Chasing Striped Bass on PEI — A Conversation with Michael Mailman

A couple of years ago, I visited Prince Edward Island for the first time and like many before me, I completely fell in love with the place. The beautiful landscapes, the salt air, the red sand beaches and the kindness of the people make it somewhere you want to come back to again and again. I’ve been dreaming of returning and this summer, I’m finally heading back with my family.

PEI is also known to offer some incredible striped bass fishing. To learn more about the scene out there, I reached out to my friend Michael Mailman, who lives on the island and has been chasing stripers on the fly for years. Michael was kind enough to share his experience, tips, and a bit of his personal story with me.

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What time of year do you find best for targeting striped bass, and is that timing specific to your local area?

The season usually starts around May here on PEI but as the water warms up, August and September are really the best months. The bass stick around right until the close of the season in October.

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Can you walk us through the techniques you use for striped bass fishing? How do they compare to methods used for salmon or trout?

Fishing stripers on the fly here is mostly done by walking the saltwater flats and tidal waters. Some people go after them by boat the same way too. A lot of folks will tell you early morning or late evening is best but personally, I’ve had great luck right in the middle of the day.

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Let’s talk gear—what rod, reel and line setup do you prefer when fishing for stripers?

I fish with a Pieroway Tactical 10’ 8-weight rod but honestly, anything from a 6 to 9-weight will do the job. I pair that with a sealed drag reel so the PEI mud and sand don’t cause too many issues. A quick rinse at home is usually all it takes to keep it in good shape. I mostly use sinking lines—unless the flies I’m using are weighted or I’m fishing topwater. One thing I always have with me is a stripping basket. It keeps the line from tangling around your feet when casting or fighting a fish.

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Do you have a few go-to flies for striped bass? How much does your fly selection change based on conditions?

Choosing flies for stripers is a lot like “matching the hatch” when you’re trout fishing. It really depends on what baitfish they’re feeding on at the time—whether that’s herring, crab, or something else. I try to use patterns that match the colour and size of the bait around, though sometimes, if they’re not feeding on what’s there, something totally different can work too.

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Do you target striped bass when they come up into rivers, or do you mainly fish for them along the coast?

I mainly chase them in the head of tidal waters when I’m fly fishing—it’s just easier to find them there. I’ve fished the beach with the fly rod before but I’ve had more luck using live bait out there.

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How does your approach change when targeting striped bass in rivers versus out on the coast?

When I’m fishing the tidal waters, I usually focus on the areas between sandbars and around structure, using larger flies. That’s where I’ve had the most success.

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Any advice or tips for someone who’s just starting out and wants to try striped bass fishing?

Honestly—just go out there, try different spots, and switch up your flies until you start to figure it out. And don’t be shy to ask for help. I had a few good friends who helped me a lot when the bass started showing up here on PEI 15 to 20 years ago. Their advice made a big difference.

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What is it about striped bass that keeps you coming back? What makes them a special species for you?

I actually started fishing for striped bass with my father, Donald Mailman. He had some health conditions that made other types of fishing tough but bass fishing was something we could enjoy together—and he absolutely loved it. After he passed away, I kept going back because it brings back those memories. It’s also something I can still access easily, even after breaking my ankle, which makes getting around a bit harder for me now.

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How big do striped bass typically get in your area—and what’s the biggest one you’ve landed or seen?

The bass around here seem to be getting bigger and more common. We see a lot of fish in the slot size range, about 50 to 65 cm but there are more and more in the 30-inch range, some even pushing 40 inches. The biggest one I’ve caught personally was about 46 inches and 42 pounds. That was back in May 2017. I weighed it right in the net and subtracted the weight of the net before releasing the fish.

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Are there any regulations or conservation practices anglers should know about before targeting striped bass?

Yeah, there are slot limits and other rules that change depending on the area and time of year, so it’s important to check the local regulations before heading out. PEI has specific guidelines that help manage the fishery and keep things sustainable.

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There’s been some concern about striped bass impacting salmon populations. Do you have any thoughts or observations on that?

I’ve heard the concerns about striped bass eating young salmon and it’s definitely something being talked about more these days. It seems like as the bass population has grown, the discussion around their impact on other species has too. It’s something I think we’ll need to keep an eye on here in the Maritimes.

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Big thanks to Michael for taking the time to share his experience and insight. If you’re thinking about giving striped bass fishing a try on PEI—or anywhere else—it’s hard not to feel inspired by the passion and care anglers like Michael bring to the water.