How to Tube & Worm Troll for Stripers With Light Tackle

Trolling tubes, worms, spoons, spinners and other lures are effective when fishing for striped bass. Trolling puts the lures in motion and allows the angler to cover ground. Trolling with downriggers is a common approach but inline trolling is also effective when striped bass are present in large numbers. Trolling is ideal for searching and casting, and retrieving is preferred when the fish are visible and actively feeding. Tubes and worms are two top choices for striped bass but the aggressive fish will also strike a variety of other lure options.

Things You'll Need

  • Fish finder
  • Downrigger
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Drive the boat in a bay and use a fish finder to track depth and locate fish. Look for large schools of fish to indicate the presence of a food source. Also look for drastic depth changes that force baitfish upwards. The underwater inclines often create a visible line on the surface.

    • 2

      Clip your tube or worm to the line holder on a downrigger and drop the downrigger ball to match the depth of the fish or to fish above the structure. Trail roughly 40 feet of line between the tube and the downrigger ball.

    • 3

      Troll in the same direction as the schools of fish at a slow pace. Use 2 miles per hour as the maximum for tubes and worms. The lures are sensitive and higher speeds may tear the materials.

    • 4

      Follow the underwater structure as you troll, following the natural lines created by cliffs and walls beneath the surface.

    • 5

      Adjust the depth several feet higher or lower if the striped bass do not respond. Sometimes the fish will strike when the lure is higher or lower than the bass. Experiment with the depth until you find a position that produces consistently.