Striper Bass Downrigger Trolling

[vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”bottom” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”8776″ bg_image_type=”default” bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”8%” bottom_padding=”8%” text_color=”light” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” enable_gradient=”true” color_overlay=”#0a0a0a” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_t_to_right_b” shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_divider_height=”350″ bg_image_animation=”none” parallax_bg=”true” parallax_bg_speed=”fast” shape_type=”mountains” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”left” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”center” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” font_color=”#FFFFFF” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” content_layout=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” max_width=”400″ text_direction=”default”]

Striper Bass Downrigger Trolling

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” top_margin_tablet=”20px” top_margin_phone=”20px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” centered_text=”true” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” content_layout=”default” gradient_type=”default”][nectar_cta btn_style=”curved-arrow-animation” heading_tag=”span” link_type=”regular” button_color=”extra-color-1″ button_color_hover=”#2FBF71″ text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_color_hover=”#FFFFFF” button_border_thickness=”0px” alignment=”center” alignment_tablet=”default” alignment_phone=”default” constrain_group_2=”yes” constrain_group_3=”yes” constrain_group_4=”yes” icon_gap=”5″ display=”block” display_tablet=”inherit” display_phone=”inline-block” url=”/chat/?omega_prompt=Striped+Bass+Downrigger+Trolling+Tackle” link_text=”Use Our Interactive Checklist & Where to Buy” padding_top=”20px” padding_bottom=”20px” padding_left=”15px” padding_right=”15px” font_size_desktop=”22″ font_size_phone=”18″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”60px” constrain_group_1=”yes” bottom_padding=”60px” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” bottom_margin=”20px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” content_layout=”default” gradient_type=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]The conventional rod and reel combo we recommend for striped bass downrigger trolling features a conventional star drag reel with a levelwind on a 7′ medium-fast to fast rod. The levelwind is optional, but is a big advantage when making fine depth adjustments while the rod is in the rod holder. This is a very versatile conventional outfit and is perfect for nearly all downrigger fishing applications.

We recommend loading the reel with 30-50lb mono which is attached to a 5ft length of 50-80lb fluorocarbon leader using a 100lb barrel swivel. The rig is completed with either custom Santini Tube lure or a 3-4oz bucktail tipped with an imitation sandworm soft bait. Both presentations are effective for taking big stripers in nearly any depth.[/vc_column_text][nectar_cta btn_style=”curved-arrow-animation” heading_tag=”span” link_type=”regular” button_color=”extra-color-1″ button_color_hover=”#2FBF71″ text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_color_hover=”#FFFFFF” button_border_thickness=”0px” alignment=”center” alignment_tablet=”default” alignment_phone=”left” constrain_group_3=”yes” constrain_group_4=”yes” display=”block” display_tablet=”inherit” display_phone=”inherit” url=”/chat/?omega_prompt=Striped+Bass+Downrigger+Trolling+Tackle” link_text=”Use Our Interactive Checklist & Where to Buy” padding_top=”20px” padding_bottom=”20px” padding_left=”20px” padding_right=”20px” font_size_desktop=”22″ margin_top=”40px” font_size_phone=”18″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” bottom_margin=”20px” top_margin_tablet=”20px” top_margin_phone=”40px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” content_layout=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”7772″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”5px” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/7zTh5NOsM_I?si=6RE5wUff4l-zAie4″ css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Frequently Asked Questions

The recommended setup is a conventional star drag reel with a levelwind mounted on a 7-foot medium-fast to fast rod. The levelwind feature is optional but helps make precise depth adjustments while the rod is in the holder, making this combo versatile for most downrigger fishing applications.

A levelwind reel aids anglers in making fine depth adjustments easily while keeping the rod in the holder. This feature improves control over lure depth and enhances the overall trolling experience when targeting striped bass.

It is recommended to load the reel with 30-50 pound monofilament line connected to a 5-foot fluorocarbon leader rated between 50 and 80 pounds. The leader is attached using a 100-pound barrel swivel to handle strong fish and reduce line visibility.

Effective lure choices include custom Santini Tube lures or 3-4 ounce bucktails tipped with imitation sandworm soft baits. Both presentations work well at nearly any depth to entice large striped bass.

This downrigger trolling rig is effective at fishing striped bass at almost any depth. The use of a downrigger combined with the recommended tackle and lures allows anglers to reach and attract fish throughout the water column.