I have been having good luck along the rocks off a boat off W Gloucester in the past few days, most in the 26 to 30" range. But, when I try out deep and go to the bottom, I am lost. I have tried whole fish on a hook only and chuncks. I never get a never a hit, only the dog fish come. I tried drifting last week with a sinker and stuffed some foam popcorn in the fish to keep the bait off the bottom, but still no luck. I see boats a couple miles off the Glo harbor breakwater jetty and they bring in some monsters. Any tips by anyone. PS live bait hard to come by in these parts except eels. Rick

welcome to S-B

PM Sent

I usually fish along the rock in my boat and have good luck with chunk herring. But when I go out deep a few miles beyond the breakwater I can never get anything. I have tried a few different ways, drifting, and anchored. I have used sinkers and Styrofoam in the bait to keep it off the bottom. Most of the time I get lots of dogfish, but never a striper. Does anyone have any suggestions or spots with-in 2 to 15 miles out? Rick

I usually fish along the rock in my boat and have good luck with chunk herring. But when I go out deep a few miles beyond the breakwater I can never get anything. I have tried a few different ways, drifting, and anchored. I have used sinkers and Styrofoam in the bait to keep it off the bottom. Most of the time I get lots of dogfish, but never a striper. Does anyone have any suggestions or spots with-in 2 to 15 miles out? Rick

Rick - couple items:

1) It is illegal to fish off Gloucster (or anywhere in Mass, RI, or CT) with any River Herring, either Blueback or Alewive. So make ABSOLUTELY certain that you are using Atlantic Herring. Some of the EPOs that may invesitgate you may have a hard time telling the difference too so be real sure you can).

2) It is illegal to fish for striped bass in waters more than 3 miles from shore. This is fishing in the EEZ and is prohibited. You can fish in the shore to 3 miles of state waters.

The fish will be found closer to shore, just spend time on the water and your catches will go up with your opportunities. Like almost all fish, they move, and where they are one day ios not necessarily where they will be the next, so hunt around (safe) rockpiles with moving water (did I mention safe?)

I combined the two threads - R from G - only one question is needed - thanks....