Saltwater fly fishing books

[Jonboy]

I was wondering if anyone can help me find some decent literature on flyfishing from the surf. I want to get a few books for the holidays and need some suggestions. One book I saw that looked good was Ed Mitchell's "Flyrodding the coast." Could anyone give me any suggestions on any other books I may look into? Thanks in advance-

Jonboy

 

[GARYB]

Get Inshore Fly Fishing by Lou Tabory, very good book

 

[Jonboy]

Thanks Gary- I watched a friend hook and land a false albacore, a dozen blues and even a couple fluke all in one day from the beach, on the fly. I did well plugging for bass this fall (one fish 42" 29 lbs) as I was in the right place at the right time, but found myself wishing I had a fly rod, as the bass were right in the wash blitzing peanut bunker. After fishing this Sept-Nov, I really want to get into flyfishing from the beach. I've seen a lot of guys doing it, and it looks really enjoyable and rewarding when things fall into place. Thanks again for the book idea-

 

[Jonboy]

Hey thanks Rob-

 

[Fly Ty R]

You wanna see some insanely huge stripers, look at Frank Diagnault's book "The Trophy Striper". A 50lber looks tiny. He is a plugger first, though, so there isn't too much info in his books about fly fishing. Lou Tabory's and Ed Mitchell's books are great too. I had both. Another one which is a good read is Kenney Abrahms book "Striper Moon". Jim Freda's book is more about NJ fishing spots than how-to, but it's good as well. Check out other books by Lefty Kreh, John Cole, Brad Burns, and others. They will all give you a lot of info.

 

[Jonboy]

Guys, I really appreciate your help....hopefully, I will be fly fishing from the beach this summer....thanks again!!

Jonboy

 

[Jonboy]

That's how I spent much of the early fall as well (fishing early hours). Cleaned up one night at the SH rip. Decided to pull an all nighter. Bro-in law and Father-in law fell asleep and at 3:30 it all broke loose. Bass were smashing bunker right in front of me. I could hear them crashing like crazy. We caught fish up to about 35-36" on plugs for about 2 hours straight until the sun came up. Let em all go. Then the yellow eyes took over and burned our arms out. I had to take that walk back to the car at about 5:30 because a bass broke the handle off of my graphite reel. I still reeled it in though, but I lost 30 minutes to get my spare reel in my truck. I always carry an extra in my bag now.
The reason I said I'd be flyfishing in the summer is that I plan on taking until then to get my gear and practice casting in the surf. I can't wait. I will tye deceivers and clousers all winter so I can be ready come summer/fall. Thanks again for the info...and if anyone ever wants to meet up...let me know. I have a 2 hour drive, but it's worth it

 

[willowhead]

So Jonboy, where do you do most of your fishing? mark

 

[Jonboy]

Saltwater or fresh?

 

[willowhead]

Bouff! and by the way........i've got a book i might be willing to tade something for, depending on what you got? Salt Water Patterns, by Lefty Kreh. GREAT! book, if your into that, and even if you aren't. But i don't tye them, so..........and i VERY RARELY trade, loan, or swap fly fishing/tying books. But, if you got something special................let me know. A copy of Salmon Flies and Fishing by Joe Bates would work. mark

 

[Jonboy]

Sorry Mark-

I have a very limited library at this time, and that book is not in it. Anyway, I enjoy fishing the Jersey coast from the Sandy Hook rip down to about Shark River inlet near Belmar. I am not a "boat" person, so I love the surf and jetties. Had a great fall this year. The biggest striper I got was 42" and 29 lbs. I got it on a black bomber in the dark. I began tying saltwater flies this year too. I have been tying black deceivers for night fishing and have caught fish using them as teasers with the plug.

In the sweet water, I like to fish locally (northern Passaic/Bergen counties) which includes the Wanaque and Ramapo Rivers (both freestoners). There are mainly stocked fish in both, however, both have tribs with wild(stream bred) fish. Oh, and both holdover fish pretty well too.

Jonboy

 

[bjmiller]

Jonboy, Frank Daignault also has a book called Striper Hotspots. It covers from Cape May to Maine and even categorizes by what species might be found, what tide is good to fish, what time of year to go, etc. It's excellent for places to go from shore.
This might be a good one for you too, Willowhead.

 

[Jonboy]

Thanks BJ-

I appreciate the suggestion. If I get all of these books, I will definitely be ready come summer...

Jonboy

 

[willowhead]

Thankx for the tip BJ. Jonboy, i used to fish the Ramapo a LOT, back from around 1995 to say 2000. There ARE some very nice holdovers in there. Usually a lot of rainbows right in that riffel below the bridge at Tuxedo, where the train station is. You know, where the basketball courts are, up above? Try it, if you never have. mark

 

[Jonboy]

Thanks Mark-

I usually fish the Ramapo in Joisey, but I have heard that there are plenty of fish that holdover up in Tuxedo. You can fish the Ramapo all year round too, I believe.

 

[GARYB]

Jonboy

I've cut down on trips upstate the last couple of years and started fishing the Ramapo in Oakland and Mahwah. Maybe we can fish it in feb/mar if it warms up a little then. It's open to fishing until they start stocking in mid March.

Gary

 

[Jonboy]

That would be great Gary- There should be plenty of fish left with the wet year and the fall stocking. We'll set something up-

Jonboy

 

[Jonboy]

Thanks guys

I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice on some reading material about flyfishing in saltwater. I got the Tabory book and Mitchell's Flyrodding the Coast. I haven't been able to put either one down. Although much of their info overlaps, they are both really good. I can't wait until April/MAY!!

Thanks again to all for the advice-

Jonboy