posted by Capt Ken on Mar 13

a.k.a. bunker heaven

Jamaica Bay Flats (a.k.a bunker heaven)

A pre-season scouting session inside the remote areas of Jamaica Bay revealed a very nice set of lengthy flats directly adjacent to a back bay main channel and will soon prove to be very productive habitat for actively feeding striped bass on a reliable basis.

Fly Fishing techniques that we used was a fast sinking intermediate (approx 6 ips) so that we could crawl the edges of the depths with large flies in search of a very hungry and huge bass. From shore though the best type of fly line appropriate for this area when wading is an intermediate line with a sink rate of only about 2 ips (inches per second). Common bass fishing lures are poppers but fly fishing flies are the real notches in the belt!

When fishing from shore use the slower intermediate lines because reachable depths within the average casting range are anywhere from 1-6 feet deep. During a very low tide and in some select troughs along the edges of this flat there are some nice holes where a faster sinking line would also produce well when following these few bass fishing tips.

If wade fishing this area, it is highly recommended that an angler arrive at this area planning to arrive at the bottom of low tide and a bluebird day. This would give the angler the time necessary to learn where these holes and steep troughs exist along the length of the flat and help prevent a misstep which could be disastrous.

From a boat, this area should fish very well as you will have a higher platform from which to spot fish feeding along the edges.  The bunker is also expected to move into this area soon, which will provide some excellent topwater action because there are numerous points of ambush for giant stripers!

Another facet of this area is that it has also been known to have an excellent crab hatch lasting only a week or two and I can assure you that I will be watching this isolated location very closely so we don’t miss this opportunity!

With Sweet Pea getting splashed early May, all sorts of preparations are in order and work begins feverishly to get everything prepared.

There are still some prime dates available so call Captain Ken directly or shoot him an email for availability and to book your next saltwater fly fishing vacation bass fishing in Jamaica Bay New York!

posted by Capt Ken on Jan 9

An eclipse of the soul…

Soul Eclipse

Hard-core fisherman know that winter, and its down-time, often have a mirage effect and in an effort to bring it into focus, we set out into the snow encased forest to observe old man winter in his natural forum.

Donning multiple layers of high-tech synthetic clothing, along with our breathable membranes (a.k.a waders), Dave and I braved the elements in an attempt to keep in tune with mother nature.

Embracing the liberties that were at hand, we hiked in knee deep snow through the woods down to the river where we set forth, flying our fuzzy hooks into the frigid yet smooth flowing waters on the East Branch of the Croton River.

The surface action was intense for us, mostly due to being a winterized and fish deprived angler. With high hopes of trout rising on an icy day as such, it all came into perspective as we observed clumps of snow, falling into the river from the overhanging tree branches above.

At one moment around high noon, there became evidence that a couple of these disturbances on the river’s surface were in fact, not created by the falling snow, but by a trout, bringing much to our satisfaction for a fun day of efforts.

Back home, in review and comparison of the images we captured in both our minds and as media, the one aspect that seems to stand out above the rest is the fact that “you just had to be there” in order to get the true experience.

Reflection of experiences such as these, and of those gained from spending countless hours on the water in solitude, can occasionally bring depth to the perception of ourselves, as men, as anglers but most importantly as humans.

In pursuit of an experience many crave, how is it that we endure numerous challenges to achieve the thrill of catching a fish, only to kill this living creature which we admire so much?

For there are many challenges and obstacles we must endure just to catch a fish… Maybe this is what causes most people to take their fish home with them. For me, I must admit that by killing a fish, we are simply missing out on an even greater reward because in effect, we are arresting the only freedom and liberty that a fish ever gets… the ability and grace to “swim away”.

posted by Capt Ken on Oct 28

“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” –Charles Dickens

A nice 17-pounder safely released!

Charles Dickens certainly got it right! This couldn’t have held true anymore than last weekend as Captain Nate Stansberry joined Captain Ken Jones aboard the Sweet Pea, and set sail out of Brooklyn, NY to do some reconnaissance fly fishing in preparation for the forthcoming and much anticipated fly fishing charters that were booked that weekend… After dealing with some heavy seas (but not those as heavy as in the Pacific NW) we soon spotted birdies working an area.

We gunned the motor and took some relief in the lee of the Jersey Shore, and Nate began fly dancing, ahhem, I mean fly casting from the bow just as the boat came down off its plane…

“It’s quite a tango steps he’s got there”, I said to myself, as he began to cast his fly line towards the biomass of fish and fowl… And what do you know, he had somehow managed to snag the GPS antenna atop the T-Top. Before Nate could hop up top, I was racing around the top side of the gunnels and had the fly free again…

“CAST” I yelled repeatedly, and Nate fired one off, just missing the fish by a hair… 

Click here for Captain Nate’s side of the story!

Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Before we knew it we were racing back to the fuel dock to top her off before the afternoon’s clients arrived, a father/son combo from the NY Metro area. And in “a New York minute”, we had fished three customer over a course of 24 hours out of 48…

There were many shots at blitzing fish, with the bluefish tearing through the middle of the bait schools, and the bass hanging out around the edges and under the frenzied demon-eyed bluefish!

Although the fly fishing in New York is an exhilarating experience, one thing it does not do is keep the sun from setting and off we went again, heading back north to Brooklyn again, with a mighty fine cigar to savour, courtesy of Boris and his fine taste for quality tobacco!

posted by Capt Ken on Oct 28

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak73_nH6QCs

Hope everyone enjoys this video, I certainly enjoyed the adventure!

posted by Capt Ken on Oct 19

The Lower New York Harbor is just a fantastic place to go fishing!

There are tons of bait of a variety of species, and another large group of fish have taken advantage of this buffet.

The marabou mullet strikes again

Whether its spin fishing, or fly fishing, there are plenty of shots for the striped bass, bluefish and even a chance at the ever elusive false albacore!

Striped bass up to 43″ have been caught in the last few days and the if the weather patterns hold or turn North East then the weekend will be shaping up nicely for us fisherman!

Tie your leaders thick or thin, one of these three species of fish is bound to eat your fly or lure and take you for a good run!

Dates are filling fast for the remainder of the season!

Call 646-280-8511 NOW to book your reservation!!!

Its times like these that make tight lines and fishy dreams for all those who can get in on the action!

posted by Capt Ken on Oct 8

The tension in the air from sitting patiently in quiet anticipation of tomorrow’s fishing trip… the soft strumming of a guitar gracefully fills the air of the office ambience…

…CAN BE CUT WITH A KNIFE.

Click this link for some soothing fishin video: http://vimeo.com/15570180

Never leave home without it

posted by Capt Ken on Sep 10

G’day everyone!

It seems as though that the red tide has moved out away from the New York side of the Bight… The water clarity is back to normal (which is great news) and the water temperatures are hanging in the low 60′s. Birds and bait of various kinds have been reported near Riis Park and further east but the water temps dont support the Albies in that area. There is warmer water to the south and the Albies seem  to be favoring the 65 Farenheit and up range of water temps…

On a past note, here is a sweet little video that Dave Shupp of Videofish Productions put together of the mahi-mahi trip we had on Labor Day Weekend! Enjoy!