The islands of the northeastern US are heaven for topwater Striper fishing. Long Island, Block Island, and the islands off Cape Cod have some of the best Striped Bass action out there. And it’s not just Stripers – the topwater Bluefish bite’s outstanding, too.
What makes these spots special? One word: boulders. In this short guide, we’ll take a look at what makes boulder fields such a great place for working topwater lures. You’ll also find some tips on how to get the most out this epic fishery.
Why are boulder fields good for topwater Striper fishing?
Boulder fields are a dream hunting ground for Stripers and Bluefish. The crashing waves pump the water with oxygen and the rugged structure holds plenty of seaweed. This attracts a ton of baitfish, which rest and feed in sheltered pockets. And where there’s bait, there are Stripers. Lots of big, mean Striped Bass waiting to ambush prey in the currents and whirlpools.
Navigating these waters isn’t for beginners. You can easily run into the rocks so you need to keep your head on a swivel even when there’s a fish on your line. The rewards can be well worth the effort, though. You can fish both tides and a variety of currents, giving you plenty of options. You can also find some absolute monsters if you know how to work the waters properly.
How to Find the Perfect Fishing Spot
Boulder fields are complex and potentially dangerous fishing spots. Because of this, it pays to do your research and plan your approach carefully. Here’s a short intro to setting up around these rocky fish magnets.
Scouting the Area
To get the most out of a spot, it’s important to see it at both high and low tide. Take a look at the lay of the land. Is it flat and gradual? Steep and rocky? You can expect the same underwater. In general, Striped Bass and Bluefish both like rugged structure. Look for areas with steep drops and big rocks, that’s where the biggest fish hide.
Be on the lookout for currents and “nervous” water. This shows there’s structure below. Polarized sunglasses are a must when fishing here – not because of the sun, but because they’ll let you see the rocks more clearly. Obviously, you want to keep one eye on your sounder as you scan the bottom.
Approaching the Boulders
The best fishing is in no more than 20 feet of water. You’re looking for the largest boulder in a group. That’s where the biggest, most aggressive Stripers will set up shop. Start by working the deeper edge of the field, casting into shallower water and moving closer with every drift. Keep an eye out for points and pockets where weak fish might hide – predators will be doing the same thing.
The currents can get pretty fast over the boulder fields. If you’re drifting too quickly, use your trolling motor or push pole to slow you down. You can even run the engine in deeper water – the fish won’t mind it as long as there’s plenty of wave noise.
Once you find a promising spot, circle round so you’re fishing the windward face. The topwater currents will be stronger here, creating whirlpools around the base that Stripers and Blues love to hunt in. After your first hook-up, you’ll love hunting here, too.
Topwater Fishing Techniques
There are a ton of tactics and dozens of different lures that work well for topwater Striper fishing. For now, though, let’s look at a couple of tried-and-true techniques tactics and how and when to use them.
Easy Does It: Walk the Dog Fishing
The “walk the dog” is one of the best retrieves you can ever learn. At its most basic, walk the dog fishing means zigzagging lures back towards you as you retrieve, mimicking an injured fish. You do this by twitching the lure in with the rod itself, angling the tip down and only reeling in to collect the extra slack.
Allow your lure enough slack to jump and settle. This gives it that signature zigzag. Get a feel for the rhythm as you walk in your lure. When you get in the flow, keep it up at the same pace until you finish your retrieve, then repeat. You can also try pausing and speeding up once you master the basics. This gives stubborn fish more time to strike.
Walking the dog works best on calmer days. Strong winds will mess up your motion. More importantly, the noise and spray from waves breaking on the boulders can completely cover up your retrieve. Fish on a calm day with a light breeze, though, and it’s a great way to draw Stripers up from the bottom without causing too much commotion.
Fast & Loud: Popping
Poppers and chuggers are designed to make lots of noise on the surface. They each get their names thanks to the noises they make. Poppers run along the surface making a light splashing “pop.” Chuggers dig in more, giving you more of a loud, deep “chug.”
Whichever one you go with, playing with your retrieve is the key to success. Some days, a fast steady retrieve will work. Others times you’ll need to play your lure loose and erratic. Build up the noise and the movement steadily to tempt in the fish without spooking them.
This is a great technique for breezy days when there’s too much noise and commotion to use more refined techniques. You can also use it to “wake the fish up,” making a few casts to get their attention, then switching once they’re out and active.
What to Pack for Perfect Topwater Striper Fishing
Bringing in big fish is about more than just technique. Packing the right rods, reels, and lures is key. Go for a medium-heavy spinning rod with plenty of play in the tip. You’ll need a matched spinning reel with 30-40 lb braided line and a fluorocarbon leader to match.
When it comes to lures, spooks are an obvious choice when “walking the dog”. You should also pack some standard poppers, as well as plugs if you want to try for Bluefish. White lures work better in the day, while darker colors are best in low light – as is the bite in general. Whatever you use, removing the front hook makes life a lot easier if you’re planning to release the fish.
Here’s something you may not have thought about packing: a kayak. Having a kayak or a paddleboard with you lets you get deeper into the shallows than you can on a boat. You can only do this on calm days, but if the forecast is fine, bringing a board or a kayak gives you even more options.
How to Stay Safe While Fishing the Boulders
With so much structure and such unusual currents, boulder fields can be tricky if you don’t take precautions. Always keep an eye on your drift, even if you’re on the catch of a lifetime. You can easily run up on the rocks if you’re not paying attention.
Using your electronics to track and repeat safe drifts makes things a lot easier. Keep your anchor to hand in case you start drifting too quickly. If the weather’s rough, you may want to keep your engine running the whole time, with the tilt nice and high to avoid big rocks.
Forgive us for stating the obvious, but don’t fish alone. Ideally, you should have someone who knows the waters with you. If not, do your groundwork well and you shouldn’t run into any trouble. Make sure you leave a float plan with someone back home, though. Just in case.
If you’re getting out on a kayak, always stay in sight of your buddy on the boat. Pack the standard safety kit – PFD, zip-locked phone, water, and a walkie-talkie so you don’t have to shout. Most importantly: however you’re fishing, don’t forget to have fun!
Did our tips help you land a trophy? Anything you’d do differently? Let us know your topwater Striper fishing tips below – we’re always looking to up our game!
