More times than not, stripers will tap at my sluggos (same as with eels). It's as if they're checking it out by nipping it and releasing. After the nibble, varying the retrieve doesn't draw a strike. Come back five minutes later and same thing. I'm thinking maybe they're schoolies. When blue fish bite, they chomp.

Curious as to your experience and thoughts.

I've been running into that quite a bit on my last few trips. I've noticed it more when I'm working them in the water column with a lead head, but have run into it a bit when jigging them at the canal. Been wondering the same as you, maybe it's just my inexperience and not setting the hook properly or quick enough.

Might try to start rigging a second hook on mine like the Rigged Sluggos you can buy but I'm not shelling out 9 bucks for when I can do it myself. Any tips on rigging these?

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripertalk/showthread.php?t=28466

most likely smaller fish. big fish have no problem inhaling a slug-go

most likely smaller fish. big fish have no problem inhaling a slug-go

My thoughts exactly !!

I have found that when using plastics, sluggo, shads etc, that those little nips can be turned into hook ups by applying Smelly Jelly. I was never a big fan of scent, but I have repeated this scenario enough times now to be convinced. It is almost as if the fish "shy away" at the last instance, but will smack the plastic if it does not smell wrong. (I think the scent does not ADD much, just removes that "human" trace.)

Agree with emgred but I use the "fresh flavors" from Hogy. Their eel scent is awesome.

Small fish--drives you nuts. Happens a lot. I don't really want to hook up with the runts anyway when I'm throwing 9" Sluggos or 10" RonZ.

On one occasion I needed three hands. Held the sluggo between my lips.
Strong plastic taste !!! But can stripers taste as well with a little nip??
I think not, but then again . . .