Top 5 Striped Bass Flies for Spring

Spring striped bass fishing in southern New England typically peaks around Mid-June, when water temperatures rise above 60º, bait becomes prevalent, and large migratory fish settle into their summer haunts. 

However, this spring has seen its fair share of ups and downs thanks to the particularly harsh winter, and figuring out what these bass want has been a bit of a challenge.

With that in mind, we want to share our list of top 5 striped bass flies that have been successful this spring. Hopefully, this gets you on the water, and on the fish! 

5. Stryker's Poppin' Peanut Fly (Yellow & White #4/0)

This fly is the perfect surface imitation for a variety of baitfish this spring, including river herring, small bunker, and even sand eels. While finding fish on top has been difficult, they rarely pass up on this fly when it's retrieved with hard, frantic strips. 

4. Mike Motyl's Custom Saltwater Deceiver #2/0

The deceiver is a striped bass staple, and Mike Motyl has been expertly tying them for the Compleat Angler for years. Available in a variety of colors, they perfectly match river herring, peanut bunker and silversides. Retrieve them steadily across a channel or amongst submerged boulders, and hang on tight. 

3. Mike Motyl's Custom Tied Clouser, Sizes #1 and #2/0

This is perhaps the "go-to" Striper fly in the Northeast. And for good reason. This fly is really tough to beat in terms of productivity. Stripers love this fly and it's a rare day when this fly is out fished by another pattern. The weighted lead eyes get the fly down into the strike zone and when tied to the leader with a loop knot, has a jigging action that drives fish nuts. More often than not, this fly will get hammered on the fall.  

2. Mike Motyl's Custom Tied Ocean Sand Eel Fly 3.5"

With the abundance of sand eels we've seen this spring, it's been hard to fool fish with just any pattern. You need to make sure you have a fly that is not only the right color and shape, but executes the right action when retrieving. Throwing this fly at the edge of a harassed bait ball is quick way to hook up. Otherwise, blind cast with it, and you have a high probability of catching a straggler. 

1. Popovic's "Pop Fleye" #2

The number one spot goes to this fly because of it's uncanny resemblence to the sand eels we've seen this spring, which have been small and bright. When fish are as finicky as as they have been this spring, throwing a near identical dupe to their forage is the best way to fool them, especially when fishing in low, clear water. Having more than a few of these flies on hand is key to success.

Northeast Striped Bass Fly Kit

If you are looking for a kit that can do it all, we now offer a selection of the season's 12 best flies for catching Stripers and Bluefish.

Includes MFC Plan D Pack Fly Box with Clear Lid.

In Conclusion...

We hope this list has been helpful, but if you think we are wrong, reach out! We'd love to hear what has been working best for you this spring. 

As always, tight lines.