Striped Bass Wormin’

[Billfish715]

Does anyone worm for bass on the Knoll anymore? There was a time when the PB’s would do an evening trip over the bottom structure of the Knoll and surrounding areas while drifting worms. Boats never had to go too far and were back at the dock at a reasonable hour. Or, am I just showing my age?

[Jigman13]

What's a worm?

LOL... They only eat mojos, bunker spoons and $95 custom plugs now hahaha... Havent you heard?

jk man...

[Gumada]

And the Highlands bridge, the Manasquan train trestle and route 35 bridge. Yes you are aging yourself. BTW it still works....

[CODCHALY]

Man, I miss the Freddy C !!! Yep, Old Man typing !!!

[bulletbob]

It would work as well as it did back in the day..
Party boats don't do it any more that I am aware of, but I bet some of the old time charter captains might if you don't mind paying the price..

Might even get a few big tiderunner Weakfish early morning too, before the boats come out... Used to catch huge weaks on sandworms in the bay years ago... I realize they aren't around in any numbers anymore, but I would bet if there are any around at all, the would hit a big sandworm at night or at dawn or dusk before they would hit anything else... Problem is, worms are probably close to $20 a dozen by now right???...If you can even get them ...

[Skolmann]

That’s all we did in the 1990’s- worming the Sandy Hook Rips, Flynn’s Knoll, around the base of Roamer’s Light and the Highlands & Rumson Bridges on the Shrewsbury. Simple 3-way rig (same rig we used to worm weakfish).

Think a few reasons why it’s not as popular anymore are;
-Porgies and some sea bass are more prevalent and you burn through a lot of worms trying to get to the bass.
-Price of a flat of worms
-Worming seems to produce more schoolies and smaller sized legal bass when today everyone is looking for a trophy

[Billfish715]

All of that is true. The fact that size and bag limits are now reduced might make it worth reconsidering. It’s a light tackle fishery and simple and easy to do. With the success and popularity and advancements in Gulp products for fluke, a simple three-way slider rig might be worth a try for stripers. Evening drifts were always the best and yes, Freddy C usually had them dialed in. After work fishing for a few hours on a clear Autumn evening is a real treat. I don’t know of any captains who do it anymore especially when they can put more rods at the rail during the day. Not as peaceful and laid back as worming at night but from a business standard, it might not draw as many fares.

[Detour66]

Gulp sandworms work well for bass and weakies. Also Gulp newpenny shrimp work well for the few weakies that are still around. Much cheaper!

[torchee]

Brooklyn
Evening trips
Worms or eels

Jersey boats don’t even offer an evening trip anymore

[bulletbob]

Brooklyn
Evening trips
Worms or eels

Jersey boats don’t even offer an evening trip anymore

Someone should, out of AH maybe... I bet they would get a good response from customers, since it isn't tough fishing, and its close in, not a long ride to the grounds..

[Irish Jigger]

Fish the rivers and river mouths. We still get our hands on the 12" purple Mann's jelly worms on a bait holder tipped with a small piece of worm. Fish a simple 3 way with 8lb test mono and 20lb leader so if the sinker gets it snaps, and you dont lose the whole rig.

[Skolmann]

Fish the rivers and river mouths. We still get our hands on the 12" purple Mann's jelly worms on a bait holder tipped with a small piece of worm. Fish a simple 3 way with 8lb test mono and 20lb leader so if the sinker gets it snaps, and you dont lose the whole rig.

Killed the weakfish on that exact rig set up drifting the Reach, Chapel Hill & Sandy Hook Channels.