VIDEO: Incredible Massachusetts South Shore Striper Action

Last July, we filmed an incredible day of striped bass fishing out of Scituate, Massachusetts, with a crew that included Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) fishery biologists Ben Gahagan and Bill Hoffman, Ryan “Cal” Callaghan of MeatEater and Captains Bryan and Taylor Sears, the “Sea Bros” of Mass Bay Guides. The excitement began quickly when they spotted birds diving over a school of feeding fish, signaling an active bite. The team followed a careful strategy, approaching the feeding fish without spooking them, casting Rapala X-Raps and soft plastics to hook into some of the biggest stripers of their lives.

Watch the full video to learn about key striper fishing techniques, such as staying ahead of feeding fish by observing bird activity, positioning the boat correctly, and ensuring that each cast maximizes the chances of a strong hook-up. The anglers also emphasize proper striped bass handling and conservation practices, discussing the benefits of using single hooks over trebles to reduce post-release mortality and demonstrating the correct way to support and revive large stripers before releasing them. They also talk about how water temperature affects fish stress and how adjusting gear—like using rubber-coated nets and fish grippers—can make the release process safer and more efficient. Throughout the trip, they adapt to changing conditions, eventually switching to bait fishing as the fish move deeper in the water column.

The day served as both an unforgettable fishing adventure and a reminder of the role conservation plays in maintaining a thriving striped bass fishery. It’s also the first part of a three-part series we filmed with DMF, highlighting striper fishing tactics and techniques in three different scenarios: boat fishing, shore fishing, and kayak fishing.

Enjoy!

Source: https://onthewater.com/video-incredible-massachusetts-south-shore-striper-action

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