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No. 1 Topwater Lure for Atlantic Stripers: The 'Doc' Is In

The late-summer's hottest surface plug originally targeted muskies.

No. 1 Topwater Lure for Atlantic Stripers: The 'Doc' Is In

Though available in many different finishes, the bone-colored Doc has proven to be most effective on striped bass and bluefish. (Photo by Capt. Tom Migdalski)

Early last summer, fishing partner and lifelong saltwater pro Tim Lasusa and I drifted on a conveyor belt of seawater along Old Saybrook, Conn. The conditions were perfect: We had two hours until sunset, a gently-flooding tide, light wind and the striped bass run was on.

Eager for explosive surface action, we started tossing topwater lures over depths ranging from 6 to 12 feet with a sloping sand bottom. My offering was a typical 5-inch cupped plug, which I...

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