Fall Hardtails: Matching the Bait Along the New England and New York Coast

Early fall is one of the most exciting times to fish the New England and New York shoreline. As summer gives way to cooler weather, bait begins moving out of bays, harbors and estuaries and into open water. Waiting for them are false albacore, bonito, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and striped bass.

When these fish find concentrated schools of bait, the action can happen fast. Birds start working, bait gets pushed to the surface and hardtails can suddenly begin breaking water within casting distance of the beach. Being prepared with the right lure and setup can make the difference when these opportunities appear.

The Fall Bait Migration

Late summer and early fall bring a wide variety of forage into play. Bay anchovies, peanut bunker, spearing, silversides and juvenile mullet all become important food sources as they move toward the coast and out of protected water.

The dominant bait can change from one location to another and from one day to the next. False albacore can be especially selective when keyed in on tiny forage, making lure profile and presentation important even when fish are actively feeding.

Match the Bait

Tsunami offers several lure options designed to imitate the small, slender baitfish commonly found along the Northeast coast during the fall.

SlimWave Metals provide a compact baitfish profile that can be cast long distances and retrieved quickly through feeding fish.

007 Diamond Jigs feature holographic finishes that imitate the flash of fleeing forage and can be worked at different depths depending on where fish are feeding.

Hardtail Candy Lures offer the slender profile and fast presentation that works well when targeting fast-moving hardtails.

Zomb-Eye Jigs provide another compact presentation for situations when fish are focused on smaller forage.

Carrying a selection of different profiles allows anglers to quickly adjust to the bait and conditions they encounter.

A Setup Built for the Fall Run

Fall fishing puts unique demands on a rod and reel. Fish can appear well outside normal casting range, move quickly down the beach and disappear almost as fast as they showed up.

The new Tsunami Forged matched with an Airwave Elite Surf Rod creates a versatile setup for this style of fishing. The combination provides the casting ability needed to reach moving schools while still offering the power and control needed once a fish is hooked.

Having the right lure already tied onto a balanced setup is important because opportunities can be brief. When fish start breaking the surface, you want to be ready to make the cast.

Watch the Water

Pay attention to diving birds, nervous water and bait spraying across the surface. The signs don't always come in the form of a massive blitz. A handful of birds hovering over one area or a few scattered splashes can reveal feeding fish.

If you're getting follows without strikes, change your lure, retrieve speed or presentation. Sometimes a subtle adjustment is enough to turn a look into a hookup.

Be Ready for the Fall Bite

Early fall brings bait and predators together along the New England and New York shoreline, creating opportunities for fast action from shore.

Keep an eye on the water, carry several lure profiles and have a setup capable of reaching fish when they appear. From SlimWave Metals and 007 Diamond Jigs to Hardtail Candy Lures and Zomb-Eye Jigs, Tsunami offers the tools to stay ready as the fall bite develops.

Find the gear you need for the fall run at a Tsunami dealer near you.