Decided to go out for a little Friday evening. Fish were not where they had been for me. Only caught one there but it was about ten pounds. I spent to much time fishing the channel and caught him in 75’. Decided to try by bomb island but did not see many fish. Went back to the towers and caught another nice one and a short one.
what time? We were in the channel from spence to dam from about 8 to 1030 before the battery almost dying forced us in. We were marking fish like crazy 30’ to 40’ suspended in probably anywhere from 60’ - 100’ depth water. We dropped herring on their heads all night without a bite…it was remarkable. Someone told me that they feed more 7-830 or so and after that it can be too late. Thoughts? That was probably the most successful I have ever been at finding and marking fish and baitfish ALL NIGHT. but no bites. wierd. I am wondering if something about my setup is wrong, scaring them away, but I don’t think so.
green berkeley big game, 1.5oz weights with a couple beads, clear leader 2’-4’ (varies rod to rod), red gamakatsu hooks, and better baits herring-on-crack…we were pretty suprised we didn’t hook up.
Baysport 175
“Short Strike”
I was there from about 6:30 to 11:30. I spent most of my time deeper than 100’. Even though the first fish I caught was shallower. I try to fish above the fish. Seems they are more prone to go up for bait than down. Which makes sense since they can see them against the daylight sky. I have also found that I get most of my fish from 7 to 9:00. If you were on fish at 8 that is usually prime time. I don’t use red hooks, and I use clear, trilene XL, 12#. I am not saying what you were using is wrong, just not what I use. What size hood are you using, I am using 2’s (not 0/2) and it seems to make a difference. Maybe the bait swims better with a smaller hook. The fish did seem kind of inactive though, so maybe it was just that.
quote:
Originally posted by steelytomI was there from about 6:30 to 11:30. I spent most of my time deeper than 100’. Even though the first fish I caught was shallower. I try to fish above the fish. Seems they are more prone to go up for bait than down. Which makes sense since they can see them against the daylight sky. I have also found that I get most of my fish from 7 to 9:00. If you were on fish at 8 that is usually prime time. I don’t use red hooks, and I use clear, trilene XL, 12#. I am not saying what you were using is wrong, just not what I use. What size hood are you using, I am using 2’s (not 0/2) and it seems to make a difference. Maybe the bait swims better with a smaller hook. The fish did seem kind of inactive though, so maybe it was just that.
we were marking large solitary fish all night, and several in pairs…marked some on the bottom that could have been a school or trees around Spence, as I am sure you are used to seeing also. I wonder if my hooks are too big…I think they are 4s.
Baysport 175
“Short Strike”
Try another pack of hooks. Changing speed can sometimes trigger hits. sometimes they only hit when I am almost stopped, sometimes not until I go faster. Going from slow to fast triggers hits sometime. Looks like the bait is trying to run from them and I think it triggers a response.
quote:
Originally posted by steelytomTry another pack of hooks. Changing speed can sometimes trigger hits. sometimes they only hit when I am almost stopped, sometimes not until I go faster. Going from slow to fast triggers hits sometime. Looks like the bait is trying to run from them and I think it triggers a response.
yeah, I try changing speeds when trolling…usually just drift with the livebait though…also, we didn’t get down below 70’ too much either, b ut that is because we were marking baitfish 30-40 and fish at 40 where we were…
Baysport 175
“Short Strike”
how do you guys know how deep you are? line counters? free hand method? can you see your bait on the finder?
if i’m trolling i can see the bait from the back seat, not the front unless it’s real deep (60+). my bro is big on the line counters, but i’m cheap and don’t want to spend $10 when i can free hand it and get “close”
quote:
Originally posted by phishinphanhow do you guys know how deep you are? line counters? free hand method? can you see your bait on the finder?
if i’m trolling i can see the bait from the back seat, not the front unless it’s real deep (60+). my bro is big on the line counters, but i’m cheap and don’t want to spend $10 when i can free hand it and get “close”
yeah, I use line counters. Cabelas has some pretty decent line counter reels that are not too expensive. As a matter of fact, that have some line counter reel/trolling rod combos for less than $100. I have had two of those for a year or so, and they have not showed the least sign of breaking down. I also have a Shimano and a Okuma and a Shakespeare reel but I swear I always go to those simple Cabelas reels first. Also because the rods they are on are perfect for downrigger trolling also. sometimes I can see the bait on the depth finder, sometimes not. Now, when trolling with the downriggers, you can see the balls perfectly, which is nice.
Baysport 175
“Short Strike”
I just use the freehand method. I bought one of those line counters that are seperate from the real from BPS and it sucks. I am sending it back. It counts 1’ for every 3’ out. Sometimes not at all. With the surface water getting warm I just drop the line and figure one foot per second out of my spinning reels. I prefer fighting fish on spinning rods, but that’s just me. I think I may be the only striper fisherman that trolls with spinning rods.
i’m with ya tom. i’m a spinning reel guy myself.
seems reasonable that i can freehand it well enough.
quote:
Originally posted by steelytomI just use the freehand method. I bought one of those line counters that are seperate from the real from BPS and it sucks. I am sending it back. It counts 1’ for every 3’ out. Sometimes not at all. With the surface water getting warm I just drop the line and figure one foot per second out of my spinning reels. I prefer fighting fish on spinning rods, but that’s just me. I think I may be the only striper fisherman that trolls with spinning rods.
steelytom - when I get line counters I usually let line out in my driveway to test their accuracy. I have taken a couple back before after doing that, but the ones I have now are pretty accurate. I also freehand on a couple other reels I use, because it is 18" from the reel to the first guide hole on the rod. I grab the line and pull it to the rod hole twice and count by 3’ increments.
Baysport 175
“Short Strike”
where do you guys go for wind forecasts? i have a 16’ jon which gets a little sketchy when the wind kicks up. are any of the wx sites better than others?
or do you guys not pay much attention?
quote:
Originally posted by phishinphanwhere do you guys go for wind forecasts? i have a 16’ jon which gets a little sketchy when the wind kicks up. are any of the wx sites better than others?
or do you guys not pay much attention?
I got a pretty nice, deep 18’ center console and it can get uncomfortable once you start seeing white caps…
Baysport 175
“Short Strike”
It can change quick too. I’ve been out when it said winds would be calm then out of nowhere they kick up quick. It is easier to fish out of a john boat when the fish are scattered throughout the lake. You can pick areas protected from the wind better. I have a 19’ deep V and I have had some rough rides, especially between spence and the dam or around the point of Shull.
quote:
Originally posted by steelytomIt can change quick too. I’ve been out when it said winds would be calm then out of nowhere they kick up quick. It is easier to fish out of a john boat when the fish are scattered throughout the lake. You can pick areas protected from the wind better. I have a 19’ deep V and I have had some rough rides, especially between spence and the dam or around the point of Shull.
may head down the river this weekend. with sceg running water all week for the kayaker thing, it may get the boys frisky… thoughts?
quote:
Originally posted by phishinphanquote:
Originally posted by steelytomIt can change quick too. I’ve been out when it said winds would be calm then out of nowhere they kick up quick. It is easier to fish out of a john boat when the fish are scattered throughout the lake. You can pick areas protected from the wind better. I have a 19’ deep V and I have had some rough rides, especially between spence and the dam or around the point of Shull.
may head down the river this weekend. with sceg running water all week for the kayaker thing, it may get the boys frisky… thoughts?
I’ll be in the water at 6am Saturday mornin! Yeah, running water seems to be good for striper…wondering if it will move them into the channel more, or possibly further up the lake towards the rivers? Not sure how much affect what they are doing will have…
Baysport 175
“Short Strike”
He is talking about going to the Saluda below the dam. I know it is better when they run some water for guys in boats. But for me on the shore, it is better low. Won’t that be a little rough with the amount they are running?
Remember: they stop running the water tomorrow…the event is over and will move to the Charlotte area…so, everything should slow down/go down back to normal…
I didnt know about the water running thing. I always catch fish at the towers when they are running water. I dont know why either. As yall know the weather has been awful every evening. I might go Fri morn though.