Catching stripers in summer means switching up baits

DANIEL NEE

I’ve been having a love-hate relationship with the ocean this summer. On one hand, chilly water temperatures are keeping sea bass around the inshore reefs into July; on the other, my swimming has been restricted to my backyard pool and a quick dip in Barnegat Bay.

Usually, in the weeks following the Fourth of July, the bass bite trails off significantly as bunker head north to New England and the big stripers follow. The local bass bite, aside from a cow landed here and there, is often relegated to native schoolies that rarely meet the state’s size limit.

Even with the chilly water temperatures and the continued presence of bunker in the ocean, the bass bite has already slowed according to most captains, and Jersey Shore anglers are facing the annual switch to the inshore weakfish and summer flounder fisheries.

This year, however, the 18-inch size limit on summer flounder combined with the price of fuel has kept anglers wondering whether it is worth it to give up precious fuel to catch 50 fluke without a single legal keeper. Weakfish anglers are notoriously secretive, and for the average weekend angler just hoping to score an exciting hit may not have the time to learn the intricacies of that elusive species.

So, this season, many anglers are going to defy tradition and continue fishing for stripers throughout the summer. While snagging and livelining any bunker one can find is always a preferred method of hooking up, there are summer alternatives and techniques that can help anglers in search of a bass.

Switching up baits is the first step. If the bass aren’t being fooled by clams or lures in the surf, try locating calico crabs at a local bait and tackle shops. Calicos are normally in short supply in many areas of the state, and word travels quickly when a shop gets them in stock. Just last week, Scott’s Bait and Tackle in Bradley Beach stocked calicos, and half were sold within a day. The calicos proved successful in luring stripers, as customers reported hooking up from shore the same day, including “Bucktail” Bob Hopkins of the Bradley Beach Surfcasters who scored a 10-pounder.

Calico shedders, which resemble small blue crabs, are often fished with a fish-finder rig, hook slightly exposed in order to make the hookup successful for the angler. When rigging, watch out, because despite their small size, calicos can give a nasty pinch with their claws.

CALICO CRAB

While switching up baits (also think about using fresh clams and artificial baits resembling mullet in the summer), consider changing the timing of your fishing habits. The early angler doesn’t always catch the bass during the summer. Night fishing is especially popular this time of year, and not just for boaters.

Throwing those calicos and other baits while fishing from the beach at night is a great way to score a bass.

If fishing the back bays, consider locating a fishing pier near a lighted bridge, such as the Mantoloking Bridge in Ocean County or the Beesley’s Point Bridge between Atlantic and Cape May counties. In this situation, when the water is calm, consider switching things up even more by throwing a Berkeley Gulp shedder crab imitation.

You may not catch a trophy, but it’s sure to be a magical evening under the stars when fishing for bass on a clear summer night. It’s more of a challenge, as well.

NJ Fishing Reports