Hottest lures for big striped bass in 2011

Big striped bass like big lures, whether topwater, swimming plugs, or high-action eels. For 2011 there is a great assortment of striper lures available for the upcoming season. Here are my favorite big striped bass lures, all of which you can get at the local tackle store or through Bass Pro Shops.

Storm Jig'n Eel - Black Eel - 11-1/2'' - 2 pk.

Big striped bass like big lures.
Jeffrey Weeks

The new Strom Jig'N Eels feature a unique scoop-shaped jighead built in which creates and rippling swimming action in the retrieve that drives striped bass crazy. This eel has a horizontal glide on the fall. Complete with super-sharp VMCA Siwash Stinger Hook to improve hook-sets on short strikers. This is the hottest eel bait out there right now and stripers are falling for it left and right.

Heddon One Knocker Spook Topwater Hardbait - 4-1/2'' - 3/4 oz. - Foxy Momma

Every striper angler loves to fish topwater and the Heddon One Knocker Spook is the premier walk-the-dog topwater striped bass lure. It features a single tungsten rattle which makes a loud thump that penetrates through the water and draws the stripers in from long distances. The rattle is one of the strongest in topwater lures and guides have really commented on its effectiveness. The Heddon One Knocker Spook has a sharp Mustad Triple Grip treble hook for a sure catch on the topwater strike.

Berkley Gulp! Alive 8'' Eel -Black

Berkley Gulp lures have overtaken the market for all kinds of gamefish and striped bass are no different. The Gulp scent brings fish in even better than live bait, and that makes the Gulp Alive Eel the perfect plastic casting bait for casting to stripers. The high-octane Gulp solution is unbeatable when it comes to fish attraction and the Gulp Eel give you more rigging options than live bait. Sold by net weight, the 18 ounce bucket is equivalent to six bags of Gulp eels from the tackle shop.

Bomber Saltwater Grade A-Salt CD Minnow - Silver Flash/Red Head - CD30

Big striped bass will often go deep and when that happen you need a plug that can get down to them and draw strikes. The Bomber Saltwater Grade-A Minnow will work in salt or freshwater to dig down and get those deep stripers. Designed to perform a tantalizing death dance at 25 to 30 feet the Certified Depth Minnow is built to withstand repeated strikes from big stripers. Has a puncture-resistant body and super-duty hardware with a wire-through skeletal structure. This is the perfect deep-diving plug for suspended stripers.

Offshore Angler Deep Diver Hardbaits - Model DD55 - Silver

Each striper angler needs a solid hardbody swimbait. With their incredible paint jobs, realistic eyes, and holographic finishes these Offshore Angler baits are all you need. They produce a wild flash underwater, and feature heavy-duty hook hangers, split rings, and super-sharp premium saltwater-grade hooks. These baits wreak havoc in trophy striper territory. Great for casting or slow trolling—the only medium range striped bass hardbait you'll need.

More from this contributor:

Best natural baits for freshwater striped bass.

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