New member (hello!) w/a Q:

[addict]

Hello to all from your newest member. Been lurking for a while and finally decided to register. I live/work/fish the ny area from montauk to nj. Just got into striper fishing this year and love it.

I've enclosed a pic from last night's hunt. That's my friend Steve with a nice pair of 40"+. All revived & released

So here's my question: Being new to striper fishing, how shy are stripers when it comes to feeling the weight of your line/sinker?

Why do I ask? Last night's Score:
Steve: 7 hits, 5 runs, No errors.
Me: 2 hits, no runs, no errors
My other friend Marc: One hit, no runs, no errors.
"runs" - fish landed

We were fishing within 20 ft of each other. Steve had 3 rods, Marc and I were fishing one rod. All using bunkers. All casted similar distances. All using same hooks. Steve was using a fishfinder rig with one hook, I was on a high-low rig, Marc on a fishfinder rig too. All using fluro leaders. Mix of spinners and convench.

Here's the ONLY difference that we could talk about. Steve (who mainly used to fish sweetwater LMB), kept talking about how the bass shy away from your offering if they feel any tension on the pickup. He was using a spinner with the bail open, and had his line LIGHTLY held by a rubberband. His idea was that with an open bail and fishfinder rig, the fish will drop the bait less upon pickup. Marc and I weren't impressed until Steve outfished us HANDS DOWN. Marc was using a squidder with the clicker on, I was using a 5500 with very light drag setting, Steve on a baitrunner (but bail open) (PS: only his rods were spiked at less than 40 degrees - prob. like 30 degrees. Marc and I had it closer to 50 degrees)

So what do you folks think? Are stripers THAT shy about line tension? Or am I (and Marc) just bad striper fisherman?

[Buzz-erd]

A resounding YES!Do more plugging than chunking these days(no time)but in my experience stripers WILL drop your bait if they feel anything.
With live bait the fish has to make a decision:go for it or don't go for it.Cut bait is different,the fish can take a "taste".

[Buzz-erd]

BTW:Nice fish.

[Bigcat]

Welcome Addict,
Nice job with the fish, But that sweatshirt got to go

[bloocrab]

Originally posted by addict
...All revived & released .......Last night's Score:
Steve: 7 hits, 5 runs, No errors.
Me: 2 hits, no runs, no errors
My other friend Marc: One hit, no runs, no errors.

"runs" - fish landed

So what do you folks think?

Since you asked, here are my thoughts.

**...**......**

Did Steve get a double header? If he's the only one who had "runs", which you explained were "fish landed"..he HAD to get a double header...becaue how could he be holding up 2 striped bass if "ALL" fish were released? Steve also looks awfully dry for a guy who just walked up from the surf to take a picture with 2 freshly caught fish...which were released???? Lotta colors to your hoola hoop.

[addict]

bloocrab,

1- Never call someone you don't know a liar. But since this was my first post, I'll let ya off the hook.
2- re: doubleheader: he had a fish on one rod, then the second went screeming and our other friend reeled in the fish (Steve's gear, rigs, baiting and cast, so I gave Steve the "run").
3- How he held up two fish? We landed them literally within 30 seconds of each other.
4- Looking dry: We weren't at the beach. Should I have said, "shore-fishing"? And he/we did walk into the water if you look at his feet. We were fishing the western sound surf/shore in NY - parts of which do not have sand. Do you know this area?
5- Fish released: We revived both of them (as well as the other 3) and were released.
6- Do all newbies to the board get the 3rd degree upon their 1st post?
7- If you're done cross-examining my post, how about some input re: my original question?

[Tagger]

Welcome Addict !!!....yes if they feel you in most cases they will drop the bait..Bow To the Cow...have you ever heard that expression ?...When you feel anything, lower your rod and watch or lightly feel your line. When line straightens hit it..If you wait to long they'll drop on the end ..This method only gives the fish the length of the rod to run so you get nice corner of the mouth hook ups...I'm not a big fan of letting the fish run to far where they tend to swallow...no rod holders !!...Nice fish...shirt sucs...

[Buzz-erd]

Addict,
I got called "Gull-able" by the guy.I'm a "newbie" to the board but by means new to fishing.Some folks who ain't doin to well like to get on those who are.(re my post"Blues,pogies,squid?!).
Like I said..nice fish.

[addict]

Oh man, I'm dead meat on this board.

cuz I'm actually a met fan


Tagger - you hold your rod all night even when chunking?

Buzz - thanks, but they weren't mine.

You folks will be into them soon. The large are on the move, I'm sure you'll start getting your medicine soon.

[TheSpecialist]

Sounds legit to me man.

[bloocrab]

...your right, I don't know you...and shouldn't have done that. It was in jest, as I'm a jester...but it did reflect my thoughts, but who cares what I think, I'm just

..some folk who ain't doin to well and like to get on those who are..

. I wish you Peace, my fellow fisherpeople...

..and thanks for letting me off the hook. .. . I didn't want to be tog bait.

...

Originally posted by addict
So here's my question: ...how shy are stripers when it comes to feeling the weight of your line/sinker?

First off:

We were fishing within 20 ft of each other. ... ...Steve could have been fishing better structure/hole/pocket, just 20 feet away

Steve had 3 rods...Marc and I were fishing one rod........increasing Steve's odds incredibly, especially bait fishing..

...my thoughts on line sensitivity:

It all depends on the conditions. If the Bass has to work for her meal, if it's a fleeing live-lined baitfish, she pretty much ONLY sees a fish in distress, an easy target..as exciting as it is...it's still work and I believe the line gets overlooked. Versus baitfishing, the only work is finding it before another bass does. If the bass are in larger schools, competition is a factor..making the visible line less of a factor... If it's a few bass, they may be pickier..less competition. They may take the time to examine the offering, noticing the steel wire the angler chose to use. Picking up on the heavy hardware, swivels/snaps/clumsy knots. The unnatural scent of frozen bait. If something seems unnatural to her, she may walk away. Thats why a slight tap on the rod is good from time to time. It gives your offering some life, it puts the bass back in her instinctive mode versus her inspector gadjet mode...And as far as her picking it up and feeling the line, yes...she'll drop it if she gets the chance...like tagger said, bow to the fish...if she stops her run...don't set, she may have spit to better position the meal...let her burst again, then WHAMMY!!!...I believe many things play a factor in this equation. I could go into more detail on what I think...but my rule of thumb is .....to try and make my offering look as natural as possible. You can't do much more than that.

..rereading my reply, I'm not sure thats answers your question. ..thats why people don't listen to me.


Happy Fishing-

[addict]

I take life in stride folks. No need to fret over online fishing.

bloo - I took your post as an expression of what you were feeling inside. Those were your thoughts and everyone has a right to their opinion. My reply to you was also in "psuedo-jest". Otherwise, I wouldn't have included some of the anicons. I know it's difficult to express one's true feelings online sometimes.

I've read some of the other threads but I honestly don't know who is who of this board (vets, newbies, in-bet, sharpies, the not so sharpies, sexists, racists, left wing, right wing...) My life's too short to get wound up over this net thing. I'd rather fish and if I'm not fishing, I like talking to people who enjoy talking about fishing.

So be yourselves, and Let's Go Fishing!


PS: I'd prefer honesty over online community pressures to be "nice". It'll show one's true colors, and THAT to me IS important. Who ever said we all have to get along?

Vince aka "addict" from ground zero - never forget 9/11

[bloocrab]

Quit sending me threatening emails!!!

I have a 13 foot black belt and various certifications in the arts of martial acting. I used to do shadow kung fu until I hurt myself...but thats a different story

[addict]

bloo - you really need to go fishing...take that shuttle from Logan down to NY and I'll take you to the spot where we didn't catch those fish.

[bloocrab]

...can you pop that pimple for me please??

[bassmaster]

Nice arse

[Tagger]

I do ...all night....better than watching it bounce only to run over and miss it..

[fishweewee]

Addict, that spot looks vaguely familiar. Was that in the vicinity of Manhasset or was it more towards Queens? Last few seasons I fished with Rich Tenreiro outta Pt. Washington and we SLAMMED some 25-30 lbers on bunker chunks in...April.

-WW

[addict]

Tagger - what rod/reel are you using? you must be one strong dude to go all night holding that rod/reel. Maybe I need to lift.

fish - you're VERY warm. more towards queens. but I'm sure you already know the spot. EVERYONE knows that spot. grand freakin' central.

I wish I started fishing earlier in my life.

[fishweewee]

10-4. That area has some nice winter flounder too, if you have a boat.

[fishweewee]

Oh I forgot to give you my $0.02 on your question.

A lot of people have already mentioned that fish to get spooked by line tension. I've found it to be doubly the case if you're using braid from the shore. I sound like a broken record as I've said this a million times here ... increased sensitivity in braided lines is a two way street. If you can feel fish, the fish can feel you, and they do get spooked and will spit the hook. So in sandy areas I'll chunk with 25 lb. mono and 40 lb. shocker.

When I'm chunking, I'm deliberately targeting LARGE, so I like to hold the rod at all times to feel any nibbles.

-WW

[addict]

All you folks chunking and holding your rods,

How long is your fishing time? That night/morning when we were out, we fished for a good 6 hours (both tides). I don't know if I could hold my rod for 6 hours. Even on a headboat when targeting other species with light tackle, my arms get tired after a few hours and need a break. So are you guys all supermen or am I just a wuss?

damn - I'm asking for trouble again with this one.

regards,

"wuss"

[fishweewee]

True.

I switch arms from time to time.

The easiest way to hold a rod while chunking...is a method I picked up from the bait dunkers in Hatteras.

Face the shore with your back to the water.

Put your rod over your right shoulder as if you were slinging a rifle.

Allow the butt to rest on your right palm.

Reel up any excess slack in the line.

You can still feel a bite AND catch a nap this way.

[Fishpart]

Many of us go out for hours at a time slinging eels or plugs. You cast out, put the butt of your rod between your legs with the tip in thair and reel very slowly when you feel the bump you drop the rod and set up. Other than switching spots and dealing with fish you never put the rod down.

Now when you fish the canal you spend several hours casting a 3+ oz jig letting it drift with the rod parallel to the water reeling up the slack when necessary kind of bent over in the ready position so you can stand up and set the hook at a tap. You get to rest after you break off on the bottom and re-rig. Your back and shoulders usually feel it the next day.

Both require endurance, but you don't need to be a superman. After a while you develop a technique, having a balanced combo with a light rod makes a difference as well.

[Bobbike]

Welcome addict,,,,I'm an addict from the Boston area, and I've done my share of bait dunkin. I use a fish finder rig, with a bait runner. 2oz. weight above a nice chunk of bait (claims, mac, bunker) set the baitrunner on and just wait till the line starts screaming. I've fished and caught stripers with 1 rod or 10 in a row set 10-15 feet apart( they all weren't mine )
Hope this helped and again WELCOME!!!! KEEP COMIN BACK LOL

If your feet aint wet...U aint fishin

[Tagger]

My chunker is a lami 1213m with a Penn 980 and yes I am pretty massive..I put butt on my knee kinda and switch hands ,It is tiring when its slow..Most I fish is about 4 hrs. max before moving and getting a little rest...

[STEVE IN MASS]

Aw.....bait ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g.....normally if you're ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g bait, you have a bucket. Along with the bucket, I have a bait board....piece of plywood or 1 x 6 cut about a foot long. Place the board over top of your bucket, cut up your bait, flip it over, cast out, and if you get tired of standing (my knees suck, so that happens often), sit your butt down on the board. Then have the rod in your hands, and when you get a bit tired of holding it like that, or wanna grab a smoke or something, keep it in one hand with the butt sitting in the sand or resting on the handle/rim of the bucket.

When I chunk alone on the beach, that is my method. Only time it goes in the spike is to re-bait or if I gotta re-tie or take a leak or something. When I am with other guys and we're BS'ing, it'll be in the spike a bit more often, but as stated above I use a Baitrunner, and it is in the Baitrunner mode with just about a free spool drag set.

[Tagger]

A small cooler is worth the investment for iceing your bait and keeping it nice...You can eat sandwiches and drink soda out of there too.. nothing like swigging back a coke with a pogey liver and guts swilling down the side of the bottle//..

[addict]

seems unanimous - all you folks hold your rod most of the time while fishing (esp by yourselves). No spiking. I better start looking for lighter equipment.

Tagger - I use a soft cooler for bait and drinks. Can't sit on it, but a lot lighter. I need to find my own comfort position I guess.

STEVE IN MASS - I don't use a bucket. For cutting board, I carry one of those flat plastic cutting board liners. I try to keep the weight down as much as poss - me a wuss

Bobbike - your rig as you described is exactly what my bud was using when he nailed those fish. hmmm...

weewee - tried that tonight, felt ok. gonna try it again next time.

Fishpart

You cast out, put the butt of your rod between your legs with the tip in thair and reel very slowly when you feel the bump you drop the rod and set up.

Fishpart, I think I'm too bowlegged. The butt goes thru my knees rather than stopping. but you mean like this?
<excuse me if there are any ladies in the house, this might look wierd>

[addict]

knee?