How to Troll for Stripers: Simple, Easy Techniques from the Pros

by Brett Freese
March 18, 2022

The best times to fish are early in the morning and later at night. Stripers tend to congregate in deeper waters during the day but will move closer to shore when it’s dark outside. If you can plan your trip around these times, then you’ll have more success!

Fishing for Stripers is a great way to spend time outside, be productive, and if you’re lucky, eat some delicious fish. However, it can also be tricky because there are so many different factors that go into it. You have to find the perfect livebait, find the right fishing spot, know how to cast your rod correctly, and know what time of day to keep an eye out. It’s enough to make anybody’s head spin!

Luckily for you, This article explains how to troll for stripers and shares the best lures for trolling. It also gives helpful advice on what speeds to use when you are trolling, where to find excellent spots to troll, as well as the types of gear you need.

What is Striped Bass?

First of all, you must know what it is that you’re trying to catch! Stripers are a type of fish that thrive in the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. They tend to be aggressive fish which makes them very easy to seize. Their colors can range from silver/blue on their top half and white on their lower half to a dark blue/green color on top and white underneath.

You can also find stripers that are actually completely black in color. They tend to eat mostly smaller fish and crustaceans, so you’ll want to make sure to use small bait when trying to catch them.

What are Umbrella Rigs?

Now that you know what you’re trying to catch, make sure you’ve got the right tools. Umbrella rigs are perfect for catching stripers because not only is it guaranteed to seize your prey, but they make it very easy to get out of the water.

Umbrella rigs are basically several fishing rods attached together with a piece of rope in between each one. The distance between each rod is slightly shorter than the next one down so that when you cast your line (usually with bait on top) the umbrella rig will land in an “umbrella-like” fashion over the water. Once this happens, reel them all back up and continue until you find a fish!

What Time Should I Go Out to Catch Fish?

What Sort of Bait Fish Should I Use?

There are plenty of options here! Some people like to go bottom-fishing with pieces of squid or clams, while others prefer shrimp or artificial lures. The type of bait that you want is up to you, just make sure that whatever it is will attract some stripers your way!

Where Should I Fish for Stripers?

Next, you need to find a spot to actually fish at. You want to look for large areas of rocks and other natural formations that stick out from the water. Stripers like this type of space because it gives them plenty of room to swim around and hide when they feel threatened.

They’ll typically be within five miles of the shore in deep waters (45-60 feet). When trying to fish during the summer months, try your luck near beaches and jetties while using rocky bars as locations during spring/fall seasons.

Tactics for Trolling Freshwater Striper

There are several trolling tips from professional anglers that might be useful to you!

Troll Along with the Current: Stripers are creatures of habit and they tend to stick to certain areas. If you can find where their favorite current is, then chances are good they’ll be there!

Cast Up current and Drift Down: This tactic works best if you have two rods rigged for trolling because one person will need to cast the lines current while another will pay outline as it drifts down.

Use a Bait-Runner Board System: These keep your bait running at optimal speeds even in rough waters which makes it easier for stripers to get hooked! They come in different shapes but work basically the same way.

Troll the Humps: If you’re looking for stripers that are hiding in rocky places, then this tactic is just what you need! You can find where these hump-like formations are by trolling along contour lines (the break between the deep and shallow water). Once you find them, use your trolling motor to get close before casting your line.

Use Different Lures: If one type of lure isn’t working, try switching it up with another one or two lures so they don’t get too used to these. If all else fails, using a crankbait is usually sure to get them! Just make sure that if you’re fishing in saltwater that you’re using the appropriate type for your current.

Slow Trolling Speed: Trollers need to move slowly with their lures because stripers are very lazy, deep water fishes. It also gives the lure more time to attract them!

Fast Trolling Speed: If you’re fishing in shallow, rocky waters then you should use a “fast trolling speed” so that the lure doesn’t get snagged on any rocks. This will ensure that your lures are moving along uninterrupted.

Use Fish Finder: If trolling from a boat, then it’s very helpful to have a fish finder to check out the water below you. This will help you find where the best spots are and how many there are! You can also mark them on your map so that you don’t waste time going back over areas that already have stripers too close by for fishing.

Use Deep Diving Plugs: If you’re trolling from the shore, then the current can push you closer to rocks or other dangerous objects. You definitely don’t want your line being snagged on these things so it’s good to use deep-diving plugs until there is a wide enough opening for regular fishing.

Use Thin Minnow Plugs: These plugs look like a very thin fishing line as they float up and down in the water. They’re perfect for trolling because they don’t create much resistance which allows you to move at a faster speed without worrying about anything getting snagged on your line!

Use Spoons and Plugs: Spoons and plugs are great for trolling because their shiny, metallic material causes them to reflect any light around them, drawing attention from even the most distracted of fish. Just make sure that if you’re using these in saltwater that you use ones made specifically for this type of water.

Check Water Column for Lures: When trying to find where your lures are, sometimes it’s good just to check the water column from time to time. If you notice that they’re somewhere different than usual, then chances are there could be a fish or two hanging out in that area! Check both above and below where your line is for the most accurate results.

Gears for Striper Trolling to Catch Big Fish

Of course, there’s the right gear when catching fish that you can use when you go trolling! Here are some of it:

Wind Drag

When you have a lot of wind in your area, then it can be very challenging to get out past the breakers.

One way to do this is by using a wind drag so that the boat’s motion across the water makes it easier for you to go past these areas instead of just being pushed onto them!

Sinker Weight

If you are trolling along rocks or reefs then this will help keep your gear from being stuck on them!

To ensure that your line doesn’t get ripped off when going around these obstacles, use sinker weights which are specially designed to solve this type of problem.

Braided Line

This stronger and more expensive line is absolutely necessary when fishing in rocky or weedy areas, like if you’re trolling along the shore.

It will ensure that your line isn’t weakened by these objects and that there’s a much smaller chance of it breaking!

Lure Weights

When trolling for stripers, use lure weights to make sure your lures are running horizontally instead of vertical like they usually do.

This will cause them to swim in the deeper water which is the perfect environment for stripers! They can also help avoid snags, especially in areas with lots of rocks

Kicker Motor

This is an option for trolling instead of using wind drags. It will make the trolling speed more consistent and it’s way better than having to change your boat’s heading all of the time!

Engine Speed Control

It may seem obvious, but you definitely want to keep your engine at a constant speed when doing any type of fishing. This makes it easier to troll without worrying about running into rocks or other boats that are nearby!

A good device for this purpose is the ‘throttle control’ which can help you maintain a steady engine speed through whatever kind of water you’re in.

Boat Lights

If you’re out on the water after dark then it’s important to have running lights on so that other people know your position and don’t crash into you.

These lights must be visible from 3 miles away and they must also be turned on whenever you start fishing at night or dusk!

Main Motor

Just like any other type of fishing, you definitely need the right motor for fishing! There are two kinds of motors that can be used, the outboard motor and the inboard/stern drive.

These types offer different power levels so make sure you know what kind works best for your boat before making a purchase.

Power Assist

This is another great option if there’s lots of wind or waves where you’re doing your fishing. They will help you turn around without having to change directions too often which makes it easier to keep up with where the fish are! If possible, try to use these devices with your kicker motor so that you have both options available at all times.

Depth Finder

A depth finder helps you figure out the best places to go fishing. If there’s an area that’s shallower or deeper than what your boat can handle then it could be a good spot to check out!

These devices work really well for fishing because they can show where the fish are and determine whether or not they’re in a safe zone for this kind of activity.

Trolling Motor Bracket

When you’re positioning your trolling motor, it’s important to have the right equipment. These mounts are easy to set up without any tools which allow you to conveniently mount or dismount them whenever you need them.

They are also very effective for being able to control the direction of your boat while keeping up with where the fish are!

Final Thoughts on How to Troll for Stripers

Trolling for stripers can be a very effective technique since they’re such great predators! If you use the right equipment and follow all of these tips then you’ll definitely get more fish than ever before. Just keep in mind that there’s no such thing as the perfect way to do something, but with practice and patience, your skills will improve.

Brett Freese

I've always had a passion for fishing ever since I was young. I started fishing with my grandpa at 6, and he taught me everything I needed to know! I love sharing my knowledge with the community, as well as learning from other anglers. We only get better if we help each other!