Bonito and Albie Fishing This Summer

Living up on the North Shore of MA makes it really hard to put in the time needed to effectively target and catch these speedsters. However, for those on the Cape and Islands, Buzzards Bay, Southern RI from Little Compton to Watch Hill and into CT, Albie and Bonito fishing is beginning to heat up. Anglers hurling small shiny tins like Deadly Dicks, Yozuri L-Jacks, Maria Jigs, and Pt. Judes at inlets, outflows, jetties, breachways, even open beaches will all have a shot at a bone or albie from now until October, assuming the bait is there to keep these fish feeding. I truly envy those who can target these speedsters every day.

I do however, get to fish for bones and albies almost excusively when I fish the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby each year, and one lure that I love to use is the Spofford's Needlefish, originally made by Arnold Spofford on the Vineyard. Since Mr. Spofford's passing, these lures have become difficult to find, especially off the island of MV, so I suggest buying them up when you find them. The slim profile of these needlefish mimic sandeels and silversides perfectly, and draw some incredibly viscious strikes. I wrote an article in the August 2010 On The Water NE edition about using these baits for albies and bonito, so if you have that issue, you should take a look back at it.

Even though the Spofford Needle looks simple, and is not as flashy as the newer metal lures on the market, there is not doubting their effectiveness. A small selection of fishermen on the Vineyard and Nantucket know how well these lures work and use them excusively for bones and albies.

I recommend trying one of these if you can find them, or even using the smallest Super Strike or Choopy needles. Fish them with a fairly quick retrieve and impart action with the rod tip. I prefer to hold my tip down and to the side and impart the desired action by twitching the rod. When done correctly this will mimic a fleeing baitfish perfectly.

Don't forget the other topwater baits too. Jumpin Minnows, Tattoo Walking Sticks, and small pencil poppers all work extremely well.  Next time you're out fishing for funny fish, make sure you bring along a few topwaters. You won't be disappointed.

Tight Lines,
S.B.

The Heat of Summer for Some Hot Action

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.