Fishing for Stripers

There are many ways to fish for stripers--some prefer to fish from shore using live bait such as eels and bullheads, others choose to troll for stripers with swimbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, etc., I prefer to fish from either a boat or shore with lures using the cast and retrieve method. The two lures that I've had the best luck with are the Heddon Super Spook Jr. topwater lure and the Rattlin' Rapala sinking lure.

My gear of choice is a sensitive rod for light line (8#-12#) and a spinning reel rated for saltwater. Now, if you've read my previous post, you'll remember that stripers can get quite large and may think I'm nuts for using such light gear. Well, that's the beauty of the drag setting on the reel. The drag is designed to tire the fish so it's easier to land the fish--trying to land a green (energetic) fish will just prove to be frustrating at best. It could be argued to just use larger gear and heavier line, and while that is true, where is the sport in that? I also know that many people will say that a casting reel is superior to a spinning reel and that only beginners use spinners. I admit, there are many pros and cons of each system, but the reason I like to use a spinning reel is for simplicity and reliability. When fishing in the coastal areas (including some inland waterways), wind can and will be a major factor in casting performance and a stiff headwind can be troublesome with a casting reel--unless you feel that dealing with a bird nest in your line every few casts is part of the real fishing experience.

The time of the day also plays a large role in catching stripers. They are nocturnal fish and are more active at night and tend to move to deeper water to rest when the sun is out. For this reason, think of dawn and dusk as dinner time and breakfast time. Another thing to keep in mind is water current; it is extremely important that the water is moving where you are--stripers are predators and like to ambush their prey as they struggle with strong currents.