FISHING CONDITIONS: Some of the best days I have seen this summer occurred this week. Blue fish running with the Striped Bass and now Spanish Mac in large numbers all in the same area of the middle bay. Many large blues and we caught a Spanish that was 24 inches long. Lower bay is still good for Cobia and I am setting up for a run at them next week.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 85 Degrees, Lower Bay 78 Degrees, Near Coastal 78.
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Crabs, Silver sides and other species.
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Mid bay Striped Bass and blues and Spanish Macs are eating small Clousers with flash easily. These imitate silver-sides.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: Upper bay use standard 7 ½ foot or 9 foot tapered or non-tapered 20 to 30 for the Striped Bass. Add a little wire for the blues and Spanish or expect to lose flies. For Cobia use straight 80.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 12 weight rods was the primary and the 10 weight was a secondary for prospecting for the Cobia. Rods must have large arbor reels. Blues, Spanish and Striped Bass I’m using 9wt with large arbor reels.
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Primary lines were full sink. Floating lines for the breaking fish work great as well.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Cobia are often lurking at floating channel markers in the lower bay. I use both floating and sinking lines with large poppers or bait fish imitations. When located several passes will usually get one on fly then the work out begins. Pull away from the structure and get them out of the cable area under the marker. Expect to have a long fight with these large fish. For the Mid Bay breaking fish, just cast into the active areas and retrieve with a quick retrieve. Always hopeful for Spanish these fish will get you into your backing in a flash!
COMMENTS: I don’t know how long this activity might last but it is clearly the best of the season.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: A cooling trend is offering relief from the summer’s heat and high flood tides are providing good current for these fish.
LOCATION:Virginia Lower Bay and Maryland Middle Bay
SPECIES:VA, TarponMD, Blues and Striped Bass.
UPDATE:August 9, 2010
FISHING CONDITIONS: Normally hot days but most often the water and breezes keeps us cool.VA is giving us a Tarpon surprise with many fish on the flats, yesterday brought one to the boat that went over 100 pounds.MD is being consistent with nice Striped Bass (up to 28 inches) and Bluefish are showing up and some are real bruisers up to 22 inches.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 85 Degrees, Lower Bay (Barrier Islands) 80 Degrees, Near Coastal 78.
MOST COMMON BAIT:Bunker, Crabs, and other species.
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: For Tarpon the hookup came with an olive Bunny Fly which I suspect was mistaken for a crab, there were many crabs in the water.Mid bay Striped Bass and blues are eating silver sides imitations easily but bunker and larger bait is around and is being devoured by the blues.Use a large imitation for this.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 80 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot non-tapered for the Tarpon and 20 to 30 for the Striped Bass and Blues.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT:12 weight rods was the primary and the 10 weight was a secondary for prospecting.Both had large arbor reels for Tarpon.Blues and Striped Bass I’m using 9wt with large arbor reels.
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Primary lines were intermediate with either clear sink tip or a full clear intermediate line.I used full sink whenever the water depth got over 8 feet.(I didn’t use it often.)Stripers and blues are best on full sink line.
BEST TECHNIQUES:Finding Tarpon spots can be tough but once located I was able to target locations using my trolling motor to get in close for a cast.I would try ten casts per location and move on to other Tarpons and locations for the next.Watch the depth and switch to sink lines if necessary to cover the water column.Slow strip the crab pattern or moderate retrieve for a bait fish pattern.For the Striped Bass and Blues, fast retrieves once the line gets down to the depth of the fish on the sonar.Strip immediately if the fish are on top or water depth is shallow.
COMMENTS:A large Tarpon like mine was exciting and I hope to put you on one, but it is a tough game.I have been amazed at the number of fish above the 150 pound mark that I saw this trip.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: Tides and weather are good and with my new flats skiff I can get into the shallow areas that were just a high tide location when using my center console.Maryland waters are fishing well at dusk but any time of day seems to be producing once the fish are located.
FISHING CONDITIONS: Truly the best Tarpon fishing I have seen in years. Despite the few turns in the weather nothing put these fish down. The only real summer condition that concerns is the possibility of thunderstorms. Keeping up with weather forecasts and radar images on my cell phone are a must! Winds can throw up a chop on the water but nothing of consequence where we are fishing. Strong or weak tidal flow didn’t seem to make much difference over the days I spent down there this past week. We always found Tarpon.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 85 Degrees, Lower Bay 80 Degrees, Near Coastal 78.
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Crabs, and other species.
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Nothing worked so I can’t give you a play by play of the best working flies but we used several popular patterns including the Malzone Black Death, the same fly in Chartreuse and White as well as some half and half’s on the ten weight rod.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 80 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot non-tapered.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 12 weight rod was the primary and the 10 weight was a secondary for prospecting. Both had large arbor reels.
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Primary lines were intermediate with either clear sink tip or a full clear intermediate line. We didn’t try a full float or full sink but perhaps we should have.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Find the Tarpon first, on this we got lucky and discovered two hot locations. Watch for rolling fish and attempt to place the fly in the fishes feeding/sight zone. Strip slowly. When fish are caught here this works. Locating fish feeding and plentiful is the key to success.
COMMENTS: Larger fish above the 150 pound mark got caught in the past week according to one source (on bait). Truly this trip I saw more giants than I have ever seen in the Barrier Islands on previous trips.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: Tides will be changing to more outgoing this upcoming week. Looking around the same ares for fast current coming off the flats from the new direction are key. I have planned an early trip for this week hoping that that can make the difference.
SPECIES: Striped Bass, Blue fish, Atlantic Croaker, Cow Nosed Ray (Raja Bonasus)
UPDATE: July 20, 2010
FISHING CONDITIONS: Very Good! Start early or end late seems to be the best game in the Eastern Bay area. Mid-
Dad still outfishes the kids!
day between the boat traffic and angler pressure the fishing just isn’t up to par. Other areas are reporting better results and one trip to the lower middle bay revealed fish stacked up at one of my favorite locations. Most of the action has been on small flys imitating Silversides and even flys that have been beaten up terribly are producing smashing results. Blue fish are still in the party in a big way and losing a few flys is normal. I’m still not ready to add wire and possibly spoil the great bite we are getting. For the many people that love poppers as much as I do, they are getting reaction bites that are unbelievable. Stripped fast the biggest fish of the day are on top water! Smaller tributaries are fishing poorly. Some trips are still plagued with slow fishing.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 83 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 78 Degrees, Near Coastal 77.
MOST COMMON BAIT: Silversides, Spot, Bunker, Crabs, and Perch.
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Smaller Clouser style minnows (1 ½ inch) in various dark and white colors are working at times better than half and half’s. Having a little flash tied in seems critical as it matches the body of silversides. When you find breaking fish, poppers or gurglers are working well on top water fish. These work at dusk and dawn in shallow water too.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 20 to 30 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot non-tapered.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 weight with large arbor reel
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Full sink line in the fastest sink rate for waters around 6 to 12 feet and full float in skinny or if you happen to see fish on the surface or when fishing at dawn and dusk.
BEST TECHNIQUES: This time of year looking for birds is the best game in town. Birds help us locate the actively feeding schools of Striped Bass and we can quickly determine the preferred bait, the size and coloring so we can select the best fly or lure to use once the frenzy is over. Sometimes you just find fish without birds. Either way fishing the breaking fish is great fun. Incoming and outgoing tides are working but current speed is important.
COMMENTS: Larger fish (24 inches and up) are present in the schools and still caught regularly. Keep a lookout when other fish area being pulled in and if another angler is on board they should be casting at your fly caught fish to pick up followers. This can be a nice bait and switch method to find better fish.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: It’s warming up to be a great summer. Weekday trips are better for fishing with less boat traffic and starting either early or late in the day and fishing for four hours in twilight conditions can be a very nice alternative to mid day sun.
SPECIES: Striped Bass, Blue fish, Atlantic Croaker, Cow Nosed Ray (Raja Bonasus), Tarpon, Shark
UPDATE: July 13, 2010
One of many caught that trip
FISHING CONDITIONS: Very Good in Mid Bay! Some trips are still plagued with slow fishing. It seems to just turn off, and you can’t get the fish to bite. But for most the action has been outstanding. We are getting more blue fish every trip and many are good sized (18 inches). Some trips have been almost overwhelming with the sheer number and quality of the fish being caught. Last night we went well over 200 fish with many over 18 inches. This is summer fishing at its best! For the many people that love poppers as much as I do, they are getting reaction bites that are unbelievable. Stripped fast the biggest fish of the day are on top water! LOWER BAY, you better bring your own fish. Weekends are super crowded in all the popular areas and no one is catching. My trip for Tarpon and sharks netted a skunk although we saw one decent sized shark and four Tarpon. Just couldn’t make the connection.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 81 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 78 Degrees, Near Coastal 77.
MOST COMMON BAIT: Silversides, Spot, Bunker, Crabs, and Perch.
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch) half and half’s, blue and white is still working best although all white and chartreuse and all white are good choices as well. Having a bunker style pattern is essential if you want to have a larger fish look at your offering. Smaller Clouser style minnows (1 ½ inch) in various dark and white colors are working at times better than half and half’s. Having a little flash tied in seems critical as it matches the body of silversides. When you find breaking fish, poppers or gurglers are working well on top water fish. These work at dusk and dawn in shallow water too.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 20 to 30 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot non-tapered.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 weight with large arbor reel
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Full sink line in the fastest sink rate for waters around 6 to 12 feet and full float in skinny or if you happen to see fish on the surface or when fishing at dawn and dusk.
BEST TECHNIQUES: This time of year looking for birds is the best game in town. Birds help us locate the actively feeding schools of Striped Bass and we can quickly determine the preferred bait, the size and coloring so we can select the best fly or lure to use once the frenzy is over. Fishing after the breaking fish is slow but effective if you drift in the same area or similar area where current is strong. Incoming and outgoing tides are working but current speed is important.
COMMENTS: Larger fish (24 inches and up) are present in the schools and getting to be a regular catch. Keep a lookout when other fish area being pulled in and if another angler is on board they should be casting at your fly caught fish to pick up followers. This can be a nice bait and switch method to find better fish.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: It’s warming up to be a great summer. Weekday trips are better for fishing with less boat traffic and starting either early or late in the day and fishing for four hours in twilight conditions can be a very nice alternative to mid day sun.
SPECIES: Striped Bass, Atlantic Croaker, Cow Nosed Ray (Raja Bonasus),(blues in middle bay around the Patuxent River)
UPDATE: July 5, 2010
Caught this fish feeding on Spot
FISHING CONDITIONS: Little has changed this week on the middle bay. Still lots of schoolie size fish (under 18 inches) and larger fish hanging out without the excitement of top water and birds diving. But what motivates you? Some anglers just can’t stay interested if they don’t catch a fish every other cast or can’t see the fish breaking so we look for the bird bonanza for them. Those are sometimes fleeting but what fun they can be! Others can see the fish on sonar and work and work for the occasional bite by a really large, nice fish. These fish can be found around structure, usually in shadow lines of the structure. They are also in groups feeding on bait in the very bottom of the water column. I always try to locate these fish in shallower water so the fly can be sunken all the way to these fish and retrieved along the bottom where these fish are feeding on spot and sometimes bunker.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 79 Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 78 Degrees, Near Coastal 77.
MOST COMMON BAIT: Bunker, Herring, perch, spot, and now silver sides.
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch) half and half’s, blue and white is still working best although all white and chartreuse and white
Bunker pattern fly
are good choices as well. Having a bunker style pattern is essential if you want to have a larger fish look at your offering. Smaller Clouser style minnows (1 ½ inch) in various dark and white colors are working at times better than half and half’s. Having a little flash tied in seems critical. When you find breaking fish, poppers or gurglers are working well on top water fish. These work at dusk and dawn in shallow water too.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 20 to 30 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot non-tapered.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 weight with large arbor reel
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Full sink line in the fastest sink rate for waters around 6 to 12 feet and full float in skinny or if you happen to see fish on the surface or when fishing at dawn and dusk.
BEST TECHNIQUES: This time of year looking for birds is the best game in town. Birds help us locate the actively feeding schools of Striped Bass and we can quickly determine the preferred bait, the size and coloring so we can select the best fly or lure to use once the frenzy is over. Fishing after the breaking fish is slow but effective if you drift in the same area or similar area where current is strong. Incoming and outgoing tides are working but current speed is important.
COMMENTS: Larger fish (24 inches and up) are present but difficult to catch. Keep a lookout when other fish area being pulled in and if another angler is on board they should be casting at your fly caught fish to pick up followers. This can be a nice bait and switch method to find better fish.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: It’s warming up to be a great summer. Weekday trips are better for fishing with less boat traffic and starting either early or late in the day and fishing for four hours in twilight conditions can be a very nice alternative to mid day sun.
FISHING LOCATIONS: Found in water less than 20 feet deep and frequently in the shallowest of water, this fish is easy to sight fish for. Back bays and less desirable waters are perfect habitat for this species. High temperatures seem to make them happy and they feed and breed all over the Chesapeake.
MOST COMMON BAIT: Oysters, clams, mussels and small bait fish.
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch) half and half’s, blue and white is still working best although all white is a good choice as well. Some reaction to other popular colors as well such as white on chartreuse. Never use poppers or other top water offerings for this species.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 20 to 30 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot non-tapered.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: No special tackle required, 9 weight rod with large arbor reels are fine, but use care when fighting and landing because these fish can break rods easily.
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Almost any line will do provided the fly can get down to the level the Cow Nosed Ray can see and be able to eat.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Get into an area that the Rays are plentiful and not all spawning (easily detected by the numbers of pairs of Rays swimming one over the other). Feeding occurs all hours of the day but can be especially good in the hours when the light is low. Rays don’t fear boats and will move around and under your boat even in the shallowest of water. Good quality imitations of bait fish like a half and half will work but don’t expect every time you get the fly in the face of one these fish it will eat. Casting beyond and bringing the fly out from under the fish is best and not too fast. Rays will expend just so much energy to chase a fly. When fishing with someone it is helpful if they are using a pole to aid in positioning the boat to maximize your casting. Once the Rays eat the fly, let the line nearly clear the deck before you set the hook in order to prevent tangles from getting caught in the guides. Once the hook is set with a firm strip strike the Ray will leave your immediate area surprising quickly. Expect lots of turns and if in the area of structure, like stumps or rocks try to control how far the Ray gets into them. Typical runs will get into your backing and once you gain it back will do it over and over. This is a great fighter on a fly rod. Once exhausted carefully remove the hook with a long handled hook removal tool. The Ray will still put up a fight but can be released safely with careful handling. NOTE: the Ray has a barb located at the base of tail near the body that can inflict terrible pain on you if you get too close, and don’t bring him on board your boat, its way too dangerous.
COMMENTS: Cow Nosed Rays are growing in numbers and can be found all over the Chesapeake as well as other areas of the mid Atlantic. They are not prized as edible and do not look good mounted over your mantle but can provide the most big fish excitement during the summer doldrums that you can imagine.
FISHING CONDITIONS: Despite the numbers of great Striped Bass still out there, in May we also have worms.New moon phase in May and a hatch might just happen like this weekend when you are out to catch some Striped Bass.This seems to have been the trouble on Sunday.We drifted over the nicest school of Striped Bass ever and what happened?We caught only a few fish.Tried every fly imaginable and only one had any consistent results, a smallish Clouser on a 1/0 hook.There are still many Trophy size Striped Bass running around as you can see in the picture.Several trips this week in the Rivers near St. Michaels have netted some real nice fish although nothing larger than 36 inches.Water clarity is still excellent.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Mid Bay 60+ Degrees, Lower Bay (CBBT) 60 Degrees, Near Coastal 56.Not much change.
MOST COMMON BAIT:Bunker, Herring, perch, shad, and a host of other bait including MAY WORMS
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: Large (four inch) half and half’s, blue and white is still working.Some reaction to other popular colors as well such as white on white and white on chartreuse.
RECOMMENDED LEADER: 20 to 30 pound test, 7 ½ foot or 9 foot non-tapered.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT:9 weight with large arbor reel
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES: Full sink line in the fastest sink rate for waters around 6 to 12 feet and full float in skinny or if you happen to see fish on the surface.
BEST TECHNIQUES:Drifts over the hot areas that are holding fish. Cast up current if necessary to get your fly down.Once you feel the fish hit the fly do a solid strip strike.Continue to use debarbed hooks to make release easier during this period.Because we are using debarbed hooks a second strip strike is advisable, being careful not to mistakenly grab the backing when it is moving.
COMMENTS:Big fish are still around; don’t give up on a goal to slam one this Spring.Lots of patience and good casting can bring home the big one.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: With the fish and the bait I’m seeing in the area, once this worm hatch is over, expect to see bird action and breaking fish at least occasionally.
Trying to salvage this winter fishing is looking like an impossible task. Cold water temperatures have kept me at home much of this winter, at least since the end of December.Ice has been a problem, both at the ramps I use, in the water and if the deck of the boat gets wet, on the boat.I hope this is the last report that I send out with no actual fishing.
Meanwhile, I have been working on tackle, the boat and plans for an expanded fishery in the Barrier Islands along the coastal waters of VA. Despite striking out on several Tarpon trips this past summer the clients saw many Tarpon in the water. Hooking up was the problem. We also saw a good number of sharks in the same, shallow waters. They were either Blacktip or Spinner Sharks and were average size of about 5 feet. Either species would be a good fight on a fly rod, identification will only come with a hookup since the two sharks are similar in coloration and shape. If they are spinners expect to see a lot of jumping and acrobatics. I plan to use chum to attract the sharks to the boat and then we can them throw flys that should get there attention. Tarpon respond to chum as well as many other species so it’s a win, win. Preparing for the trips I have set up several shark rigs both on fly and spinning with extra strong abrasion resistant leader, and wire bite tippet. Fly rods will be the award winning HELIOS 12 wt coupled with the new MIRAGE reel. A stronger, lighter outfit just isn’t available.
In addition my preparations for spring include replacing all my fly reels with the MIRAGE reels from ORVIS. These new reels are lighter and have a drag that is superior in every way to most other reels and this reel is light weight. What a combo for the HELIOS rods!
FISHING CONDITIONS: Weather has kept me home with clients wisely waiting for better days.Fishing reports by those that did get out indicate it is off track with few or no fish being caught.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Upper Bay 37.8, Lower 41.9, Ocean 39.9
MOST COMMON BAIT:Bunker and something of much smaller size that isn’t yet identified.
“MUST HAVE” FLIES IN DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE:
Large, heavy Clouser deep minnow pattern, Chartreuse and white
Large bunker patterns and half and half’s
RECOMMENDED LEADER:I use short (7 1/2 foot) tapered leaders in 16 to 20 pound strength.For spinning I use straight non tapered sections of fluorocarbon leader material in 25 to 30 pound test.
BEST FLY ROD AND REEL OUTFIT: 9 foot 9 weight Tip Flex Rod, paired with a light weight large arbor reel.
IDEAL FLY LINE TYPES:This time of year I prefer full sinking lines.I like the deeper profile “belly” that forms with these lines.Whether I use full sink or a sinking head, use fastest sink rate line in either.Get it down!!
SPINNING REEL OUTFIT: I have selected shorter, six foot to seven foot, medium fast action rods with 2500 F1 series Shimano Stradic reel.Jigging works well with at least 3 to 4 ounces and a stinger behind.Lures like Bass Assassins on ¾ oz heads are working well.
BEST TECHNIQUES: Find fish with your sonar and work the pod.Expect several fish per area and usually move to new area in a few minutes as the pod breaks up.
COMMENTS:Although the larger fish aren’t common there seems to be plentiful supply of 22 to 26 inch fish.The jumbos may not show back up until bait in this area renews.
7-DAY OUTLOOK: I recommend “wait and see” for another week.Last year the entire month of January and February were productive.WATER TEMPERATURES ARE ONLY 1 DEGREE DIFFERENT THAN A YEAR AGO.THIS IS NOT THE END, JUST A PHASE.
FISHING CONDITIONS: Some of the best days I have seen this summer occurred this week. Blue fish running with the Striped Bass and now Spanish Mac in large numbers all in the same area of the middle bay. Many large blues and we caught a Spanish that was 24 inches long. Lower bay is still good for Cobia and I am setting up for a run at them next week. 
seen in years. Despite the few turns in the weather nothing put these fish down. The only real summer condition that concerns is the possibility of thunderstorms. Keeping up with weather forecasts and radar images on my cell phone are a must! Winds can throw up a chop on the water but nothing of consequence where we are fishing. Strong or weak tidal flow didn’t seem to make much difference over the days I spent down there this past week. We always found Tarpon. 
detected by the numbers of pairs of Rays swimming one over the other). Feeding occurs all hours of the day but can be especially good in the hours when the light is low. Rays don’t fear boats and will move around and under your boat even in the shallowest of water. Good quality imitations of bait fish like a half and half will work but don’t expect every time you get the fly in the face of one these fish it will eat. Casting beyond and bringing the fly out from under the fish is best and not too fast. Rays will expend just so much energy to chase a fly. When fishing with someone it is helpful if they are using a pole to aid in positioning the boat to maximize your casting. Once the Rays eat the fly, let the line nearly clear the deck before you set the hook in order to prevent tangles from getting caught in the guides. Once the hook is set with a firm strip strike the Ray will leave your immediate area surprising quickly. Expect lots of turns and if in the area of structure, like stumps or rocks try to control how far the Ray gets into them. Typical runs will get into your backing and once you gain it back will do it over and over. This is a great fighter on a fly rod. Once exhausted carefully remove the hook with a long handled hook removal tool. The Ray will still put up a fight but can be released safely with careful handling. NOTE: the Ray has a barb located at the base of tail near the body that can inflict terrible pain on you if you get too close, and don’t bring him on board your boat, its way too dangerous.
skinny or if you happen to see fish on the surface.
would be a good fight on a fly rod, identification will only come with a hookup since the two sharks are similar in coloration and shape. If they are spinners expect to see a lot of jumping and acrobatics. I plan to use chum to attract the sharks to the boat and then we can them throw flys that should get there attention. Tarpon respond to chum as well as many other species so it’s a win, win. Preparing for the trips I have set up several shark rigs both on fly and spinning with extra strong abrasion resistant leader, and wire bite tippet. Fly rods will be the award winning HELIOS 12 wt coupled with the new MIRAGE reel. A stronger, lighter outfit just isn’t available. 
