Once the water temperature begins to dip down below 60 degrees, stripers start running full speed and fishermen should get ready for some fun fishing experiences!
Stripers tend to be nocturnal, feeding at night, which makes the eight-plus hour nighttime fishing trips even more pleasurable. During later months such as October, November, December and even January, stripers attempt to bulk up by feeding a lot before their southern migration.
Most charter fishing boats and party boats will rent you the appropriate fishing tackle, though if you plan to go out without the crew, you may want to look into 20 pound test fishing line, eight-foot fishing rods and standard medium/heavy action spinning gear.
Checklist for Striper Fishing Equipment, Preparation and Gear:
- Wear warm clothing in layers in order to keep your body insulated against the bitter winds and cold temperatures on the open water.
- Tote along an extra jacket, sweatshirt or windbreaker in case the cold weather discourages you from getting the most out of your fishing experience.
- Bring warm beverages in a carafe, thermos or cooler to bring extra warmth when you really need it.
- Sandwiches wrapped in paper or waxed paper make a great meal on the go and keep your hands clean with the wrappings. Cookies, bananas, crackers and other snacks will also make your long fishing trip an even more pleasant one!
- Do not forget gloves, a hat, scarf and tissues for runny noses!
- Live eels make prime fishing bait for stripers, so be sure to bring enough to last the duration of your trip.
- Also try frozen mackerel or other chunk bait to attract prize stripers.
- Bring a large net with you!
When baiting the hooks for stripers, hook the live eels through the jaw. There is no need to attach a sinker to your line, as the eels will swim to the ocean’s floor as they plunge below. Eels of about 20 inches in length would be a great temptation to the bigger sized stripers you want to catch!
After the eel has swum to the bottom, keep the reel in free spool so that the striper can take the line and gulp down the entire eel. When you feel the first “bump”, count to eight and close the bailer. Pull back to set the hook and you will then know whether you have the fish on the line.
Additional Hints for Striper Fishing:
- Throw some bait into the water to use as “chum” to attract the fish.
- Release fish that are illegally sized.
- Make efforts to fish during the out-going tide.
- Try to plan your trip on a clear night with good moonlight and low wind. Watch for those bitter temperatures, too!
- Try to find a fishing hole near a wreck or bottom structure where fish may be hiding.
- Replace bait if much time goes by without any action.
Striper fishing can be especially enjoyable and exciting if all the proper conditions are met. Follow the above checklists and add your own special carryon extras and your voyage will be pleasurable and relaxing. Hopefully your skipper will have a fish location device or some knowledge of good fishing holes in the area. Remember, sometimes fishing is hit or miss no matter how good your bait is, no matter how great the weather is and no matter how much you have to spend to go on your angling trip. Do not give up – but plan another trip to top each former fishing excursion. While you are out on the water, stay alert – you never know when “Big Charlie” will strike. Just don’t let him be the one that got away!
