Fall Striped Bass Tautog Inshore Trip Prime Reel

Fall Striped Bass and Tautog Fishing Trip

Picture this: the crisp October morning air hits your face as we head out at first light, chasing the legendary fall striper run when these fish are absolutely gorging themselves before winter. This isn't your typical summer fishing trip - fall fishing brings cooler heads, fewer crowds, and some of the most aggressive fish you'll see all year. We're talking about a 6-hour adventure that combines the best of both worlds: trophy striped bass hunting followed by solid bottom fishing for those bulldogging tautog that'll test your drag system. Running weekends from October 15th through December 15th, this trip has become a customer favorite for good reason - you get two completely different fishing experiences wrapped into one killer day on the water.

What to Expect on the Water

We're kicking off at 6 AM sharp, which means you'll want to grab your coffee and be ready to roll when the sun's barely thinking about coming up. The early start isn't just for show - fall stripers are most active during those golden morning hours when baitfish are moving and the water temperature is just right. You'll spend the first part of the morning working proven local techniques that have been putting fish in the boat year after year. We're talking live bait presentations, strategic drift patterns, and reading the water like a book to find where these bass are staging. This isn't about chuck-and-duck fishing - it's about understanding how stripers behave in late-season conditions and putting you right in their feeding zone. Once the bass bite starts to taper off (and trust me, you'll know when it happens), we switch gears completely and head to our prime tautog spots. The beauty of this combo format is that you never have a dull moment - when one species slows down, we're already moving to the next productive area.

Proven Techniques & Tactics

Fall striper fishing is all about adapting to what the fish are telling you on any given day. We'll start with live bait - bunker, herring, or whatever's been producing - and work the edges where these fish love to ambush their next meal. The tackle we provide includes everything from medium-heavy spinning setups to conventional reels that can handle a 40-pound cow striper without breaking a sweat. Once we transition to tautog fishing, it's a whole different ball game. We're talking about precision bottom fishing over rocky structure where these fish live and feed. You'll be using specialized rigs with green crabs, sand fleas, or other natural baits that tautog can't resist. The key is feeling the bottom, understanding the structure, and developing that sixth sense for when a tog is mouthing your bait versus just current or snags. All standard rods, reels, bait, and tackle are included, so you can focus on fishing instead of worrying about gear. The boat is set up for small groups - we max out at 5 anglers - which means plenty of elbow room and personalized attention to help you dial in your technique.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Striped bass in the fall are absolutely electric. These fish have been feeding hard all summer and are putting on serious weight before their winter migration. We're talking about bass in the 20 to 40-pound range that fight like freight trains and give you every bit of their strength. Fall stripers are notorious for their aggressive feeding behavior - they'll chase bait to the surface, create massive feeding frenzies, and hit your offering with the kind of violence that'll ruin your drag if you're not ready. The best part about targeting them during this season is their predictable patterns. They're following massive schools of baitfish south, which means when you find the bait, you find the bass. These fish are also at their prime condition - thick, healthy, and absolutely beautiful specimens that photograph amazingly well before you release them.

Tautog, or blackfish as the old-timers call them, are the perfect complement to striper fishing because they require completely different skills and offer a totally different fight. These fish are built like underwater bulldozers - thick, powerful, and stubborn as all get-out. When a 5-pound tautog grabs your bait and heads for the rocks, you'll swear you hooked something twice that size. They're structure-oriented fish that live around wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom where they feed on crabs, mollusks, and other crustaceans. Fall is prime time for tautog because they're feeding heavily before winter, and the cooler water temperatures make them more active during daylight hours. What makes them so addictive to catch is their subtle bite - they don't slam your bait like a striper. Instead, they pick it up, mouth it, and you have to develop that feel for when to set the hook. It's technical fishing at its finest, and when you nail the timing, the satisfaction is off the charts.

Time to Book Your Spot

This world-class fall fishing combo has been putting smiles on faces and bending rods for years, and there's a reason it's become one of our most requested trips. You're getting two distinct fishing experiences in one day - the adrenaline rush of trophy stripers followed by the technical challenge of tautog fishing. The small group size means you get the attention you need to improve your skills, whether you're a seasoned angler or still learning the ropes. Keep in mind that fall weather can be unpredictable, so dress in layers and be ready for changing conditions. Also remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before you commit. But trust me, once you experience the fall bite with these changing tactics and see what our local waters have to offer, you'll be booking your return trip before we even tie up at the dock. The season runs from October 15th through December 15th on weekends only, so don't wait too long to secure your spot - the best fishing happens fast and doesn't last forever.