Fellow Surf Striper Fisherman - I Need methods on fishing a couple Baits

[BassFishingMachine]

Well I've been crowding up another forum I use specificly for striper with "how-to" posts on fishing a variety of different baits, and I don't feel like posting another "how-to" question on there atleast for today . So Im counting on my fellow BR guys to help me out.

Here is what Im dying to know. I recently bought 2 new lures in which I plan to fish from the surf. The first lure is a 7inch Fin-S. I searched google, and haven't found much on it other then how to fish it for largemouth. I want to know the best ways to fish this bait for striper, as I often hear about it being a commonly effective softbait for this species. Reading the package it tells me to rig it on a jighead, or to rig it "weedless" like you would a senko, just with a bigger hook (obviously). My question though is for the guys who have fished this bait before for striper, and that is; what is the most effective way you fish this bait while in the surf? Im thinking of jigging it about, as it seems like it wouldn't have much of a swimming action due to the forked tail and all. Please give me some info on fishing this bait.

The 2nd lure I bought and want to have an idea on how to fish is the berkley pre-rigged eel. Do you just swim this bait with a slow retrieve? Or is there something more to it? Never fished a soft plastic eel so I am pretty clueless in this subject.

Thanks for any help, as always Im greatly appreciative.

And to all you guys who give reviews on baits on cabelas.com or basspro.com please be more specific!! I foolishly go to that site and read the reviews time and time again and hear the same darn responses; "its a great bait!, caught me alot of fish" or "this bait is amazing!", or "outfished my buddy with this one". Yeah, well thats great to know jack!, but tell me how you work the darn thing, a freshwater bass jig is a great bait too, but if you throw it out there trailerless and bring it in with a fast retrieve your probably not going to do so hot. Be more specific! Darn reviewers..

[Crabcakes]

I have both of those baits but I haven't really fished with the Berkley eel.  I don't have a ton of experience with these two so I'll give what help I can.

From what I remember the Berkley is pretty light at about 1-1.5 ozs and has very poor aerodynamics. It looks very realistic. I personally would usually opt for another lure on an open sand beach. You'd need a good rod to get the best out of it from the beach if you did use it. It'd use it around rocks preferably with some current. As for technique you can swim it, jig it, drag it on the bottom, let it swing in and out of current, let an outgoing wave carry it past the end of the jetty. This one is pretty light and should move with most current.

I usually use fin-s-fish and other soft plastics like that in Chesapeake Bay. In the surf I'd rig it on a heavy jig head and fish it in locations similar to the Berkley eel but where more weight is needed to get it down in the current. Try it on a very deep beach or a beach with a strong rip. If sandeels were around I'd tie on a small size sluggo or other such lure as a teaser. Rigged weedless is something I have little experience with in the surf. It certainly wouldn't get a lot of distance from the beach. I know guys use ron-z's and surf hogs and similar things to great success though.

I don't have a ton of experience with these two so I don't have any secret retrieves for you or anything.  Honestly I'd fish them with the things you'd expect to work, hopping it, swimming slowly with an occasional jerk, etc. Just be mindful of current in making your retrieve. A bait like these two I'd usually fish around some sort of cover or noticeable current area. These aren't really baits to cover water.

What part of Jersey are you fishing in?

[BassFishingMachine]

The ocean around Bradley Beach, so basiclly the whole ocean stretch along ocean avenue, avon jetti, brinley ave jetti, etc.

[Crabcakes]

I don't know that area too well. I fish south of there at Seaside Heights and Island Beach. I was hoping maybe you did as well on the off chance I could give a little more specific advice.

[A-Jay]

The ocean around Bradley Beach, so basiclly the whole ocean stretch along ocean avenue, avon jetti, brinley ave jetti, etc.

I lived in NJ (Cape May County) for the last 15 yrs or so - retired to God's Country The striper fishing around me was really under rated by many. I DO NOT consider myself any kind of expert - I just know that when I figured a few things out - there were more fish around. If you are were willing to put in the time and go at the right time you can catch some very respectable fish. This means that you are usually not out there when every one else is . . .meaning it's almost always better at night. Saying that, you have to be smart about it - you have to know the area, have the right equipment, and don't take unsafe risks to catch a fish - going with a buddy is smart but I found out there are only a few hardy souls who are willing to stand on the end of a jetty or in the surf, with a stiff northest wind in your face on a cold November night. For me, when I was there - was almost more important than - what I was throwing.

I see you're in NJ - I sent you a PM with the link to two great striper sites. Both have an INFINITE amount of knowledge being shared by some REAL experts - guys who have been on the sand half a century or more. I learned so much there - I encourage you to register/join the forum/message board and do a search for Whatever - you'll find TOO MUCH of just about everything there is on the subject. If you're already registered - then I would say you have the most valuable resource you could find already.

I'll add this regarding your question on lures - If you are not fishing moving water - Find some - If it's moving - and there is bait around - that's a decent place to start - my Go To bait was a Bucktail - they are very versatile and a great hooking bait. Just as important and often overlooked until you're bleeding, it's a Very safe bait- meaning that when you are perched on a slippery rock jetty or being thrown around by powerful waves that you can't see, and then reach down to land a thrashing 25 lb fish at night, with a face full of treble hooks - this is a recipe for a trip to the emergency room - been there :-[ - with a bucktail, the one hook is in the fish - making it less likely that it will end up in your hand - which is a good thing . Colors and size and trailers are mostly predicated on the location you're fishing and the current conditions and are often times just a matter of personal preference.

Good Luck and Stay Safe

A-Jay