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Thanks to PAC from IFishNewYork ! Go back fishing we want more stories !

The Sopranos, at the beginning of every episode of this mythic series Tony Soprano, local mobster, was leaving Manhattan, driving his car to come back in its local waters meeting his accomplices on the other side of the Hudson River… 

Well, it’s always the same story when you decide to leave Manhattan to go fishing… You got to cross bridges, tunnels and highways to reach the far side of Queens and Brooklyn where poverty is not a myth but a vivid reality…

After this trip made of honking and expensive tolls, it is a release to finally reach Jamaica Bay – “JayBay” as the locals call it – a fantastic natural reserve located near JFK airport.

Forget your fancy Tweed jackets and feather hats; “JayBay” is a fishing spot where locals wear “Yankees” hats and jackets. You’ll find pretty much everything on its shores, garbage, broken glasses, empty cartridges (local “Sopranos” like to practice) and very few access because all access is restricted.

But what brings every fisherman is the migration of the Striped Bass during spring, they swim in the bay and are looking to restore their energy after a long winter. Early season are hungry but they are far from being easy, especially the nice ones… and catching them on the fly is a real challenge… especially when they are keyed on Menhaden and large bait fish. After a couple of unsuccessful outings, had the chance to land a nice one on a “good old” clouser streamer…

See you all on the water and welcome to New York!