Location Question

[wvhunter]

My brother and I are still trying to crack the code on these stripers. We’ve finally had some success finding bait in the back of creeks which is a major advancement for us, but our success has still been limited. I notice a lot of fishermen going back into the creeks presumably to catch bait then head back out to creek mouths or main lake. Can someone explain this to me? I would think the fish would be hanging around the buffet in the back of the creeks. Any information would be appreciated.

[greg]

You don't just end up in line at the Golden Corral Buffet, you have to drive there first. One night it might be Golden Corral, the next night Country Cookin, and then off to Red Palace for their buffet. Always moving around looking for a buffet to devour.

[greywalls]

Stripers are pelagic. Always moving. Might find them in the back of a creek, might find them on a secondary point, might find them in the main lake. A little later, might find them somewhere else. For better or worse, I tend to spend more time "finding" than fishing. Part of the fun, though.

[wvhunter]

Thanks you guys for the answers. Are you looking to find actual fish with electronics or are you looking for structure that may hold fish at a particular time of year? I’ve always heard fishermen say, “If you find the bait, you found the fish.” Applying that logic, I concluded I should be looking for bait on my electronics. And when found, I should start fishing.

[Deleted]

I can't help, I'm still at deer camp.  My wife sent me a text last night said "dear baby jesus, please let my husband kill a deer so our life can get back to normal"

 Ha!!  Little does she know, I'm headed to the lake Thursday evening. 

[coheasion]

wvhunter - I would say I actually mark less than 5% of the fish I catch, especially since I don't typically fish during the summer "schooling" season. The challenge and what Greg alluded to above is that usually if bait is in the back of creeks it is usually in the back of most creeks so in my experience at least finding bait means an area could potentially have fish but will not necessarily have fish as they might not be in a Golden Corral mood that day....or that time of day.

Check out the seasonal movements post in the How To section as that should help narrow it down some based upon the time of year.

After that it is trial and error and experience and its never a sure thing.

[wvhunter]

Nov 20, 2018 16:10:18 GMT -5 coheasion said:

wvhunter - I would say I actually mark less than 5% of the fish I catch

I’m actually really glad to hear you say that but that’s still 5% more than me. I never seem to catch fish when I mark them and don’t usually mark fish when I catch them. Go figure.

I faithfully follow that post on seasonal patterns you mentioned. Probably one of my most frequently visited post on this board. I guess we’re on the right track because we’re usually trolling live bait at the depths mentioned in that post. We just need more time on the water. These pesky jobs have got to go!