| Improve your tactics for striped bass fishing with the | | | | Spool your reel with 200 yards of 20 to 30 pound |
| tips in this article. These are my best tips and | | | | test monofilament or braided line. If you cant get 200 |
| information for striped bass tackle, gear, bait and | | | | yards of 20# test monofilament line on your reel |
| techniques. Surf fishing for striped bass is a cold | | | | then switch over to 30# braided line. You'll have no |
| water endeavor. They prefer water between 55 and | | | | trouble. 30# test braided line is approximately the |
| 65 degrees. Fishing the surf for these guys ranges | | | | same diameter as 8# test monofilament. |
| from North Carolina to Nova Scotia. In warmer areas | | | | Striped Bass Bait |
| of the US they are more likely to be found in fresh | | | | Striped bass will feed on a large variety of live bait |
| water lakes and rivers where the water is colder. | | | | but their two favorite choices are eels and squid. The |
| Striped Bass Tackle | | | | best way to fish eels is tail hooked on a fish finder |
| The only live bait rig I like is the fish finder rig | | | | rig so the eel feeds out with the current in the |
| because the bait can free line with the current. In my | | | | natural way it would swim. Next to that I would |
| opinion this is the most productive live bait rig. Smaller | | | | recommend menhaden or bunker hooked just in |
| fish, 8 to 10 pounds can be taken on hook sizes in | | | | front of the pectoral fins on a fish finder rig for the |
| the 2/0, 3/0 range. For bigger fish 6/0 to 8/0 is the | | | | same reason. You want your bait to feed out or |
| preferred size. More importantly you should size your | | | | swim natural with the current into the waiting |
| hook to the bait used. Circle hooks are what I like to | | | | predators. |
| use which is also best for catch and release. | | | | Cut baits will catch stripers too and can be hooked |
| Leaders should be 60# to 80# test. Monofilament is | | | | which ever way works best for you. |
| okay for leader material. Rig your own fish finder | | | | Striped Bass Techniques |
| setups with 18" to 24" of leader between the hook | | | | Striped bass like moving water and will always be |
| and the swivel. Artificial bait and lures are not as | | | | facing into the current. They would rather lie and wait |
| productive as live bait but work well. Artificial eels and | | | | for their food to come to them. Out going high tides |
| squid are best in the artificial category. Most any type | | | | are best for live bait. If you can find a rip current |
| of swimming plugs are good from 1-3/4 ounce to 2-1 | | | | that usually a good choice. The fish finder rig is good |
| 4 ounces in size. | | | | because the bait can be free lined out with the |
| Striped Bass Gear | | | | current, right into the path of waiting stripers. Lures, |
| If you've been reading my articles you know I have | | | | artificial bait and live bait that is retrieved are best for |
| a preference for spinning reels. I just think they're | | | | incoming high tides as the fish will be facing into the |
| easier to use and cause less problems. Suit yourself | | | | retrieve. Scout the beach at low tide for likely spots |
| here, whatever you like the best. Choose a spinning | | | | to fish. They like rocks and other forms of hard |
| reel or bait casting reel it makes no difference. As far | | | | structure. |
| as surf rods go, a 10' to 12' rod is still my | | | | Striped bass are not put off by riled water and will |
| recommendation. I'm not a real big fan of having a | | | | take live bait, lures or artificials equally well under |
| special rod for every kind of fish caught in the surf. | | | | those conditions. Night fishing after dark is productive |
| Most of the surf fishing I do is with my | | | | as well as the early morning hours just before |
| medium-heavy 12' rod. For me it can handle short or | | | | daylight. Striped bass are primarily nocturnal feeders. |
| long casts and if I hook into something sizable I have | | | | Fishing during the day is not nearly as good. |
| enough beef to deal with it. I like to keep it simple. | | | | Striped bass are one of the most prized game fish |
| These fish do have some size so you want to be | | | | caught in the surf. Follow the tips in this article to |
| sure your rod is up to it. | | | | improve your catch rate and hunt for the big stripers. |