Shad

American shad are among the most exciting fish to catch on a fly rod. Shad are beautiful fish and extremely tough fighters, known for their ability to run and make spectacular jumps. Most recreational fishing for American shad occurs in the spring, when the fish enter rivers to spawn. Due to a decline in shad populations, shad fishing is now a catch and release fishery.

Summer Flounder

Fly fishing for summer flounder can be done along the shoreline, along inlets, jetties and other places where fly fishermen can find shallow water access. Flounder can also be caught with fly fishing tackle from boats, typically along flats and grass beds or places such as sharp bends where fish will congregate in shallow areas.Flounder bury in the sand where it can ambush its prey, feeding on a variety of small fish and crustaceans. Saltwater fly fishermen use patterns that mimic small baitfish, squid, shrimp, crabs and other natural prey, presenting them in key locations where flounder lurk at depths shallow enough to be reached with fly tackle.

Atlantic Croaker

Atlantic Croaker or "hardhead" are popular saltwater fish common along the Atlantic coast. The fish get their names because of the "croaking" noise the make when removed from the water. Croakers are hard fighters and prolific feeders. They are caught on a variety of fly patterns and are among the first fish that move into the shallows in the spring.

Striped Bass

Striped bass are among the most sought after fish by saltwater fly fishermen. Also known as "rockfish", these heavy bodied fish can test the limits of saltwater fly fishing tackle. Striped bass are active in cold weather, allowing fly fishermen to extend their season. Anglers seek out stripers along the shoreline, near inlets,  from jetties, beaches, and in grass beds and tidal flats. Striped bass also chase baitfish to the surface, especially in the fall. This makes the fish very popular among anglers with boats as they can follow the birds to get in casting position of the school.

Bluefish

Along the USA east coast, bluefish can be found along shorelines, inlets, jetties, beaches and areas where rips form such as sharp bends or channel edges. Many of these locations are ideal for shorebound fly fishermen. Other fly fishing opportunities exist for boaters, including areas where bluefish congregate in large numbers. Bluefish often work bait the surface and their location given away by birds or when their backs or tails appear above the surface. Other fly anglers can anchor and chum with ground menhaden or mackerel in order to bring bluefish within casting range.

Mahi Mahi

Mahi Mahi, also known as dorado or dolphin fish are fast growing, pelagic fish. They are among the most beautiful of all fish.Younger fish school in large numbers, orienting to sargasso weed or floating debri. Larger fish are loners are travel in small groups, but sometimes still orient to floating structure.The males develop a blunt forehead and grow larger than the females.

Weed lines and floating lumber or other objects are excellent places to cast flies for dolphin fish . These fish sometimes orient to objects as small as a coffee cup. It's best to keep one fish hooked up at the boat until the next angler has one on. Anglers rotate so that there is always one fish hooked and swimming near the boat. This keeps the school at the boat. Fishermen can also keep the school enticed by chumming with scarps of skipjack tuna, false albacore or bonita belly. Frozen silversides can be another good bait.

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