A seismic shift in our striper sweepstakes happens every year when the big deepwater breeders arrive and anglers who have been out there are now mouthing the word – cow! Of course those big bass won’t stay put if there isn’t substantial forage and for that we can thank pogy schools which one charter captain described to me as “everywhere”.It looks as if the first wave of seriously large striped bass have arrived! Pete from Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate said that anglers trolling mackerel along offshore structure such as Flatt Ledge are flashing pictures of stripers which prompt a “woah” from even experienced shop owners. In addition to available mackerel, offshore pogy schools have been moving in inciting blowups as big bass pummel the bait. This is not widespread but rather a case of being in the right place at the right time with fortuitous fishers having an awesome moment. The North River still holds herring and one of the most consistent striper bites. I did, however, hear from Bill Hurley whose namesake 5” jerk bait was wreaking havoc on stripers in the South River this week. Nearby Rexhame Beach has been the scene of blitzes with schoolies and slots joining in and not fussy. Finally there are some solid flounder reports coming in from the South Shore with good news coming from Egypt Beach, Peggotty Beach, Scituate Harbor and even the South River.
