I finally took a break and tried the stripers Wednesday - alone. Got on the water about 3:00 and started pulling u-rigs shortly after - fishing near the elbow at the western portion of the lake. This is an area I have had spotty success with this time of year, but decided to try it before making the run to my old tried and true spots near the gap. About 4:30, the bite began and I quickly caught 8 with 4 going in the box. Shortest in the box was 23". Best was 28". About 5:30, I decided to head to the dock. I got within 1/4 mile of my dock and the sounder showed fish at a catchable depth. Quickly put out one rod, turned around, and put the 5th fish in the box… another 23" fish. All fish were caught using u-rigs that I have rigged with only one hook. Since I have gone to this variation, the number of fish caught has gone down, but the average size of fish caught has gone up. Of course, none of this matters to the live and dead bait fishermen, but I thought it may be of interest to the u-rig guys. Chartreuse was the color used.
Final tally: 9 caught with 5 put in the box - no parasites on any
Coming up: fish fry for family and friends
Was “Whaler Driver”
Now “Laid Back” 