striper fishing newbie in search of advice......please.

[dr_jeep]

i'm planning a striper trip this sat. and would appreciate any advice. we're planning to put in at the river park and run up to the dam. i've seen people using bucktail jigs before in the 1oz range so i picked a few up. i was also planning to get some ex-large shiners. a dude at the store last night told me that he'd been using bluegill as bait. i was under the impression that was illegal, he says it's not as of this year. any truth? that's about all i know about it. any help would be greatly appreciated.emoFishing

 

[Liveliner]

 to CFF there friend.</p>

As far as Bluegills as bait,  I have known that they are in fact legal for as long as I can remember.  They are considered Gamefish therefore the way you catch them has legal concerns.  You can catch them with a hook and line but not with a net as you would other baitfish.  Since there are no size restrictions on Bluegill you can use them all.  On fish like Crappie, Bass and most other gamefish there are size limits that eliminate the possibility of them being used as bait. </p>

Stripers below the Chickamauga Dam - "Watch out for the rock piles over toward the locks and the bad ones between the RR bridge supports."   Run up to the dam outside the area you plan to fish and cut across to the boils.  If you or anyone else runs directly over the Stripers you will scare them away. Toss out a baitfish freelining it or under a float and let it drift with you to the end of your float.  I usually toss it to the side of the boat rather than in front or directly behind the boat.  That way the boat speed has less effect on you bait movement.  If you are using big bucktail jigs (1/2oz - 1oz) add a white 6" trailer.  as an added feature, use worm dye and make approximately 1" of the worm chartruse colored.  With the big jigs you will want to control the depth by keeping your line taught enough to allow your lure to run about 6" to 4' deep.  Any deeper and you will hang in the rocks.</p>

I hope that helps you.</p>

"Hold on tight and get ready to fight" </p>

 

[BackOnTheWater]

</p>

Wow! Striper 101 from Professor LL...what clear and thorough advice! heck, I bet that even <font color="#ff0000">I</font><font color="#000000"> could catch a striper w/ that info!

</font></p>

 

[SpurHunter]

I have only hooked into one Striper, so I am no expert, BUT I can tell you what I do know. The stripers are not ready for all-out assault yet...how do I know this??? Because the striper "catching" experts are not out there chasing them yet. THAT is when I will finaly learn how to catch them this year.

 

[Fat Albert]

h

BackOnTheWater - 10/19/2007 8:06 AM

</p>

Wow! Striper 101 from Professor LL...what clear and thorough advice! heck, I bet that even <font color="#ff0000">I</font><font color="#000000"> could catch a striper w/ that info!

</font></p><font color="#ff0066">Yeah, and spool up with something stronger than 10#.  you get your heart broken when ya break off....I know...Spurhunter hit the nail on the head when he says it is still too early for the strippers, stripers cause drumking ain't started fishin fer um yet....FA

</font>

 

[fishinvol]

Below Chickamauga, I do better from the shore for the striper. Yesterday in the middle of the rain showers would have been a great day to try.

 

[Guest]

Never striper fished there, but if it were me: Id get some 3-6 in Storm swimbaits, 1oz bucktails, and some live shad 6-10in or better yet skipjack. Run the shad on down lines, right in the boils, if they are generating. Or right off the sides of them. You will have to use a heavy sinker 1-3 oz, depending on the current. Either use a slip sinker or 3 way rig. Cast the lures in the same spots. Run the skipjack under a small ballon, 6-10 feet bewteen the bait and balloon. Dont tie the balloon knot to tight, or the fish will feel resistance and spit the bait. For the shad use either a 4/0-6/0 hook, Skipjack a 8/0-10/0 hook. Hope this helps.

 

[SpurHunter]

Great information MJ! We really appreciate your generous information, though you also guide for stripers. It shows you are a true fisherman and a great friend and contributor of the CFF!

 

[Guest]

Thanks Spur, you are making me blush now. Just trying to help out. I need to get down there again.

 

[SpurHunter]

Cmon! You come down to explore our tailtrace, and I will be your net man!

 

[team-d]

Agree with MJP, the Storm swimbaits are tough to beat for artificials. They're also reasonably priced so it doesn't hurt too bad when you donate them to the rocks.

 

[DHaun]

dr_jeep - 10/19/2007 5:49 AM

i'm planning a striper trip this sat. and would appreciate any advice. we're planning to put in at the river park and run up to the dam. i've seen people using bucktail jigs before in the 1oz range so i picked a few up. i was also planning to get some ex-large shiners. a dude at the store last night told me that he'd been using bluegill as bait. i was under the impression that was illegal, he says it's not as of this year. any truth? that's about all i know about it. any help would be greatly appreciated.emoFishing

Lots of good info to try - Please let us know how you do!