Everybody is doing it. No, it?s not the funky chicken. It?s live-lining for stripers, a method that has a lot to offer.
First, it will get you bigger fish. Typical catches are in the range of the 18- to 28-inch size limit in effect through Dec. 15. (You can take two fish this size or one in this size range and one over 28 inches.)
Second, it is a simple method of hooking a live spot, opening the spinning reel bail and allowing the spot to swim free. Third, you get the fun of first catching spot. Fourth, you can take stripers on light spinning tackle instead of heavier trolling gear. Fifth, you end up with table fare, since this is not usually catch-and-release fishing. What?s not to like about all that?
“It?s the sure-fire method for taking big fish right now,” said Capt. Norm Bartlett, who noted that he sticks to breaking fish for his clientele who usually are not interested in taking fish home but like to throw flies and poppers to surface stripers.
The method is simplicity itself. Any light spinning gear works, with a 2/0 or larger hook tied to the line end. Both “J” hooks and circle hooks work. Hook a spot and allow it to swim free. Best hooking is through the mouth or back, being careful to avoid the spinal cord.
There are variations for when big fish are deep, according to Tony Tochterman of Tochterman?s Tackle Shop in Baltimore, whose clients fill him in on the latest angling methods. One is to use an egg sinker on the line above a barrel swivel and three to five feet of leader to the hook. Think of it as a saltwater Carolina rig.
Another variation is to tie to a three-way swivel, add three to five feet of leader to the hook and a snap on the third swivel eye to allow instant sinker weight adjustment.
Try live-lining around structure, such as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, where spot ? bait ? can be taken off the jetty at the end of the Sandy Point channel leading to the bay. Best baits for spot are bloodworms or artificial baits such as the popular Gulp!, Food Source or Fishbites.
This really gives you two fishing trips for the price of one. You get to catch spot, which a lot of anglers seek as a goal unto itself. Then you get to use the spot to catch big stripers. It sure beats hitting the food store for dinner, and it?s a lot more fun.
C. Boyd Pfeiffer is an internationally known sportsman and award-winning writer on fishing, hunting, and the outdoors, and he has more than 20 books to his credit. He can be reached at [email protected].
