Terminal tackle and wader’s aside, every angler has their assortment of gadgets and gizmos that they use on the water. The following is a list of 5 accessories that I use to ensure safety and success when chasing stripers on the fly.
Headlamp
The best Striped Bass fishing occurs at night. There are various hypothesis as to why—nocturnal, light sensitivity, water temperature, night vision—but the fact of the matter is that dark skies bring these fish into the shallows and put them in an eating mood. As a result I always make sure to bring a headlamp. When the sun disappears of the western horizon a headlamp becomes essential, especially when tying knots, unhooking fish, or just generally trying to find my way. It can also help you see into the water making wading at night much safer. Just be sure to turn of your headlight once you are in an ideal fishing position. Just as you don’t like it when the person driving behind shoots their high beams into your rear view mirror, striped bass don’t appreciate the excess light from your headlamp.
Waterproof Phone Holder
I get it. Some people go fishing to get away from devices like their cell phone. However, when fishing late into the night near fast currents and on slippery rocks, a cell phone could be the thing that saves your life. Luckily I have never been hurt while fly fishing, but I can think of a lot of times where I would have been stuck until morning if I somehow did. There are tons of waterproof phone storage devices on the market, so take your pick.
Hook Sharpener
Perhaps the most important accessory for those those who want to hook AND land striped bass is a hook sharpener. Striped bass—especially large ones—have tough, bone-hard mouths. Therefore, the key to holding onto fish are hooks that are “sticky sharp”. By this I mean hooks with a sharp enough point to stick into a human fingernail. Most saltwater hooks are not “sticky sharp” out of the box, so it pays to sharpen them before getting to the water. Once you are fishing your hook points will become blunt as your fly makes contact with underwater objects as well as fish. If you hook a fish that quickly comes off it is often not your fault. Check your hook points and, if needed, give them a good sharpening.
Stripping Basket
When making long casts or executing large swings and dead drifts, a stripping basket is an invaluable line management tool. Though many believe a stripping basket is meant to keep line from forming tangles, I think it is more effective at keeping the angler from getting tangled in their line. A stripping basket keeps fly line off rocks, out of the water, and away from the angler’s feet. There are quite a few stripping baskets on the market and better yet, a number of ways to make a homemade stripping basket. A simple internet search should yield numerous results.
Wading Staff
Striped bass, like most fish, love current. The sit and wait in current seams and pockets waiting for the natural forces of gravity to bring the food to them. Accessing these fish often means wading in and through currents, some of which can be quite swift. It is for this reason that I use a wading staff. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that tripods are more stable the bipods. Besides inspiring confidence as I wade through strong currents, my wading staff has also saved me from a number of spills that would have inevitably sent me on a wet and wild ride. A wading staff also makes a great walking stick when there are considerable distances to be covered between the water's edge and the parking lot.