The EPIC striped bass run of 2010 continues with fish being weighed in the 30 and 40 lb. class on a daily basis. The schools of bunker seem to stretch from The Rockaways east to Shinnecock, its absolutely unbelievable!! In recent days huge schools of large bluefish have shown up which really spices things up. Although scorned by many, there aren’t many fish that provide light tackle action like these fish, they are always willing to bite and will hit a range of lures such as Diamond Jigs, Popping and Swimming Plugs or Swimbaits. The ticket for the bass continues to be the snag and swim method with a 7/0 bunker snag.

For those who stay in the bay, there are some bass in the usual summer haunts and it’s just about time to start plying these areas with artificials. Deep banks along the state boat channel from the 3rd Wantagh bridge east to the Amityville Cut will all hold resident Striped Bass that can be caught on popping and Swimming Plugs on Light Tackle. A Seven Foot Spinning or Baitcasting rod with a matching reel and 15 to 20 lb. test Mono, with an 18″ 40lb. Mono Leader will do the trick. Popular plugs are the 7/8th oz. Smack-it Popping Plug, the 5/8th oz. Yozuri Mag Popper and the Tsunami 4″ Talkin Popper which was a really hot plug last year. Color depends on personal preference, but I don’t think you can go wrong with blue, white, or yellows. Another plug you don’t want to leave home without is a Bomber 16a Swimmer in Chicken Scratch which is color PYRG. The key to this is HIGH OUTGOING tide and to concentrate around the numerous “drains” and mosquito ditches that dot these areas. The idea is when the water recedes from the marshes it sucks baitfish, crabs, and shrimp into these “drains” where the bass hold waiting for a snack.