| As winter settles in and the memories of the past | | | | year. I am rarely disappointed with the action. |
| seasons striper fishing start to fade and meld | | | | My standard plan of attack for fishing the Outer |
| together one of the things that I enjoy doing is to | | | | Cape in spring consists of light tackle and smaller size |
| begin planning and thinking about next spring and the | | | | soft plastic swim baits. I always make sure to have |
| re-appearance of these striped game fish which so | | | | plenty of 3" and 4" storm and/or tsunami swim shads |
| many of us have developed a ravenous appetite for | | | | in various colors on hand with pearl white and |
| chasing. | | | | chartreuse being my go-to colors on most days. I like |
| Of course there will be the very early spring forays | | | | to toss these with a 7 1/2-8' spinning rod paired with |
| to East Matunuck Rhode Island and the famed West | | | | a reel capable of holding 150 yards of 20lb test |
| Wall for a chance at catching some of the very first | | | | Power Pro braided line. I use a 3'-4' leader of 30lb |
| of the migrating young schoolies. Most of these fish | | | | fluorocarbon attached to the braid via a high quality |
| will be small, tiny even, at least by striper standards. | | | | ball bearing swivel and tie the leader directly to the |
| But the chance of catching them will draw the | | | | lure. Many who fish these beaches would consider |
| die-hard striper fishermen to this spot as early as | | | | this tackle completely inadequate and I do make sure |
| mid-March some years. In fact, the standard question | | | | to bring at least one larger set-up with me. On |
| you'll hear many regulars asking each other come | | | | occasion I have had to use it. The surf here can be |
| early April is "did you get your March fish?" In my | | | | rough and although most often the fish this time of |
| younger years I would have made dozens of trips to | | | | year are 30" or less I have encountered larger fish at |
| the West Wall by the end of April, perhaps catching | | | | times. |
| hundreds of these small fish. My fishing partner and I | | | | All of the Outer beaches have produced well for me |
| would think nothing of working a full day, driving the | | | | in the past but there are certainly favorites each |
| hour and a half to this spot, fishing until the bite shut | | | | season. The sandbars and structure here are |
| off sometime after dark and driving home, only to | | | | constantly changing and it always pays to spend |
| do it all again the very next day. At this point in time | | | | some time scouting a bit. Time of day isn't all that |
| I return to the West Wall more for the ritual and | | | | important this early in the season here. Tide stage |
| camaraderie than to play the numbers game and | | | | can be, depending on sandbar and trough formations. |
| generally only make a few trips there each spring, | | | | I tend to favor early mornings but that is strictly |
| but if you've never fished this spot it's well worth | | | | personal preference-I have fished these beaches at |
| it-A true classic striper fishing experience. | | | | all times of day with equal success. |
| The real spring striper fishing for me now begins with | | | | If you're looking for that trophy fish from shore |
| an annual trip to the outer beaches of Cape Cod | | | | come back here in late June or early July. But if |
| during the latter part of May. This yearly outing | | | | you're up for some great light tackle spring Striper |
| started 8 or 10 years ago as a family gathering with | | | | fishing on some of the most picturesque, unspoiled |
| little emphasis on fishing, and it is still primarily a family | | | | beaches in New England, or anywhere for that |
| event but I have discovered that the fishing there at | | | | matter, take a trip to the Outer Cape in May. I |
| that time of year is usually outstanding, and I find | | | | guarantee you won't be disappointed. |
| myself looking forward to it more and more each | | | | |