Tips for Bunker Chunking.

[zar2754]

Im pretty well versed in striper fishing techniques...
just wondering if anyone has any little or interesting things they do that help them put fish in the box..:p

[phish4fun]

Look For Partnership-rod Father-nj Angler Guys- Or The Adam Bomb On The Water.or Even Rage Boat OR DGREENMACHINE.:D

[zar2754]

hahaha, thats one way .. lol

[Dr. Bass]

Step on the head before you put it on the hook

Throw two head overboard to start, step on them too

[phish4fun]

Slit Open The Oil Gland

[zar2754]

Step on the head before you put it on the hook

Throw two head overboard to start, step on them too

i do the step on the head trick too. :D

[Darrin G. DGREENEMACHINE]

Glad I made the second tier at least LOL!

One tip? hmmm, thing about how a striper's anatomy helps it feed. Here's a hint, his eyes and nose are in the top of his head...

Second tip... don't fish next to me I dont' catch anything.

[Marine Tom]

In the fall my personal success has been in the 60ft and around the lower areas of the bay. Deep slough's ect. Im not saying up the bay doesnt work it's just that I run out of Cape May. Bunker on a fishfinder rig with a circle hook seems to work for me. I use a 8/0 Gami Octopus circle. The bass always seem to hook themselves, which is a difference from spring clamming where they gently suck in the clam and you have to set the hook quickly or you'll gut hook 'em. Good luck.

[FreezOrBurn]

I lick'em or take a bite out of them first.

That way the striper think "Hey if there good enough for a human! It's gott'a be good!"

[RodFather]

I personally love to use whole bunker, especially that perfect med/small size one, thats why you want to beat us to bait shop in the morning, they usually close once Guns and I are done :D

[Darrin G. DGREENEMACHINE]

I personally love to use whole bunker, especially that perfect med/small size one, thats why you want to beat us to bait shop in the morning, they usually close once Guns and I are done :D

yep that's why I get mine the day before LOL!

you gonna tell them about the secret rod and reel there Daddy?

[NJAngler Bill]

I believe the number one thing you can do to more bass in the boat while chunking is to get the runoff/hookset sequence right. This is the area where, in my experience, many anglers come up short.

First, the runoff should be SHORT - it doesn't take long for a big bass to get a bunker bait down. A few seconds tops. A short runoff doesn't give the bass time to sense that something is wrong and drop the bait, plus it results in mostly mouth-hooked fish, which is the goal.

Second, make sure the line is REALLY tight before setting the hook. Crank hard and fast until you're absolutely positive you're tight to the fish and it's not just the sinker and/or line drag that you're feeling.

Third, make sure the hookset is solid. This means using a stout rod, braided line (50lb.), and a large enough hook (10/0 Gami) to penetrate the bait and bite into the fish's mouth.

10 days and counting...

[Darrin G. DGREENEMACHINE]

I'll buy into that Bill. It's sometimes amazing to me how much practice it takes a new person to get that right. With years of fishing I picked up prey quick but less experienced people sometimes have a challenge.

I pick up the rod, point it at the fish and lock it up and wait...

When I ge a good strong PULL on the line (fish hit the end of any slack) I raise the rod sharply. Going from 0 deg to 90 deg with tension on it usually nails em!

Biggest thing, and this is hardest for a newer person, DON'T GET EXCITED. If the fish has the bait and takes off, he's not likely to drop it unless you take forever getting to the rod.

Other times BTW I just reach over and lock her up, then let the fish hook itself. I do this especially on a bait that is slammed and runs of very quickly, and when we have multiple hookups happening and I can't take the time to get to a second rod. I can't tell you how many times I had a rod in my hand did this to avoid the delay.

[RodFather]

you gonna tell them about the secret rod and reel there Daddy?

Ahhhh,,,, I just got done dusting her her off and waxing her down. She seems ready ;)

[sweet release1]

have to agree with rod father in that bigger is better.i use the whole fish but i cut it's gut and let it bleed.but keep in mind there is no sure way to put more bass in you boat.everyday is differant and calls for differant tacktics.last year we had a steady bite for days on whole bunker and just like that it was dead.tried small pieces and bam fish to 40lbs.but if i had just one way it would be big pieces or whole bunker,matt;)

[Striper Freak]

Have to agree with Bill and Darren, just use circle hooks, many more fish hooked in the mouth to live to fight another day. Nothing beats chunkin' em especially in the spring. So deadly, 100 fish days are very common, how many live to be caught again is up to u.

[Rageboat]

Wow, I made the cut too...thanks Phish.

[Mike Grabbe]

Look For Partnership-rod Father-nj Angler Guys- Or The Adam Bomb On The Water.or Even Rage Boat OR DGREENMACHINE.:D

Rage will be taking pics of the other guys big fish:p :D

[Rageboat]

Hopefully yours Mike!!!

[always fishing]

Last year I Got into a large school of adult bunker, I had large blues eating my bunker up to the heads, then large bass would come up to the head stick there heads right in the guts, take a deep breath of the blood, then slurp up the head. After seeing that, every bunker went in bleeding after.

[phish4fun]

By The Way. Everyone I Mentioned Above Please Email Me A Pic Of Your Boat.thanks In Advance:D

[Limunious]

When chunking with circle hooks, is it best to leave the line in stike and just let the stipers hook themselves, or leave it in the freespool mode with the clicker on? Im kinda confused between the method of catching them with j-hooks or circles.

My normal method is to anchor up on the downside of a slew and set the rods out. I normally put a bucket of chum tied off to the anchor line down by the anchor itself and then another one off the side of the boat. I tend to always limit out on shark and rays but no stripers on the chunk.

I know there is something wrong that im doing but i just cant pinpoint it. I would like to use circle hooks siince they are easier on the fish, but im open to anything that increases catch's. I want to get into the action in the bay, and try and tie on a striper over 30#. I do fine in the rips, but the bay is a different story! Im rolling with the big skunk when chunking the bay.

Any info would be great! (i use mono line, with flouro leader in the bay)

thanks
phil

[phish4fun]

Limunious- Did Read All The Posts. Your Question Was Allready Answered By Dgreen And Njangler But Some Do Use Spreespool Also

[Limunious]

Yes i read the posts, i usually do befoe i ask a question. Anyways, i didnt see in either of their posts anything on whether they use j hooks or circles and whether the rod is in freespool with the clicker before they pick it up and put it in lock. Maybe im completely missing it in there posts, but thats why i asked on here instead of starting a new thread

[donnerj]

hey guys pretty interesting tips.. i'm pretty new to striper fishing. This is my 4th year and all 4 years i've been fishing from now till mid dec just with eels.. i want to venture out and try some new techniques. i have snagged some bunker like a week and a half ago and threw them in the freezer. are they ok to use for striper bait for chunking?? if so, can i use the same 6/0 setup 3 ft 30 lbs leader with 1/2- 1 oz weight?- and when you chunk do you just drift like you do with eels or should you anchor and chum with anything specific??? Thanks a lot for the info

[phish4fun]

Luminious-got Your Point. I Have My Tension Set As The Current May Be Able To Take A Little Line.
DON- ANCHORED IS THE TICKET. USE YOUR FROZEN FOR CHUM OR CHUNKS IF POSSIBLE. FRESHER THE BETTER.

[zar2754]

hey guys pretty interesting tips.. i'm pretty new to striper fishing. This is my 4th year and all 4 years i've been fishing from now till mid dec just with eels.. i want to venture out and try some new techniques. i have snagged some bunker like a week and a half ago and threw them in the freezer. are they ok to use for striper bait for chunking?? if so, can i use the same 6/0 setup 3 ft 30 lbs leader with 1/2- 1 oz weight?- and when you chunk do you just drift like you do with eels or should you anchor and chum with anything specific??? Thanks a lot for the info

prob want to use a 8/0 or 10/0 hook becuase of the large bait, i prefer Gami Octopus hooks..., you want to anchor up on a ledge , drop off, or something similar,...determine which way the current is running, and anchor down current of the particular ledge u are fishing on, try to position your self right on the ledge so that your baits will flow up onto the shallower edge of your drop off (thats where the striped guys wait to ambush there prey most often), you want to anchor for this type of fishing, and i prefer to use both a chum bag a little lower than mid water level and hang it off of the bow so not to intefere with ur lines. the scent of the chum bag will flow better this way aswell. fish finder rigs are standard. and the current will determine what kind of weight u need. u should try to chunk out some baits every couple minutes to keep a decent slick...but dont over feed the fish... bunker and clam works best. good luck..i also like to cast out some heavy buck tails with some long strip baits on them (bluefish,croaker, bunker, makeral) and slowly retrieve it bouncin it off the bottom area...

[MAKO19]

During full moon phases try shallower water and after hard blows the deep water is the ticket.

Ohh and don't be afraid to fish away from the fleet :cool: .

[DEEP POCKETS]

Yes i read the posts, i usually do befoe i ask a question. Anyways, i didnt see in either of their posts anything on whether they use j hooks or circles and whether the rod is in freespool with the clicker before they pick it up and put it in lock. Maybe im completely missing it in there posts, but thats why i asked on here instead of starting a new thread

Luminous - I asked a similar question a few weeks back and Capt Steve on the Free Spirit replied saying he used big circle hooks (10/0) with the reels locked up. Do a search under my name, there was some good info shared on the post.

I think locked up is the way to go using either J or circle hooks, but using bait runner/free spool on whole bunker baits. Good luck this fall:)

[sweet release1]

the thing is lock up your reels ,but set the drag so when a fish hits, the drag is tight enough to set the hook,but light enough to let some line run off the reel.with drag set at full the line is sure to break.depending on your reel, drag set at about 6lbs should be strong enough to set the hook and let the line run off the reel.it takes some time to get it down, but has helped me really hook more fish.that beening said "here fishy ,fishy" http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_112.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZZ) ,matt





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[shadygrady]

Good stuff, guys. This is very helpful for guys like myself that are new to striper fishing. Thanks. Please keep the various individual opinions and advice coming! Thanks again!

[Creek Duck]

For the last couple years I noticed a better hook up ratio when I hook the bunker head thruogh the top about an 1" away from the cut end. Also use hooks between 8/0 & 10/0 and leaders 40 to 60lb 2'-4' long. How much lead depends on the current, but it's a good idea to stock up on anything between 2-10 oz. Finding the fish will be your hardest task, don't just settle for a spot in the fleet. Some times it will pay off but take a little time to look for them on your sonar, take along a bleach style bottle with 60-80 ft of 1/4" line & heavy wieght attached say 2 lbs or so. When you find the marks throw the bottle overboard and go up curret to set your anchor, let line out so you get close to your marker say 20-40 ft away. Throw a snagging hook out & reel in your marker bottle so you don't get it tangled in the lines. I'm not a pro or claim to be a sharpie, but it,s just a few things I do. Good Luck!!!!

[smellinfishy]

For the last couple years I noticed a better hook up ratio when I hook the bunker head thruogh the top about an 1" away from the cut end. Also use hooks between 8/0 & 10/0 and leaders 40 to 60lb 2'-4' long. How much lead depends on the current, but it's a good idea to stock up on anything between 2-10 oz. Finding the fish will be your hardest task, don't just settle for a spot in the fleet. Some times it will pay off but take a little time to look for them on your sonar, take along a bleach style bottle with 60-80 ft of 1/4" line & heavy wieght attached say 2 lbs or so. When you find the marks throw the bottle overboard and go up curret to set your anchor, let line out so you get close to your marker say 20-40 ft away. Throw a snagging hook out & reel in your marker bottle so you don't get it tangled in the lines. I'm not a pro or claim to be a sharpie, but it,s just a few things I do. Good Luck!!!!

Good tip on the bleach bottle. I need to try that one and will soon.

[DEEP POCKETS]

Here's a minor tip that came to mind while sitting in traffic on the way home today, always make sure you remove any bunker scales from the point of the hook before you throw your bait out. Even a little bunker scale could make a difference on the hook set.

One other one that may seem obvious, adjust the angle of the outboard engine &/or the anchor line on front side cleat so you are fishing your baits in the slick if the wind is causing your boat to swing off current a little bit. Otherwise your chum will be going with the current and your baits could be off 10-15 yards out of the slick.

I still need to work on NJ Angler Bill's point about making sure you reel tight and get all slack out of the line before you set the hook, especially on the head runs:eek: .

[zar2754]

:cool:

I still need to work on NJ Angler Bill's point about making sure you reel tight and get all slack out of the line before you set the hook, especially on the head runs:eek: .

good point about this slick deep,

but i like to keep my reels in free spool hoolding it in hand with thumb on the spool, no clicker, when a run off happens , i wait for 5 seconds with small chunks, 8 seconds with larger chunks, and then i point my rod at the direction of the run off ,simply engage the reel, take two cranks (with my drag already properly adjusted) and the fish is on, i have no reason to set the hook, or "cross his eyes" with a massive hook set, engaging the reel, and making a couple cranks does the job for me.:cool: as always , dont ever allow any slack, and this tactic should prove reliable.

[NJAngler Bill]

Luminous, don't get frustrated. Chunking the bay is the easiest way to get yourself a big bass. It WILL happen for you this fall. A few tips to make sure it does:

1. DO NOT anchor in the middle of a fleet of boats. I know that having a bunch of boats around you inspires confidence, especially for someone trying to unravel the "mystery", but you're essentially sharing your fish with them. Look on a chart, pick out a likely looking area, and go there. I'd stay away from the fleet in the 20 and 60 ft. sloughs and move a bit further west.

2. I know it's politically incorrect, but I just hate circle hooks for chunking. Absolutely despise them. I know there are some very, very good anglers who do well with those hooks, but I ain't one of 'em. In searching for your first "Large" in the bay, stick with a 10/0 Gami Octopus.

3. Most important...be confident. I struck out the first few times I tried this style of fishing and admittedly I lost confidence in myself. But all it takes is one successful day and you'll be off to the races.

Go get 'em!

[sweet release1]

bill you are so right.it took me two or three times before i knew what was going on.now after many years i still don't know http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZZ) but for real you really do need to stay way from the fleet,it will pay off,matt





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[Mike Grabbe]

Hopefully yours Mike!!!



that'd be different for a change, huh?:) sounds good to me!

[Limunious]

Thanks guys for the info. Im gonna work that bay real hard this year for sure. Im committed to landing a big bass this year! Im definitely going to avoid the fleet this year as much as possible. I like the idea of picking a spot on the map and working it and im going to plan on using the tides alot more while in the bay. I realize how important they are in the rips, but now i realize they are even more important in the bay. Im also going to try and pick up a nice spinning combo for some too, but im going to stick with my 7' star rod i use for wrecks with a normal shimano reel. Im gonna try the power pro i have on there now as it should help with the hooksets. Im gonna set one pole out with a circle on it in strike and im going to hold one with the octopus hooks. Now its just waiting for the time to come.! Once again this is the number one reason i love TBB, all the great info and opinions and people are more than happy to give real world, usefull advice and just dont blow smoke:) Thanks guys
phil

[Darrin G. DGREENEMACHINE]

Hopefully yours Mike!!!

you got picked now you owe a tip

[Darrin G. DGREENEMACHINE]

Luminous, don't get frustrated. Chunking the bay is the easiest way to get yourself a big bass. It WILL happen for you this fall. A few tips to make sure it does:

1. DO NOT anchor in the middle of a fleet of boats. I know that having a bunch of boats around you inspires confidence, especially for someone trying to unravel the "mystery", but you're essentially sharing your fish with them. Look on a chart, pick out a likely looking area, and go there. I'd stay away from the fleet in the 20 and 60 ft. sloughs and move a bit further west.

2. I know it's politically incorrect, but I just hate circle hooks for chunking. Absolutely despise them. I know there are some very, very good anglers who do well with those hooks, but I ain't one of 'em. In searching for your first "Large" in the bay, stick with a 10/0 Gami Octopus.

3. Most important...be confident. I struck out the first few times I tried this style of fishing and admittedly I lost confidence in myself. But all it takes is one successful day and you'll be off to the races.

Go get 'em!

OK I completely 100% agree especially with the "I HATE CIRCLE HOOKS FOR CHUNKIN" comment. They work great on tuna but fir chunkin stripers, no way Jose.

Luminous, suggestions

start deep and work up the edge of the slough, look for fish on your sonar and set up so your bait is just above the fish (eyes and nose in top of his head, remember?) your problem may be that you're fishing too deep

ease up on the chum, you are attracting all those junk fish like a magnet, use one chum bucket or the other but not both

if you're actually catching dogs and rays your baits are too small IMHO. I start with half a bunker and a head with 2" of meat on it and I only downsize if I see the fish on the sonar but they won't eat. If I downize and start catching too much junk I just might leave for another location and try again.

I use large J hooks, like 10/0 gammis, nothing smaller than 7/0 for this. Locked or in freespool is a matter of preference. I do both depending on how heavy my cooler is at that moment ;)

fish an are where you have lots of water deptsh in a small space and you can try everything from 35 ft to 15 to see where the fish are.

OK now go get em and let us know when the skunk is off!

[miallyk]

d green ... the info has been fantastic... my catch to runoff ratio is actually pretty good.. the problem is over the last 3 years of fishing i have had only 6 run offs ..i use 10 hooks and anchor on the edges of bug light or the 20.. you said keep the bait above the stripers head, how do i do this when i use a fish finding rig.. i usually use four ounces and let the bait out obout 15 to 20 feet past the sinker.. help me get more opportuities. thanks

[sweet release1]

miallky,if if you are chunkin bunker and want to catch bass,you have to think.where are my chunks going?? how are the bass setting up on my slick?? both questions are a good starting point.first where are my chunks? if you are fishing middle of a tide ,your chunks are WAY down tide.so using a weight will but you way short of the bite.try just FLAT LINING YOUR BUNKER,i mean "no weight".it will put your chunk in with the rest of your slick and pays off two fold;) it takes work but it will put more fish in your boat.next "how are the bass setting up on my slick" for the most part the bass will be at the back"stern" of your boat,but keep in mind that sometimes the bass will come from your BOW.so a short line off the bow will sometimes leed to the fish of the day!!!also keep in mind that a good placed chum bag can make all the differance.tie one to your anchor line and you are started in the right place.but in the end the fish have to be there,so look over the chartes and find the places you want to fish before hand ,"drop off's , hill's, " and so on,and fish them.stay away from the crowd and you will be really happy http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_30_104.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZZ)good luck ,matt





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[procastinator]

My secret is be all alone and fire up the gunnel mounted chim grinder. Grind up live or very very fresh bunker and hang on.:D

[CaptG]

Try to avoid the moon tides...the rough days too, even with a capable boat, you won't find the fishing as good as your calmer days...Clean water is key! If your finding dirty water in your spots, look deeper...around the channel is where you'll find the cleaner water...same goes for the rips.

[Darrin G. DGREENEMACHINE]

d green ... the info has been fantastic... my catch to runoff ratio is actually pretty good.. the problem is over the last 3 years of fishing i have had only 6 run offs ..i use 10 hooks and anchor on the edges of bug light or the 20.. you said keep the bait above the stripers head, how do i do this when i use a fish finding rig.. i usually use four ounces and let the bait out obout 15 to 20 feet past the sinker.. help me get more opportuities. thanks

good tip from sweet release with flat lining the chunks, we do this at slack tide (if we're not underway, that is) and it works well. I don't chum or chunk much any more in the middle of the tide for the exact reason stated, if it's really running hink about how far back the slick is relative to your baits...

My comment about putting it "above their heads" refers to putting a bait in the bottom but above the fishes head. Think of the side of a slough or the "down tide" side of a hump as a set of stair steps, with the bass at the bottom and you at the top. If you set your bait 3/4 of the way down the stairs, the fish is laying below it smelling it as the scent drifts both back and down (gravity still works under water). The bottom of the stairs in this case is what ever depth you mark the fish at, the top is somewhere "up tide" of there where you are going to be in somewhat shallower water.

You can do this with the current running paralell or perpendicular to the structure, although I prefer the latter. In the 20 and the 60 most of the time you will have to do it paralell but that's OK. If the fish are 25 ft, set the boat in 20-22 depending on how steep the wall is, when your baits drop back they will be 23-24 feet, just above the fish's nose and eyes. If he's swimming along he will easily smell it and be able tolocate the chunk. Reverse that and put the bait at 30 feet, and he swims right over it without smelling it... No fish for you, one year!

Creek duck mentioned a bleach bottle for a marker a few posts ago. I didn't because I consider that one of my secrets, but now that it's out there, I will tell you I do it quite a bit. It just gives me that precision when I set up to fish that makes a big difference sometimes. Some guys are good enough at boat handling not to need it but I can never get on a piece of structure accurately so I cheat and use a marker LOL!

and let me back up clean water and get away from the fleet while I'm here...

[dances with fish]

My brother and I spread out four rods, fishfinders with 10# gamis and 5ft leaders. Every 15min change bait and cut used as chunks , I cut them in dime or nickle size and drop them over the side non stop ( as long as you keep a cold beer next to me), theres a chunk going down about every 10 seconds , workes great. He calls me the bunker bitch! Ill chunk for beer! Good luck ! Good skill! DWF

[Hurry Sundown]

were is the oil gland ill try anything for big striper .

[Fluka Brasi]

Surprised to see that several grind chum/ hang chum bags. Not saying this is right or wrong, just never really occured to me. I would think this would bring in a lot more junk fish/sharks. Never really thought of stripers "following their nose" like blues and sharks, but instead eat their way to the boat, feeding on the chunks. Learned something new.

I, too, am not a circle hook fan (thought I was the only one:D ). Very rarely do I use more than 30#-40# leader. I fish my dead sticks locked up (even with octopus hooks). Very short run for the rod in hand. Seems to me that if you fish locked up and get a strike, you can still get them back if the hook don't find paydirt and your bait is still there. If they drop the bait after running with it, they never seem to find it again.

As for where to set up, I usually pick an area based on temperature/ tide/ recent activity and then try to find some bottom change. I don't worry too much about marking fish when I set up, as I feel the fish are somewhat on the move this time of year (at least within an area). It also seems that my biggest fish have come just as the tide is going slack or starting to move.

[Fluka Brasi]

Oh yeah... I stepped on a few heads myself.. never saw much difference. I think many of us tried that after Timmay announced that "technique" at the Saltwater Sportsman seminar several years back. Ran into more than one person who heard that there.