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The Striped Bass is a fish with many nicknames; linesider, old pajamas, are a few. One nickname however, stands out as an identifier of the true nature of the Striped Bass and that is; rockfish. Striped Bass spends a great deal of their time around structures and the most common structure is found all along our rugged coast. Our rocky shores not only provide the Striped Bass with a safe haven but an environment which is the home to many of their popular foods. Crabs, lobsters, shrimp, clams and mussels all make their home in these areas. Small fish usually find shelter from off shore predators here as well. Striped bass are such powerful swimmers that the raging surf actually assists them in their daily hunts. If there's rocks, there's usually a good chance that sometime during the day there will be stripers not too far away.
While these facts establish the rocky shoreline as a prime fishing area, it does not make fishing there any easier. Actually fishing along the rocky shore will be very challenging especially for the novice. The rocks are usually wet, slippery, and covered with skin slicing barnacles. One slip could mean broken bones, abrasions, or even your life! Some rocky areas have deep drop offs and a strong surf where a fisherman could find himself in danger of drowning. The undertow is very strong, and although it doesn't happen too often "rogue" waves can sweep an unsuspecting fisherman right off their feet and out to sea.
To fish any rocky shore line it is wise that you scout out the area first in daylight. I never go to rocky areas for the first time at night. Even the most well known areas will be very different in the darkness. If I am planning to fish on the rocks I usually plan to fish when there will be some daylight to help me get established and familiar with my surroundings.
The techniques used upon the rocks vary. Many fishermen have great success hooking a chunk of fish and casting it to a good spot. No weight, no extra tackle. Others like to take their bait and cast it upon some rocks where it will be washed into the water, which is what the stripers are waiting for. I use several techniques depending upon the situation. I like to use bobbers here because I can set a depth for my bait and drop it into a crevice or other rocky feature without my line rubbing against the rocks and barnacles. You should always check your line for nicks which will cause your line to lose it's strength. Peel off the nicked line and re-attach your rig. There is nothing more frustrating than having your line break when you've hooked into a large fish. An eight foot surf rod will help keep your line away from the rocks. Landing your fish here can be tricky also. Think ahead of where and how you will land the fish after you've caught it. It sounds silly but it will still be an adventure getting your hand on a striper on slippery rocks. I have been dunked many times, please do not take this advice lightly! Be wise. Be Careful. It's only a fish.
Your bait choices in this area can vary. Chunk herring and mackerel do very well especially where the rocks border open ocean. I have used seaworms and squid just as effectively also. One of the benefits of the rocks is that you can sometimes find some bait among the tidal pools at low tide. Green crabs, small land crabs, mussels, clams, and hermit crabs can keep you in some action when all else has been used up.
Again, I have to stress caution when fishing rocky areas. Know your environment, don't fish alone, especially at night, an ounce of caution will have you fishing another time.