Heavy Surf Flies

[jpkil318]

Hi,
I did a lot of fishing this past summer on the south shore of Nantucket in some moderate to heavy surf. My little Brother caught a lot of big fish with pencil poppers and bombers and I caught only a few and the ones i caught were small while throwing the fly. The fish were close enough for flies but it was like they didnt notice my fly in the heavy surf. I was wondering if you guys had any recomendations on flies for me to tie up this winter. The prevalent bait are sandeels and i think squid and some herring in the spring. I was also wondering if it might be that my fly wasnt deep enough because i was using an intermediate line and have been thinking whether i was getting it down deep enough
Thank You
James

[dudley]

IMHO, the most important issue in fly fishing the surf is being able to detect the strike. The fish can see your fly in the white water fine, that's why they feed there
It's critical to keep a tight line at all times. Weighted flys will work but a better idea is to use a fly the resists being stripped in to easily, flies known to "push" water.
I like a simple snake fly.
Something long and slinkly is also good, like the white water witch.
Try casting parallel to the beach, the fish are right in the wash.
A sinking line is often used in surf fishing. They sink slightly faster and cut through the ever present wind better. But an intermediate will work.

[Ray]

Try this one. It's big, 7 - 10 inches or so!!

[scruffy_fish]

Aren't pencil poppers top water plugs?
I have to respectfully disagree with the use of sinking and intermediate lines.
Good control of the fly is very important in heavy surf, and I find a floating line is not subject to the unseen rip in a cresting wave, allowing for better control of your fly.
Yes casting parallel to the beach does help in fly control and your fly will be seen if the fish are there.

[dudley]

I have read the Gospel according to Kenny,
I wanted to believe,
I tried to convert,
My mileage varied.

I use a floating line in other situations but in heavy surf, I'll stick with the full sink.
When using a floater in the surf the idea is to dead drift the fly much the same as up stream nymphing. Mending as the fly drifts back in the current toward and then past you. You also need the throw small mends to keep the line on the far side of the breaking wave, other wise you have a big tangle around your legs.
When the surf is heavy this is a major pain in the bum.
The solution to this is to is to use a longer, slower action rod. Around 10.5 ft.+
At this time I (and most others) don't have such a rod, when I do I'll try the floater again.
Till then a weighted or bulky fly swung on a tight line is a better option for me.

[scruffy_fish]

Been fish for stripers long before Kenny Abramas came out with his books, and I have never read them, although I hear he has a following. --126-3-
Had to figure this one out for myself over the years of fishing the surf. I also fish a 9 for a 9 most of the time. It's all what you find fits your style and produces for you. :)

[dudley]

Scruffy,
What sort of flies would you use?

[scruffy_fish]

Dudley,
I'm pretty old school. I fish mostly decievers and snake flies in the surf.
The snakes work well because I can follow them visually. Jack's gurgler is another that would work although I haven't used them alot.
Fooled around with flat wings last year with little success, except for and anchoy pattern, but that wasn't in the surf.
Like you said, short lines; and a stripping basket are a must.

[dudley]

To me, snake flies are as important as decievers or clousers. Suprisingly I have spoken to some folks who have never used or even heard of them.
The action created by currents passing over the spun head and collar move the body and tail in a very enticing way.
A black snake is my #1 night fly, riding just high enough in the water column to create a wake.

[scruffy_fish]

Used to live in CT and know Lou quite will. Fished the CT shore with him and others in the early days. If you want informative reading get his book it will open some areas to explore for you.

[PAUL SCHWACK]

To me, snake flies are as important as decievers or clousers. Suprisingly I have spoken to some folks who have never used or even heard of them.
The action created by currents passing over the spun head and collar move the body and tail in a very enticing way.
A black snake is my #1 night fly, riding just high enough in the water column to create a wake.


"a blake snake is my #1 night fly..." i'll second that- they work very well (for me) in coastal rivers, breachways, and open beaches (in heavy surf they will foul a little)

as much as i hate tying /fishing synthetic flies i have to admit that this fall fishing south county with all the wind / heavy surf we had i started playing with enrico puglisi sea fibers and his "peanut butter" in black and purple fished very well.