Like clockwork, every late fall, as the nights dip below freezing and the trees shed their leaves, many anglers pack up their gear for the season. But for the diehards, this marks the beginning of one of the most exciting opportunities in striped bass fishing—the holdover striped bass bite! In New England, we typically enjoy 5-8 months of excellent striper fishing, depending on your location. While many striped bass migrate south for the winter after feeding on local forage, not all of them make this journey. A significant population stays behind, taking refuge in rivers, back bays, and estuaries, creating ideal winter "holdover" spots. Holdover striped bass spend the winter months in these locations, feeding on baitfish like herring, shad, and other small minnows. These fish gorge themselves in the fall before slowing their activity when temperatures drop, becoming less aggressive but still catchable.

Why Do Some Striped Bass Stay Behind?

There’s ongoing debate about whether holding over is part of a natural migration pattern or simply a case of opportunistic feeding. With abundant baitfish available, it’s easy to imagine these bass getting "distracted" and staying put. Either way, it creates a fantastic winter fishing opportunity for anglers.

How to Fish for Holdover Striped Bass

Gear Recommendations for Winter Striped Bass

To effectively target holdover stripers, you'll need the right setup:

• Rod and Reel:ĚýUse a Carbon Black™ MHF 10-20lb or HF 12-25lb rod paired with a 4000-5000 size spinning reel.
• Line and Leader: Opt for 30lb braid with a 25lb fluorocarbon leader for strength and stealth. For heavier baits like umbrella rigs, a slightly stronger conventional rod is ideal.

Best Lures for Holdover Striped Bass

During the early winter holdover bite, these bass are more active and will strike a variety of lures:

1. DuraTech® Paddle Tails on a WideEye™ Jig: Perfect for bouncing on the bottom or steady retrieves with occasional rod twitches.
2. DuraTech® Jerkbaits rigged with Grappler™ hooks:ĚýWork them with subtle twitches near creek mouths or bait-rich deep pools.
3. Soft Plastics:ĚýTarget areas where baitfish gather, such as creek mouths and deep pockets, for maximum success.

Adjusting Your Approach in Frigid Conditions

As water temperatures drop further, striped bass become less active and conserve energy. Focus on areas where current is minimal, such as:

• Deep pools in rivers
• Creek mouths
• Bends or elbows in waterways

For coldwater tactics, try these lures:

• 7” DuraTech® Jerkbait:ĚýPair with a ½-ounce UnLeaded WideEye™ Jig for deep, slow presentations. The Pop and Pendulum method seems to work the best.
• 10” DuraTech® Eel:ĚýAnother great option for lethargic bass. Larger baits also tend to ween out the smaller fish.
• Umbrella Rig with Blades:ĚýAdd flash to entice bites, and use 3.5” DuraTech® paddle tails on the outside and 5” paddle tail for the center for durable, realistic action.

Tips for Success in Winter Striped Bass Fishing

Color Selection

• Dirty Water: Use brighter colors like white or chartreuse.
• Clear Water: Stick to natural patterns such as sand eel or baitfish hues.

Retrieve Techniques

The pendulum bottom-bounce retrieve is highly effective for holdovers. Here’s how:

1. Let your jig sink to the bottom.
2. Perform two small rod twitches to mimic baitfish movement.
3. Allow the lure to fall back to the bottom before repeating.

Pay close attention to your rod. Sometimes bites are subtle, so using a sensitive rod like the Carbon Black™ helps detect even the slightest taps.Ěý

Why Holdover Striped Bass Fishing is Worth It!

Winter fishing for holdover striped bass requires patience and the right tactics, but it’s incredibly rewarding. These fish may not be chasing bait aggressively, but with the proper lures, retrieves, and location strategies, you’ll enjoy consistent action—even on the coldest days.

Gear Up and Get Out There!

All that’s left is to grab some warm clothes and your favorite ĂŰĚŇ´«Ă˝ baits, and you’re ready to experience the excitement of holdover striped bass fishing. Don’t let the cold keep you indoors—embrace the challenge and land some of the most satisfying catches of the year.

Every Fall, dedicated tautog anglers come alive with excitement as the best season for targeting these hard-fighting fish begins. While blackfish season opens in the spring (April 1–April 30) and summer (July 1–August 31) in Connecticut, the Fall season (October 10–November 28) is when the real action happens. Local bait shops start stocking up on green crabs, and anglers refill their blackfish jig boxes in preparation for some of the best tog fishing of the year. There’s something about catching these rugged, rock-dwelling fish that drives anglers to brave chilly autumn waters, eager to land a prized tautog. The combination of their delicious taste and challenging fight keeps tog fishing enthusiasts coming back year after year.

Top Tips for Catching Tautog (Tog)

Tautog, also known as blackfish, are part of the wrasse family and are known for their rocky habitat. These fish thrive around steep shorelines, individual rocks, and rocky reefs where they feed on crustaceans. Finding a productive tautog fishing spot is relatively simple if you know where to look: focus on steep rocky ledges, isolated rocks, and the edges of reefs. I’ve found some of the biggest blackfish hiding along cliff-like drops where the water depth changes suddenly. However, don’t ignore shallow areas; I’ve caught trophy-sized tog in less than 8 feet of water!

To successfully fish for tautog, you’ll need the right gear. Blackfish are notorious for breaking off in rocky terrain, so a strong setup is essential. When targeting tog, I use a blackfish jig (Rock Bottom Jig) in the 1–1.5 oz range for shallow water, but in deeper areas or stronger currents, heavier jigs up to 3 ozĚýRock Bottom JigsĚýare necessary. My ideal setup includes a ĂŰĚŇ´«Ă˝ĚýCarbon Black 7ft Heavy-Fast rod (1/2–2 oz)Ěýpaired with a 4000–5000 size reel. I use 30lb braid with a 30lb leader—blackfish aren’t particularly line-shy.

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When dropping down a blackfish jig with a crab, expect a lot of small pecks at first. Patiently wait for the distinct tug of a tautog -ĚýPorgy and small seabass will tap the jig repeatedly while a tog bite almost feels like someone picked up your jig and ran away with it.ĚýWhen you feel a solid bite and then the absence of your jig, that is the time to SWING!ĚýTautog have strong jaws and tough mouths, so a firm hookset is essential to avoid missed opportunities.

Tog for Dinner!

Ingredients/What You'll Need:

• Blackfish Fillets (Cut into 4in pieces)
• Panko breadcrumbs (Paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley)
• Eggs
• Olive oil
• Basmati rice
• Lime zest
• Paprika
• Tajin
• Salt & pepper
• Chicken stock
• Carrots
• Green Beans
• Honey
• Italian herbs
• Mayo
• Sweet chili sauce
• Sriracha
• Lemon juice

Instructions:

Prepare the Fish: Cut the fillets into pieces about 4 inches long and pat them dry with a paper towel. Set out the panko breadcrumbs on a plate. In a separate bowl, crack the eggs, season with salt and pepper, and whisk until blended.

Prepare Vegetables and Rice: Rinse the green beans, carrots, and rice. Place the green beans on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. For the carrots, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with Italian herbs, and place them on a separate baking sheet. Roast both vegetables in the oven at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.

Cook the Rice: Heat chicken broth in a pot (using broth adds extra flavor instead of water). Add your desired spices along with lime zest. When the broth starts to simmer, add the rice and cook until it’s al dente.

Fry the Fish: While the rice and vegetables are cooking, heat a pan with enough olive oil to cover the fish pieces halfway during cooking. Dip each fish piece in the egg mixture, then coat it in panko breadcrumbs. Once the oil is hot, gently add the fish pieces and fry for 2-3 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Place the fried fish on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil, then season with a dash of salt while still hot.

Finish the Carrots: Once the carrots are roasted, drizzle with a little honey and sprinkle more herbs on top.

Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together 2 parts mayonnaise and 1 part sweet chili sauce. Add a few dashes of sriracha and juice from half a lemon. Whisk until smooth.

Assemble and Serve: Arrange the fish, vegetables, and rice on plates, drizzle with sauce, and enjoy!