[addict]

Hi Al, I was hoping you can clarify how to properly fish a pier for stripers.

I live two blocks away from the 72nd st pier in nyc and that?s the one I want to ask you about. I know you told me you haven?t fished it, but I hope my question will be general enough for you to help me with. Besides, the pier just goes straight out into the Hudson. So here we go?

I?ve been reading that stripers are tide stemmers and like current, bait and structure. They wait stemming the tide around these areas for food to get caught up in the harder running current, then swims into the current, feed, then come back to stem the tide waiting for their next meal. Further, I have read that the presentation should be as natural as possible. That the bait should be floating into the striper?s area with the current as if it?s bait in trouble.

During either tide, I?d like to cast up-current so that the bait/lure will drift back into the pier support beams and past it where the rips are. I?m hoping the bass will be behind the pier support beams. But I don?t think I could prevent a fish from wrapping itself around the pier if I get a strike.

First, is my thinking correct about fish location? If so, how do I overcome the potential tangling under the pier? Should I just fish the down current side of the pier?
Second, if my assumption of fish location is wrong, then forget the whole post. LOL

Man, there?s so much to learn

 

[ArtieFluke429]

Like most fish, stripers face into the current, so they can breathe. When fishing off a pier for bass/blues i recommend you try live-lining, either herring or bunker works well, sometimes scup. Livelining works well because when a fish feels it is being chased, it swims away from "home" (near the pier) into the deeper waters. When you present youre bait naturally the striper will chase the bait, therefore it will not get tangled on the pier.

 

[addict]

Artie,

Thanks for the post. Live bait for me is a bit to pull off. one, I don't have a live bait shop near me...closest is 125 st. When I have the urge to fish late at night, many times, they're closed anyway. Even if I do, that mean carrying more stuff for live bait needs to the pier.

If I had a bigger place, a car, lived out of the city...

 

[Crazy-Al]

Hi Addict ,

You posted:
I've been reading that stripers are tide stemmers and like current, bait and structure. They wait stemming the tide around these areas for food to get caught up in the harder running current, then swims into the current, feed, then come back to stem the tide waiting for their next meal. Further, I have read that the presentation should be as natural as possible. That the bait should be floating into the striper's area with the current as if it's bait in trouble….

First, is my thinking correct about fish location? If so, how do I overcome the potential tangling under the pier? Should I just fish the down current side of the pier?
Second, if my assumption of fish location is wrong, then forget the whole post. LOL
________________________

Your assessment is correct! Striped bass stems the tides and if you are fishing a prime habitat… you can actually see them gorging themselves on helpless baitfish. The key here is to match the bait size and cast uptide and let it work slowly toward and around the desired piling, rocks, holes, artificial lighting, etc…

Since you are reffering to Pier fishing… If and when you hook "the" fish… it is inevitable that she will swim up current and under the pilings! Like bridge fishing… you must have a stout rod to enable to muscle (turn the fish head) and fight the fish properly.

You also posted:
Should I just fish the down current side of the pier?
Although it is not my favorable side to fish… In the event you decide to fish the down current side of the pier… You can rest assure that the fish will be really close to the pier (pilings) and you MUST approach it with great caution cause the fish will easily spook!

Now let me ask this question…
How do you know if the pier you are fishing is a prime bass spot?

"Crazy" Alberto
[email protected]

 

[addict]

CA: I DON'T know! LOL

It's just that I live so close to it (3 blks) and wanted to optimize my fishing when I'm out there this yr. Although I go to other spots around the tri-state area, it's a spot I can wet a line in less than 10 mins. Thanks for the reply, it did help!

 

[Crazy-Al]

Hi ArtieFluke429,

You are right! A few North Shore sharpies apply the exact "live bait" tactics and it is absolutely deadly when big bass are on big baitfish!

"Crazy" Alberto
[email protected]