When chunking with large baits (bunker/pogies, porgies, herring, shad, etc.) for big striped bass, we recommend a conventional rod and reel combo rated for 30-40lb mono. The optimal rod is a 6’6″ to 7′ rod with medium-fast to fast action. The rod needs to have enough backbone to pull the hook out of a large bait and into the mouth of the striped bass. This is a very versatile conventional outfit and is perfect for nearly all northeast chunking applications.

We recommend loading the reel with 30-40lb mono line attached to a 3-4ft length of fluorocarbon leader using a 75lb barrel swivel. We prefer monofilament for the following reasons:

• The stretch ensures that the angler has a few extra moments to free-line the reel when the fish picks up a bait because of the stretch and belly in the line. The bigger fish can be very sensitive to quick to drop a bait that seems unnatural.
• Some of the biggest fish are found around structure and there isa very good chance the line will make contact. The monofilament line will get nicked or scuffed when braided line will simply break. Braided lines has very poor abrasion resistance.

The rig is completed with a 8/0-9/0 circle hook with a turned-down eye. We filmed nearly all of our shows using either J-hooks or Octopus hooks.  We have since switched to using only circle hooks! The turned down eye is particularly useful to complete a snell knot. See the video below on exactly how to create this very simple rig.

Wire Leaders?

When they are a lot of blues around we switch to 80lb fluorocarbon, but never to a wire leader.  Wire leaders tend to greatly reduce the chance of a pickup and the 80lb leader is typically tough enough to get the blues to the boat for a quick release.

Hooking Baits

The best hook placement for chunk baits must allow for the hook to easily pulled from the bait.  There is never a need to hook the bait deeply.

Sinkers

When fishing in the shallows with very little current, sinkers are not needed.  However, if there enough current to move the bait it is critical that an egg sinker is added to the main line above the swivel.  The smallest sinker that is heavy enough to hold the bottom should be used.

Snagging Bunker

We typically use a 7 foot spinning outfit loaded with 30-50lb braided line.  The thin diameter of the braided line allows use to easily cast an un-weighted 10/0 classic treble hook over a bunker school.  We reel very slowly and when we feel a slight tick on the line we take a swing to set the hook.  This works nearly every time.  Check out our detailed instructions for brining bait.

Chunking Using Wireline

For chunking with wireline for Striped Bass, we recommend a conventional rod and reel combo similar to what would be used for targeting Striped Bass on bunker spoons.

We recommend loading the reel with 40lb Monel wire or nylon coated wire which is attached to a 3-4ft length of 50lb-80lb fluorocarbon leader using a 100lb barrel swivel. The rig is completed with a 8/0-9/0 offset octopus (beak) style hook with a turned-down eye. The turned down eye is particularly useful to complete a standard snell know or reverse snell knot. See the video below on exactly how to create this very simple rig.

Chunking with wireline is a great way to not have to use any weight when fishing in areas with extremely strong currents.

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