Striped Bass Fishing and Rail Position from a Head Boat

[aduma1107]

How important do some think it is to Striped Bass fish from the stern of a head boat? People rush down to fish the stern only, me included. Does it make a big difference when fishing eels or jigging. Or does it only matter when clamming? Or it does not make a difference at all where you fish? Just wondering

[Captain Ahab]

When drifting I like the bow


when Anchored - bow or stern depending


When the fish are biting does not matter

Same if the fish are not biting!

[Ol Pedro]

Jigging up current side from amidships to the bow. Anchored clamming stern bit to stern bit. Drifting bait down current stern corner to bow . Too many people think that stern is the only place to fish . It only works when the boat is anchored and/or the lines are running towards the stern.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Jigging up current side from amidships to the bow. Anchored clamming stern bit to stern bit. Drifting bait down current stern corner to bow . Too many people think that stern is the only place to fish . It only works when the boat is anchored and/or the lines are running towards the stern.

What Pedro said. If the boat is on anchor the chum/chunks/clams are usually going to want to drift directly behind the stern. Plus there is usually more room to put all the stuff you bring on boad that you are never going to use ;)

If drifting, the stern or bow is the usually the best bet since most of the time the boats beam drift port or starboard and you can fish either direction with out having to move. If a boat is railed most Captains will alternate drifts and if you are on the wrong side your lines will likey be under the boat every other drift unless you move.

[Skolmann]

Jigging I like the bow/pulpit followed by either stern corner.

Same as above for drifting eels or worms.

If I know the boat will be clamming, I'll make sure to check the wind and tide. If wind & tide are going to be together for most the trip then I'll try and get a stern spot. However if there is going to be a strong wind against tide situation, I'll sometimes fish the bow since the tide will carry the chum/scent towards the bow thus allowing me to fish my bait in the slick.

[jerseyhunter]

I don't think it makes a difference at all, it may give and edge but why fight tangles and BS, Fishing supposed to be fun. Case in point, I was the first on the boat in the stern , anchored for clamming. After getting mugged I moved all by myself in the bow. I was the only one with a cooler for the fish, the only one with a bonus tag and a very happy guy after the day was done. It's not about catching but having fun. Just cause the wind tightens the anchor line doesn't mean the current isn't bring in fish from else where. And don't forget that lateral line is for vibrations and feeding frenzy's.

[SharkHart]

I have seen it a lot the head boats go into a school/birds headfirst and the bow guys have such a head start on the fish, they pluck 5 or 6 out fast before the guys in back are in the water

[Scotty]

I only fish the bow during this time of year, whether worming or drifting - but I see people do very well all over the boat. Captain Danny (Fisherman Party Boat) knows what part of the boat will see the best action and ALWAYS mixes it up to give everyone a chance. Been fishing with him (only at night) since the mid 90s and comes highly recommended.