My first reel attempt at stripers from a boat...

[WaltNJ]

Ok...tomorrow's the day I WILL put the first striper ever on my boat. Leaving from AH marina probably around 7:00 AM. I've had success a good part of my life from the surf. It's time to break the ice and get some fish slime on the deck.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I'll have a spinning rod with some rubber jigs, a trolling rod with an 9'ers umbrella rig, some stretch 25's, and a mojo rig. I may even throw in the fly rod...which is how I caught my first striper from the surf.

I'll be fishing alone so will likely only troll one rod.

Send some luck my way if you have any extra!

[Man Workin]

Good Luck, I am not a bass fisherman, but when I was anchored off Long Branch Sunday around 45' of water I had bass breaking all around the boat.

Brian

[WaltNJ]

Well thanks, Brian! I appreciate that.

[captfysh]

Definitely bring the fly rod along! 5-6 inch peanut bunker pattern....

[WaltNJ]

Done! Throwing in the 10 weight...

With that thought...I should probably bring the arsenal of swimming plugs I've accumulated over the years...

[Chrisper4694]

bait is small in the bay like already said 5-6 inches for the most part, but i did see some bigger bunker schools (saw birds trying to fly away with 9-10 inch bunker) mid bay.

[Tomm24]

I fish out of Manasquan so I can't help you with where but if I was dragging one line it would be a chartreuse tandem mojo in 40 ft of water. Let it out until it hits the bottom and then reel it up a little. I catch more on the mojo than both bunker spoons. Haven't caught any on the stretches but don't fish them much. Got a 38 incher on the mojo Saturday and another Sunday on a white #4 spoon. Get a snagging treble and try the drag and drop if you see them on the surface. Got a 34 incher that way on Saturday.

[Chrisper4694]

idk about the ocean, but if you have to troll in the bay, you're probably better off with an umbrella rig with 5-6in shads. that being said, you don't have to troll if you see any kind of birds hovering or eating bait. the fish will be right near them for at least a minute or two even after they disperse and they will pop up again nearby. work the bottom slow with your lure.

[WaltNJ]

This is great stuff, guys. I appreciate it. I guess a little ride around the bay will be the first step looking for life. Then switch over to trolling. Maybe I'll throw out the mojo rig AND an umbrella rig.

I have a couple weighted trebles...I'll be sure to have a rod rigged up with it.

I may have a first mate for the day...waiting to hear back.

Keep it coming! I do sincerely appreciate it.

[Gerry Zagorski]

If the birds are up they are usually after smaller baits so throwing things like surface poppers, Storm shads, metal like AVA and Crippled Herring etc is your best bet.

If you see adult bunker and they are being harassed then Snag and drop. You are likely to see a lot of bunker especially in the ocean but the trick is finding the ones being harassed. If not then move on or snag some and put them in the live well in case it starts going off....Believe me you'll know when it goes off, if you are in the area it will be hard to miss. There will be all sorts of spray, white water and mayhem and you'll be able to see it for several hundred yards. You are not necessarily looking for birds here since often times there will be no birds. This is your chance for a Trophy fish and I happen to think the most productive and exciting way to fish for them.

As far as trolling, I think your best bet is going to be Mojos or Shad Umbrella rigs in the bay. On the ocean, Bunker Spoons or Mojos.

Best of luck and hopefully a great report and photos to follow.

[WaltNJ]

Thanks, Gerry!

[WaltNJ]

Based on reports from yesterday...it is evident that I found every location in Raritan Bay where the stripers did not visit.

Until next time!