How to Bridle Live Bunker on a Circle Hook for Big Striped Bass

Beginning in 2021, circle hooks will be mandatory for all bait fishing for striped bass in the Northeast. Captain Brian Coombs of Get Tight Sport Fishing shows how to bridle a large live menhaden (bunker, pogies) on a circle hook to provide the best hook-up ratio on striped bass.
To learn more about catching large Striped Bass check out Capt. Brian Coombs article "Pelagic Stripers" at OnTheWater.com. : www.onthewater...
Do you have your own techniques for bridling? Share your tips in the comments below.
Special Thanks to Get Tight Sport Fishing: www.gettightsp...

[@liftedpotato6973]

Captain brian combs I go out with guy all the time he is an amazing captain and a legend of an angler love thus guy

[@phatdonkey78]

I saw this technique employed for the first time yesterday while fishing with one of Brians friends. I will use the same technique at home in the Delaware river. I just need to find out how to find bunker in the river. Great video!

[@FishingwithRick-bw4bf]

We now have pogies up here in Nova Scotia and I want to use them to catch stripers. I use the exact same Shimano gear as you lol. I may even try it again in my kayak if I can get someone to go out with me. No one wants to go with me out in kayaks after I hooked the great white. You can view that video on my channel. I liked and subscribed to your channel. Cheers

[@Buddy8]

Is there a link to elastics and rigging needle that can be bought online?

[@snapperboat25]

Way to set that circle hook!

[@cannonsovercharged]

Great video, thanks brah!

[@kevind3203]

Still amazed when people with tons of experience lift a striper by the gill plate. Great video, but use a boga or your thumb next time. The fish will have a much better chance of surviving.

[@snakeeyes9246]

I always hold them by the jaw or with a fish grip, with my other hand holding their tail or underneath their belly depending on size. Got a 3.17lb LMB yesterday and did exactly that, on a circle hook with a live Bluegill.

[@johnnorris1227]

I've been doing the same thing when I'm using live spot to catch rockfish aka striped bass. Using circle hooks without a bridle for live bait(especially fish) results in very inconsistent results, lots of missed fish, and even some gut hooks if you wait to long to come tight. I never had any problems with the old treble hook with one of the hooks cut off. Very consistent hook ups almost always in the mouth somewhere and very rarely did I gut hook fish doing it that way. Kinda makes you wonder if the people that put this rule in place actually have any experience in the fishery.

[@_outdoorjunkie_1843]

I used this technique in Maryland using live spot For rockfish it worked flawlessly. Thanks for the tips

[@OnTheWaterMedia]

Glad to help! Send your fish photos in to [e-mail]

[@chethawk1578]

Nice vid love it

[@OnTheWaterMedia]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@trophy1218]

when i look up elastics on line the have small and large, does it matter what size to get??

[@new2guitar1]

What Size elastic ?

[@paulphillips2983]

What size inline circles work best for this method?

[@OnTheWaterMedia]

8/0 to 10/0

[@kevinmedeiros9281]

Just curious, how do you set the hook on a circle hook when you have the rod in a rod holder on the beach. Do you set the drag really loose and let the fish run for a little bit, then tighter the drag, and reel fast while still in the rod holder to set the hook? Or do you tighten the drag and leave it in the rod holder for the fish to set the hook by itself? Or lastly, do you leave the drag tight, pick the rod out of the holder and side sweep to hook the fish? Thank you in advance for the advice

[@OnTheWaterMedia]

That depends a bit on what bait you're using. In order for circle hooks to be effective, the fish should be swimming away with the bait full in its mouth. With small, soft baits like clams or worms, you don't need to let the fish run off with any line, and can let the hook set itself in the holder, or, when you see the hit, pick up the rod and reel until the rod is bent. With larger baits like bunker chunks, you can let the fish run a bit, to make sure it has turned, and then, again, reel steadily until the rod is bent and the line comes tight.

[@kevinmedeiros9281]

Thank you

[@nicholascapuano9877]

That’s just good bunkah

[@chethawk1578]

Nicholas Capuano hey I wanted first comment

[@leewells389]

You lost me on the elastic lol

[@gennerobootz6490]

What kind of rod is that ?

[@tylerbranson435]

What’s captain Brian’s new solution to catching poggies as he used to snap and drop

[@liftedpotato6973]

We still do snag and drop we did it on tuesday underneath the Tobin bridge

[@AndyTheSwof]

@@liftedpotato6973 You now have to use circle hooks so unless you are snagging with circle hooks it is illegal

[@christophergcrespo]

Holy shit, poor bunker. Look at his eyes hahaha bleeding from his eyeballs after being inpaled in the head and suffocating lmfao That's metal

[@katisyummy]

You don't need sinkers

[@joseRicardo-lv2md]

🐟🐟👏👏👏👏Biz