Striped Bass: Fishing Rocky Shorelines

Fly fishing the rocky shorelines for striped bass can be challenging but a very rewardingway of fishing. These ledges and rock piles create shelter for a variety of species of fishbut no one feels more at home there than the striper. The ocean currents and surf createa turbulent world of white water that disorients bait fish and makes them easy prey.Fishing a fly in these rocky areas can be very effective. Staying in contact and lettingthe fly swim in the currents and eddies created by the surf can produce some very largefish. Start out fishing in close as many ledges drop off and stripers can be found on thisedge. Adding a split shot or even a sink-tip can help in getting down in the slots betweenboulders where bass ambush their prey. Rocky points where ocean currents or baysempty can be great places to swing a fly. Its about presentation and making the fly looknatural and alive. Fly fishing off the rocks requires strong equipment and heavy leaders.An eight or nine weight rod of nine to ten and a half feet lined up with ten or elevenweight floating line helps cast larger flies even in rough conditions. A mid priced reelwith a good drag that will hold about two hundred yards of backing works fine. Straightmonofilament leaders of at least thirty pound test protects against abrasion from jaggedrocks and a striper’s rough mouth. Fishing the rocky shorelines requires the use ofcommon sense and caution. Studded boots or cleats provide traction on the slipperyrocks that are usually covered in algae. Always watch the water and never put yourback to the surf. Also watching the sets of waves as they break and not getting too closeto the edge can keep you out of harm’s way. Striped Bass are also known as rockfish sofly fishing the rocks is not a bad place to find them.