How to catch the attention of striped bass gorging on sandeels?

george

Administrator
Staff member
On my last two fluke outings I've come across huge schools of striped bass, of all sizes, slurping on sandeels. I'm talking acres upon acres of blitzing fish. We have managed a few on small deadly dicks, but the bites are not what you'd expect.

Any suggestions on what to break out of the arsenal?
 
If they have them pushed to the surface and they seem aggressive, I first throw a small white super strike popper as sometimes they grab anything in the froth. That is how my son had them Tuesday. At times you may see fish flashing and "pushing" but not what I would call "eating" I would throw a small snap jig and get closer to the bottom. I will also throw a sand eel type plastic. The one below is actually a bigger model I have had success with in the ocean. Finally, a trusty old diamond jig with a green tail. I had some folks using them on the boat last year and they did just fine.


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That was my frustration yesterday. I tried diamond jigs (yo-yo and swum), 1/2 oz spro sand eel pattern, 3" white popper, swim bait. Nothing.
 
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