Leader

[eponymous]

Jed makes a good point.

If you ask Jack Gartside he will tell you to use a clear intermediate line and a 7' piece of 20 lb mono or floro. That's it. Who am I to question Jack Gartside?

[dudley]

I believe Coach is planning on fishing the Monomoy flats
The white sand bottom and gin clear water makes the striper fishing a tougher game than what is normally encountered in estruaries, in the surf, or even on darker bottomed flats
While I'm not an expert at Monomoy, I do fish there somewhat regularly.
In my experence a fairly long, fairly fine, tapered leader is a necessity
In my normal, every day, striper fishing I'll use 6 or 8' of straight heavy mono.
But on these flats, a little more finesse is required

Coach, please don't get the idea that Monomoy is the only game in town.
Monomoy is a beautiful place, and the fishing can be very exciting, so by all means fish there.
But there are many, many other spots that don't see any of the pressure of the famous flats, and have just as many or even more fish
The bay side flats have been very good to me in the past (Jed too I think), but I spend equal amounts of time in the surf and kayaking in the estruaries.
If conditions are right, sight fishing in the surf is as exciting as fly fishing can get.

[Coach]

Dudley, you are exactly right about the flats. I have fished there often, but most of the time with spinning rod. I want to get into the fly fishing side of striper fishing and my friend is not able to cast that well, thus I use spinning rod when fishing with him. The wind would kill his casting.

I am interested in other areas of the cape that you mention. As a creature of habit and not wanting to go (limited time) to places unfamiliar we keep hitting the flats at Monomoy. I planned one going up earlier without my friend just to try something new!

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[dudley]

We fish dozens of places Coach
I'll pm you with some ideas when I have a chance.