Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post

Got Stripers · 06-15-2001, 06:39 PM

All kidding aside (for the momment), there are some lessons to be learned here.

When in Rome......I still think the big difference today was what was on the end of the line. You gave my hook, rigging and plastic a very brief trial and did catch a bass or two before going back to your stuff. I think you made two mistakes today and I say this only so others might learn something. First you didn't switch over early enough and when you did, you didn't stay with it long enough.

Horizontal vs vertical......The major difference in what was on the end of our lines is that your jig head/plastic combination works horizontally ONLY if your retrieving it, but it works more vertically if you stop the retrieve. My method of weighting, which is lighter to begin with, results in more of a horizontal presentation especially when the retrieve is stopped. You watched me successfully tease several stripers near the boat, but a number reacted in a similar fashion 50 feet away. I worked the bait in a twitch-twitch-pause tempo, but the key is how the bait falls when I pause. It's a slow horizontal glide or spiral and not a vertical drop.

Water clarity is a key consideration when fishing for stripers. This was brought home big time today. You are used to fishing the murky Boston harbor waters and white/pearl/chartreuse might be your go to colors. That is because visibility is down and those colors help the fish see the baits. I can see bottom in 15-20 feet of water and these fish need to be approached differently. That means more subdued (reads translucent) colors, quiet approach (trolling motor), long mono or flurocarbon leaders, a more horizontal presentation (reads more natural) and sometimes a painfully slow approach and presentation; especially when the sun comes up.

Next time you come out with me, the best thing you can do is bring your rod only and leave all your gear at home. The rod you had was just perfect for what I fish, but the IN YOUR FACE (colors/teasers) stuff was a bit much for these clear water stripers. This is for others that might want to learn something from this.

Hopefully I will be able to adapt well, come time to fish with you and Bill in the inner harbor. Not sure I would change much, maybe a heavier wrap on the hook, darker color, maybe bigger bait (more movement of water=vibration for the fish to sense), more noise possible (glass rattles pushed into the plastic), but I'm still a jerk.......bait man.

Tight lines.

06-15-2001, 06:39 PM	#4
Got Stripers Ledge Runner Baits iTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: I live in a house, but my soul is at sea. Posts: 8,615	All kidding aside (for the momment), there are some lessons to be learned here. When in Rome......I still think the big difference today was what was on the end of the line. You gave my hook, rigging and plastic a very brief trial and did catch a bass or two before going back to your stuff. I think you made two mistakes today and I say this only so others might learn something. First you didn't switch over early enough and when you did, you didn't stay with it long enough. Horizontal vs vertical......The major difference in what was on the end of our lines is that your jig head/plastic combination works horizontally ONLY if your retrieving it, but it works more vertically if you stop the retrieve. My method of weighting, which is lighter to begin with, results in more of a horizontal presentation especially when the retrieve is stopped. You watched me successfully tease several stripers near the boat, but a number reacted in a similar fashion 50 feet away. I worked the bait in a twitch-twitch-pause tempo, but the key is how the bait falls when I pause. It's a slow horizontal glide or spiral and not a vertical drop. Water clarity is a key consideration when fishing for stripers. This was brought home big time today. You are used to fishing the murky Boston harbor waters and white/pearl/chartreuse might be your go to colors. That is because visibility is down and those colors help the fish see the baits. I can see bottom in 15-20 feet of water and these fish need to be approached differently. That means more subdued (reads translucent) colors, quiet approach (trolling motor), long mono or flurocarbon leaders, a more horizontal presentation (reads more natural) and sometimes a painfully slow approach and presentation; especially when the sun comes up. Next time you come out with me, the best thing you can do is bring your rod only and leave all your gear at home. The rod you had was just perfect for what I fish, but the IN YOUR FACE (colors/teasers) stuff was a bit much for these clear water stripers. This is for others that might want to learn something from this. Hopefully I will be able to adapt well, come time to fish with you and Bill in the inner harbor. Not sure I would change much, maybe a heavier wrap on the hook, darker color, maybe bigger bait (more movement of water=vibration for the fish to sense), more noise possible (glass rattles pushed into the plastic), but I'm still a jerk.......bait man. Tight lines.