Fall Run Fishing in Buzzards Bay, MA: Hosted by Captain Ray Jarvis of Salt of the Earth Charters!
Join Captain Ray Jarvis of Salt of the Earth Charters as he leads a thrilling day of fall run fishing in Buzzards Bay. With multiple species on the line, including some of the biggest albies we’ve ever seen, here’s a breakdown of how we approached this exciting day:
- Species:
- Bonito
- False Albacore
- Striped Bass
- Approach 1 (Striped Bass):
- We started the day targeting striped bass near structure and boulders. Using topwater lures, we focused on making casts into likely holding areas, retrieving with erratic, walk-the-dog movements to draw strikes from bass scattered around the structure.
- Approach 2 (Bonito and False Albacore):
- For the fast-moving albies and bonito, we switched to a more patient, walking and gunning approach. Instead of charging at the fish, we eased into the feeds, positioning the boat carefully to maximize casting accuracy.
- Gear Setup:
- Rod: Light spinning gear paired with 20 lb braided line and fluorocarbon leaders for finesse and strength.
- Striper Lures: The XL Dog Walker worked well for striped bass, delivering effective topwater action in the early morning.
- Bonito & Albie Lures: Surface erasers and micro poppers stood out in the feeds, drawing strikes from both albies and bonito when matching the hatch failed.
- Technique:
- Stripers: Using a walk-the-dog technique with the XL Dog Walker, we created erratic, side-to-side movements that mimicked wounded baitfish, luring bass to strike on the surface.
- Bonito & Albies: For albies and bonito, we cast into active feeds and retrieved lures with fast, steady motions. Success required persistence, with hundreds of casts needed before hooking up.
- Environmental Factors:
- The fall run meant the fish were chasing bait schools, so staying close to the action and adjusting to wind and current was key to success.
- Situational Factors:
- Albies: The albies were keyed in on 1-inch micro bait, making them tough to hook. We had to switch to larger, more visible lures like the surface eraser to stand out from the natural bait and entice strikes.
- Striped Bass: Striped bass were scattered around the structure, and using bigger lures like the XL Dog Walker was crucial for calling them in from a distance and triggering aggressive surface strikes.
- The Challenge:
- The biggest challenge was matching the hatch for albies, which were focused on tiny baitfish. By using larger, attention-grabbing lures, we finally got results.
- Fish Care & Conservation:
- Captain Ray emphasized careful handling, especially for albies, to ensure a healthy release and preserve the fishery for the future.
After hours of casting and patience, we finally started hooking into some of the biggest albies we’ve ever seen in Buzzards Bay. It was a day to remember with Captain Ray! Tight lines! 🎣