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By
Phil Metz
Well sitting
here at the desk, well into a long, cold winter, I can’t stop thinking
about the spring fishery in Sandy Hook Bay. Although not always the
first place to see action in the spring, Sandy Hook Bay holds some of the
best spring fishing for bass and bluefish for the saltwater fly
fisherman.
Sandy Hook
Bay is comprised within a general area from the mouth of the
Shrewsbury River near the Highlands Bridge down to the tip of Sandy Hook
and across to the Earle Ammunition Pier. The majority of fly fishermen's
accesses to the bay waters will be obtained within Sandy Hook Park. There
are also access points in the town of Leonardo that should not be
overlooked. Within Sandy Hook Park the key points for the bayside
fly rodder are Plum Island, Spermacetti Cove and Horseshoe Cove.
Each of these areas
provides
currents, flats, drop-offs that hold stripers, bluefish and weakfish
during the spring season. On the opposite side of the bay, the Leonardo
Flats explode with bluefish during the later part of the spring and
hold cruising stripers and weakfish as well.
Plum
Island
Plum Island
is the southernmost bayside access point within Sandy Hook Park that juts
out into the waters of the Shrewsbury River and the beginning of Sandy
Hook Bay. This is a prime spot to begin your search for spring striped
bass and bluefish. During the early morning hours, fish can be had
inside the small lagoon area south of the island. As the sun rises,
move to the head of the island and cast towards the current rips and lanes
formed by the Shrewsbury River. It is here that large bluefish and
stripers will seek out early season herring and menhaden and strike
with abandon. Depending on tidal stage, fly fishermen can move
toward the backside of the island and fish the cuts and gullies among the
numerous sand spits. Striped bass and bluefish wait in ambush for
baitfish to be flushed out of the salt ponds that form behind the
island.
Spermacetti
Cove
Not far from
the Plum Island access point lies Spermacetti Cove opposite Lot C within
the park. The cove consists of flat, holes and a series of old
pilings that holds moving fish. The best time to fish Spermacetti
Cove in the spring is an afternoon, early outgoing tide. During that
stage, the waters that flushed in hours ago have warmed up and there
is enough water covering the flats for fish to forage. As you enter
the access point, the area to the south consists mainly of flats and
should be fished during the very earliest stages of the outgoing tide. The
area to the east contains a few drop-off holes and the series of old
pilings that can be fished a couple hours into the outgoing tide.
Regardless of the distance between Spermacetti Cove and the main
waters of Sandy Hook Bay, large fish will enter the cove and corral
bait against the flats and shallow bank waters. Fish this area
thoroughly.
Horseshoe
Cove
Horseshoe
Cove is the northernmost bayside access point within Sandy Hook Park that
extends itself into the waters of Sandy Hook Bay. During the summer
months, the cove is dotted with boats of all types, mooring or enjoying
the surrounding waters. However, during the spring months the
flyfisherman can access the deep hole just south of the point that
encloses the cove. Backcasts can be limited but the drop-off is relatively
close to the shore so distance need not be a major factor. Early season
bass will seek out baitfish and worms within the hole and
occasionally bluefish will tear through the cove causing all kinds
of havoc. At times, bass and bluefish will push bait concentrations up
on the surrounding flats making for fast action.
Leonardo
Flats
On the
opposite side of the bay lies the town of Leonardo, mostly noted for
the Naval Ammunition Pier that juts out into Sandy Hook Bay. Flyfishermen
should follow the signs to the Leonardo State Boat Ramp and can park
and fish to the east or west of the launching area. Although not overly
abundant with shoreline access, Leonardo boasts flats that come alive with
bluefish during early May. Bluefish can be readily seen smashing baitfish
up to the shoreline during high and early outgoing tides. Throwing
menhaden and herring patterns will certainly produce fish at these times
and should not be overlooked as a fishing opportunity.
Fishing Sandy
Hook Bay during the spring requires a minimum of an 8wt flyrod with
sufficient backing for the strong runs of large bluefish. However, the
ideal rod for the bay during this time is a 9wt, 9 foot flyrod. Later in
the spring when large menhaden and blueback herring are present,
flyrodders can break out the 10wt and cast some fairly large
imitations for respectable fish. Floating flylines, intermediate lines and
sinking lines in both full and shooting taper can all be used when fishing
the bay. During the early spring, the angler should carry an
intermediate and deep sinking line and then add a floating line later in
the season. Striped bass and bluefish will take a multitude of flies
with jiggies, clousers, half and half flies along with a few worm
imitations making up the early season box. As the season progresses and
baitfish become more prevalent, bunker flies such as Wide Sides, Flash
Flies, Lefty’s Deceivers as well as Bob’s Bangers and Blado’s
Crease Flies can be used to provoke mammoth strikes. It is also a good
idea to carry a stripping basket to gain that sometimes all important
extra few feet of distance on your cast.
The saltwater
fly fisherman can start fishing Sandy Hook Bay waters at the
beginning of April. At this time, keep the flies near the bottom of the
water column and strip back at a moderate pace. At the onset of May,
Sandy Hook Bay busts wide open. Large bluefish enter the bay waters
following herring and menhaden and are eager to attack flies
mimicking their imitations. Striped bass lurk below waiting to pounce on
disoriented baitfish. This is when it all seems to come together and
might be the best time to fish the bay for striped bass and
bluefish. Keep your eyes open for blitzes which are frequent during this
time and if you hit a fish in a certain area be prepared to catch
others close by.
As May turns
into June, the pods of fish begin to grow smaller and fish begin to
set up in their summer haunts. The bay will still produce fish but
the flyfisherman will have to work harder to obtain a good catch.
Sandy Hook
Bay is a great spring time producer for the saltwater fly fisherman.
Taking advantage of the season, the tide and the forage available
and matching your tackle and techniques can produce some beautiful fish
and fast action. Take time to study the nooks and crannies of the
bay and you will be rewarded during the spring season. Good luck.
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