Capt Andy and Capt Rich join their good friend from John Steadman of Point to Port Charters to experience a unique wire line chunk bite. Capt Andy LoCascio said “To the best of my knowledge, this technique is only used for striper fishing in the Northeast in areas where fast currents and sticky bottom make it nearly impossible to present baits properly.” They fish within site of the famous Montauk, NY lighthouse and only a few miles outside of the harbor.
This striped bass fishing technique involves anchoring up-current of structure which could be a ledge or rock pile and feeding a chunk of bunker into the current. Because of the sticky bottom, no weight is used. The angler simply feeds back the bait until it hits the bottom. Once it hits, it is lifted up and fed back further. This allows the bait to be perfectly presented over a very large area. Chumming definitely adds to the effectiveness especially when a handful of small chunks is dropped in with the bait. If the line is let back too far, it will start to hang up. At that point it should be brought all the way back in, replaced, and worked back again. The reel is kept in free spool and the angler is responsible for thumbing the spool to minimize backlashes (especially when the fish hits).
Click here for recommended tackle for striped bass chunking.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Wire line chunking is a unique fishing technique used primarily in the Northeast for striper fishing. It involves anchoring up-current of structure like ledges or rock piles and feeding chunks of bunker bait into the current without using weights, allowing the bait to be perfectly presented over a large area despite fast currents and sticky bottoms.
No weight is used in wire line chunking because the bottom is sticky, which makes it difficult to present baits properly with weights. Instead, the angler feeds the bait back until it touches the bottom, lifts it up, and feeds it back further to keep the bait moving naturally over the bottom area.
The reel is kept in free spool mode, and the angler thumbs the spool to minimize backlashes, especially when a fish strikes. If the line hangs up from too much slack, it should be brought back in, replaced, and worked back out again to maintain proper bait presentation and prevent tangles.
This fishing technique is commonly practiced in the Northeast, especially near Montauk, New York, where fast currents and sticky bottoms create ideal conditions for the method. Fishers anchor near structures like ledges or rock piles close to the Montauk lighthouse and just outside the harbor to use the technique effectively.
Chumming, which involves dropping a handful of small bait chunks in with the main bait, enhances the effectiveness of wire line chunking. This additional bait disperses scent and attracts more striped bass to the fishing area, increasing the chances of a successful catch.
Chunks of bunker (a type of baitfish) are used for wire line chunking. These chunks are fed into the current to attract striped bass and are managed carefully by the angler to keep them drifting naturally over the bottom without using weights.
Recommended tackle for striped bass chunking can be found by following the link provided in the original content, which offers specific gear suggestions tailored to this unique fishing method to help anglers fish more effectively.
