Fishing Ahead of the Rip During the Spring Squid Run

During the spring squid run, striped bass do not always sit directly in the rip. In this Monomoy session, Captain Mike finds larger bass pushing out in front of the rip line, intercepting small clusters of squid and bait in calmer open water. Instead of jockeying for position in the rougher rip zone, the approach is built around long tactical drifts, blind casting, and sight casting to boils while sliding along the rip face with the Hogy 6” Macro Chug Popper.

Diagram Overview: When bass push ahead of the rip to intercept squid and small bait clusters, make long controlled drifts along the rip face and cast to visible boils in the smoother open water. Use spot lock or light engine assist to stem the tide when needed, keeping the boat positioned ahead of the rip while working a hybrid walk-and-pop retrieve through the feeding zone.

Key Takeaways:

• Fish the Water Ahead of the Rip: Larger bass will often push out in front of the rip to intercept squid and scattered bait before it reaches the heavier current. This calmer zone can be especially productive during early or late-stage tide behavior.
• Use Long Tactical Drifts: Rather than locking into one spot, make controlled drifts across the open water ahead of the rip. This helps cover more water while keeping the presentation natural and low-pressure.
• Sight Cast to Boils and Subtle Surface Signs: Watch for small boils, puddles, birds, and bait clusters. When fish show briefly on the surface, lead the activity with a long cast and work the lure back through the strike zone.
• Blend Walking and Popping Retrieves: The 6” Macro Chug Popper excels in this situation because it can walk, pop, and chug. A hybrid retrieve lets anglers call fish in with sound, then slow down with a more subtle walking action.
• Stem the Tide When Needed: In stronger current, use spot lock or light engine assist to slow the drift and stay aligned with the rip face. This keeps the boat positioned for repeat casts without forcing the lure unnaturally through the water.