Catch More Fish When the Birds are Working

If you enjoy fishing working birds, June through September is the time of year you’ll enjoy.  An angler must know how to identifying working birds over those just flying over bait.  Knowledge on approaching these birds, boat positioning, productive lures, flies, and casting techniques can make your day a productive one. 

A good pair of binoculars becomes very useful for sighting working birds.  These are the seagulls, or terns, that are diving down to top water, then flying back up to heights within 20 feet before diving back on the water again to get pieces of bait that have floated to the top while striped bass, bluefish, or white perch are feeding below top water. 

When you sight working birds, circle wide of them and stay approximately 50 feet to one side of the action.  Note which direction and pattern these birds are moving, and then circle wide and up current 50 feet before turning the boat in line with the birds.  Turn the motor off and you should eventually drift into the birds.  Start casting, in the direction of the working birds, immediately.
 

With light tackle a 4” soft plastic bait such as a crystal Bass Assassin, Saltwater Sea Shad, rigged on a 1/2 ounce jig head, works well. A fast retrieve while jigging the lure at intervals will appear to be wounded bait, something the striped bass has trouble turning down.  You should be catching before, under, and after you pass through the working birds.  Once you lose the bite, circle wide again and repeat the above.

If you enjoy using fly fishing equipment, a 6 weight is ideal for this time of the season. You have the opportunity to use floating, intermediate, or sinking line.  On floating line attach a 6 foot leader with a blue back/white bottom Orvis, Blados Crease Fly.

 
Team the intermit line with a 6 foot leader and a yellow/white 3” Bead Eye Sinking Clouser.

 
On the sinking line use a 4 foot leader (no longer) and attach an Orvis Cowen’s Silverside 3”, Size 2.

 
You’ll be casting up current and drifting toward the fly.  The ideal casting positions on the boat are all the way forward or aft.  Cast the fly on a 45 degree angle up current and start stripping swiftly when the fly hits the water to keep a tight line.  

I strongly recommend that all barbs be crushed down and release the fish while it’s in the water if you don’t plan on keeping it.  When the ambient temperature exceeds the water temperature many fish will die when exposed to this environment.   Anyway, you’ll have time to catch more fish by doing this, and that’s always a bonus.
 

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