October 31 2018

How To Catch Striped Bass With Live Eels At Inlets

by Ryan Collins
13 comments

Nighttime fishing for striped bass on Cape Cod during late October can be a dark and cold experience, and there are no guarantees you will find fish. The bass can be here one day and gone the next as they migrate south.

However one of the most reliable late season spots for me are Cape Cod's numerous inlets. And without a doubt one of the most effective baits to use at these inlets are live eels.

In this video I'll teach you how to catch striped bass (stripers) by using live eels at inlets. This video was filmed this October in the middle of the night on Cape Cod. I will include more information about the location in the members download.

Gear and equipment used in this video:

Member Download

Additional information about the location fished

About the author 

Ryan Collins

I'm fortunate to have grown up on the beach, and I've been fishing since kindergarten. I have great family, friends and fishing experiences to be thankful for. Just being out there is enough-catching fish is just a bonus!


  • Do you buy your eels for striped bass fishing or do you poke pole them in the area on low tide in the rocks?
    If you buy them, how much are they typically?
    I will be in Martha’s Vineyard for three and a half months starting the beginning of July and want to make sure I start out on the right foot.
    Thanks.

  • Not asking for you to give away your best spots, but what do you look for when you say an inlet? Also when you are fishing an inlet are you looking for a particular tide? The video said good for October to get the last few that haven’t migrated, is it also good for earlier in the season?

    • Hey Patrick ?

      The Cape has dozens of productive inlets. These are the places where bays and estuaries connect to the ocean (here’s an example). If you look on Google Earth you’ll see inlets in Cape Cod Bay, Buzzard’s Bay and also along the Vineyard Sound and Nantucket Sound coastlines. Best tides vary depending on the inlet, but in general the last 3 hours of the outgoing are my favorite. This is when all the water from the bay/estuary is dumping out through the inlet. At this specific inlet in this video, which is located along the Nantucket Sound coastline, I have always done well during October…but inlets are always good places to fish at anytime of the year, so yes you can do well at inlets during the spring. LMK if I can help with anything else. ?

  • Nice blog post and video! I grew up in Brewster, and am moving back to the Cape in early October after many years of being away with the military. I am certainly hoping to get in on some late season Stripers with the knowledge you’re putting out in these surfcasting classes! Love your work, and am going to become a member right now!

    • During the fishing season I keep a large tank of eels outside in a shady spot. I fill the tank with freshwater and keep two aerators going nonstop. Every few days I change the water when it starts looking dirty. ✌?

  • Nice video Ryan! We are heading to the cape tomorrow! Fishing is on the agenda! Happy Anniversary to you and Lauren!

    • We actually went up to Woodstock Vermont! Had a great time hiking around with the dog. Hope things are well with you too Ron. I’m sure you’ve put your boat away by now, which is always sad, but spring will be here before we know it!

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