Best time to fish for Striper?

[whiteka6]

Day or night? Or does it all depend on the tides? I'm headed to Virginia Beach and fishing off a jetty.

[Doublerunner]

At this time of year it almost doesn't matter. Night is always a safe bet but daytime can be great as well this time of year. Find the bait and/or the birds working the water. Although maybe someone from Virginia can offer some more specific info

[whiteka6]

Well I tried just after sunset fora couple hours and no luck yesterday. :(

I just cast and retrieved a fake eel on a hook.

[DucknFish]

i have fish VA beach for a long time on the shore. i would try mirror lures at night at any bridge if you can get to Lynnhaven try the lessener bridge on the north side there is a sand bar that goes about 150 yards that you can wade out on. I would find it during the day though.

[rjcappy]

You will catch bass in the daytime but your best bet at a nice fish is always at night! I am convinced that they are ferocious feeders at night,they hit harder than in the daytime. You also need to know what kind of BAIT is running so you can match the hatch. In NY they're on sandeels and Everybody''s casting slim tins with tubes and teasers. You can never go wrong with eels at night although i prefer the live ones. Tight Lines!

[whiteka6]

I would wade out but I can't afford any wading pants or stuff. :/ I'll Lynnhaven though next time probably next week Tuesday.

[zimno1]

sometimes you can't find bait or birds.
that doesn't mean fish are not present.
sometimes all you can do is fish in unproductive spots with a wing and a prayer.
that doesn't mean a fish won't present itself.
however, someday you will have to learn how to find where fish will be.
these areas "inlets/jetties/bridge structures yada yada yada,
in the fall migration, there are specific areas up and down the coast that retain bait. "in your case (croaker - spot /bunker/weakfish/blackfish/and in some cases crab. ) these areas are well known to fishermen and keep it quiet so it is futile to ask for them. there are a few good books out there but if your not likely to invest in waders i can't see the logic in any advanced form of education.(don't take that as an insult) Some of the places fish are in are only accessed using waders. there are applications to catch fish in the event of bait presenting itself close to shore and if you can identify what it is they are feeding on but, it's a bitch to see fish busting just out of casting range and no way to get on them. at ALBRIGHT.COM there is a pair of Bridgestone waders on sale for 39.99. this deal is good till the end of the month. if you order by days end tomorrow you won't have to pay shipping either. imo, this is the only chance you will have to get a deal like that anywhere. have Santa put a pair under the tree. "make sure they are bootfoot". i really don't wanna be a killjoy and or insult anyone with what i am saying but,,, it is a hard ride in the fall to get into fish let alone having a handicap like not donning waders. all the roads to learning begin with basic skills and basic gear. all the thousands of dollars in gear spent will be futile as, "if you cannot catch a fish with mediocre priced gear > what makes one think the expensive chit will make a difference". make due with what you can afford and take some good advice from uncle zim. if you have questions about areas and it's proximity to open water and or inlets and surrounding waters it will be wize to ask that to baitshops or fishermen you can find on the beach or jetty or bridge. nobody will look down on you for wanting to learn.

[Lxpaul6]

Well night time is an awesome time to fish. but for me personally the best time to fish is anytime i see a blitz erupt close enough for me to cast!!!! lol

[Ed White]

Best time to be fishing is when you're supposed to be at work......after that, it's nighttime, then daytime.

[BigBassJim]

I find early morning or right before sun down like hour and a half before sun down.

But If you go at high tide it doesn't really matter.

[phyrbyrd87]

This is my first post and may not be in the right section but the topic fits. Does anyone feel the memorial day weekend(end of may) is too early for stripers off of LBI New Jersey? I'll be vacationing there over the week and was wondering if i should bother to bring my stuff along. Also what would they be hitting, i'm completely new to this sort of fishing. Thanks for any help.

[Striperjim]

Originally Posted by phyrbyrd87

Does anyone feel the memorial day weekend(end of may) is too early for stripers off of LBI New Jersey?

End of may the stripers will be in full swing in NJ. For bait its bunker and clams eels at night.
Plugs - bring the tackle bag - swimmers and surfsters, pencils and poppers
Tins and bucktails.
- just about everything.

[phyrbyrd87]

Thank you for the speedy info. Also, am i correct in understanding that there isn't a license required in NJ for saltwater fishing, other than crabbing and such and the bonus striper permit.

[Striperjim]

Originally Posted by phyrbyrd66

am i correct in understanding that there isn't a license required in NJ for saltwater fishing, other than crabbing and such and the bonus striper permit.

NO!
You have to register with MRIP if you want to fish New Jersey this year for migratory species.
http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/

Registration is FREE in 2010. Anglers can register through the website or by calling (888) MRIP-411. Operators are available 7 days a week from 4:00 am to 12:00 midnight (EST).

[phyrbyrd87]

Yep, that's already happened. So bunker for bait. Any ideas on where to purchase some of these critters, most of the bait shops i've googled don't really seem to hold weekday hours before memorial day. Also what should i expect to pay for them and should they be cut(and in which way) or whole. I really have no idea what i'm doing and don't want to be flying completely blind here.