We've reached the second week of July, and judging by the recent heat wave, summer is definitely here. For a striper fisherman, this means that your success will improve as you go deeper or darker, and those day time blitzes that we all love will take a break until the fall migration starts.
With this heat comes the arrival of funny fish in our waters. Bonito, False Albacore, Spanish Mackerel, and the occasional King Mackerel and Jack Crevalle will make their way into New England waters and drive fishermen crazy until October. This is one of my favorite times of year. If you've never hooked into a fiesty bonito or albie I highly recommend you try to this year.
Targeting funny fish can be downright frustrating. Though these fish can put the feed-bag on in a downright crazy blitz, it is more likely that they'll pop up in one spot for a quick snack, then before you can get a cast off they're 200 yds away. Then when you finally do get a cast into a feeding school, they shun your offering away.
This is what I find most fun about funny fishing. Oh ya the screaming drag and incredible fight on light and fly tackle really don't hurt either. They will test your fishing IQ, fishing etiquette, your knots, your endurance, and more, and very rarely will they weigh more than 10 lbs while doing so.
I am a firm believer in topwater baits for funny fish, specifically albies. My go to lure is a lime green spoffords needlefish. These lures were made by Arnold Spofford on MV and have become difficult to find. I advise grabbing all you can when you find them (just save some for me). These topwater baits mimic sandeels and silversides perfectly and draw strikes from even the most finicky of albies and bones.
Stay tuned for some more info on targeting bonito and albies. Yeah, I know this is a striper blog, but I will make an exception for these speedsters.
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