Re: Leader
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.
The simpler the outfit, the more skill it takes to manage it, and the more pleasure one gets in his achievements.
--- Horace Kephart