The Atlantic coast teems with life each spring as millions of longfin squid migrate inshore, closely followed by schools of hungry striped bass. This “squid race” is a great opportunity for fly fishermen to catch a trophy striper. You need a boat and the right location – the rest is pretty simple.

From April to May, squid arrive on the coast to spawn. Toward the end of May, after spawning, they congregate in schools in shallow rip currents, and striped bass soon follow. Stripers use turbulent water to ambush squid, pushing them to the surface where there is nowhere to go.

Targeting big bass with squid patterns is popular on the northeast coast. Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Rhode Island and Cape Cod are prime locations thanks to the abundance of squid and easy access to shallow bodies of water where the best fishing occurs.

– Find the correct return current. Look for fast, strong currents moving from deeper water (around 15 feet) to the shallows. Around Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, this water type is common. When the current reaches the shallows, it forms a wave: this is your target area.
– Position your boat. Go upstream of the waves, facing the current. Maintain a stable position with your motor. Sometimes you can even anchor if the current is not too strong.

– Use a sturdy fly rod. I prefer a 10 or 11 weight. You won’t need to cast far. Fly your squid into the current and let the line out until it reaches the breaking waves. Give it a pulsing action when you let go of the line, but be prepared, a strike can be hard and fast. When the fly hits the waves, pump your line in short bursts. You don’t remove the fly, but you make it jump and dance. Big moves are essential.
– Wait, it’s a feeding frenzy. You’ll see fish splashing, birds diving, and squid jumping 6 feet out of the water. If you don’t get any action within 20 minutes, find another solution. Birds and other boats are good indicators of the presence of squid and feeding fish.

When bass are caught on squid, they are not picky about the realism of the flies. A simple fly that resembles a squid in size, shape and color will work.
– Length: 5-7 inches
– Color: White, cream, pink, beige or light orange.

– Material: fluid, light and sinks (unless you deliberately fish on the surface)
– Shape: Narrow like a squid.

There are some nice squid flies. Realism isn’t necessary but it’s nice to have it. Jonny King’s Flies comes to mind. Worthy of fishing them out and displaying them on the wall

– Fly Rod: A weight of 10 for casting big streamers and fighting strong fish. I love it TFO BC Big Fly. It is designed for casting large streamers and has a unique handle that makes fighting fish more effective.
– Fly reel: The Redington Grande The 10 weight is a reasonably priced reel that performs at a high level. It has an exceptional and necessary waterproof drag system for saltwater fly fishing.

– Fly line and leader: Scientific Anglers Amplitude Textured Infinite Salt. An 8-10 foot removable sink tip (sink 3). A simple 6-foot, 30-pound leader will do the trick (40 pounds if bluefish are present).

Fishing for squid in the reefs is an adrenaline rush that can land you the fish of a lifetime. It’s a sight to see squid jumping out of the water with a big bass right behind them. Twenty pound fish are common and up to forty is not uncommon. Put your fly pattern in the water and hold on.

“The gods do not deduct from the time allotted to man the hours spent fishing.” -Herbert Hoover