10/19-10/20 report

[thenextlevel]

I hardly post here. Mainly because I don’t use live bait (no live well). But learning the lake and stripers is high on my to do list.

I fished both morning and afternoon on Saturday and Sunday. From past experience I know the bait stacks up around hardy and the trestles this time of year and the stripes are usually not far behind. This year is no different. The bait is thick from above Moormans all the way past hardy. The challenge is trying to get the fish to notice your lure amongst the millions of bait fish. It’s exciting watching the surface blow ups but fruitless to chase them as the fish are on the move. Probably going through the bait schools with their mouths open like a whale through a school of plankton.

I got one fish Saturday afternoon on the fly rod. 30 inches on the nose. Put up a great fight. Hopefully the action sticks around for another week. Once the bait disappears I’m back riding the struggle bus trying to find the fish.

Just recently sent in my membership to the Smith Mountain Striper Club. Looking forward to attending some of the events and learning everything I can.

[31Airborne]

That's a helluva fish on a fly rod, dood. Nice work.

[westonhar00]

I was the kid in the tracker fishing with you on both days! Nothing but respect for you trying to catch those fish on a fly rod, it takes a special type of patience.

[thenextlevel]

Enjoyed meeting you! Your planer board set up looked good. Hopefully next time I see you out there the bait to Striper ratio is a little better