If you have yet to experience the magic of Martha's Vineyard's Fall Run, stop what you're doing and start making preparations! We've had the privilege of fishing some pretty spectacular places, but we wouldn't trade September and October on the Yard for anywhere! You'll feel the same way once you experience an albies-on-peanut bunker-feeding frenzy.
However, if you're considering jumping aboard the Steamship Authority to fish the Fall Run on the Vineyard, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your trip runs smoothly and your valuable time on the water is maximized. In Part One of our Fall Blog Series, I laid out a brief introduction to what makes the Fall Run on the Vineyard so special. In Part Two, I will discuss the appropriate tackle needed to wrangle with speedy false albacore.
Fly Rods
If you talk to New England saltwater fly anglers, you'll hear many differentiating opinions on the best weight rods for albie fishing, as well as what makes a good albie rod. If you can only have one rod, there's a good argument to be made that the 9wt is the best overall option. What the 9-foot 5wt is to trout fishing, the 9-foot 9wt is to Martha's Vineyard saltwater fly fishing. It's our version of the Swiss Army Knife and can do just about everything, reasonably well.
However, there are other times when the eight or ten weight is optimal. The eight-weight is a bit too light for a daily Martha's Vineyard albie driver, especially if you are a shore angler. On calm days when albies are being finicky, an 8wt is a great option to fish off the boat as long as the rod is paired with a reel with a powerful drag. Noticeably lighter in hand, those with shoulder issues will appreciate the eight's swingweight after a day of blind casting.
Unfortunately, the wind is a significant factor in fly fishing the Fall Run on Martha's Vineyard. While an eight- or nine-weight rod might be more comfortable to cast if environmental issues aren't a factor, a 10-weight is by far the best choice when it's blowing. The Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby brings many anglers to the Vineyard's hallowed shore spots during the fall. I prefer fishing a 10wt from shore during this time, as its stiffer butt section gives me better leverage to steer fish away from other anglers' lines.
Our Top Fly Rod Picks
I've used the Hardy Marksman Z 10wt for most of my fall albie fishing on the Vineyard for several reasons. For a 10wt, it's very light, responsive, and easy to cast. I'm able to pick up a 400-grain shooting head and cast most of the running line (if needed to) with one false cast. Being able to accurately deliver the fly as quickly as possible to albies is probably the most critical component of false albacore fly fishing, and I absolutely love the Marksman Z for this.
When T&T replaced one of our favorite rods, the Exocett SS, with the Exocett 88, we were initially skeptical. However, after casting the new rod, we knew the Greenfield, Mass., rod manufacturer hit it out of the park. The Exocett 88 is one of the most attractive fly rods we've ever laid eyes on, painstakingly hand-built using premium components. Most importantly, the Exocett 88 features a taper specifically designed to challenge the adverse conditions faced during the New England fall run. Casting in the wind with heavy fly lines to fast-moving fish is much easier with the Exocett 88 in hand.
Fly Reels
Unlike trout fishing, where the fly reel is merely a line holder, the fly reels needed to fly fish the Fall Run on Martha's Vineyard are serious works of machinery. Sealed drags, large arbors, and ample backing capacity are all necessary functions for getting albies to hand.
Our Top Fly Reel Picks
The Hatch Iconic is a workhorse fly reel built to last, thanks to its premium, made-in-the-USA construction. The robust, smooth, and sealed drag will stop the lightning-fast false albacore dead in its tracks, without breaking off light tippet. This reel isn't named' The Iconic' for irony's sake. If you are looking for a tried-and-true, high-performance fly reel, look no further.
Since introducing the Fortuna Regent to Kismet Outfitters last year, it has quickly become our best-selling reel. In fact, if we could design a reel from the ground up specifically for albies, it would likely resemble the Fortuna Regent. The massively large, yet narrow arbor picks up line nearly as fast as an albie can swim!
Fly Lines
While some might overlook the importance of fly lines, for fall fly fishing on Martha’s Vineyard, the fly line could very well be the most critical part of an outfit. I discussed the importance of being able to make quick shots to albies, and while the fly rod plays an essential role, the correct fly line can completely transform how the rod performs.
I consider integrated shooting head fly lines, like RIO’s Blitz and Outbound Short, to be almost cheat codes for albies. The short, compact heads enable the caster to quickly lift and shoot the fly line with minimal false casts to targets that disappear faster than they appear.
You can find these products and many more both in store and online. Please email stephen@kismetoutfitters.com or call the shop at 774-549-5921 for any questions! Stay tuned for Part Three of our ‘Fall Run’ Blog Series!
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