Salty Cape Weekly Fishing Report - August 25, 2017

Capt. Shaun Ruge shows off a bonito caught on an Epoxy Jig earlier this week. A push of very large stripers made its way through the Canal this week, with a mid 50-pound fish weighed in on Tuesday in addition to many others over 35 pounds. Meanwhile, live bait seems to be the key strategy for stripers on the bay side, with most consistent activity happening around the east end of the Canal. Bonito are still being found consistently at the Bonito Bar, Hooter and elsewhere on the sound side, with some reports of spanish mackerel as well.  Boom...Morgan

In Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket, There Ain’t No Stripas

Via Marine Fish Conservation Network:

By: Capt. John McMurray

Photo by Capt. John McMurray

Man, I hesitate to write this, because I don’t wanna cause any more economic harm to the islands’ charter fleet, by, well, saying it publicly… but I think it’s become so obvious that most striper fishermen already know it… 

The historically significant striped bass fishery that made Martha’s Vineyard (and Nantucket) the iconic fishing destination it is, just ain’t what it used to be.

As someone who has fished Nantucket for the last 25 years, I can attest to this with 100% certainty. To read the rest of the article, click here.

Boom...Morgan

Albiefest 2016

Only two slots available, book now!

Cheeky Endorsed Guide Matt Reinemo is hosting the first ever Albiefest 2016 trip this fall on Nantucket

September on Nantucket means one thing ... false albacore. Catching these torpedos is one of the most exhilarating pursuits the Northeast has to offer... and no there's no better place than the beautiful island of Nantucket. A favorite of fly and light tackle anglers for their ferocious eats and marathon runs into backing, albies spend September crashing through baitballs at speeds over 30mph and wrecking havoc throughout the jetties, inlets and open water of Nantucket. That's exactly why Cheeky Endorsed Guide and Nantucket resident Matt Reinemo has put together the first-ever Albiefest 2016, a 3-day destination fishing trip to the beautiful Massachusetts island in search of tuna. This is one trip you won't want to miss.

Albiefest 2016 is an inclusive trip that includes 3 full days of world-class false albacore fishing hosted by Cheeky Endorsed Guides Matt Reinemo and Mike Schuster, lodging, food and an official Albiefest Captains Bag. There will be two trip options this year: September 17th-20th, or September 20th-24th. Spots are very limited, so make sure to reserve yours today. To learn more about Abliefest 2016 and reserve your spot, visit the official Albiefest 2016 Page, or call Matt at 508.221.4272.

Go catch some tuna!

Boom...Morgan

This Week's Salty Cape Fishing Reports - July 7, 2016

Since I usually post local reports to Maryland, I wanted to branch out a bit and share some of the salty reports from up north, my second home via Salty Cape.

Warming waters have put stripers in a fussy mood around the Cape this week. A good storm would stir things, but there isn’t really anything significant in the forecast. That doesn't mean there aren't big bass around, though. The Canal and Elizabeths have both produced big fish this week.

On the Sound Side, many recreational anglers are stymied in their attempts to catch sizeable bass and continue to focus on bottom fishing, with the fluke bite starting to heat up. The summer heat and humidity this week serve as a reminder that successful fishing this time of year requires a willingness to fish from dusk to dawn.

If you're located on the Outer Cape, Monomoy is the way to go, with fish to the high 30-inch range dialed in on squid patterns.

For those in search of tuna, east of Chatham is still your only real shot, with a few empty trips reported for south of Martha's Vineyard.

READ THIS WEEK'S REPORTS

Boom...Morgan

Fishing Trip...Nantucket Bound

Family vacation is finally here. The car is packed and we're Nantucket bound. I'm going to do my best to check in throughout the week but just in case, I decided to do the typical TLTFF trip thing and post a live feed here on the blog and direct y'all to social media (you know, the TLTFF Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) where I can instantly update. Stripers, blues, and a mixed bag of freshwater species is on the list for the week so stay tuned for some live action!

Boom...Morgan

Register Now for Cheeky Schoolie Tournament

Register Now for the 5th Annual Cheeky Schoolie Tournament!

Cheeky is excited to announce that registration for the 2016 Cheeky Schoolie Tournament is OPEN! This year's event will be held on May 21st on Cape Cod, MA. Two steps are required to enter: Submit your Entry Fee ($50 per angler/$100 per team) Submit your Entry Form (Only one per team)

View the Tournament Details

About the Schoolie Tournament:

Now in its 5th year, the Cheeky Schoolie Tournament has become the largest fly fishing only tournament in New England, with participants traveling from around the country and the next town over alike. The event is a low barrier to entry, grass roots style tournament designed to encourage the interest and growth of saltwater fly fishing. Last year's tournament included some of the nation's top guides, as well as anglers hoping to catch their first striped bass on the fly. To read the 2015 recap, click here, or keep scrolling to see photos from last year's event!

Boom...Morgan

70th Annual MV Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby

Its almost here...and registration is open! Check out the website for updates and to see some new features. One of my favorite additions...live daily award standings will be posted online in real-time. Access via your smartphone on the water and see if your fish will place. So if your fishing it...carry a tape and scale!

Boom...Morgan

'Running the Coast' - Official Trailer

What happens when the world's largest migration intersects with a thousand miles of passionate, sleep deprived anglers? This multi-year odyssey following the Striped Bass, logs the mayhem of the striped bass migration ,and shows the challenge of finding a fish that can appear anywhere from the Chesapeake Bay to Portland Maine. It keeps countless anglers up at night. Or waking up in a cold sweat for fear of missing the run...In the end, we hope this salty journey can help save the Striped Bass for the next generation.

Check out more at www.runningthecoastmovie.com.

Boom...Morgan

Results: 69th Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby

Well, the 69th Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby is complete, here's a little montage put together by one of its participants, Phoenix Russell.

Derby 2014 from Phoenix Russell on Vimeo.

Maybe next year I'll actually knock fishing this legendary tournament off my bucket list... The results of this years tourney can be found by clicking here.

Boom...Morgan

The 69th Annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby

Boom...Morgan

'Tide of Nantucket' - Full Movie

As a lot of you know, Nantucket is a very special place...both in general and to me. Its a place I've gone to almost every summer since I was still in my mothers womb and currently have family that hold residence there. From the natural beauty to the phenomenal fishing, its a place tat should be on every anglers bucket list. I've been pretty stoked about this film's release and as of Thursday, its here.

Enjoy.

Tides of Nantucket: Full.m4v from Catch 1 Films on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Daily Reel...'Tides of Nantucket' Trailer

Filmed at a place I hold near and dear to my heart, I haven't been this excited for a film in awhile.

Tides of Nantucket Trailer from Catch 1 Films on Vimeo.

Boom...Morgan

Gummy Eel

Via Moldy Chum:

Savvy fly-rodders continue to keep a sharp eye for schools of mullet, and always have a few Siliclones, Bucktail Deceivers and other big flies that resemble mullet, herring and bunker in their fly box, but the go-to fly they tie on before making the first cast is now a sand-eel pattern.

LINK (via: On the Water)

Boom...Morgan

68th Annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby

I forgot to post about the start of the MV Derby this year, apologies. The tournament has been running since 12:01am on September 15th and continues on till 10:00pm on October 19th. You can jump on and compete anytime within that time frame. This year people have been putting up awesome numbers, especially in the Bluefish divison where someone is holding down the Alltackle Boat lead with a Blue just short of 20lbs. The results are continuously updated, you can see them here.

I've always been amazed with the Derby, never having the opportunity to fish it. Next year I will on our trip up to Nantucket mid-September for the first time if I can't sneak away this year to participate and visit some friends up north. The prizes are ridiculous ranging from some new gear all the way up to a new truck and boat...crazy.

For more info on the background of the Derby, click here. You can also browse the Derby site by clicking here. Check out the Derby's FB page and Twitter if you get the chance for live updates. Click on the photo below to read the souvenir booklet.

Boom...Morgan

TLTFF Crew Vacation/Getaways

As I was boarding a plane on this fine Friday morning around 5am to head up to the "Grey Lady" aka Nantucket Island I realized I wanted you all to enjoy the trip along with me. I wanted to throw up the Instagram slideshow again so you could see my trip as well as follow Luis as he heads back down to Jane's Island again for some camping and fishing. Keep an eye on our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for updates and pictures throughout the day. Here's a little preview slideshow for ya!

See ya Tuesday, have an amazing weekend y'all!

Boom...Morgan

UPDATED: Upcoming Events for TLTFF

So we have some pretty cool trips "planned" for 2013. Two of which involved the Fly Fishing Show and Film Tour(s). Here's where you can meet up with the TLTFF Crew, throw back a few brews and tell stories about how many more fish you've caught than us.

We will be attending the following events, as of right now (more to follow as they get locked into our schedules):

• Luis returned from a short weekend trip in Miami about two weeks ago where he hunted down some Permit, Snook, and Redfish. A trip report will be up in the next week or so with a full report, pictures, and some video footage.

• With Spring starting today, the fishing should be turning on any week now, from carp to Stripers, it will be in full heat soon. If you would like to fish with us or we fish with you, PLEASE don't hesitate to hit us up!

• Luis will be headed to Belize Puerto Rico the end of March going into April hunting Bones and Perm. Keep you eyes on the blog in April for that trip report.

• Luis and I will be headed to James Island, MD on the Chesapeake for a weekend of fishing and camping in mid-May. We will be hunting down gator Specs and possibly some Stripers.

• I will be headed up to Nantucket, MA around June 13th for a week of family and an attempt at some decent Stripers, Bluefish, and Albies.

• Luis will be up on Beaver Island, MI slingin bugs at some submarine-sized carp in late June for a hosted trip through The Fisherman's House and our local chapter of Free State Fly Fishers.

• Mid-Late October we will be headed up to Pulaski, NY for some Salmon and Steelhead fishing on the Salmon River. As this trip get closer, we will update everyone on that.

• At some point we will be headed down south this year for Redfish, more info to follow as the trip materializes. This trip is slowly coming together, we should have official dates soon.

• We are also trying to put a second trip together to Puerto Rico to jump some Poon, again, more info to follow as the trip materializes.

• We will definitely be heading dow to the great state of Tennessee to fish with TLTFF Crew member Zach M. and hit up some of the beautiful streams the great state has to offer. This trip is also slowly coming together, we should have official dates soon.

Trips pop up pretty often for us and usually on a weeks or even days notice. If your ever in the area or have an open spot on your local water for some fly fishing bros to drive or fly up to fish with you, let us know. We are always happy to meet new people, put faces with our followers, and toss a line in some new water. Please feel free to always contact us with any questions, ideas, or invites at tightlinedtalesofaflyfisherman@gmail.com. We would love to show any of you the water we fish and know, the invitation is always there.

Boom...Morgan

CCA MD Announces 2013 Tidal Pickerel Championship

Last year I participated in the First Annual CCA Tidal Pickerel Championship and never really had the time to put a good effort into it. I caught two or three Pickerel, with the biggest being around 21.5" which honestly isn't bad. Unfortunately, it was a non-tidal Pickerel...on Nantucket Island off the coast of Massachusetts. The biggest tidal Pickerel I caught was about 18.5".

This year (the Second Annual CCA Tidal Pickerel Championship), I've done a lot better already in getting out three times and bringing in total over a dozen Pickerel to hand. The smallest sitting around 17" and the largest around 21". Now unfortunately, I just registered two days ago before Zach and I went out and fished Luce Creek off the Severn River in the Chesapeake Bay and we practiced the Art of Skunk.

So for those of you in the area or in Maryland looking to participate in a little winter tournament, read on...(click on the link on the bottom of the page to register).

The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) is holding  its second CCA MD Pickerel Tidal Fishing Championship, which begins January 1st and runs through March 15th 2013. The catch and release event is being held in conjunction with four local tackle shops—Alltackle, Anglers, Shore Tackle and Custom Rods, Tochterman’s and Sea Hawk.
“Pickerel reside in many of the tidal streams feeding the Chesapeake Bay during the winter,” said Tony Friedrich, CCA MD executive director. “They also provide exciting light tackle and fly opportunities for recreational anglers.”

This is a careful catch and release tournament and all you need to do is email the picture to pickerel@ccamd.org for judging.
Register at your favorite shop listed above. You will be issued a cca official ruler. Now all you need to do is go out and catch some pickerel.

Rules:

- No Treble Hooks may be used.

- Hooks may be rolled over or snipped off allowing only 1 of the 3 hooks  to be exposed and in its original form.

- Fishing may take place in any tidal tributary of Chesapeake Bay

- Catch Photo Release Championship governed by the honor system

- Photos must be taken against official ruler provided

- Photos must be sent in by midnight March 15th

- Panel of judges will determine actual length based on photograph

-tie breaker determined by time

- Prizes for individual fishermen and tackle shop

- 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd for largest fish per tackle shop, awarded by shop

- 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, for largest overall fish, awarded by CCA MD

- Most inches overall by team , perpetual trophy awarded by CCA MD

- Every fish counts towards team total

- All pickerel caught and released count towards total inches award

- All rules and regulations set forth by MD DNR apply

Photo Submission

-Photos must be taken against an official CCA MD sticker ruler, or in a CCA MD cradle with sticker.

- Panel of judges have final say in determination of fish length.

- Photos must be sent in an email to pickerel@ccamd.org

            SUBJECT LINE FORMAT:  “ LAST NAME,FIRST NAME, SHOP, DATE, # OF FISH PICS INCLUDED “

Ex:…. Subject: Doe, John, Smith’s Bait Shop, 12/20, 6

A confirmation email will be your record of registration.

Best Practices for Careful Catch and Release

Tidal Pickerel are a special fish living on the edge of their range here in MD.   Salinity levels and water quality seem to control their population cycles.   It is important that while catching and releasing Pickerel fishermen use care, and adhere to some best practices.

Pickerel have the best chance of surviving when they are not handled extensively, or kept out of the water for an extended period of time.   Please use care when taking pictures and do your best to only keep the fish out of the water for a limited time.

Catch and release mortality can be high when fish are deep hooked.   Actively retrieving artificials, or artificials tipped with bait should limit the amount of deep hooking which occurs.

Pickerel are aggressive feeders and fighters and treble hooks can cause a great deal of damage if not modified.  Please roll 2 of the hooks inward, or clip off 2 of the hooks before using treble hooks for Pickerel, or any other fish you intend to release.

You can register by clicking here to head on over to the CCA site an signing up at the bottom. May the best Pickerel fisherman win...

Boom...Morgan

Three Days Behind...Dang

Sorry about the lack of posts guys but between vacation, a 9 hour drive home last night (Jersey still sucks as a state by the way when it comes to traffic), arriving home at 4:30am and having to wake up for class at 7am...life's been busy. Oh an by the way...5.9 magnitude earthquake today here in Annapolis (epicenter was in Mineral, VA), crazy when your on the 5th floor of an old building. After marking that off the bucket list and chumming it up with some good friends, telling stories of "The Grey Lady" (Nantucket Island), I decided to try and post between homework pages.

Nantucket was awesome, absolutely beautiful place, one of the most beautiful places on the planet. We were able to visit some family and have a great time celebrating our first wedding anniversary. I have to say, I have an amazing wife and amazing life, I'm very blessed. But you don't care about that, you care about fishing.

Truth is, I got skunked (or as Dave Skok, the famous Striper fly fisherman from Boston would say, I "crashed"), when it comes to saltwater that is. I spotted an AMAZING Striper on the flats of the Jetties but my clumsy ass spooked it after having it chase an Atom Popper (wrong choice Morgan, go with the Sand Eel next time dummy). All in all, I pulled in over a dozen freshwater fish on my 5 wt, from a 28" Chain Pickerel to a White Perch I swear tied the Massachusetts state record. Heres some pictures from the trip, I'm sure I'll post some more when I have slightly more time...enjoy!

                                 Silver Sides by the Jetties             Nice Yellow Perch from Miacomet

                                  Flats near Barnstable, Mass                  Gnarly new stickers...

                                                Hello Mr. Scallop                      28" Chain Pickerel

                                     Pops tossing some line...     Nantucket's own Triple 8 Vodka

                                       Beer selection at Cisco Brewery       Some hops on the wall

      Pesky seal... Mr. Great White will get you soon enough      Boats and bait off Brant Point Lighthouse

                           Charters coming in off Brant Point                    The East Jetty

                                          Flats off Coatue                           Fishing the East Jetty

Tight Lines...Morgan

Just Got My Copy of The Blitz

My wonderful wife surprised me with my very own personalized copy of The Blitz autographed by Pete McDonald for our "paper" anniversary. What awesome beach reading material! Hoping to get one of the fish they targeted up here today and potentially stop into Cross Rip Outfitters for a better fishing report than I've been getting. I've got the fishing itch so bad I'm tempted to call up some captains and find a boat...

Tight Lines...Morgan

Jetties Beach...No Fish, Awesome Experience

Fished the Jetty today on Nantucket, awesome. Saw a huge ray, spotted a few Bluefish, and almost landed a 30"+ Striper ("Stripah" up here). Will post pics sometime soon. Enjoy the day!

Tight Lines...Morgan