GLX and I had a Sage 9 wt. TCR
Number of fish caught: about 25 for Bill O. and about a dozen or so for me
Size of fish caught: 16-28 inches estimated (one actually measured at 28")
Strip: quick 24" strip followed by a pause. Fish usually hit at the start of the pause
I started using my own flies but Bill quickly caught 10 while during the same time I caught only one or two. Bill's fly has a freshwater flashabou and crystal flash "flash tail" which extends about 3/4" behind all the hair and hackle. We believe this is what makes his fly so effective. Once I tied on one of Bill's flies, which he so generously gave me, I was in the zone, too.
Great day on the water. Thanks Bill!
[excited]