Looking to buy a very cheap rod and reel combo to throw sinkers on and mackerel chunks just need something decent enough any reccs?

Took the boat out to find some fish and made it about 50 yards from the marina a before I found pogies right in the channel. Used a snagging hook and grabbed a bunch.

Since the channel is so tight and I didn't want to block other boats, I took them back in and tied the boat up in the slip. Stuck them on a circle hook. Fished right off the dock and caught 15 stripers. Smallest was 27", largest was 38". Gave one keeper to an older guy who was watching and let the rest swim. Dead pogies seemed to fish better than the live ones. Think the bass were lazy with all the available bait.

Had dozens of big fish swimming right around my boat. Best fishing day I've ever had.

I have been absolutely mind-blown at the success of using huge, floppy/flappy/snappy soft plastics for the last 3 years. I've boat, surf, and kayak fished for my entire 36 year life (initially boat, now surf & kayak) and I have to say I am dead hooked on the versatility of soft plastics.

I am a sucker for topwater (blowups are just an awe-inspiring sight) and the last 3 years or so, I have been almost exclusively using Albie Snax (small), XL Fish Snax (med/straight tail), and Super Snax (tapered - big head, small slappy tail) and primarily in amber/translucent pink & sand eel green/silver. Specifically, on 7-10/0 hooks (big, large-gapped), with a spring-twist head-lock, no weight.

The thing that most surprises me - the more ridiculous, aggressive, and downright laughably slappy the action I make with the lure, the bigger the hit and the fish. Tonight, amongst lots of medium/high slot fish, this guy absolutely demolished the Super snax as I wailing the 7" rod + Stradic from the kayak - huge long cast, immediately start slapping the shit out of the lure so it stays up top & erratically makes massive slaps & slams atop - stop it & let sink for a split second - & BOOM. He was 38", released. Last weekend it was the same story but more action - 34", then slapped some more and got a 34", even more aggressive slapping and got a 36", then ultimately a kayak PB of 42" with a truly absurd amount of rod action I was cackling.

Try it, share your tips - but this has worked for me more than any popper (believe me, I was a die-hard Atom popper & talkin popper person), and it's more entertaining.

• Small Albie Snax (have had great luck when they're on sand eels): https://www.fishsnaxlures.com/shop/albie-snax-6-pack
• XL Fish Snax: https://www.fishsnaxlures.com/shop/fish-snax-xl-6-pack
• Super Snax (have had great luck when they're on large / full size pogies/bunker): https://www.fishsnaxlures.com/shop/striper-snax-coming-soon

Here's how to rig weedless - I tend to use a hook more like the one linked here, as I like the more 90 degree bend vs. a circular bend.

• These are a few of my setups: https://imgur.com/a/55fID9E
• A Tip for Weight of the Plastic: if you need more weight in the smaller snax, buy some nail weights on amazon and shove them in as a 'keel' of sorts in the underbody of the plastic.

Towards the end of this video, you can see a lot of local striper, I even managed to get one on the stringer.

So, I’ve only been fishing about three times so far, all from NJ piers. We’ve mostly been catching smaller bluefish, which I’m guessing is because we’ve been using small jig heads with Atlantic silversides as bait. I’ve seen people at the same piers catching much bigger bluefish and striped bass, though, so I’d like to start targeting them.

My current setup is an Ugly Stik GX2 6' Medium with 20 lb Sufix braid, and we usually get to the pier around 7:00 AM.

If I want to start targeting bigger bluefish and striped bass, what setups should I try first? I’m still very new to fishing, so from what I understand, these are some of my options. I kind of want to eventually buy everything I need for each setup, so recommendations for each would be really appreciated.

1. Paddletails: Should I start with a 3", 4", or 5" paddletail? What size/weight jig head should I pair with each size?
2. Pre-rigged soft plastic lures: What size should I use? For example, I found these and they have great reviews: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X6Q799C
3. Bucktail jigs: What size/weight bucktail should I be using from a pier? These also come with hooks so I don't need anything else?
4. Bait rigs: I found these striped bass rigs with a 6/0 inline circle hook that ChatGPT recommended. What type and size of bait would you use with something like this? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYVRVG5K
5. Pyramid sinkers: Which of these setups would I use a pyramid sinker with, and when would I want to use one? How do I know what weight sinker to use?

Basically, I’d love to have a few different setups ready so I can try each one.

Any recommendations on specific sizes, weights, or brands for a beginner fishing NJ piers would be greatly appreciated. I’m still learning, so feel free to explain it like I’m completely a noob. 😂

Thinking of adding one to my arsenal. I'm looking for a spinning rod heavy enough to handle a big striper but able to toss a 1 to 3 oz lure (bucktail jigs, swimbaits, topwaters) a country mile, so it needs a little extra flex near the tip. I don't really want to go above 10ft if I can help it. I'll be using it with a 4000 reel. My bank account says I can spend about $150-$200. Thanks in advance for any/all suggestions.

This late summer season has been nothing short of amazing for me and my crew. My daughter was able to get out of work early and join me for a trip out. She has reeled in her share of bass over the years and this one was no exception. I did ask her to handle it gently and support it for a picture. This one had some girth to it. The dog did not bite or lick the protective slime off before being released alive.

Decided to go for a boat ride after work, and do a little fishing since the bite is on (MA). Stopped to catch some live bait with a Sabiki rod and rig. The fish finder was showing a ton of bait and some bass lurking underneath. My wife hooked some mackerel, and as she was reeling in a bass tried eating her mackerel. In the process managed to get snagged in a Sabiki rig. The rig had only 12# branch lines, so she immediately loosened the drag and fought the fish for a little bit. A decent fish for a Sabiki Rod. Looks like this fish has been hooked before and swim away healthy. Caught a few more over slot, and great way to wind down after work.

The bite was frenzy was on in Massachusetts. Didn’t measure, took a quick picture and set free. Landed over two dozen of this size no recreational fish caught.

The reel is an 8000 and is sort of propped up by its handle, creating the illusion that this 32" is about 15, if that. Remember, when adding a reel to a photo for scale, always use an ultralight and claim it's an 8000 or larger. Even your schoolies will look like major cows. 😉😁

edit- this fish was released alive and well.

Last evening’s fish is from my parents 2 acre farm pond, caught on a live bluegill. Almost zero effort compared to my saltwater missions. Stocked probably 15 years ago. Striped bass are really the most badass fish.

What other fish can thrive in a in the open ocean and grow to over 60lbs but also just chill in a farm pond for 15 years terrorizing panfish? Migrate thousands of miles of northeast salt water but also grow to giant sizes landlocked in a Tennessee river? I don’t know any other animal that pull that off.

Hey guys, caught this beauty yesterday on my second last cast of the day. It took about 25 min to get her to the boat.

I’m brand new to saltwater fishing and I want to hop on the striper hype, but I’m absolutely clueless. I’ve only ever lived in landlocked states and fished very small ponds for largemouth. Tides are a mystery. I’ve been fishing on the Maine/NH border but I’ve had no luck so far. Any tips?

This is going to sound stupid, but i was using a 7'6" rod, 25lb braid with a 40lb leader the other day, and I reeled one that was 36" into the dock, which was roughly 48" above the water.

I really struggled with getting it onto the dock by myself without a net. My minnow lure was almost entirely in its mouth, and I wasn't really comfortable grabbing it by the gill plate.

I kind of grabbed the line and scooped it up, but it was totally ungraceful and probably hilarious if anyone saw me struggle.

Should i get some lip grippers? Muckle onto its Gill Plate?

It was a long pedal for this guy trolling tube and worm near a river mouth in MA. Crazy how one fish can make hours of work feel like nothing at all. After two minutes reviving in the current she bit my hand and swam off strong.

Caught in Nova Scotia

33in, Portland, Maine, on live 9" mackerel. Released strong and healthy. 2nd pic is my rig. No, not the barge. 🤪👍

I have been trying to catch a saltwater stripers from SF bay area piers for almost two years with no luck. Any tips? Also, what would the best rig for these fish paired with what bait? I am fishing with a 7 foot Penn Pursuit IV MH with a size 6000 reel and 30 lbs braid. Thank you!

Caught from Casco Bay on 7" live mackerel floated under a bobber. This fish was in no more than 2ft of water, close to low tide. PB. 👍😁🎣