Troll for Striped Bass
Trolling remains one of the most productive ways to catch big striped bass for beginner and veteran fishermen alike. There are many different lures and baits that can be successfully trolled for big stripers. Below you'll find information on a few of the most productive methods.
Steps
- Get the right type of trolling gear. Conventional reels spooled with lead core line, wire and braid work well. Keep in mind that wire can be difficult to use for novices, and that weight will have to be added in order to get most braid offerings down into the strike zone.
- Make sure your boat can travel slowly. Depending on the trolling method, speeds as slow as {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} may be necessary. If your boat does not idle that low, consider dragging buckets or a drift sock to slow your speed down.
- Get a reliable color sonar unit and GPS system for identifying structure and areas holding striped bass. There's a lot of empty water out there-having good electronics will help you locate the hot spots.
- Choose your technique. One of the most popular trolling methods is the tube and worm. Other techniques that consistently catch big bass on the troll include bunker spoons, jigs, live eels, rigged dead eels, swimming plugs, umbrella rigs and live mackerel and porgies to name just a few.
- When trolling, be sure to set your drag tight enough to secure a firm hook set, yet loose enough to prevent breaking off a big fish. Typically a drag pressure of 9-10 pounds is sufficient for the initial strike.
Tips
- Trolling with the breeze, current and waves makes life on deck easier. Your lines will also fish better with the wind at your stern.
- Developing a productive and repeatable trolling pattern is important for working pieces of structure. The more time the lure or bait spends in the strike zone, the better the chance of it getting bit.
- It's possible to maximize your catch by pitching live baits, such as eels, into the water as you fight a fish caught on the troll. Always having lines actively fishing can be the difference between catching one big bass and multiple big bass.
- When using wire, be sure to use a rod with Carboloy guides to prevent wear and tear.
- Being active on the water and using your sonar in a strategic way can help you to develop a productive trolling pattern which will bring your offerings through an area holding striped bass-as opposed to trolling around aimlessly through lifeless expanses of water.
- Loosening the drag to around 6 pounds can help prevent pulled hooks when the bass is close to the boat.
- The tube and worm fishes best when trolled slowly, usually between {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.
