Gear for Albies

[AlderBrookFarm]

I know we are all in to stripers and blues right now but I've heard that albies are a blast and want to try them when the time comes. I would like to plan ahead a little so.....what type of gear will I need for them? Is my 9wt rod ok? Float, Int. sink or sink line? Flies? How about spinning gear?

[Bob Parsons]

9wt is just fine. Sinking works. Bonito bunnies are popular fly but matching the bait present works well ie juvie porgy flies, bay anchoives.

Spinning a 10-12# rod/reel using white sluggos, deadly dicks, swedish pimples, hairballs, white bucktails.

The list goes on...

[bigbonita]

Originally posted by AlderBrookFarm
I know we are all in to stripers and blues right now but I've heard that albies are a blast and want to try them when the time comes. I would like to plan ahead a little so.....what type of gear will I need for them? Is my 9wt rod ok? Float, Int. sink or sink line? Flies? How about spinning gear?

the 9 wt is fine. i like a fast sink tip like teeny or depth charge for rip situations and intermediate for most other situations. my personal go to fly is a small (sz 2) white deciever. i have also had success with bunny flies, clousers tied with synthetic material, and candy type flies. as far as spinning gear, i use a 7'6" st croix tidemaster with a shimano sustain 4000 and a second st croix (same size) with a penn 4500ss. they are both lined with 10 lb test cortland cam-o-flage monofilament. for lures, i use the assortment of metals that are usually recommended. however, i've had great luck using a yo-zuri tx jr minnow, sinking, in the green mackeral pattern/color. this is a plug that can be cast or trolled. when boating, i'd prefer to fing a rip holding these fish. they become less line shy in that situation. some of the rips i fish are along the western ri/ easter ct shores. although i never fished these spots, i understand that the rips off of monomy and hedgefence can offer similar action. i had that situation from shore spots as well, such as the canal. the other situation i look for (especially if i'm shore bound) is when albies turn on to bigger baits, such as juvie herring that are abundant in the fall or peanut bunker. they get real easy to catch in those situations. various spots that i fish that has this kind of bait includes spots from woodshole right into the cc canal, even the east end where i take a few right from sandwich marina every fall.
rich n

[AlderBrookFarm]

We'll pretty much be staying in the SE CT/RI area so will look for them in the rips when the time comes!

[bigbonita]

Originally posted by AlderBrookFarm
We'll pretty much be staying in the SE CT/RI area so will look for them in the rips when the time comes!

in that case, when the time gets closer, give jack baliant a call. he runs a tackle shop called the fish connection in preston (groton/new london area), ct and also guides. his number is (860)885-1739. he fishes areas like watchhill reef, the race(the rip in ct/ny waters, not p-town), the sluiceway(which is on the long island, ny side of the sound), and montauk.he'll give you an up to the minute, no bs report.

[AlderBrookFarm]

Never been in there but know where he is on Rte 12. Thanks for the tip.