Captain Mike and the crew head out East of Nantucket to target large striped bass in the Rips. Captain Phil Moore of Moore Yacht Sales shows how even larger center consoles like his Costa Custom 34SV can be used to stem the tide, keeping the anglers in the strike zone. Mike and  @NateOnTheWater  use medium and large plugs to mimic squid getting swept over the rip.

When: Use this approach in moderate to strong current over rips, especially when bait is being swept over a shoal or bar and fish are staging in the seam. Ideal for swing-style casting where you want the current to carry the presentation naturally through the strike zone.

Overview: “Stemming the tide” means using your boat’s engine to hold position against the current, staying stationary relative to the moving water. It’s the foundation of tactical boat positioning in rips. This technique allows you to fish precisely while using current to do the work—casting or jigging just uptide and letting lures swing or drop into the seam.

Part 1 Swing Cast

When: Best all-around method for casting in rips. Works across all tide stages and delivers a natural, consistent presentation.

Execution:

• Position uptide of the bowl or seam edge.
• Use idle power to hold against the current just above where the rip begins.
• Cast 20°–30° uptide.
• Gain contact and let the lure swing.
• Retrieve best means as per lure type

Rod Position:

• Start with tip high to manage line.
• Lower through the arc to stay tight.

Why It Works: The swing mimics bait swept by current. It brings lures through the seam at natural angles, often resulting in hard hits from ambushing fish.