Long Island Stripes

[nc redneck]

I am heading to west hampton for ten days in early July and am interested in learning more about the striper fishing in the area. Can anyone recommend a place to begin - accessable by foot or kayak? As a NC fly fisherman, I have the appropriate equipment (from salt water fishing on the Outer Banks), I just have no clue where to go? Any fly pattern suggestions?

[brushfly]

One place I could recommend is the area below the Ponquogue Bridge in the Hampton Bays. The bridge spans over the bay from a road called Foster Ave. off 27A. Drive South over the bridge and pull into the lot off the left hand side. (Down and back in.) Flats areas abound dropping off into a swift current under the bridge. Caution if wading. Hampton Bays are about ten minutes west of Westhampton. Westhampton also has numerous creeks which flow into the bay. It's not easy to access the water for wading, but a drop with the Yak can give you access throughout this back bay system. I would think parking is difficult so you may need to be dropped off. With the cold summer we've had so far, July, traditionally a slow time for stripers around here just may hang in there to be productive. Wish I had more info, you may want to call Alternkirch Tackle in the Hampton Bays for more info.

[brushfly]

So sorry, Hampton Bays are ten minutes east of Westhampton. Fly patterns should be clousers, decievers, half & halfs in Chartruese, Chartruese/White, olive/white. Fish most likely to be on Spearing and Sand Eels.

[Tuna]

Its been many many years since I fished Quantic Bay (the small bay in Westhampton), but its small, midway and a long way between the two inlets (Shinnecock to east, Moriches to west), so my gut says the waters there will be too warm in July to make it worth much effort. The ocean side at that time of the year is not exciting either.

Brushfly's advice on flies, Ponquogue and Alternkirch is all great advice.

Good luck in the area, feel free to bring stripers up with you on the way.

[nc redneck]

Brushfly and Tuna,

Thank you for your adivice. I need all of the help I can get. Sounds like the flats below the Ponquogue Bridge are what I am looking for in W. Hampton.

When fishing the flats, can you get out at high tide, or are they only accessible at low-mid tides?

I have been reading the boards lately, trying to get a feel for the area. I have noticed that not much is said about the West Hampton Area. Sounds like East Hampton out to the Point is where the action is found. I hope to get out that way - but my lack of motorized watercraft may make that difficult. Do either of you recommend a guide in the area who has availability during the week July6-13th?

Any info would be really appreciated.