Gear for Fishing Striped Bass in Quebec

Sometimes being well equipped can make the difference between catching a few fishes and catching the fish of your life.

Waders

Most times, waders are very useful. They allow us to go further into the water without getting wet. In many places there is little room for our back cast, it is, therefore, a necessity to go into the water. In addition, with waders, we can reach productive areas beyond our reach. They are also very interesting for their non-slip soles. Rocky areas are particularly slippery and can be dangerous, which is why studded soles are a nice addition. We also have to think about the release, even if we are fishing from shore. We must be able to go into the water to grab the fish and release it, if necessary.

Stripping Basket

Since we often fish in the sea and on rocks, a stripping basket is very useful. When we fish in the ocean, the excess of fly lines drags in the water and our lines become a magnet for everything that gets carried by the waves. Also, it is difficult to cast when our line is caught in the flow of the waves. The stripping basket allows us to avoid these situations. It is even more useful in rocky areas. It prevents the line from getting constantly stuck in the rocks.

Sunglasses

No matter the situation, safety is a priority! This is why wearing glasses is strongly recommended. Even the best fly casters make mistakes. In addition, wearing polarized glasses allows us to have better vision through the water. That way we will be able to analyze the water more effectively. Sometimes it is even possible to see stripers swimming. On sunny days, glasses save us from straining our eyes, so we can direct our focus on fishing. The less energy we waste, the longer and more efficiently we fish.

Fishing Rod

A rod for striped bass must meet several criteria. It must be strong enough to cast big flies in the wind and to fight striped bass quickly and effectively. A rod built for saltwater is preferable. This prevents the metal parts of the rod from rusting. In any case, it is important to rinse the entire rod with fresh water after each outing. A 9wt, 9ft rod is perfect for most situations. For those who want to be more specialized, a 10wt or 11wt rod is preferable on windy days. When it comes to sight fishing in shallow water, an 8wt rod can give us an edge to achieve a finer approach. Unless you have a lot of experience and choose specific situations, the use of a less powerful rod than an 8wt is not recommended. The fights become too long and the survival of the fish upon release may be affected. Always remember that a fish that swims away will not necessarily survive.

Reel

Striped bass fishing is hard on our gear, especially the fishing reel. It must resist corrosion from saltwater and sand. The ideal is to have a reel with a completely sealed mechanism. This prevents sand and salt from damaging it. It is important to always rinse the reel with fresh water after each fishing day. As for the brake, it needs to be constant rather than very powerful. The majority of reels with a disc brake have a powerful enough brake for our needs. The elements to look at are the easy and gradual adjustment of the reel. We have to be able to adjust the brake during the fight, so an accessible adjustment is preferred. Then, reels with a larger diameter spool allow us to fight our fish faster. The larger the core or the center of the reel, the faster we reel in the fish.

Fly Line

Fly line is one of the most important parts of the equipment and it’s often overlooked. It is mainly the line that allows us to be at the right place in the water column. The line chosen should be designed to cast large flies in the wind and to load the rod quickly. So, the ideal is a line with a short and heavy taper. 

The floating line allows us to fish in shallow water or to sight fish. They are also perfect to cast at topwater feeding fish. One of the main advantages of this line is the ability to recast quickly without stripping the fly completely to us. This way, it is easier to follow the fish movement. 

The intermediate sinking line is probably the most versatile. It allows fishing in shallow water as well as in deeper areas. This line has a smaller diameter, which makes it easier to cast in the wind. In addition, if there are waves, the intermediate line splits the water and positions the fly better than a floating line. 

A sinking line with a greater density than 3 inches per second will be very useful in situations where there is a strong current, as well as in places where the depth exceeds 6 feet of water. When stripers are present in a deep hole, it’s nice to be able to reach them rather than casting for nothing. 

Leader

The leader selection varies according to the fishing technique used. Generally speaking, a 20 lbs monofilament leader between 6 and 8 feet does the job. If the conditions allow us to do sight fishing, we may need to be more accurate and discreet. This is why a long, thin tapered leader is recommended. When fishing on the beach, the most effective line is an intermediate line. With sinking lines, we want our fly to follow our line in the water. A leader that is too long should be avoided because the fly will swim higher or lower than the line in the water column. For an intermediate line, 5 to 6 feet of leaders is enough. For a sinking line with a density of over 3 inches per second, a leader between 4 and 5 feet is recommended. Of course, this is a guideline that you can use as a basis and adjust it to suit your preferences.