As my muscular dystrophy continues to kick my butt. I'm trying to do a few things that I've never done while I still can. Striper fishing is one of them. Can anyone share some tips, times of year, techniques, or all around general info. Thanks

OK, I'll offer what I know. And I fish for the goofy things year round. With the wacky weather, you will see different patterns this year than others. However, striper are still in the jumps on overcast days, and if you can get in that mess all you have to have is tough enough tackle to make a long cast with a heavy topwater. I'd recommend a saltwater bait because stripes have respect for your gear. As of last week, they were still very scattered and pulling boards was the way most of the guides were fishing for them. Mid July thru August they usually school and will be in the 40ft range. Seems that in Cumberland as the season progresses they head towards the dam when they school. This is the only time of the year I really fish the north shore frequently. I'd start at Rowena if you have a map. When you find the schools they'll be unmistakable on the graph and you can usually downline with 2 or 3oz lead and a 4ft fluoro leader and do well. When they are like that you can also use a heavy vertical jigging spoon and rip it up through the school. Lots of fun. As September ends you'll find them starting to bust schools of bait back on top, and that's my fave.

 

I wish you luck my man!!

Thanks spindoc. I hope to get there in a couple of weeks. I am at the mercy of others on my fishing trips. I don't feel comfortable going alone anymore.....I may ask for and update later.... Thanks again

Thanks spindoc. I hope to get there in a couple of weeks. I am at the mercy of others on my fishing trips. I don't feel comfortable going alone anymore.....I may ask for and update later.... Thanks again

I'd offer to go with you but I'm not sure when I'll be able to get back down there. In the midst of selling/buying a house and moving and Lord only knows when that will be done. So my weekends are out for the forseeable future. However, I made sure my wife knew that mid Sept if we had to live in the truck, I'm headed to the lake.:banana:

I have a friend that is a Striper guide on the lake, all you need to bring is your fishing license. If interested in trying something like that let me know and I'll get you his info.

 

A out of town buddy went out with him a few weeks ago and they caught their limit of keepers in 5 or 6 hours. (Limit is 2 per person over 24")

OK, I'll offer what I know. And I fish for the goofy things year round. With the wacky weather, you will see different patterns this year than others. However, striper are still in the jumps on overcast days, and if you can get in that mess all you have to have is tough enough tackle to make a long cast with a heavy topwater. I'd recommend a saltwater bait because stripes have respect for your gear. As of last week, they were still very scattered and pulling boards was the way most of the guides were fishing for them. Mid July thru August they usually school and will be in the 40ft range. Seems that in Cumberland as the season progresses they head towards the dam when they school. This is the only time of the year I really fish the north shore frequently. I'd start at Rowena if you have a map. When you find the schools they'll be unmistakable on the graph and you can usually downline with 2 or 3oz lead and a 4ft fluoro leader and do well. When they are like that you can also use a heavy vertical jigging spoon and rip it up through the school. Lots of fun. As September ends you'll find them starting to bust schools of bait back on top, and that's my fave.

 

I wish you luck my man!!

 

Nothing better than topwater fishing for Stripers!!!

I have a friend that is a Striper guide on the lake, all you need to bring is your fishing license. If interested in trying something like that let me know and I'll get you his info.

 

A out of town buddy went out with him a few weeks ago and they caught their limit of keepers in 5 or 6 hours. (Limit is 2 per person over 24")

The size limit on striper is 22". In effect since 2012

The size limit on striper is 22". In effect since 2012

My bad, typing without thinking...I do that on occasion!

My bad, typing without thinking...I do that on occasion!

 

I can recall being there when they changed it. Lots of short fish floating after they were released. Didn't take long for the FW dept to change that one.

I have never striper fished. That's something I have got to do soon.

 

Hey doc, I can at least bring a tent.

I have never striper fished. That's something I have got to do soon.

 

Hey doc, I can at least bring a tent.

Fall is the best 2C. I'll keep you posted on the fishing schedule and if you can fit in the Belfry football schedule, we might be able to get you tangled with a striped wonder.

We have to make sure Mrs 2C understands we are after stripers, not strippers.

We have to make sure Mrs 2C understands we are after stripers, not strippers.

Better send pics to be sure.

Went with a Striper charter on Cumberland last Thursday. Got our limit (and 8 keeper cats) but the fourth striper took a while to find.

 

Fished with planer boards at depths of between 30-48'. Fished with 1-1.5 oz egg sinkers that stopped at a swivel. Had a 5' leader (20lb flourocarbon mono) with a circle hook with alewifes as bait. Each hook had a little black plastic disc on it that apparently kept the bait from moving too far up the hook. Not sure what hook size we used. Rest of the line was 20lb monofilament. Trolled at very slow motor speeds. Lost lots of bait due to gar (half the bait would be missing).

 

Rained most of the morning but caught more in the rain (between 6AM and 8:30AM) than when it stopped.

Went with a Striper charter on Cumberland last Thursday. Got our limit (and 8 keeper cats) but the fourth striper took a while to find.

 

Fished with planer boards at depths of between 30-48'. Fished with 1-1.5 oz egg sinkers that stopped at a swivel. Had a 5' leader (20lb flourocarbon mono) with a circle hook with alewifes as bait. Each hook had a little black plastic disc on it that apparently kept the bait from moving too far up the hook. Not sure what hook size we used. Rest of the line was 20lb monofilament. Trolled at very slow motor speeds. Lost lots of bait due to gar (half the bait would be missing).

 

Rained most of the morning but caught more in the rain (between 6AM and 8:30AM) than when it stopped.

 

Who did you go out with?

 

Friend of mine caught a near 3 foot gar a couple of weeks ago out on a charter.