A Lifelong Passion for Striped Bass Fishing
Striped bass fishing is more than just a hobby for me—it’s an obsession. When I reflect on all the years I’ve spent on the water, I can’t help but smile and marvel at the wild, fun journey it’s been. In the beginning, I put in the hard work, sought out great mentors, and gradually became skilled at striper fishing. If I had to pinpoint the one thing that’s been most critical to my growth as an angler, it would be my willingness to adapt to different circumstances.
Rolling with the Tide: A Lesson in Adaptability
An Example from Last June
Let me give you an example—this happened just this past year. It was early June, and the day before, I had an incredible time on the water. I absolutely crushed the striped bass using flutter spoons, landing over 40 fish in just a few hours. Naturally, I went into the next day’s charter expecting a repeat performance, but it didn’t turn out that way.
The striped bass wanted nothing to do with the flutter spoons—or any artificials, for that matter. My fishfinder was lighting up, showing bass from top to bottom, but no matter what I tried, they wouldn’t bite. I started second-guessing myself and even wondered if my sonar was picking up something other than stripers, though deep down, I knew they were there.
That’s when I knew I had to adapt. I moved to Plan B: live bait. I loaded my live well with bunker and headed back to the same spot. Sure enough, my fishfinder lit up again. This time, we deployed the bunker, and before we even got the third one in the water, the first two rods were already screaming. We were on, and they were good fish. The action was nonstop until we ran out of bait.
Sometimes, you need to adapt to the circumstances in front of you, and this was a perfect example of why adaptability is so important. Every day on the water is different, and that’s part of what makes fishing so thrilling. Waking up early in the morning, wondering what the day will bring, and knowing there’s no guaranteed answer is all part of the excitement that keeps us coming back for more.
The Art of Live-Bait Fishing
When fish turn up their noses at even the most perfectly presented artificials, their natural predatory instincts often kick in, making it nearly impossible for them to resist a lively, natural offering. That’s where live bait comes in. Over the years, I’ve fine-tuned my live-bait fishing techniques to mirror the precision of lure or fly fishing. Live bait fishing, when approached with the right mindset, is more than just tossing fresh meat to an opportunistic predator. By adopting a fly-fishing mentality—locating prey and “matching the hatch” to mimic what the fish naturally feed on—live bait fishing becomes an art form.
Live lining, in particular, is one of the most productive ways to catch trophy-sized striped bass. There are a variety of effective techniques for live-lining stripers, but I want to focus on the two most popular and successful approaches: using bunker and eels. Let’s dive in.
Spring Fishing with Bunker
Finding Staging Areas
Springtime is when things really start to heat up, as large schools of bunker move into the western Long Island Sound. Their arrival signals the perfect time to break out the live-lining gear. I always start my morning by catching fresh bait—once my live well is full, it’s time to head to the fishing grounds.
Finding productive staging areas can take some searching. These spots are often along shorelines in minor depressions, around scattered boulders, or near docks. However, there’s one key rule to remember: there are no absolutes in fishing. A staging area that was loaded with fish yesterday could be empty today. You might get lucky, and they’re still there, but I never assume it will be that simple. Instead, I use previous spots as a starting point, and if I don’t mark fish there on my sonar, I move to the next location until I find them.
Flatlining Bunker
When it comes to fishing bunker in the spring, I use two primary methods. The first—and arguably the most exciting—is flatlining. To flatline, I hook the bunker through the top nostril and slowly feed out the line, allowing the bait to swim naturally away from the boat and into harm’s way. It’s thrilling because most of the time, the bunker stays just below the surface, where you can see the action unfolding.
At first, the bunker swims calmly, but its behavior changes as a striper gets close. It will start to speed up and panic, making sudden, erratic movements. Sometimes, if the striper briefly loses interest, the bunker’s frantic movements will reignite the chase. But there’s a critical moment when the bunker goes completely berserk—that’s when you know the striper is about to strike. With the rod in your hand and the reel in free spool, you can feel the line pulsing, signaling the strike is imminent.
When fishing with large bunker, patience is key. You need to give the striper enough time to fully engulf the bait headfirst. I like to count to five seconds before lifting the rod tip and starting to reel. Bam—the fight is on, and the adrenaline rush is unmatched. There’s nothing quite like seeing a bass explode on the surface as it takes the bait. Even if it misses on the first attempt, you can bet it’s coming back for more.
For my flatline rig, I use a three-foot, 40 lb Seaguar fluorocarbon leader attached to a Spro swivel, paired with a 7/0 inline circle Gamakatsu hook. It’s a simple yet highly effective setup that delivers consistent results. Flatlining bunker in the spring isn’t just productive—it’s some of the most fun you can have on the water.
Three-Way Rig Method
The second method I use is with a three-way Spro swivel. The setup includes a three-foot, 40 lb Seaguar fluorocarbon leader with a 7/0 Gamakatsu inline circle hook on one end and a two-foot, 30 lb leader with a weight on the other. The weight typically ranges from 2 to 6 ounces, depending on the conditions. This technique requires a bit more calibration, especially when fishing in deep rips.
What do I mean by calibration? Let’s say you’re in 60 feet of water, but you’re marking fish at 30 feet. You want to present your bait as close to that depth as possible without overshooting. To do this, I slowly feed the bait out, one foot at a time, while counting to the target depth. This ensures the bait is in the strike zone while avoiding tangling the three-way swivel. The weight you choose also plays a big role—you always want to use the lightest weight possible that can still get the bait to the desired depth while maintaining a natural presentation.
When live-lining with this setup, I always keep the rod in hand and the reel in free spool. Similar to flatlining, the bunker’s behavior will alert you to an impending strike. When the bunker starts to go berserk, it’s a clear sign that a predator is closing in. You’ll usually feel a thump—this is often the striped bass tail-whacking its prey to stun it. At this point, patience is key. The bite you’re waiting for is the second thump, which means the bass has engulfed the bunker.
Once the line starts peeling off the reel, I give it three seconds to ensure the bass has fully swallowed the bait. Then, I set the reel to strike, raise the rod tip, and start reeling. Bam—you’re tight, and the fight is on! This method is incredibly effective, and once you find the fish, you can often repeat the same drift with consistent success.
I always tell people: "If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it." If I’m catching fish on every drift in a particular area, there’s no reason to change anything—whether it’s the drift pattern, bait placement, or weight size. It might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how often people tweak things unnecessarily, disrupting a productive rhythm. My philosophy is simple: stick with what’s working.
That said, if I don’t catch fish after a few drifts, it’s time to adjust. Sometimes this means making a subtle move east to west or north to south, while other times it requires heading to an entirely different spot. Adaptability is key, but there’s also value in staying consistent when things are clicking.
Primarily, I live-line bunker from late May through early July. It’s one of my favorite techniques and one of the most reliable ways to land quality striped bass during the peak of the season.
Fall Fishing with Eels
Why Eels Are Perfect Bait
Now, let’s dive into live-lining eels—a technique I turn to in the fall, primarily from September to December. While the East River is my go-to spot for eeling, I’ve also found this method highly effective in the Western Long Island Sound. That said, let’s focus on the nuances of eeling down the East River.
The American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) is a fascinating and highly specialized species that thrives in the waters around New York City. With its long, snakelike body and unique life cycle, the eel is perfectly suited as bait for striped bass, especially in the East River. As with any fishing strategy, “matching the hatch” is critical, and eels are a natural, irresistible meal for hungry stripers.
Understanding the eel’s behavior and habitat is key to successful fishing. American eels are incredibly adaptable, thriving in environments ranging from freshwater rivers to brackish estuaries. They have a remarkable migratory pattern: born in the Sargasso Sea in the North Atlantic, they travel thousands of miles to mature in North American rivers before returning to the Sargasso Sea to spawn. This resilience and adaptability make them a perfect choice for live-lining.
Preparing and Rigging Eels
Handling eels can be tricky due to their slimy, wriggling bodies, but I have a system that makes it manageable. Some anglers prefer to stun the eel by grabbing it with a dry rag and tapping its tail against the boat’s transom, but I use a different approach. I place my eels in a cooler with frozen water bottles at the bottom. This puts them into a lethargic, hibernation-like state, making them much easier to handle. Once they hit the water, they “wake up” and come to life, moving naturally to attract striped bass.
My Rig Setup for Eels
For live-lining eels, I use the same basic setup as I do for bunker: a three-way swivel rig with a three-foot, 40 lb Seaguar fluorocarbon leader tied to a 7/0 Gamakatsu inline circle hook. The other end of the swivel has a two-foot, 30 lb leader with a weight attached. The key difference is in the weight. Strong currents in the East River require heavier weights, so I use 5-10 oz, depending on the conditions.
Rigging the Eel
To rig an eel, I use either a glove or a rag to grip it securely—they’re notoriously slimy. I hook the eel through the bottom lip and out through the top nostril. This method keeps the eel alive and swimming naturally. Unlike bunker, which die quickly if hooked this way, eels are hardy and tolerate the rigging well. Their natural movements in the water are incredibly effective at triggering strikes from stripers.
Why Eels Work So Well
Eels are a perfect bait choice for fall striped bass because their movements mimic the natural prey found in the East River. Their writhing, snake-like motion is nearly impossible for a striper to resist, especially in areas with strong currents and plenty of structure. Live-lining eels may require a bit of preparation and patience, but the results speak for themselves—they are one of the best baits for catching trophy-sized bass in the fall.
The East River: A Unique and Rewarding Challenge
Now let’s get down to fishing the East River. For most, it is a daunting challenge. Between strong currents, ferries, barges, and rock piles, it’s not an adventure for the novice. If you have a small boat, I wouldn’t recommend attempting this trip. The East River’s conditions demand a sturdy vessel like my Steiger Craft, which is why I run daily trips for customers looking to land trophy bass.
The river is home to many excellent fishing spots. Some of my favorites include areas near the Whitestone, Brothers Island, Rikers Island, Hell Gate, Roosevelt Island, Williamsburg Bridge, Governors Island, and, last but not least, my top spot: the Statue of Liberty. Beyond the incredible fishing, you’re treated to breathtaking views of New York City and the iconic Statue of Liberty, making it an unforgettable experience.
Fishing is not easy, but very productive. Some of my biggest fish of the year come from the east river. Getting a 40+ pounder is not out of the norm especially with eels.
The toughest part of mastering eeling in the river is learning how to position your bait in the optimal zone without getting snagged on the bottom. The goal is to keep the eel as close to the bottom as possible without letting your weight drag along it. This is why the leader for the eel is intentionally longer than the leader for the weight.
Here’s how it works: you drop your eel rig all the way to the bottom until the weight makes contact. Once it hits, you crank the reel a few turns to lift the weight slightly off the bottom, allowing the eel to swim naturally along the bottom while keeping the weight out of harm’s way. In areas with heavy structure—rocks, wrecks, and other obstacles—you’ll need to stay vigilant, constantly adjusting your line to keep the bait in the productive zone without snagging. Sometimes you’ll need to reel up a little, while other times you’ll need to let some line out to stay in the strike zone.
The hookset itself is relatively simple. You just have to be patient and let the striper do the work. It usually starts with a subtle thump, followed by a stronger thump, and finally a larger thump. That third thump is your cue—the striper has engulfed the eel. At this point, all you need to do is reel quickly and get tight. The fight is on, and you're hooked into a good one! Patience and precision are the keys to success with this method, and when done right, it can yield incredible results.
The Ever-Changing Adventure of Striped Bass Fishing
Fishing for striped bass is more than just a sport or pastime—it’s a journey that constantly challenges, teaches, and rewards. It’s about reading the water, understanding the behavior of the fish, and adapting to the ever-changing conditions. Whether it’s the heart-pounding excitement of a surface strike on live bunker in the spring or the patience and precision required to work eels in the fall, every day on the water is a new adventure. And while the thrill of landing a trophy fish is unforgettable, it’s the process—the learning, the adapting, the unpredictability—that keeps me hooked. Striped bass fishing isn’t just something I do; it’s a part of who I am. And I can’t wait to see what the next season holds
Can’t wait for next season!