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Striped Bass — Clam Fish-Finder
Surf · dusk-dark + dawn ebbs · NJ circle-hook law applies.
MORONE SAXATILIS
DUSK DAWN EBB EBB NIGHT SLOT 28–<31 · 1 FISH
2–4 oz pyramid 30–36" FG UNI SN 20 lb braid FG only if running a 40 lb shock for 4 oz+ casts Fish-finder slide sinker clips to the arm; fish runs line, feels no weight 8 mm bead + 75 lb swivel 30–36" of 30 lb fluoro 40 lb after dark 6/0 inline circle — SNELLED snell drives the rotation (p8) Whole fresh clam thread + lash, point EXPOSED — p10
CIRCLE HOOK MECHANICS
1Fish picks up the clam, runs — slide feeds line.
2Rod loads. Pick up, POINT AT THE FISH.
3Reel tight. The hook rotates into the jaw corner.
4NEVER swing — a hookset pulls a circle hook out.
LEGAL  Inline (non-offset) circles are NJ law with bait. Lures are exempt — the dawn metal is untouched.
RIG FIELD GUIDE v3.0 · SALT · STRIPER BAIT 12 / 38
Striper Fish-Finder — How-To
SALT / R1
SPEC
LEADER
30 lb day · 40 lb night, 30-36"
HOOK
6/0 inline circle, snelled (p8)
SINKER
Pyramid 2-4 oz on slide
HARDWARE
Slide · 8mm bead · 75 lb swivel
BAIT
Fresh clam (p10) · sandworm
WHERE
Loveladies cuts & holes
WHEN
Dusk-dark · dawn ebb ends
RIGGING SEQUENCE
1Braid through slide, then bead.
2UNI braid to swivel top eye.
3Snelled leader from S1; UNI to bottom eye.
4Clip pyramid to the slide arm.
5Bait per p10. Check the point.
1 2 3 4 5
FISHING IT
1Cast to the trough or a mapped hole.
2Sand spike; drag light enough that a taking fish pulls line.
3Load-up: point at fish, reel tight.
4Steady pressure — the hook did the work.
SPIKE TROUGH BAR
KEYS
Warm-water weeks: firm drag, short fight, unhook in the water, no sand photos. Re-bait every 20-25 min — washed clam is casting practice. Crab taps are nibbles; a bass take is a slow heavy LOAD. Two-rod double: this soaks in the spike while you throw the night plug (p14).
RIG FIELD GUIDE v3.0 · SALT · STRIPER BAIT 13 / 38