Post by HokieChad on Dec 14, 2014 8:52:21 GMT -5
I was able to get out both days by myself and chase some stripes.
12/9
Weather - 48 degrees, NW wind 10, partly to mostly cloudy
Water - 47, clear
Techniques - small bait on downlines, some jigging.
Time - 1:30 - 5:00
I looked around for some fish and finally found a few worth fishing on. My first pull was into the wind and I marked fish and caught fish. When I turned around and drifted with the wind (through the area I had just fished) I didn't mark any fish and did not catch any either. I turned around and pulled back into the wind and began marking fish again and catching fish. Very weird. I can't explain the difference other than possibly the speed (when I drifted with the wind I never was going more than 1.0 mph, into the wind was ~.7 mph). I ended with 14 or 15 fish all caught on small bait on downlines, nothing jigging. Very good day #'s wise and a few decent fish that were 30 and 32 in.
12/13
Weather - 56 degrees, NW wind 5-15, sunny
Water - 46-47
Techniques - small bait on downlines, jigging.
Time - 2:00 - 5:00
I went back to my area from 12/9 and the fish were in the area again. The wind was the same direction and when a gust came through it was tough to deal with. The fish were not as aggressive and would take the bait very slowly. I changed my jigging pattern and it paid off. Instead of jigging in a quick, short motion or the longer, slower motion, I decided to basically deadstick my jig/fluke combo and it worked. Usually stripers hit pretty aggressively but the hits while deadsticking were very light.
I finished the day with a triple, both front downrods got hit while I was fighting a fish I caught deadstick jigging. Got all 3 in and released and hung out in the area until almost dark to see if any surface action would break out. Finished the day with 12 fish and a much needed "clear your head, because sometimes life is tough" day.
12/9
Weather - 48 degrees, NW wind 10, partly to mostly cloudy
Water - 47, clear
Techniques - small bait on downlines, some jigging.
Time - 1:30 - 5:00
I looked around for some fish and finally found a few worth fishing on. My first pull was into the wind and I marked fish and caught fish. When I turned around and drifted with the wind (through the area I had just fished) I didn't mark any fish and did not catch any either. I turned around and pulled back into the wind and began marking fish again and catching fish. Very weird. I can't explain the difference other than possibly the speed (when I drifted with the wind I never was going more than 1.0 mph, into the wind was ~.7 mph). I ended with 14 or 15 fish all caught on small bait on downlines, nothing jigging. Very good day #'s wise and a few decent fish that were 30 and 32 in.
12/13
Weather - 56 degrees, NW wind 5-15, sunny
Water - 46-47
Techniques - small bait on downlines, jigging.
Time - 2:00 - 5:00
I went back to my area from 12/9 and the fish were in the area again. The wind was the same direction and when a gust came through it was tough to deal with. The fish were not as aggressive and would take the bait very slowly. I changed my jigging pattern and it paid off. Instead of jigging in a quick, short motion or the longer, slower motion, I decided to basically deadstick my jig/fluke combo and it worked. Usually stripers hit pretty aggressively but the hits while deadsticking were very light.
I finished the day with a triple, both front downrods got hit while I was fighting a fish I caught deadstick jigging. Got all 3 in and released and hung out in the area until almost dark to see if any surface action would break out. Finished the day with 12 fish and a much needed "clear your head, because sometimes life is tough" day.
