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In recent years chunking with bunker or other bait fish has become a very easy way for the novice and even experienced anglers to get hooked up with big striped bass. Bunker is a very oily fish and really provides a fantastic scent trail that bluefish and striped bass can pick up and home in on. Whenever possible it is best to use fresh bunker, but it is always in big demand so you may not be able to locate any. Most bait and tackle shops also sell frozen bunker which will also work well. Make sure you have enough it can really get used up fast when the fish are in the feeding mood.
When using chunks you never know what you may catch. Use a fairly good sized hook. If possible use circle hooks to avoid gut hooking of smaller fish. When hooking the bait make sure it pushes through the bait and is free of any obstructions which may hinder the hook setting process. The heads tend to catch the bigger bass while chunks of flesh are eaten readily by most predators that run across it. Sometimes a whole bunker works better than the chunks so be sure to try that if things are slow.
Other methods of catching stripers include trolling with parachute jigs, trolling large plugs, using imitation plastic eels, fishing with live eels or live herring. Umbrella rigs can also be an effective method to entice stripers and bluefish. Striped bass are often caught by other anglers who are fishing for Fluke and Porgies. They are always on the look out for a easy meal.
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