All this season I have been having a blast filming Cape wildlife using a variety of different cameras. It's been an eye-opening experience for me!
Today I wanted to take a moment to share with you another quick clip that I hope you will enjoy watching.
This past Tuesday I filmed with my drone a large school of striped bass in the 15-40+ pound range as they swam directly at my kayak, spooking at the last instant.
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These fish were very finicky and were not in feeding mode. Throughout the evening I made many good casts at schools of very big bass, but I could not get a single fish to commit to biting.
In this video I am using a spook-style lure, specifically the 6 inch RD Bomb from Daddy Mac Lures.
Another one of my favorite spooks are the 9 inch and 7 inch Docs, which you can order online here. Both lures can be very effective on big fish, but neither worked on Tuesday.
I have a lot more footage and stories about my recent adventures casting spook plugs which I will be sharing soon. I hope you are having a great week and I will post again asap!
Tight lines 
Looks like some fish were investigating but were not fooled by the lure. Perhaps a realistic lure would have a better chance in the calm clear water.
Casting a different type of lure certainly could of been worth a try Frank. Personally, I think live bait would of worked best on these finicky fish. A live pogie or mackerel might of done the trick, but of course this is only speculation. Thanks for watching and good luck if you get out fishing this week. ?
So cool to see that school! Sorry they were not biting.
Cast a 1/3 oz Kandlefish metal jig into the leading middle of the school and let it flutter, dart and vibrate on a TIGHT line while twitching your rod tip as the jig falls. This technique triggers strikes because of its hydrosonic and erratic action that signals a baitfish in distress. No other lure-type can duplicate the action of a well-balanced metal jig on the fall! By tight-lining this jig on the drop, versus a loose line, it increases the sideways darting action of the jig thereby increasing its vibration and slowing its fall so that it remains longer in the strike zone of suspended fish. Because of this darting action, this particular jig is also highly effective when trolled. It’s hard to beat a metal jig for its versatility. Be well…Pete
Great tips Pete, thank you! I’m always learning something new whenever I login to MFCC. I will have to give a metal jig a try next time. Sometimes I just get so wrapped up around topwater because I love seeing the strikes, but it can definitely pay to experiment with new tactics. Hope all is well with you and tight lines ?
I was happy just seeing them Ken. Catching one would of been a bonus. I’m glad you enjoyed the video clip! Thanks for watching. ??
I trolled around Kingston Bay on Fathers day. NO luck other than a very small striper. It was fun nevertheless!
Roger that Ed. Glad you enjoyed your day on the water! Have you tried a tube and worm yet? I know some big fish are caught each summer in Kingston/Plymouth bay channels on a red tube and worm. LMK!
I have always assumed that if I am not catching, there are no fish around. Your recent videos have certainly changed my mind on that!
LOL, that is definitely correct. The fish are not always in the biting mood, that is for sure!
Ryan, as the old saying goes, “that’s fishing”! Exciting to see a school of large bass.
Jim, Ryan turned me on to using a drone and I purchased a DJI Mavic Mini a few months ago and have been learning the ins and outs ever since. Yesterday, was my maiden flight in Plymouth Bay, and it was fun, but must admit I was a little nervous landing it on my boat, but did so safely. Ryan’s advice to me was to go slow, get comfortable flying the drone, be patient and have fun. The warranty covers crashes but not when it’s lost at sea. Private message me if you would like me to share more about flying a Mavic Mini, but Ryan’s the pro!
That is definitely fishing Ron! Obviously I wished at least one fish bit, but I’m a-ok with just getting that up close and personal with a school. It’s cool to just watch the fish doing their thing.
I’m glad the drone is working out for you too. Landing it on the boat can be a littler nerve-wrecking, especially when the wind is blowing. Gluck and keep me posted with what you see!
I’ve seen people retrieve their drone by navigating it back so that it flies in the air right in front of them, then just reaching out and grabbing it. Very impressive!
awesome footage! can’t believe there were no takers?!?!?
I know right! However I think these fish fed elsewhere. I just don’t think they were in the feeding mode.
The joy of fishing, and not catching.Love the video.
Yup! Exactly. It was very cool just to see such a big and healthy school of large fish. ?
Awesome video Ryan, Keep up the good work and love watching your videos.
I’m glad you enjoy watching the videos Vito. More to come soon!
Amazing video. I’ve had the same experience, though not the same view on my kayak. Spooking big fish and throwing everything I have to them, to no avail.
How are you able to fly the drone (over water, no less), and fish at the same time?
I’m also interested in what kind of drone you’re using, if you don’t mind my asking. I’ve just begun to dabble in the sport.
Hi Jim! ??
It’s taken some practice, but I’m now pretty comfortable launching and landing the drone from my kayak while out on the water. I wouldn’t attempt it right away but with some practice anyone can do it.
Right now I’m using the DJI Spark, but I might end up purchasing a DJI Mavic Mini, which gets up to 30 minutes of flight time. Both models have a “lock and follow” feature which I used in this video. Essentially the drone will lock into a target (me on the kayak) and follow me around.
LMK if I can help answer anything else. ?
Ryan, once again fantastic drone footage. I have the mavic mini (small and flies great with 2.7k camera) and definitely has 25 minute flight time but does NOT have the lock on and follow feature. Maybe in a future firmware update but not yet.
Oh man! That is disappointing to hear, but thanks for letting me know Mike. ??