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Post by striperjunkie on Apr 21, 2019 7:43:49 GMT -5
Hey folks,
My name is John, and I just joined the forum this morning. I’d like to start by wishing a Happy Easter to all!
I first found this forum a couple days ago, and I’ve been super impressed by the helpful attitude everyone seems to have here.
I’m planning on coming to fish for stripers with my brother and two friends the weekend of April 26 - 28, but I’ve now realized that’s the same weekend as a bass tournament.
Any advice on beating the crowds? Or am I just going to be in for some craziness? I’ll be staying right by the Hales Ford bridge, but I don’t mind a longer boat ride if I means getting away from the crowds.
Thanks in advance,
John
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greg
New Member
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Post by greg on Apr 21, 2019 10:46:27 GMT -5
That's actually the weekend of 3 tournaments that I've heard of so far. The largest is the Big Bass Tournament, which is Friday - Sunday. The lake's gonna be crowded, be safe.
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Post by 31Airborne on Apr 21, 2019 11:51:18 GMT -5
Welcome aboard, john. SML is a magnet ~year-round. Dead of winter is about the only time you won't see rec boaters. Lots of good doods on here. You'll learn a lot.
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New member
Apr 21, 2019 13:25:30 GMT -5
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Post by striperjunkie on Apr 21, 2019 13:25:30 GMT -5
Welcome aboard, john. SML is a magnet ~year-round. Dead of winter is about the only time you won't see rec boaters. Lots of good doods on here. You'll learn a lot. Thank you! It’s encouraging to hear that the boat activity is a fact of life on SML. Sounds like the tournament won’t totally blow up our weekend. Looking forward to learning more about this fishery. I grew up fishing the Bay, the Potomac, and New England for saltwater stripers. It’ll be interesting to learn how they behave in a landlocked environment. |
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Post by hotdog on Apr 21, 2019 17:40:37 GMT -5
Welcome aboard John.
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New member
Apr 21, 2019 19:24:37 GMT -5
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Post by mwardncsu on Apr 21, 2019 19:24:37 GMT -5
The Big Bass Challenge is happening out of Crazy Horse Marina on the Blackwater side so that helps a little - except they have hourly weigh ins which result in more back and forth traffic throughout the day. Not sure where the other tourneys are leaving from - likely Parkway on the lower Roanoke and/or the State Park.
Striper are in transition currently and across the water column but making their way to their “spawning” locations - which on SML is largely down lake but some also uplake.
Lots of muddy water on the upper ends and lots of debris still out there so be careful especially in the dark.
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New member
Apr 22, 2019 15:49:02 GMT -5
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Post by choochoo on Apr 22, 2019 15:49:02 GMT -5
One thing to consider is that the tournament guys will be looking for big fish. The big bass tourney guys in particular will be looking for 5 pound plus fish. That being said, I would head to the lower end and target the smallmouth if I hoped to fish in anything that resembled peace.
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linebait
New Member
Watch me dab and watch me nae-nae
Posts: 7
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Post by linebait on Apr 23, 2019 7:38:11 GMT -5
Just joined myself and boy do I agree with you. Just looking at how helpful everyone is on the board made me want to join and share advice or learn something from someone else.
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Post by mwardncsu on Apr 23, 2019 7:52:28 GMT -5
We've always believed you get what you give here..... the more you participate the more you'll benefit - both directly from the learnings that come from the interaction, but also indirectly (or maybe its directly as well) from the relationships that form as folks get to know you as an angler - many of us will be helpful, but guarded until we know the practices a given angler partakes in....
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