Lures are fun, but there are days the fish want the real thing, and nothing beats a fresh bait soaking in the current. Bait fishing is patient, effective, and deadly on big striped bass in particular. Learn to present a chunk or a live bait naturally in the flow and you will catch fish when the plug-and-jig crowd is struggling.
Chunking
Chunking means cutting up oily bait, menhaden (bunker) and mackerel are the standards, and fishing pieces on the bottom, often with a light chum slick to draw fish in. A chunk of bunker fished in current is one of the best ways to tempt a big bass. Use a fish-finder rig so a fish can pick up the bait and move off without feeling the sinker.
Live-lining
Live-lining, drifting or slow-trolling a live bait (a mackerel, a scup, a pogy) on a light leader, presents a struggling baitfish exactly as a gamefish expects to find it. Hook the bait so it swims naturally and let it do the work. It is a premium big-bass and even bluefin tactic.
Eels and night
Drifting a live eel after dark is such a productive striper method it has its own page, see striped bass on live eels. Night is prime bait time in general, when big fish move shallow to feed with their guard down.
Circle hooks
For striped bass, inline circle hooks are required when using bait, and they are a good idea for all bait fishing because they almost always hook fish in the corner of the mouth, which is far better for a fish you plan to release. With a circle hook you do not swing to set, let the fish load up and simply come tight, and the hook does the work.