Back bay stripers

[Farmer Andy]

I’ve never caught a striper in back. Definitely want to try this in the spring.

I’m clueless as to how to about it.

Does anyone know of any seminars, workshops (virtual obviously) that might be
happening this off-season on this topic?

[porgylber]

I’ve never caught a striper in back. Definitely want to try this in the spring.

I’m clueless as to how to about it.

Does anyone know of any seminars, workshops (virtual obviously) that might be
happening this off-season on this topic?

You Tube is your friend! Type in back bay stripers on the search bar. Loads of videos and tutorials on this subject. Great for a snowy day!

[atcojg]

It's technically closed until March first in NJ in the bays.But bloodworms in early March clams and shad imitations when the water warms a little.

[Gerry Zagorski]

It's technically closed until March first in NJ in the bays.But bloodworms in early March clams and shad imitations when the water warms a little.

Yep - action really starts in March in the bays on shallow mudflats dead sticking worms or calms on the bottom... They usually won't hit anything that swims until April.. It then starts with Bunker chunks and a few weeks later they'll be on live bunker and lures.

I might consider doing a zoom webinar if there's enough interest when we get closer.

[NJ219bands]

Last March Atlantic County Conservation Police Officers caught two groups of fishermen in the bay near Atlantic City with > 90 undersized striped bass that were caught at night on FinS. Striped bass are nocturnal.

[Capt. Debbie]

Don't forget those NEW LAW circle hooks on bait that "ever was alive" like worms, bunker, frozen squid, clams, eels, pork rinds, etc.

Sorry to be the bearer of this news if I am?


Yep - action really starts in March in the bays on shallow mudflats dead sticking worms or calms on the bottom... They usually won't hit anything that swims until April.. It then starts with Bunker chunks and a few weeks later they'll be on live bunker and lures.

I might consider doing a zoom webinar if there's enough interest when we get closer.

[akoop]

Yep - action really starts in March in the bays on shallow mudflats dead sticking worms or calms on the bottom... They usually won't hit anything that swims until April.. It then starts with Bunker chunks and a few weeks later they'll be on live bunker and lures.

I might consider doing a zoom webinar if there's enough interest when we get closer.

Gerry, A Zoom webinar would be great! I just started getting into the salt game last fall and can't wait to get my kayak in those back bays. Always looking to learn more!

[Jigman13]

Wait till April. Forget the bait and the circle hook stuff. Get some SP Minnows, Mag Darters, metal lip swimmers, loaded redfins and maybe a cordell popper.

I swap out most of my trebles with inline single hooks except for my top waters--they get crushed barbs. Better for the fish, better for the fisherman. And I havent seen an impact on my hook up ratio. I'd rather miss a strike vs a fish losing its eye.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Wait till April. Forget the bait and the circle hook stuff. Get some SP Minnows, Mag Darters, metal lip swimmers, loaded redfins and maybe a cordell popper.

I swap out most of my trebles with inline single hooks except for my top waters--they get crushed barbs. Better for the fish, better for the fisherman. And I havent seen an impact on my hook up ratio. I'd rather miss a strike vs a fish losing its eye.

Great advise above on swapping out hooks or crushing the barbs on treble hooks on your lures.

Fishing with plugs and poppers is definitely the most exciting way to fish for Stripers. However, the first Stripers caught each year along the banks and shallows in the back bay are on soft baits like worms or clams. The water is cold, the fish are very lethargic and they forage around on the bottom looking for an easy meal. They simply don't want to expend what little energy they have chasing things that move.. Point in case, I've seen massive schools of bunker in March that don't get touched. Once late April and May roll around those same Bunker will get crushed.

If you can't wait until April when the water warms up and they'll chase lures, soft baits like clams and worms is the way to start the season off in March.

And yes, as mentioned above, if your're fishing with any sort of bait, the new law requires you to use circle hooks.

[akoop]

I'm especially looking forward to chasing them from my kayak with my fly rod!

[23cardinal]

I’ve actually caught one in (location redacted) moving a jerk bait HONEY slow for pike.

[Gerry Zagorski]

I've caught them all the way up in the Raritan River just short of New Brunswick on rattle traps by the foot of the bridges in the middle of the winter.

These resident fish are here all year long and in different locations and each location and time of year you fish for them differently.

[tautog]

Good structure with some depth and current nearby always holds a few residents.