Fishing Report 5/8/08

They're Baaaaaaaaack!

It’s official, the almighty Striped Bass are back in our local waters. Not a lot of them...but some. FBC was exhibiting at the women's expo held at the Radisson in Plymouth on Friday and so Thursday evening I had to go down to set up for the event. Around 7pm, after setting up for the show, I headed to one of favorite early season spots in Duxbury Bay. Low tide was set for around 9pm. In the past this combination of sunset, last two hours of the tide and a nice warm day has produced some early season fish for me so I was fairly optimistic about my chances.

I waded out to find about a dozen gulls diving. Perfect! - I thought. However, as I made my way over, I realized that they were in no more than 6 inches of water on the edge of the channel. Hmmm....ok. Hoping there would be stripers sitting on in the channel feeding on whatever the birds were, I started casting. Nothing. After about 15 minutes of this I decided it was time to move down current, casting as I went.

Finally right as the sun was setting I felt something. Couldn't be bottom....could it? Next cast I was rewarded with a very fat, bright and shiny 20" Striper. NICE! Mission accomplished. I then proceeded to pick up 4 fish in 5 casts - all around the same size.Unfortunately as fast as it turned on, it turned off.

Figuring they were continuing to move down current with the tide, I moved down. Still nothing. Well maybe they went up current. Sure enough 50' up current from my original spot I got another hit. Still shaking off my winter kinks, I pulled the hook. However, as my 4" Sluggo skipped the surface of the water I saw a nice fish come up and roll on it. After a healthy fight I managed to land a 26" fish. Unfortunately he managed to rip my only Sluggo off. I switched it out for a Tsunami plastic...which did solicit a few hits but I only managed to land one micro for my efforts.

Soon it got dark, the tide died and the fish disappeared....but I was happy. Landing that first fish of a new year is always a great feeling. You know it is the start of a new season which, if anything like years past, will be filled with great memories.

So our little striped friends who have the amazing ability to drive grown men into a frenzy are starting to show up again. If you haven't already done so, get that gear cleaned up, throw on some new line and take a few casts at your local favorite spot. You just never know.

Take care,
Scott Washburn