Piermont Pier Hudson River

[gimmesalt]

Went out to the pier saw some people catching small stripers 17-22". Everyone who caught was using bloodworms, basically bait and wait. Most guys put the rod down and put a bell on their tip to hear a bite. I heard many bell rings and few hookups. Also I looked at terminal tackle used and saw lots of different setups.
Nothing on lures. Fishing shallow mud flats, dark bottom, current is very slow. Catfish and perch also around.

My questions are:
What setup/technique would you suggest to improve my odds of hooking a striper once it finds the bait, like I said "heard" too many bites, not many hookups?
How long should the bloodworm soak before changing it?

Thanks

[cowkiller]

Gimmesalt, I would try to use circle hooks as these hooks you dont need to SET THE HOOK, Try a fishfinder rig and a 2/0 or 3/0 circle and spike the rod or tie it to the dock. As you said yourself there are other fish there catfish and perch that might be pecking at your worm, a bass will hit it hard not peck at the worm. Use the worm until the color runs out or until it is dead.
Your other option would be to hold the rod and leave THE BELLS AND WHISTELS HOME, they dont catch fish.Like I said the bass will hit the worm hard ,when you feel the hit SET THE STEEL:}hope this helps you out,,,joe

[gimmesalt]

Thanks, hope to get there after work one day this week.:)
I found the bells to be comical, they were all exactly the same meaning some tackle shop is making a killing on them.:D

[RJ]

The absolute best way for more hook ups??

HOLD THE FREAKING ROD...same as in surf fishing

[Surfmeister]

Yup, I agree. I bought one of those pvc spike rodholders about two years ago, put it in the closet, and it has never made it back out. I intended to use it for porgies off the surf, as they seem to be the only fish that basically hook themselves, and the only species I don't mind NOT catching.
IMHO, if you're not holding the rod, you're not really fishing. :o

[Jaye43b]

Gimmesalt, I would try to use circle hooks as these hooks you dont need to SET THE HOOK, Try a fishfinder rig and a 2/0 or 3/0 circle and spike the rod or tie it to the dock. As you said yourself there are other fish there catfish and perch that might be pecking at your worm, a bass will hit it hard not peck at the worm. Use the worm until the color runs out or until it is dead.
Your other option would be to hold the rod and leave THE BELLS AND WHISTELS HOME, they dont catch fish.Like I said the bass will hit the worm hard ,when you feel the hit SET THE STEEL:}hope this helps you out,,,joe

I have caught several stripers using a similar setup. The only difference is that I take a couple PVC sand spikes to the pier, tie each of them to the dock with a couple bungee cords and stick my rod in. I have lost very few fish with this setup.

[Jaye43b]

Yup, I agree. I bought one of those pvc spike rodholders about two years ago, put it in the closet, and it has never made it back out. I intended to use it for porgies off the surf, as they seem to be the only fish that basically hook themselves, and the only species I don't mind NOT catching.
IMHO, if you're not holding the rod, you're not really fishing. :o

Hey Surf I do not think there is any fish that will hook itself if you are using regular Carlisle type hooks. Anytime I am using more than one rod from the beach or pier I use circle hooks as CK suggested. That is the specific application for circle hooks. You do not have to set the hook. Just start reeling!!!!!!