[Marlin Maniac]

I've noticed the fishing has gotten a little spotty lately. And as of New Years Day the Bay season is closed, meaning you can't fish within a mile and a half of the CBBT and keep your fish. But January and February can bring some of the best fishing for really big stripers (50 lbs+). But how do you get them to bite? What do you change when it really gets cold and the bite turns off? Here's a few of my ideas, and I look forward to reading yours.

- Slow down. 2 knots if your boat can go that slow, idle speed for big fish in deep water. The colder the water, the slower the fish move. I saw a lot of boats trolling at 7 knots last week. Bet they didn't get much.

- Change your baits to match the slow speed. Example: if you use a Mojo and a three way rig, use a lighter Mojo and a lightweight trailer rather than a spoon or jig. Try a white or chartruse rubber shad with no jighead, just a hook on a leader. This will give you maximum action and will stay off the bottom at slower speeds.

- Cover the surface duct. The top 5 feet of water can be the warmest. The fish are more active in warmer water. Make sure you have a bait or two near the top. Remember your fish finder looks at a relatively narrow cone of water, with the narrow end at the top. Coverage of the top 5 feet is non-existant. So don't expect to see marks there. Note to self: Spoons will make maximum flash near the surface. Could be a good bait to use!

- Shallow water can be warmer than deeper water. Typically I've found that the biggest fish keep to the deeper water, but a limit of 32" fish is better than a bunch of monster marks and an empty box. How do you cook marks, by the way?

- Change it up. If what you're dragging isn't working, try something else. Vary your lures, depth, speed, whatever.

- Finally consider adding some scent to your offering. Add a scented strip or try one of the many spray products. It can't hurt.

That's my top 6 ideas. Looking forward to reading yours. Tight lines.

[mtoussaint]

Thanks for sharing.will keep these tips in mind later on thru late Jan and Feb.

[el toro]

Thanks for the tips! My main tip would be to keep your lines in the water as long as possible (fish as much as possible). And share the locations of the bite -

[bobdu11]

My tip....go more often and go when it's sporty out...less boat pressure....heading out now.....report later today....Bob

[Knot Too Fast]

I am going to add to Bob's recommendation: buy a Big @$$ Southport to facilitate getting out in snotty weather when there is less pressure on the fish.

--Brett

[Volunteer]

Good words George, and thanks to everyone else for chiming in. I concur with all said here, although I haven't had a banner year so far. Some respectable fish, yes, but nothing like years past.

[skinnys-kid]

Best tip for slow striper days...go to Bob's 'Bar-gola' or Todd's Tiki Bar and talk about the chaotic days over several beers!!

Thanks for posting the tips George...great info!!

[professor3]

Best tip for slow striper days...go to Bob's 'Bar-gola' or Todd's Tiki Bar and talk about the chaotic days over several beers!!

Thanks for posting the tips George...great info!!

Only thing I can add is that I will cover the entire water column with lures - from the top with spoons and to the bottom with mojos, stretches and umbrella rigs with different weighted in line sinkers. Once I find something working then will switch more to that water column and color.

Overall find the bait first -- if the screen is dead I will pull up and move on till I see something on the screen.

If I mark bait and many birds are sitting on the water - I will stay around those birds knowing as they know they will bite again.

[Persistence2]

If I think/know the fish are in the area and I'm not getting bites, I will change up lures or try some of the stuff I'll mention below... I usually have a mix of lures with different action to start out with (chutes/spoons/tomics) and will change as I see what the fish are liking or if I get a feeling for the size of the baitfish by seeing them on the surface or the fish spitting them up.

I have been fishing two "ladder rigs" with parachute trailers off my outriggers. I am a FIRM believer in using my outriggers to get my baits away from the boat and further back while being able to manage them more effectively. Many days, theese are the only baits that catch. Tandem rigs (lighter ones) also work well off the riggers. I then run two umbrella rigs off outrodders and position them to run mid depth or so...I usually put a 6-8 oz in-line on these. Either a parachute or a Tomic as the trailer (Tomic works well here). I then run my two deep tandems with mojo and trailer. Usually a spoon either a CA or 21 Tony or a chute or a tomic as the trailer bait. I have also put a ladder rig down here as well (cranked up off the bottom 10ft or so) and it is very effective.

If I run through a good mark, I will start by jigging the deep lines if I don't get bit and then I will turn so lures on one side speed up and the others slow down. Whatever side gets the bites dictates whether I should slow down or speed up. You'd be surprised how many times the stripers actually want a bait at 3-4.5 knots vs. 2 knots...

Anyway, just some thoughts!

Glenn