Delaware River Striped Bass

[JimW5283]

I generally head out on the Delaware maybe 1 or 2 times a season, towards Washington Crossing area.  I was discussing this past weekend with my buddy, heading out more on the Delaware. So I guess I am just looking for some general feedback in regards to Striped Bass fishing. As I don't have a ton of experience with it.

 

I have mainly used eel for bait on 2 medium-heavy rods and hoped for the best. I did however catch a beautiful 7.55lb guy 2 years ago. Last year...nothing much to brag about.

 

Any feedback is appreciated. 

 

Thanks!

 

-Jim

[Shanes7614]

If your gonna fish the Delaware I would fish the bay. Not the actual river itself. They seem to go up the Hudson more often.

[Dogmatic]

Plenty of nice fish where you are, essentially Trenton south, and there are plenty of resident fish, albeit a bit smaller, upstream, mostly at the confluence of the river and it's tributaries. Tight lines!

[A-Jay]

I worked in a tackle shop down in Cape May NJ for several years. 

Each year The Biggest Bass came from the bay on Bunker heads.   

Eels definitely take fish and occasionally a big one too. 

But year after year, season after season, 95% of the 40lb plus fish I weighed in, ate a bunker chunk. 

 

And btw - the night bite is best.

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

[Dogmatic]

Figure that's what they're chasing, so you can't go wrong with bunkers, world record on an eel not withstanding, but the biggest bass I ever saw caught out of the Trenton area was on a blood worm, 25+lbs., from shore no less.

[A-Jay]

Bucktails are also a Striper staple . . .

 

A-Jay

 

[everythingthatswims]

I worked in a tackle shop down in Cape May NJ for several years. 

Each year The Biggest Bass came from the bay on Bunker heads.   

Eels definitely take fish and occasionally a big one too. 

But year after year, season after season, 95% of the 40lb plus fish I weighed in, ate a bunker chunk. 

 

And btw - the night bite is best.

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

In the Lower Chesapeake, eels are the way to go. Back when I was 10 or 11, my little brother and I caught two giants near the CBBT on eels. Mine was 48lbs, his 45lbs, and my dad got a 39 the same day. Never had fishing that good since then. 

[Catch 22]

I used to target the schoolies from the Racoon Creek up to north Phila. The back water cove  just north of the  Barry bridge used to be good as well as the bridge its self.I used to throw plastics really close to the pilings,like 6" close.Don`t know if homeland security would let you in close now days? The highline tower just below the bridge, NJ side was fun too.Good shoals above there too.Rock jetty and islands too

Jerk baits,6" sluggos on jig heads & grubs all worked well.

C22

[fishinphilly]

if your fishing from a boat pettys island is where I've caught almost all my stripers between me, my brother, and my dad we've caught them anywhere from 10 to my dads 45lber we were using clams which we almost always catch them on but good luck hope you catch some

[Catch 22]

10/4 on Petty.I always hit it when in the area.

After  work in S Phila I   would take the boat up to the Arsenal  ramp. There was some nice structure just below the ramp.I don`t know how the catching would be now with the lower striper populations.

C22

[roadwarrior]

We have been catching a few monsters in the Tennessee River

on the Alabama Rig. Last spring I caught a 38 lb striper using 

LFT Live Magic Shad on the outside arms, a Johnson Silver Minnow

in the middle.  The fish was caught on the Silver Minnow.