"Striped Bass Catching Tips"

by Jim Johnson

I know it is a big picture and just not a huge fish but in the tail-waters I fish the 7-12 pounders are my favorite as they are the scrappiest fighters.

What does that have to do with tips for catching striped bass.... Well one should target the size fish available on any given day. Be Flexible ! ! You can not catch a fish if he is not there, what I am saying is large fish as well as small fish are not always in the area of the tail-waters at any given time. Therefore, a fisherman should experiment and try and figure out the size fish available and fish for them to be more successful.

Fishing for the size fish available can be done in several ways. The size bait you use, line diameter, hook size, rod and reel type. If only small fish are available down sizing to lighter tackle will get you connected to more fish. Small baits will also accomplish this, by using to large a bait one elimnates the smaller fish. Adjustments have to be made to using smaller baits. A smaller hook needs to be used to allow the bait to swim naturally. Smaller line diameter also allows the bait more freedom to swim and less drag on the smaller bait will let it remain fresher longer. The lighter rods and reels just work better with this smaller line, hook, and bait.

If larger fish are all that are available than heavier tackle, line diameter, and bait will get and keep you connected to more fish. Using a larger bait requires a larger hook. Also keep in mind that with the larger bait the fish will need more time to take the bait. If your line gets slack suddenly the striper has picked the bait up..reel as fast as you can till you feel the fish then set the hook.

Don't get hung up on the belief that the fish will always be in a certain location or at a certain depth. If you are not catching them where you usually fish, change locations. If the bait is located in a different location than normal this is a good place to start checking. Backflows are another good place to check. Below power generating dams there often is a backflow on the opposite bank where the water flows back towards the dam, this is a good location to check for fish especially if there is bait in the backflow. Check varied depths by finding bottom then cranking up two turns for a drift or two. Then three turns of the reel and so on to see if the fish are suspending. Another trick that often works on suspended fish is when you get to a bottom change that usually holds fish crank up slowly at that spot to bring your bait thru any suspended fish.

! ! ! ! FRESH BAIT FRESH BAIT FRESH BAIT FRESH BAIT ! ! ! !

USE FRESH BAIT...LET ME REPEAT...USE FRESH BAIT............. ! ! !

Try different species of bait if it is available as often the striped bass can be finicky.

If you feel the depth or speed you need to fish can not be obtained with live bait use artificials such as jigs, crankbaits, spoons to get the proper depth and speed. Sometimes this can only be done by trolling.

Pay attention to water levels and discharge rates if either of these change, more than likely the bait and fish will move locations. Also at certain water levels and discharge rates the fish are likely to be in the same spot under those conditions again.

These are just a few tips and tricks to catch more striped bass in dam tail-waters. I hope this helps you catch more fish..remember to be flexible and don't be afraid to experiment and try different methods when the old ones are not working.

Last but not least take your time and watch your wake's effects on other boats. Running and gunning was not mentioned in the above tips for a reason.

Striped Bass Info

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