A series of lures and techniques will work from the boat for stripers this fall.
Boat fishing for striped bass in the Northeast is a highly rewarding and traditional experience for anglers. Striped bass are known for their almost picture perfect looks, hard fighting ability and availability throughout the fall months. They do offer a challenge, and using the right lure is essential for success.
Ultimately, the lure you choose depends on various factors including water conditions, depth, and the behavior of the baitfish in the area. Here’s a detailed breakdown of some of the most effective lure types for striped bass during the fall months, along with when and how to use them.
Bucktail Jigs
Bucktail jigs are a versatile and classic choice for striped bass fishing. These jigs feature a lead head and a body made from natural or synthetic hair (often deer hair, which had become harder to find in recent years). Their subtle, lifelike motion mimics a variety of baitfish, making them a go-to lure in many situations. Some bucktails come adorned with a feather trailer while on other bucktails the addition of a trailer strip will spice up the offering even more for a weary striper.
When to Use: Bucktails excel when striped bass are feeding near the bottom, especially around structures like rocks, reefs, and wrecks. They work well in a range of conditions, but are particularly effective in turbulent or murky waters because their motion remains visible. I personally consider the bucktail jig to be one of the most versatile and should be carried at all times in a range of sizes while boat fishing for stripers.
How to Fish: Cast the bucktail jig and let it sink to the desired depth. Then, retrieve it with a slow, steady lift-and-drop motion, allowing the jig to flutter as it falls. You can also vertically jig these lures when fishing directly over structure. In deeper waters, heavier bucktails in the 1 to 3-ounce range work best. Tip the jig with a soft plastic trailer, like a curly-tail grub, paddle-tail, or trailer striper like a Fat Cow, Otter Tail or Uncle Josh to enhance its action and profile. The snap jigging tactic with the use of bucktail has also taken off in recent years and a little different from the way you would subtly work a regular bucktail, a snap-jigged bucktail is snapped in an upwards motion once it hits them bottom, mimicking scattering baitfish.
Swimbaits
Swimbaits are soft plastic lures designed to imitate the natural swimming motion of baitfish. Available in a range of sizes and colors, swimbaits can match whatever forage the striped bass are targeting, from menhaden (bunker) to smaller herring and shad. Tsunami shads in the 5 and 6-inch models along with Storm Shads in the same sizes and NLBN shads are some of my top choices for swimbait use.
When to Use: Swimbaits are most effective when striped bass are actively feeding on schooling baitfish in open water. They work well in both shallow and deep water, depending on how you rig and retrieve them. These lures shine during the fall months when baitfish schools are abundant and stripers are feeding heavily. I’ve also used them around the mouths of inlets with some great success.
How to Fish: Cast your swimbait into areas where you see baitfish activity or near structures where stripers are likely to ambush prey. Retrieve it slowly to imitate a natural swimming baitfish. You can also let the swimbait sink and jig it vertically in deeper waters. For targeting large striped bass, use swimbaits in the 6- to 10-inch range, rigged on a weighted jighead if the bait isn’t internally weighted. A lot of my back bay fish with these baits falls into the 5- to 6-inch range.
Topwater Poppers
Topwater poppers are surface lures that create a commotion on the water’s surface, imitating an injured or fleeing baitfish. Their concave face pushes water and generates noise that attracts aggressive striped bass, especially during feeding frenzies or even on very still quiet mornings or evenings. I’ve become a fan of Tsunami Talking Poppers, Super Strike Little Necks, and Cotton Cordell Pencil Poppers for their ability to throw plenty of water while being worked.
When to Use: Poppers are most effective during low-light conditions, such as early morning, late evening, or on overcast days, but don’t overlook mid-day blitzes where poppers will shine as well. They work exceptionally well when striped bass are actively chasing baitfish near the surface, during the fall migrations.
How to Fish: Cast the popper into areas where you see surface activity or birds diving on baitfish. Use a “pop-and-pause” retrieve to simulate an injured baitfish struggling on the surface. The key is to vary your retrieve speed until you find what triggers the bass to strike. Striped bass often hit poppers explosively, so be ready for a thrilling topwater bite.
Note: To ensure healthier striped bass release, you might also consider swapping out the treble hooks on those off-the-shelf popper selections to transition over to in-line single hooks in both the belly section and tail section of the plug.
Metal Lures (Jigs & Spoons)
Metal lures, such as diamond jigs, spoons, and vertical jigs, are indispensable tools for deep-water striped bass fishing during the final months of the Northeast striper run. These lures mimic the flash and erratic movement of baitfish, making them irresistible to stripers hunting in the mid-water column or near the bottom.
When to Use: Metal lures excel when striped bass are holding deep, often in channels, around ledges, or open ocean waters when bass are feeding on sand eels or other slender baitfish. They are particularly effective in the colder months when stripers are less active and holding close to the bottom or mid-column.
How to Fish: Metal jigs are typically fished by dropping them to the desired depth and then jigging them vertically. The rapid up-and-down motion of the lure imitates the erratic movements of distressed baitfish. You can also cast and retrieve metal lures at a moderate speed, allowing them to flash and dart like fleeing baitfish. For diamond jigs, it’s essential to keep the lure moving steadily through the water column, as striped bass will often strike on the drop. I’ll typically drop the jig down and take a number of cranks up, depending on where the stripers are staging in the water column.
Trolling Plugs
Trolling plugs, like deep-diving metal lips and large hard-body swimmers, are highly effective for covering large areas and locating striped bass. These lures are designed to dive to specific depths and mimic injured baitfish with their wobbly, erratic action.
When to Use: Trolling is a great way to target striped bass in mid-depths when fish are spread out. Plugs work well in the fall when stripers are actively feeding and covering ground. This method is particularly effective along channels, drop-offs, and near bait schools. I’ve done well with larger plugs up to 9 inches being trolled when bunker are in the area.
How to Fish: To troll with plugs, adjust your boat’s speed to allow the lure to dive to its designated depth. Keep your speed between 2.5 to 4 knots for most trolling plugs. The key is to match the depth of the lure with the depth at which stripers are feeding. Plugs in the 6 to 9-inch range are ideal for most striped bass applications, with larger plugs being used when targeting trophy fish.
Umbrella Rigs
Umbrella rigs are multi-lure setups that mimic a school of baitfish. These rigs typically feature tubes with hooks attached to a wire frame, with several of the tubes being weighted or hooked.
When to Use: Umbrella rigs are highly effective for trolling when striped bass are feeding on schooling baitfish. They are especially productive during fall when stripers are chasing large schools of herring, menhaden, or other forage species. This rig can also work in deeper waters, where stripers tend to hold in the mid-water column.
How to Fish: Troll the umbrella rig at a slow speed, allowing the weighted baits to sink to the desired depth. The key is to maintain a steady speed, typically around 2 to 3 knots, to keep the rig swimming naturally. The rig creates the illusion of a small baitfish school, which triggers predatory instincts in striped bass. Use heavy tackle like a 7-foot heavy action conventional trolling setup to handle the added resistance from the rig and the weight of potentially hooking multiple fish. This is where leadcore line sometimes comes into play.
Surface Spooks (Walk-The-Dog Lures)
Spooks are cigar-shaped lures designed for a “walk-the-dog” retrieve, where the lure zigzags across the surface or just below it. These lures create a side-to-side motion that mimics injured or fleeing baitfish.
When to Use: Surface spooks work best when striped bass are actively feeding on top or in shallow water. Early morning, dusk, or low-light conditions are ideal for this technique. They are perfect for targeting aggressive stripers feeding in calmer waters during the fall season. If some larger bunker are around try using the Doc Spook. When presented with smaller baitfish, the Yo-Zuri TopKnock Pencil has always been a favorite of mine.
How to Fish: To fish a spook, cast it out and use a rhythmic, twitching retrieve to make the lure dart from side to side. The key is to find the right cadence to trigger strikes. Stripers will often follow the lure for several feet before striking, so keep your retrieve steady and be ready for an explosive hit. I typically like to tuck the butt rod under my armpit and work the tip in a downward motion while standing on an elevated platform of the boat.
Each of these lures has its place in the striped bass angler’s arsenal, and knowing when and how to use them is critical for success. Whether you’re jigging deep with a bucktail, trolling a plug along a rocky coastline, or enticing a surface strike with a topwater popper, understanding the behavior of striped bass and the conditions you’re fishing in will help you make the most of your time on the water. Experiment with different lures, retrieves, and techniques to find what works best for you and the striped bass in your area.
