Trolling open water areas can be very productive when good signs of fish activity are present. This can be the obvious such as surface feeds, bird activity, or large bait schools. When fish are deep, bait pods can be located using electronics and fished at specific depths.

OPEN WATER STRIPER TROLLING APPROACH

1. Pound the signs & stay glued to the fish finder. Tracking a surface feed or following suspended bait is imperative.

2. When fish are located, drop the boat out of gear for a moment to allow baits to drop, then accelerate back into gear to trigger a reaction strike.

3. Make frequent turns, doing so will move your baits up and down in the water column, assisting in locating active fish.

4. Change colors often. Finding the hot color, whether natural or attractor colors, can turn a cold bite into a hot one once dialed in.