How to fish with live bunker for striped bass

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

Alright, let’s get you dialed in on live bunker for big striped bass. Here’s a practical, field-tested plan you can take to the docks, jetties, or back bays. 🧭🐟

**Why live bunker?** Striped bass are big on active forage, and live bunker (menhaden) swim naturally and scent the water, inviting aggressive takes. In mid-fall, the migration and bunker schools ramp up, so this is prime time if you have access to live bait. The key is presentation and keeping the bunker lively long enough to draw in a bruise-worthy bite.

- Rig options (pick one and stick with it):
  1) **Bridled live bunker rig with a circle hook** – the go-to for trophy stripers. Keep the bunker swimming and reduce gut hooking.
  2) **Lip-hooked live bunker on a Carolina rig** – simple and effective when current isn’t ripping.
  3) **Head or back-hooked approaches** for fast water or surf conditions.

**Recommended gear (quick start):**
- Rod/reel: 20–40 lb class for general back-bay fishing; 50–80 lb gear if you’re dealing with big fish or heavy current. 
- Main line: braid for feel plus a sturdy leader; 30–60 lb test leader is common for bunker-rigging.
- Hooks: Circle hooks in 3/0–6/0 range (size depends on bunker size).
- Sinker: 1–4 oz depending on current, tide, and depth.
- Leaders: 18–36 inches of fluorocarbon or heavy mono; wire isn’t required unless sharks are a concern.

**Rigging the bunker (bridle rig, most versatile):**
- Thread two small lines (bridle lines) to each side of the bunker’s back or jaw area, creating two attachment points for a single large circle hook. This keeps the bait alive and presenting a natural swim.
- Attach a circle hook through the bridles so the hook sits in the corner of the mouth as the bunker swims.
- Tie the main line to the bridle or to a short leader that’s attached to the bridle. Add a weight a few inches above the bunker to keep it in the strike zone.
- Cast into current seams, drop-offs, and channel edges where bait schools are known to travel.

If you’re more comfortable with a simple lip-rig: run the hook through the bunker’s lips, let the body hang, and use a Carolina rig with a moderate sinker to keep the bait moving with the current.

**Tactics for mid-fall conditions:**
- Fish where bunker schools push through—back bays, inlet channels, and near structure. Fall tides (moving water) typically produce better strikes as bass hunt and feed.
- Time of day matters: dawn and dusk can be prime; bright midday can still work if you have current and deeper channels.
- Let the bunker swim. After you cast, give the bait 15–30 seconds, then start a slow drift or steady retrieve with occasional pauses. A bite often comes as the bunker is pulled by current or when a bass grabs and runs.
- If you’re in a kayak or boat, work the upstream side of structure and follow the current down into deeper pockets.

**Bite cues and retrieval tips:**
- Look for subtle movement: a tug, line zipping, or the line going slack as bass take line. Heft the rod tip and keep the reel steady—set gently with the hook, not a hard yank.
- If you’re not getting bites, switch rigs, adjust leader length, or vary weight to keep the bunker in a productive depth band.

**Practical resources (quick references):**
- How to catch MONSTER STRIPED BASS ON LIVE BUNKER - Live Bait Fishing: [Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV-8PCoOj68)
- Live bunker for BIG Striped Bass from Kayak: [Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-2ZNtWEHq4)
- Bridling Live Bunker on a Circle Hook for Big Striped Bass: [Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwYgorvfIzU)
- How to rig Live Bunker for surf, bank, or anchored: [Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUH5aujP-1I)

Product suggestions you might find handy:
- Yo-Zuri Striped Bass Kit: [Link](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCCF4TNJ?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) (great starter assortment)
- OROOTL Striped Bass Tube Lures: [Link](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSNKJ7KL?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) (backup for the days when live bait is scarce)
- LIVE TARGET Hollow Body Sunfish: [Link](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018AANVKW?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) (alternative topwater options if you want to switch up)

Pro-tip: practice responsible live-bait handling. Keep bunker in well-oxygenated water, avoid unnecessary stress, and respect local fishing regs for size and bag limits.

You’ve got this. Stay patient, read the water, and let your bunker do the work. Tight lines and chasing the thrill of the bite! 💪🎣

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