Anyone can luck into a big fish. Way back when, when I was just starting out, I wanted no part of that. I wanted to be able to consistently catch big stripers.
If you want to catch big bass — and make it repeatable — you don’t need a casting lesson. You don’t need to be able to reach 90 feet. You don’t need the latest in intermediate line technology. You don’t need a huge monstrosity that looks more like a plug than a fly.
You need to study. And ask questions. Why would there be a big striped bass where I’m fishing? Is there current, cover, and food? Is it pre-spawn? Is it migration time? Is the bait spawning (and therefore gathering in large numbers)? Is it dark, so the fish feels comfortable coming in close? What’s the barometer doing? Which way is the wind blowing? What’s the tide, and how is it moving? These are all part of the equation.
Then, you need the right fly. Something that looks like the bait, or what the bait should be at this time and place. Does the fly look alive and like something good to eat, even when at rest?
Don’t forget presentation. You need to learn that, too. Big fish are lazy, and frequently unwilling to chase. How can you present the fly in a way that makes it easy for the striper to eat?
Last but not least, you need to put in your time. There is no substitute for time on the water. You can do all of the above, check all the boxes, and still blank. (Ask me how I know.) Nevermind, I’ll just tell you. Last year, I fished the mark I fished last week six times and had only two tiny bass nibbles and no bass to hand for my efforts. But every year is different, and this is what I found on a greased line swing with an 11″ Bombardier flatwing in March of 2024:
currentseams.com 
Congratulations on the great catch!!
I appreciate that Steve. Ain’t life grand when it all comes together?
Congratulations on your epic catch.
Well thank you, kind sir!
Thanks Streve, all good questions! ( which I will aak myself when I am on the water).
Congratulations on Miss Piggy, I’d be pumped too!
I was giggling over how much my hands were shaking. 🙂
Time on the water. Well said. Nice fish
I was happy. And to think at one point that night I was certain it wasn’t going to happen.
Great tips as usual. The first few fish of a new season are always extra special for me , they represent a constant, almost a relief knowing that as whacky as things can be , and they sure can be whacky , the bass are back ! For that short time , there is order , a continuation of a series of events leading up to that anticipated tug. May it always be so ….
Thanks for sharing that. I would have settled for an 8-pounder. Yes, for sure. But I’m glad I entered the bonus round instead!
Steve when you are greased lining what are you usually using for a leader? Thanks, Jim
Jim, this is a very good question. In the case of early spring/herring run, it is a straight shot of mono, typically 25 or 30 pounds. Length depends on water volume and depth, and it’s usually between 7 and 10 feet. The other night, it was 8-9 feet. If I’m fishing a team of three, the mono is typically 20 pounds (no less!) and the leader is between 7-9 feet. A straight shot of mono is my default leader; I might use a 16 lb. tapered leader for daytime flats/clear water beaches. Hope that helps!
Nice fish, Steve!
Michael Moon (617) 462-0339
I was delighted to make its acquaintance. 🙂
Steve, for the majority of my leader butts I use Maxima Chameleon (fresh & salt). Have you used this much?
JB, I use Maxima Ultragreen exclusively for my wet fly teams. I don’t build many tapered leaders, but for a long jig streamer leader I use 20lb Maxima in the butt. For saltwater I use almost exclusively straight shots of mono. My experience with Maxima has always been that it’s good, strong stuff. I once landed a 25lb king salmon on 6# Maxima Chameleon. Hope that helps.