Trolling is not a new technique for catching striped bass, but it is amongst the latest 'hot topic' when it comes to fishing for the Jersey Shore's most sought after gamefish. I want to make this thread specific to the technique. I figured this would be a great time to see what has worked best for everyone, especially since our Fall run is about to get underway, and not to mention, we are about to get socked in by nasty weather for the next 5-6 days.
Trolling is a technique used for stripers up and down the East Coast, and there are many different tricks, tips, and tactics to doing so. So let's talk about what has worked, what has not worked, and anything else that has to do with trolling for stripers. From Stretch Plugs and bunker spoons to Umbrella Rigs and parachute jigs; trolling speeds, colors, line and tackle choice, and the list is endless. Let's help each other out and learn from everyone's experiences.
Since I created the thread, I'll start with random speak. Think of it what you will, and I hope it helps some people. I won't go into great detail, but just outline a few topics to start conversation.
My background trolling for stripers started in the Upper Chesapeake Bay. The hottest lure was the umbrella rig. The most consistent catchers were the 6" shad bodies in 'yellow chartruese' and 'green chartruese flake'. Double parachute jigs in chartruese with the above mentioned shad bodies in 6" or 9" were also proven producers. White shad bodies caught as well, just not as consistently. Best speed was anywhere from 1.1 kts to 2.8 kts (SLOW). Stretch Plugs never seemed to catch many fish for me here.
In the past few years I have taken this technique to the Jersey Shore, but have only done it on a few occasions, mostly due to the fact that this technique was not going to outfish the other techniques I was using to catch stripers. All of that aside, there is a time and a place when trolling off of the NJ Coast is productive, and can save an otherwise lousy day of fishing.
I also grew up casting and slow trolling Stretch 20s over submerged rockpiles in the DE River during my summers as a kid, and they worked out very well. I tried Stretch 25s here in NJ, and they were red hot for me from the start. They have caught fish for me in NJ everytime I have been in a trolling bite. Double Parachutes worked along with umbrella rigs, but the stripers seemed to absolutely love the Stretch plugs. Stretch 30s were also productive, but the 25s have caught more fish for me. I was able to be a bit more productive here at a slightly quicker speed (1.4 kts to 3.4 kts).
Bump Trolling bucktails just off of the bottom over good marks has also been productive for me as well. Some people dress their bucktails with twister tails, some with shad bodies, some with pork rinds, and even some with eels. I have yet to make a preference on this topic because I have seen all produce nice striped bass.
One thing I have not tried yet that I really want to is using tubes on umbrella rigs when the bass are feeding on sand eels. The one time last year I had this scenario I was on a private boat and we did not have any umbrella rigs equipped with tubes. We still caught a few fish, but I was left wondering if we would have had a lot more bites on tubes. Has anyone had any luck with these, and if so, what color(s) work best?
Well I hope this sparks some conversation, because it looks like we are going to be stuck inside thinking about striper fishing for the next week or so. We might as well learn something new to try for our Fall Striper Season.
Trolling is a technique used for stripers up and down the East Coast, and there are many different tricks, tips, and tactics to doing so. So let's talk about what has worked, what has not worked, and anything else that has to do with trolling for stripers. From Stretch Plugs and bunker spoons to Umbrella Rigs and parachute jigs; trolling speeds, colors, line and tackle choice, and the list is endless. Let's help each other out and learn from everyone's experiences.
Since I created the thread, I'll start with random speak. Think of it what you will, and I hope it helps some people. I won't go into great detail, but just outline a few topics to start conversation.
My background trolling for stripers started in the Upper Chesapeake Bay. The hottest lure was the umbrella rig. The most consistent catchers were the 6" shad bodies in 'yellow chartruese' and 'green chartruese flake'. Double parachute jigs in chartruese with the above mentioned shad bodies in 6" or 9" were also proven producers. White shad bodies caught as well, just not as consistently. Best speed was anywhere from 1.1 kts to 2.8 kts (SLOW). Stretch Plugs never seemed to catch many fish for me here.
In the past few years I have taken this technique to the Jersey Shore, but have only done it on a few occasions, mostly due to the fact that this technique was not going to outfish the other techniques I was using to catch stripers. All of that aside, there is a time and a place when trolling off of the NJ Coast is productive, and can save an otherwise lousy day of fishing.
I also grew up casting and slow trolling Stretch 20s over submerged rockpiles in the DE River during my summers as a kid, and they worked out very well. I tried Stretch 25s here in NJ, and they were red hot for me from the start. They have caught fish for me in NJ everytime I have been in a trolling bite. Double Parachutes worked along with umbrella rigs, but the stripers seemed to absolutely love the Stretch plugs. Stretch 30s were also productive, but the 25s have caught more fish for me. I was able to be a bit more productive here at a slightly quicker speed (1.4 kts to 3.4 kts).
Bump Trolling bucktails just off of the bottom over good marks has also been productive for me as well. Some people dress their bucktails with twister tails, some with shad bodies, some with pork rinds, and even some with eels. I have yet to make a preference on this topic because I have seen all produce nice striped bass.
One thing I have not tried yet that I really want to is using tubes on umbrella rigs when the bass are feeding on sand eels. The one time last year I had this scenario I was on a private boat and we did not have any umbrella rigs equipped with tubes. We still caught a few fish, but I was left wondering if we would have had a lot more bites on tubes. Has anyone had any luck with these, and if so, what color(s) work best?
Well I hope this sparks some conversation, because it looks like we are going to be stuck inside thinking about striper fishing for the next week or so. We might as well learn something new to try for our Fall Striper Season.
