Captain Andy LoCascio and Captain Rich Tenreiro hooked up with good friend and respected outdoor contributor John Luchka of Long Run Fishing Charters for some red hot topwater striped bass and bluefish fishing action in their own back yard. The guys experienced some fast and furious action with fish to 15lbs all on popping plugs! Stripers and bluefish continue to be the primary “backyard” plugging species throughout the Northeast. All anglers should practice catch and release to preserve this valuable resource!
There are countless hot-spots in the Western Sound. The real trick is knowing which ones are most productive on various tide and light conditions. The bait patterns also have a dramatic effect on productivity. When the peanut bunker abound, the fish can be spread widely. When the bait is sparse, the fish are concentrated in fewer spots. The good news about plugging, is that you can cover a lot of water in a very short time. When scouting out new spots, be sure to focus the bulk of your efforts at dawn and dusk when the fish are more active.
The bluefish fishing and striped bass fishing techniques and tackle in this show can be used by anyone who loves too see fish crashing the surface in pursuit of their prey. If you have questions about any of the equipment used during the show, please contact us.
Click here for our Striped Bass Plugging and Bluefish Plugging gear recommendations
Preview Clip
(scroll down for full length show)
Watch on YouTube or share this link: http://youtu.be/nwAvhnpPIxc
Full Length Show
Watch on YouTube or share this link: http://youtu.be/a8kQKQfEwpU
Frequently Asked Questions
The fishing action featured targets striped bass and bluefish, with fish up to 15 pounds hooked on popping plugs. These species are popular for backyard plugging in the Northeast, especially in the Western Sound area.
Dawn and dusk are the most productive times to fish for striped bass and bluefish using plugging techniques because the fish are more active. Focusing your efforts during these times increases your chances of catching fish.
Bait patterns significantly influence fishing productivity. When peanut bunker bait is abundant, fish tend to spread out in many locations; conversely, when bait is scarce, fish concentrate in fewer hotspots. Understanding bait abundance helps anglers choose where to fish effectively.
Plugging allows anglers to cover a large amount of water in a short time, increasing the chances of locating active fish. This technique is effective for spotting fish crashing the surface and reacting quickly to their movements.
Catch and release is encouraged to preserve the striped bass and bluefish populations, ensuring these valuable species remain sustainable for future fishing. Responsible angling helps protect the resource and maintain healthy ecosystems.
Gear recommendations for striped bass and bluefish plugging are provided on the site, linked directly for anglers seeking advice on tackle used in this style of fishing. Contacting the site is also an option for specific equipment questions.
The full-length show and a preview clip are both available to watch on YouTube through provided links. Sharing these links allows others to view the fishing action and techniques demonstrated by Captain Andy LoCascio and Captain Rich Tenreiro.
