Fishing the central North Shore area with old but proven tactics.
It’s a blustery day in February as I compose this article. Sipping on hot coffee, my mind wanders back with thoughts of warmer days as the rod doubles over; reel drags engage and the “clicker” screams the familiar alarm of “fish-on!”
I quickly grab the rod as my arms and shoulders work in unison in an effort to retrieve 100 yards of stainless trolling wire back onto the Penn, slim spool Master Marine 349. My arms ache but it’s a warm spring morning and the Long Island Sound is greasy flat calm as the other rod bends over. However, as I daydream, I am not a 7-year-old kid in the summer of 1972 trolling for bluefish with my grandfather. It’s actually early May 2024, but maybe he is with us in spirit? Why? Because we are using his handmade, custom-built trolling rods matched with original Penn reels that are as old as I am. But bluefish are far from our minds. Striped bass is our target species but by employing this older gear perhaps everything old is new again.
Before I continue, grandpa sadly passed away in 1990 when I was 25. We fished a lot when I was a kid and not a day goes by that I don’t think of him and the nautical life lessons he shared with me. However, shortly after he passed, my grandmother tearfully gave me all of his trolling rods and reels. I became misty eyed myself when she said, “He would want you to have these.”
By that time trolling our local waters was a long-forgotten technique. His old, but cherished gear collected a lot of dust until I got into shark fishing several years later. We all know how effective trolling wire can be for catching bait with umbrella rigs. I also would receive endless offers, “Are those for sale?” at the dock from other anglers. I always knew there was something special about these rods and reels. Of course, the answer was no.
A Proven Concept
Trolling for stripers with bunker spoons is far from a new concept. It’s a lethal technique that’s been deployed in the Mid Atlantic, New Jersey and South Shore of Long Island for years. More recently, these techniques have caught on in the Western Long Island Sound, where we call home. Now, come spring, there is not a local bait shop that isn’t fully stocked with bunker spoons and the rods required to successfully catch fish using this technique. Also, well stocked are flutter spoons and mojo rigs, but that’s a method to be reviewed another time. Intrigued, I read several articles, watched videos and then, armed with some of my buddy’s bunker spoons, we gave it a try.
Seeking to get out of our comfort zone, my buddy Ray and I agreed to try trolling with the older gear I had. You may already have plenty of gear for this technique in your own basement or garage. If you don’t, you may find reels readily available at a used tackle sale or on eBay. With some research, I’ve discovered that spare parts are also readily accessible in the aftermarket as well.
After respooling each set up with new wire and checking all the connections on our terminal tackle we headed out. Based out of Norwalk, CT the “Triangle” is where we pointed the bow of our 2013 Grady White Marlin. We selected our favorite jigging tide and proceeded to land a variety of stripers; unders, slots and a few respectable overs. All fish were safely released.
We spent the end of April and first few weeks of May (yes, the fish are here that early), trolling for stripers. It was our observation that once the bunker truly arrived in mass, the bite utilizing this technique slows down and eventually shuts off. At this point the fish are keyed in on the massive amount of bait that floods the area and we returned to our preferred method of live-lining and chunking.
Into The Nitty-Gritty
The method for trolling bunker spoons is fairly simple. Once you have located even the smallest amount of bait or fish you will want to troll across the structure and/or the tide of your choice. We prefer about 6 feet of 80-pound test leader material, tied to a large snap swivel that is then attached to the bunker spoon. These fish are not leader shy! We spool up with 100 yards of 60-pound test trolling wire and utilize a haywire twist on our main (wire) line so we can reel the leader right onto the spool. A landing net comes in handy.
Our strike zone is between 40 to 65 feet of water. We will deploy our two-rod spread in 75 to 80 feet of water and retrieve the spread when the seafloor rises to 40 feet of water in order to avoid snagging the bottom. Generally, we will have a fish on before that! Outrodders are also suggested in order to facilitate the action of the lures. By watching the flexible rod tips closely, you will notice the pumping action from the lures pulsating underwater. If the rod tips are not pumping in this manner, you may have picked up some seaweed or other debris.
What makes this technique enjoyable, (besides the fact that it works) is that you can troll anytime during the day, as long as you have a moving tide. Got wind against tide – troll! Family visiting from out of town that doesn’t want to go at 5 a.m. – troll. Young kids – troll A small window to fish – troll. And best of all, you don’t need any bait.
| MAINTAINING WIRE |
| In addition to rinsing off your trolling gear after a day on the water, it is also a good idea to empty the spool every now and then in order to check for kinks or corrosion. The neighbors may look in wonder as I tie the wire line off to a tree and walk the line off. At the same time, I use a damp towel to remove the salt from the wire and a dry towel when respooling. It may look foolish, but bunker spoons are expensive and trolling wire will not and doesn’t last forever. When in doubt – respool. |
Check your basement, garage or grandma’s attic. You may have some “OG, old school” gear that can still be deployed with exceptional results. The technical advances in our sport in the last 10 years collectively surpasses the years of advancements made from the days when we fished with a wooden branch and a bobber. But there is something that fascinates me about grandpa’s old rods and reels. Maybe it’s because they work. Maybe it’s because I know he is looking down from above and smiling with pleasure. Maybe because his great-grandchildren have caught fish with these rods as well.
Everything old is indeed new again.
