Successful Striped Bass fishing on the East Coast is part adaptation and part using local knowledge. I began fishing for them at age six. Most of my knowledge has come from trial and error, with a few things passed down from the legends in the area, who are long gone, but their tried and true methods are still remembered. I also started Striper fishing during the advent of highly technical fishing gear – angler’s are now more lethal than ever as a result of their equipment. Whether you fish inland in your skiff, pole the flats, or cast from the beach, avoid these seven “Striper Sins” and you’ll be a more successful angler in your home waters.
1. Fishing Cold Water vs. Warm Water
When the water warms up during the summer months, striped bass go down to deeper depths in order to cool down their bodily temperatures. Stripers are cold blooded “Poikilotherm’s” which means they must regulate their temperature by external means. To counter their habits, you must find the cooler water eddies in your location – usually lower than 75 degrees Fahrenheit with the best temperature around 55 degrees. The hotter it is, the deeper the better!
2. Too Much Drag vs. Too Little Drag
Striped Bass are aggressive fighters, but they do have toothless mouths. That said, do not be afraid of them biting through the line. When a big one is on the hook and the drag is too firm, you risk the hook ripping right out of the to-be trophy’s mouth. In order to counter this, the drag system on any reel must be set accordingly. Do not be afraid to have it on the looser end, after all, a tired fish after a few minutes of running is better than a lost fish with a big hole in its jaw. Just do not be afraid to set the hook!
3. Using Artificial Bait vs. Live Bait
Live bait should almost always be your first choice for Striped Bass, but sometimes it is hard to come by. Artificial bait has been proven to out-fish plain old live bait in some situations. Although a few companies have been around for years, newer artificial bait products such as ‘Sluggo’, ‘Gulp,’ and ‘Storm’ incorporate special materials and scientific research in order to give you more productive artificial bait. When fishing these products, it is important to consult the directions so they are fished properly.
4. Targeting Protected Waters vs. Open Ocean
Think inlets – the open ocean is too vast of an area to target Stripers. Rather than combing the Atlantic stick to the inlets, inter-coastal waterways, and rocky structures. This is because when the season opens, the Stripers are returning to their salt water domains to roam around until breeding time returns. Inlets provide both salt and fresh water (commonly referred to as brackish water), where the bass operate. Furthermore, inlets usually offer plenty of rocks as they are dredged to the sides to protect beaches against tides, weather, etc… These rocks are where the Bass congregate and commonly hunt for unassuming prey.
5. Fishing Darkness vs. Daylight
Striped Bass are predominantly nocturnal creatures, meaning they hunt in the darkness, and are less active during the day. When casting into the darkness, it is important to use a lure that shocks the area surrounding it. The idea is for the fish to feel the vibrations, and hear the rattles as well as the gushes of water as it is being pulled through the surf. This allows the fish to locate, isolate, and then strike the lure. The darker it is, the darker the lure must be – no joke!
6. High Tide vs. Low Tide
It is difficult to say when the fishing is better – high tide or low tide. It is dependent upon the area you are targeting. However, fishing for stripers is always most productive about 45 minutes before the tide returns or goes out.
7. Sea Lice vs. No Sea Lice
When Striper season opens, many people target estuaries and channels that flow into the ocean. Although fishing these areas is very productive, they are often polluted with run-off from the surrounding shore. In order to check whether or not a Striper is what scientists call a ‘holdover’ or is a migratory fish check for sea lice. When Bass come inshore from the ocean they carry small lice – most often on their fins and stomach. This means that the fish is migratory, which ultimately makes for a safer meal on the dining room table.
Straight Shots,
Sheldrake2
Posted in The Seven Deadly Sins on Saturday, July 18th, 2009
