I’ve been enjoying these compilation-style hotspot stories so we’re going to keep them going for a while. Since June is often thought of as the best month for hunting large striped bass, I thought it might be cool ask the shops where they’d send someone who was looking for their personal best striped bass and trying to make it happen in June. And with the way this year’s moons fall, we almost get two new moons this time around, so that should make for some interesting striper action.
Connecticut
When I called Fisherman’s World in Norwalk, Rich was quick to suggest Cable and Anchor Reef, which is marked by Can 28C. He said it’s the biggest piece of structure off Norwalk and is a regular stopping point for the large the exit the Hudson through the East River. Trolling spoons, mojos or chunking bunker were his best suggestions for ways to hook up.
Andrew from Fishin’ Factory 3 in Middletown said Hatchetts Reef was his top pick for big bass in June. He said three-waying a live bunker there at first or last light is a method that accounts for numbers of large bass every June.
The guys at J&B Tackle in Niantic said that they would suggest putting in your time around Bartlett’s Reef, which is another larger piece of rocky structure that draws big bass like a magnet. They said fishing live bunker in daylight or live eels after dark were the two best methods for finding that next PB.
Rhode Island
Mike Wade from Watch Hill Outfitters suggests motoring over to the south side of Fishers and chucking large soft plastics or live eels into the reefs and rockpiles that litter that side of the island. He said many large stripers are taken there every year and those two methods are the most productive.
Declan at Breachway Bait and Tackle in Westerly recommended pointing the bow toward Block Island during the second half of June and heading straight for Southwest Ledge to three-way live eels. It’s no big secret that giant striped bass carpet the bottom in this area and it’s probably the most fool-proof fishing for trophy striped bass in the world.
Elisa at Snug Harbor Marina in Wakefield suggested heading for the southeast corner of Block Island. She said everyone plays follow-the-leader and heads for the Ledge, but big bass are plentiful off the southeast side as well and you will have far less competition there. Just like the Ledge, three-waying eels is your best bet, but fishing large soft plastic eels has proven effective over the past few seasons as well.
Massachusetts
The crew at Maco’s in Buzzards Bay carefully considered their options before settling on the area between the Railroad Bridge and the Maritime Academy (or just outside for those in boats). They said jigging the bottom with large paddletails like a Savage Sand Eel is a great way to hook up to a giant. But if the fish are showing, tie on a big Magic Swimmer or Guppy Pencil and hang on.
Out at Dick’s Bait & Tackle on Martha’s Vineyard Steve said if he was trying to nail his personal best he’d want to do it from the rocks. He said June is a great time to fish the boulders at Squibnocket and throwing live eels or a big needlefish plug is probably your best way to hook that fish.
Over at the Goose Hummock Shop in Orleans, the guys said the best bet for hooking a true trophy was to head back to Buzzards Bay and fish the approach to the Canal from a boat. So many big fish run through the Canal, and all those fish have to get through the bay first. Throwing big topwaters in the day is the most exciting way to get them, but drifting with eels at night is another surefire method for hooking up.
From Belsan’s Bait and Tackle in Scituate we got the suggestion to troll the deep humps near the Tar Pouch with live mackerel or deep-diving X-Raps. They said this is a tried and proven method for hooking big stripers from local waters.
Last up was Surfland in Newburyport. They wanted to make sure their suggestion was from the surf and they said the best spot to hook a big fish from the shore in June was the mouth of the Merrimack River. Fishing live or chunked mackerel would be the best way to connect and fishing around low tide would offer the best shot at hooking up.
