WORM HATCH! First fly rod keeper of season

[BobG]

Due to an unnessesary wild goose chase of sorts, I got out a couple hours later than planned this evening.
I'm all alone, and as I'm wading onto the flats, there's bass erupting at my feet the enitre length of the flat. Looking closely, there they were, 3/4"-2" sea worms :rolleyes: . It was not a "Biblical proportion" hatch like I've experienced there in the past, but it was getting there. The fish I was taking were small 14-25". They were still readily inhaling clousers b/c the worms had not quite got cranked up yet. But within a hour, the worms were swimming around me in ridiculous numbers, and then the bass treated my flies like a skunk at a lawn party. :rolleyes: The more worms appeared, the larger the bass got. I saw quite a few in the ten pound range, but they would touch a thing I had.

So, with that, I moved to another UDL in the S. Cape area a couple miles away, more towards the open ocean. The schoolies were stacked up here as well. But, they had no worms to distract them, so my flies were welcome once again. Most were the same cookie cutters as in the previous location. But, I did manage to take one 30" right at dark. Lip hooked, and swam off with a nice splash in the face upon release. :brow
In 5 minutes I'll be tying worm patterns. :rolleyes:

[Jim Miller]

Nice!
Nice!
Nice!
:-%

[mxer]

Second that. MANY legal fish in south cape estuaries attending worm hatch,
willing to hit flies before the worms emerge, which was around 6:00 pm on Sun.

[BobG]

Is there a worm pattern out there that's truly, "lights out"?
These flies are a real problem for me? I've only tied a handful that sort of worked. But, having said that, I've never seen anyone actually killing them on any worm pattern for that matter. :confused:

[bdowning]

3 inch bubblegum sluggo "fly" rigged weightless with a drop of superglue on a 1/0 hook? But don't ask me, I don't know how to catch 'em during these dang worm hatches either. (#$119)

-bd

[Ray]

Try some yarn on a small hook. I have some at home like that. Tie on the colored yarn you want (I like dull pink / light red) with matching color thread, then add a black thread head.

Tie some long so you can cut them to lenght as needed.

[Soundking]

Bob,

I'll spin a few of these as well :)

John Kelsey developed a worm pattern that looks outstanding in the water. It involves an orange and red flatwing application coming off of the tail, a little gold megamushy, and palmered orange maribou for the body. Swims great.

I think the thing with any situation with a ton of bait is just to flog the water as the fish are just moving around picking off what they choose and not chasing stuff down or keying in on any individual. This would likely explain why there is no one super-deadly fly for said situation.

[Smcdermott]

I have yet to catch a hatch in full swing but have heard good things from others who have used Bob Hines' patterns. You see them at uftri.org by clicking on the May Newsletter link at the top of the page.

Sean

[ShaneY]

I also ran into a worm hatch Sun night. first one ive ever seen. luckily my friend had a couple of flies unfortunately we had already pulled the boat but the hatch was happening all around the dock so we slammed the fish for about an hour before it slowed down. one thing i had an issue with was my sinking line made it alot harder to keep that fly on the surface, after learning the stroke however, I managed to pull about 20 small schoolies. it is really cool seeing the flies being chased by 10+ fish. all in all WORM HATCHES ARE SICK --127-3- if you get lucky enough to run into them that is.

[confluential]

I was told that it's the first full moon in May (this weekend) that the cinder worms really hatch. I'm gonna be away, but it should be hot.

[sparsehackle]

I've never seen the worm hatch either, but I'm driving down this weekend to try and find one. If anyone could suggest a good fly shop to stop into I'd appreciate it.

[notime]

Given the wind, rain and cool temps any thoughts on the impact to the worm hatch this weekend? I know the moon is good, but those mud flats aren't going to be warming up this weekend.