Trolling for Stripers with Topwater Acti

We’re locked into the late‑summer pattern, and that means the live‑bait bite and other vertical presentations have slowed way down. Even so, we’re still averaging about 15 stripers per trip by staying on the summer trolling pattern. Here’s how we’re doing it: We’re trolling bait on downriggers alongside umbrella rigs, covering water and staying in front of moving fish. When the bite peaks, it can get downright chaotic — multiple rods going off and plenty of action. We’re also starting to see more topwater schooling, which is the first big sign that we’ll soon be switching back to live bait and casting presentations as that early‑fall pattern kicks in.