The mid-summer months can feel like a grind. It’s hot and humid, tourists treat us like we’re the interlopers, the kids have fully settled into summer mode, and that list of “must-do’s” keeps getting longer. To top it off, the fish you had dialed in earlier in the season have shifted into a nocturnal pattern. That said, August has produced some of my best fish over the years—and they can for you too.
Plugs, Flies, and Baits for Summer Stripers
August is incredibly lively in Maine. All species have arrived, the bait is abundant, and everything is feeding in the same proverbial sandbox. Success starts with understanding the bait. This time of year, we’re seeing sand eels, silversides, alewives, mackerel, pollock, pogies—and at times crabs, shrimp, and eels. With so many options, striped bass don’t always want to expend energy chasing small, fast-moving bait. This is where a page from the Dan Wells (@canalflyguy) playbook comes into play: think one level up the food chain. If mackerel are feeding on sand eels and silversides, targeting bass with a presentation that imitates those larger predators can be the key to triggering a strike. When it comes to plugs and flies, prioritize feel and sound over sight, especially at night. You want offerings that push water, create presence, and require minimal effort to come alive.
Needlefish are a must-have. Carry a range—floating, slow-sinking, and fast-sinking—depending on current and structure. Quality options include Beachmaster, Afterhours, CTK, and Super Strike. Darters and gliders are also highly effective. Their versatility allows you to adjust your retrieve—from tight wiggles to wide sweeps—based on how fish are responding.
Soft plastics deserve a permanent place in your bag. Since Steve McKenna popularized rigging Slug-Gos to mimic eels, large-profile soft plastics have exploded in popularity. I typically carry 9- to 14-inch baits like Mega Shads, Slug-Gos, GT Eels, and Hogys. Personally, I favor eel-tail designs for their versatility in rigging and presentation.
For fly anglers, the same principles apply: push water and maximize movement with minimal effort. Long, slender flies with bulkier heads excel as eel imitations. Standouts include the Rosa Eel (developed by Captain Bryan Rosa), Cordeiro Flatwings, and—when fish key in on smaller bait—a Coop’s Floating Sand Eel. Whenever possible, swing your flies rather than stripping them. This keeps the fly in the strike zone longer and allows bass to track it more naturally.
And of course, live eels at night remain one of the most effective methods for targeting large bass. A simple rig—beefy leader and a circle hook—is all you need. Cast, let the eel work, and maintain a slow retrieve. In deeper water from a boat, a three-way rig becomes more effective.
Daytime Tactics
If you’re limited to daytime fishing, focus on first and last light. Target ambush points—ledges, boulder fields, rips, and structures that bass use as nighttime staging areas. That said, don’t overlook flats fishing. Sight fishing in shallow water (three feet or less) is as exciting as it gets. A fly rod is ideal for quiet, precise presentations. Effective patterns include black Clousers, Joe Webster’s Crouser, James Browne’s Crab Pot, and the Popovics Jiggy.
For conventional anglers, light tackle is key. Small soft plastics, bucktails, and topwaters all shine. Favorites include Ron-Zs, Slug-Gos, Albie Snax, Jumpin’ Minnows, and small pencil poppers. Keep the sun at your back, move quietly, and make every cast count because opportunities are limited.
Don’t Overlook the Blues
Bluefish can become a major player in mid-to-late summer, especially in years with strong bait presence. They’re aggressive and opportunistic, feeding heavily on mackerel, herring, pogies, and larger sand eels. Signs of their presence include injured baitfish, oil slicks, and surface blitzes. Topwater plugs are excellent search tools. A loaded Cordell Pencil is a favorite—it casts well, creates noise, and has great flash. The Atom Striper Swiper is another durable option that holds up to repeated attacks. If fish are holding deeper, trolling plugs like Rapala Magnums, Storm Big Macs, and Daiwa SP Minnows help cover water. Once located, switch to diamond jigs or bucktails. Use wire leaders or heavy monofilament/fluorocarbon to avoid bite-offs, and consider removing belly hooks from plugs to make handling easier and improve hook retention. Focus on beach fronts, boulder fields, and river mouths.
August may test your patience, but they also offer some of the most rewarding fishing of the season. Adapt your approach, stay observant, and embrace the conditions. No matter how you fish, you can’t go wrong by getting out there. Good luck, stay safe, and treat the fish with respect.