Salty TV 2024: Monomoy | Topwater Rips | Micro Topwaters
Summary
- 🎣 Challenging Weather Conditions: Despite an underestimation of the wind forecast, the team navigates breezy conditions and an incoming tide.
- The forecast underestimated the wind.
- Conditions were breezy with a developing incoming tide.
- 🐟 Monomoy’s Rich Ecosystem: Monomoy is highlighted for its diverse marine life and excellent fishing spots.
- Known for a variety of fish including stripers, seabass, and fluke.
- Features different structures and techniques due to its varied environment.
- 🌊 Techniques for Success: Detailed strategies for fishing in the rips, focusing on casting and positioning.
- Importance of positioning the boat correctly using engine assistance.
- Techniques such as “fishing the swing” and using the “twitch twitch pause pause” retrieve.
- 🎣 Effective Lures: Explanation of the effectiveness of the Hogy surface erasers in different conditions.
- Surface erasers mimic squid and are versatile for various retrieves.
- Tips on using colors like translucent amber and pink for squid.
- 🚤 Navigating the Rips: Tips on repositioning in the rips to maintain peak fishing action.
- Move back up the rip to avoid spooking fish and other anglers.
- Maintain a safe distance from other boats.
- 📏 Fish Handling and Conservation: Emphasis on proper handling of striped bass for conservation purposes.
- Supporting the fish by its belly when measuring.
- Logging measurements for the Mass DMF citizen science project.
Monomoy Topwater Rips – Casting for Striped Bass
Introduction
Monomoy, a renowned fishing area located off Cape Cod, offers a unique and rich ecosystem ideal for a variety of fishing techniques and species. This article explores the strategies and insights shared by C. Mike from Salty TV, focusing on topwater fishing for striped bass using Hogy lures.
Understanding Monomoy’s Ecosystem
Monomoy is not just a single spot but a collection of areas including Stone Horse, Round Shoal, and Little Round Shoal. The region is characterized by a confluence of warm and cold waters, creating an ideal habitat for diverse marine life. This mix supports various baitfish such as sand eels, herring, and squid, making it a prime location for predators like striped bass, seabass, and fluke.
Techniques for Success
Positioning and Repositioning
Positioning the boat correctly is crucial when fishing the rips at Monomoy. The technique involves using engine assistance to stem the tide, allowing for controlled drifts through the rips. This method ensures the bait mimics the natural movement of prey, making it more enticing to predators.
When repositioning, it’s important to move at least 100 yards ahead of the rip to avoid spooking the fish and other anglers. This practice maintains the integrity of the fishing spot and ensures continuous action.
Casting and Retrieve Techniques
One effective technique highlighted is “fishing the swing,” which involves casting uptide into smooth water and retrieving the bait as it drifts into the rip. The recommended retrieve for the Hogy surface eraser lure is the “twitch twitch pause pause” method. This approach mimics the erratic movement of a distressed baitfish or squid, which is particularly effective in disorienting prey and triggering strikes from striped bass.
Choosing the Right Lures
Hogy Surface Erasers
The Hogy surface erasers are versatile lures designed to resemble squid, a common prey in Monomoy. These lures can be used in various retrieves, from dead drifting to rapid twitches, making them adaptable to different fishing conditions. The translucent amber and pink colors are particularly effective, with amber mimicking the natural color of squid and pink serving as an attractor color during slack tides.
Fish Handling and Conservation
Conservation is a key aspect of fishing at Monomoy. Proper handling techniques are essential to ensure the survival of released fish. When measuring striped bass, it’s important to support the fish by its belly rather than lifting it by the jaw to prevent injury. This practice is part of contributing to the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) citizen science project, which involves logging fish measurements via the Got One app.
Conclusion
Fishing at Monomoy requires a blend of skill, knowledge, and respect for the ecosystem. By understanding the unique characteristics of the area and employing effective techniques, anglers can enjoy successful and sustainable fishing experiences. The insights shared by C. Mike provide valuable guidance for those looking to enhance their fishing strategies in this rich and dynamic environment.
