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NY, NJ, CT, RI Edition
November 03, 2009
Volume 20 � Number 10
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Nor'east Saltwater Online Magazine powered by:
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The Reason of the Season
by Sean MacNeal
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Perhaps one of the best-loved and most heavily anticipated runs in all of inshore angling is the fall migration of striped bass and bluefish along the eastern seaboard. It is at this time when these voracious predators are most cooperative in launching attacks on artificial lures, such as topwater plugs, woods, and swimmers. It is also the time of year when grown men and women will wake up in the middle of the night thinking about a plug assault or call out of work because there is a northeast blow predicted.
Some call it a hobby, others a passion, and still others an obsession. No matter what you call it, however, one thing is for sure: the sea spray in your face and your rod doubled over, is a damn good way to know you’re alive.
Fall brings with it shorter days, cooler nights, and the commencement of the baitfish migration of several prey species the most notable being menhaden (bunker). The southern swim typically begins around mid-to-late September and hits full swing, depending on location, around late October as the area waters begin to cool. It is at this time and extending into November that artificial aficionados can put their time in and experience some of the best inshore action of the year.
An Artificial Assault
In connection with the fall migration, it is essential that anglers do their best to mimic the exact prey that the predator species is foraging for. In other words, the plug and/or popper of choice should be as closely matched as possible to the baitfish on the scene, including having a similar profile and shape.
Because the fall run includes several large prey species like adult menhaden, a fall lure bag should carry an assortment of sizeable plugs such as Gibbs Danny bunker pattern, Big Don’s swimmers, and Hab’s Elite Series Cow Killers. These are big plugs designed specifically to catch big fish.
Other surefire, go-to plugs that should be carried and make up a well-prepared surf bag include the Stillwater Smack-It series, Gibbs pencil poppers, Cotton Cordell Red Fins, the Bomber lure series including A-Salt and Long A plastics. Lastly, no bag or box would be complete without a few Hab’s needlefish lures.
First Things First
Although all of the plugs mentioned are manufactured by some of the best and most-well known tackle builders around, every time a new plug is unpackaged it would be wise to run the plug through a few tests.
Before any plug hits the water, a sharp angler should check the strength of the o-rings that hold the hooks in place. If there is any semblance of compromise, either take the plug back or replace the ring. Second, once the o-rings have passed the test, it’s now time to sharpen the hooks. Yes, even though they are fresh out of the package. Also, be sure to carry a hook sharpener in a surf bag so the business end of the plug can be sharpened after contact with fish, rocks, and structure. The best way to test for sharpness, is to take the pointed edge of the hook and drag it gently across a thumbnail, if the hook doesn’t dig in and scrape, there’s some work to be done.
Words of Wisdom
There are two factors that will significantly increase an angler’s chances when heading into the fall surf and they can be summed up with: know the plugs and stay in touch.
By “know the plug” it is meant that every surfcaster should be intimately familiar with the action that is created or “given off” as a plug is worked. The action of a lure is greatly enhanced by the use of braided lines as it doesn’t stretch, which also affords an angler greater sensitivity or “feel” of the lure’s movement in contrast to that on monofilament. This feel is also enhanced by braid because of its thinner diameter, which creates less drag in the water and also allows lures to reach depths further and faster, especially in swift currents.
Additionally, as simple as it sounds, another great way to familiarize oneself with a plug is to use it, but not only when fishing the fall surf. If time permits, try taking the plugs to the back bay, or a local pond, essentially anywhere calm water exists and the lure can be observed cleanly.
Once there, simply cast and retrieve over and over again, getting the feel for the action of the plug and determine when and where it would be most effective.
In short, knowing the plugs breeds confidence and confidence breeds
success.
Now, once the action has been observed in a “controlled” environment, it will be far easier for an angler to “stay in touch.” By this, it is meant that the surfcaster be in continuous contact with the plug from the time it hits the water until the time the plug is lifted back out. It is essential that the lure and action of the plug is felt during the entire retrieve. Staying in touch also means that there is no slack line to reel up or “set through” once a big bass hits!
When and Where:
Although technically “anytime” is the right time to get on the water, it’s not a bad idea to time a few trips around high tide as the incoming flow will typically push baitfish toward the shoreline and within casting distance. It is also wise to keep a keen eye on the weather and be on the lookout for a northeast blow that again will drive baitfish inshore and typically carries with it a falling barometer that oftentimes turns the bite on.
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A beach buggy sits in the setting sun. Fall means different things to different
people, but for anglers it means the beginning of the fall migration of baitfish
with stripers and blues right on their tails.
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During the run, it’s tough to beat any number of the series of jetties that break up the New Jersey coast and serve as structure and food sources to the migrating baitfish. From these rock piles and around them, plugs should be worked parallel to the structure as well as directly out and back. To best work the structure, space permitting, try working casts as a fan with a parallel cast made out to the left and retrieved back, the next cast can be placed further out away from the jetty and then retrieved. This goes on until a parallel cast is made to the right and retrieved back close to the rocks. Also, be sure to work the entire length of the jetty, paying extra attention to the pocket created where the rocks meet the sand.
Along the open surf line, or those beaches without man-made structure like jetties or bridges, an angler should be on the lookout for sandbars, sloughs, and cuts that make up a natural structure along the coast.
One of the best areas to drop a plug around natural structure is the cut between an outer sandbar that big bass like to use as an avenue into and out of the deeper water between bars. Indentifying this type of structure, means to locate an outer bar of breaking waves, followed by an inner, deep slough, followed by inner waves breaking upon the beach. Once this scenario is found, be on the lookout for a break in the outer bar where no waves are forming, but do form to the left and to the right. This “break” or “cut” is an ideal location to drop a plug.
The “How-To’s”
Depending upon plug choice, whether it be a wooden swimmer, topwater popper, or a needlefish lure, there are various ways to retrieve the plug and all should be experimented until it is known what the fish are looking for on that particular day.
When baitfish schools are prevalent and in the area, a sporadic, topwater retrieve that creates lots of disturbance may be in order to solicit a strike. The reason behind this is because there may be so much natural prey in the area, stripers may need an added incentive to forego the real deal and attack what it perceives to be a fleeing baitfish on top.
On other days, when there is less activity, however, the retrieve should include all forms ranging from slow, to fast, to dead-in-the-water where a plug is left to float. Remember, however, that it is absolutely imperative to keep constant contact with the plug!
The Hook-up and the Battle:
Because constant contact is kept with the plug, anglers should be able to feel every hit or slap that the lure is subjected to. However, it is highly likely that one of the most frequent errors made in plug fishing is a quick hook set after the plug is hit. This is due to the fact that oftentimes striped bass will slap at a baitfish with its tail or roll a baitfish before coming in for the kill. If an angler is too quick on the hook set, the plug will be unnaturally pulled from the strike zone. Although it’s hard not to set the initial strike, try waiting for constant pressure felt through the rod before launching a hook set. In other words, try not to set the strike, but rather wait until the weight of the fish is felt before setting the hook.
After the hook has been firmly set, it’s time to bring the fish in. Although it sounds easy, a decent size striper must be smartly coerced to the sand. The best way to do this is to try and remain calm and use the incoming waves to your advantage, never horsing the quarry in.
Meanwhile, if fishing from a jetty, it is always a good idea to develop a plan to land a fish prior to hooking up. This would include locating a safe, easy access point to the water, fighting the fish back to the beach, or taking along a long-handled net.
The End Game:
After the battle has been won and the bass is at your feet, the next action depends on whether the bass is to be kept for the table or returned to fight another day. If the fish is table fare, simply get it to the beach and on ice as quickly as possible. If it’s catch and release, try dislodging the hook while the fish is still in the water in order to lessen the stress involved with removing it from the water. However, if a picture is desired, try to lift the linesider horizontally, while supporting its belly in order to reduce excess pressure to its internal organs.
The Wrap Up:
The fall run in this region is what all serious anglers wait for so get the gear out and tuned up for one of the best and most exciting runs of the entire fishing season. Remember, you can’t catch the striper of a lifetime watching football.
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Selecting Major Weapons of Mass Destruction |
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Trolling the Fall Run |
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Up to Features |
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