Every fall, East Coast saltwater fly rodders treat themselves to the amazing phenomenon of striped bass blitz fishing. Huge schools of stripers, driven to feeding orgies by immeasurable numbers of bay and striped anchovies, are targeted by both anglers on shore and in boats from New England to Chesapeake Bay.

Derived from blitzkrieg, a German word meaning "intense campaign" made notorious in World War II, a bass blitz is an all-out attack on bait. At New York's Montauk Point and Beach, striper runs are legendary and the fall blitzes of recent years are no exception. From early September through late October, if you follow tide charts and carefully explore Montauk's shoreline, there is an excellent chance that at some point in the day you will find a blitz. Blitzes can range from more than an acre in size to just a few dozen feet across. Last season I encountered the largest blitzes I have ever seen in my five years of guiding at Montauk. With enormous numbers of striped bass averaging 8 to 15 pounds and an occasional 20-pound fish thrown in to make it interesting, it's easy for boat or wade anglers to catch fish all day.