Joppa Flats/Plum Island

[prohjac]

My lady suggested we go to Plum Island or Newburyport on Saturday. She actually mentioned I can fish while she reads a book on the shore. I have never fished Joppa Flats or Plum Island before. What has produced the best and where should I go? I will be fishing from 3pm-5pm (Low tide is at 4 I think). Should I go to Joppa or Plum Island? What flies are working the best and if you could a little driving directions? It is a lot to ask, but you guys want to help out a new Fly Fishing Fanatic, right?

Thanks in advance

Hal

[Ray]

Hal

I would try Joppa myself at low tide. It's the only time you can fish it. There isn't much there as beach goes. If you want beach for the other half of your party, go to Plum Island.

TO JOPPA

Go up 95 north take the exit for Rt.133, then go north on Rt. 1A, take a right at the sign for the Parker River Refugee, at the end of the street go left, there is a boat ramp on the right, park there, in front of you is Joppa Flats, walk out a little to the right till you get to the drop off. Blind cast small flies.

About the same to go to Plum Island. Can't remeber the exact way, but you want to get on Plum Island Parkway (or something like that). It will take you right to it.

Ray

[mdglaw]

Go to mapquest and look at a topo of the causeway out to plum island, It will show joppa flats. If you go all the way out to plum island and take a left you will end up at a parking lot. There is a tackle shop there. Park in the large lot away from the shop. If you walk down past the shop you will see the channel and boat docks. You can fish that whole area and then down around to your right all the way down river to the jetty. There is a sandbar revealed at low tide with rips especially at th end fish that whole area. There is no chance in hell of you being the only one there so you will see other fisherman
A couple of thoughts
1. you can wade joppa at the right tide but it is very tricky bottom. If you are going to do it by yourself I recommend a cell phone so you can call for help if you get stuck. A guy had to be rescued last year.
2. That sandbar is very productive and many people fish it. But be very careful the tide is strong. A couple guys a year drown in that river.
You need a quick sinking line. Clouser (0live white) epoxy sand eels, predominate bait is sand eels. Cast upstream and mend your line. You will need a striping basket, even if you make your own out of shock cord and a plastic laundry basket. However, safety again. Make sure it can come off in a hurry. If you are wading make sure you have quick release wading belt.
Jetty can be productive fish it along lenght. Long walk, and hard to walk on jetty, sometimes tricky to release fish. Make sure you fish from an area where you can get down to release fish before you hook something.

[brianc]

Joppa Flats can be fun , but please take note new guy .... The tide comes in from behind you there is a little dip that fills in quicker then the area that you will be walking back in . The dip is about 70 yards off the boat landing " Dont Get Stuck " ... One other thing Bring a Compus out there the weather can change fast there and at times Foggy as it gets . Last thing travel light its muddy , and bring some blue fish flys this the time of year when BIG blues just start showing up there . Good luck P.S. stay right there is some clam bars , Hint ,Hint ...

[rwolson]

One of biggest problems fishing Joppa is the mud at the base of the boat ramp by the parking lot. The mud is troublesome at low tide. Also, when wading out on the flats keep your feet moving when standing in one location because you can get stuck in the mud.

A word of caution, if you belief thunder storms maybe in the area DO NOT fish Joppa because the hike into the parking lot is long and tiring. My first rip on Joppa over 10 years ago was during a warm cloudy afternoon. Half way out I turned around because I thought I heard thunder. I just had removed my waders and climbed into the car when the skies opened up. It poured!

When you fish Joppa the bottom of the boat ramp uncovers about 3 hours before low tide. I'm 6'1" and can start wading then. The small channel mentioned before is more of a threat to shorter people on the way out.

Leaving the boat ramp you have two choices; turn left and follow the shoreline and fish by the sewage treatment plant discharge pipe or head out past the last boats. Remember the walk in is long. So, first trip explore and enjoy.

Finally, Joppa is best waded with stocking foot waders because of the mud. Bootfoot waders will cause frustration becuase the boot is sucked into the mud and trying to free a stuck foot is very funny to watch.

Enjoy the walk and hope you get into some fish.

[cradad]

Is the joppa flats kayakable ?

[rwolson]

Definitely! Try the boat ramp on Water Street at incoming or high tides.