3/6 First Report

[stripersonly]

Hey guys,

While I’m not new to the lake, I am new to stripers. So trying to give some info since I’ve been following along to learn myself.

Went out today for the first time this year, my goal today was really to find bait. I’m down lake in Hatcher creek, scanned a good bit of Hatcher all the way back in the creek, even headed over to Craddock all the way back on both ends and while I did see some singles and double of suspended fish that I jigged on for a bit, no bites. But also, I saw zero bait. No bait balls on the side scan at all.

So I headed uplake past the S Curve and hit a few creeks along the way just scanning, Bettys included. Again, a few singles here and there but almost no bait.

Are the shad really far up river? How are you guys catching bait this time of year?

Thanks!

[tiltntrim]

While I haven't looked for bait south of the bridge (Roanoke side) there is a considerable amount of bait in the creeks north of the bridge. However last week most of it was in deep water - 30 to 50 ft. Good luck.

[johnr]

Yep most of the gizzard bait is up the rivers at this time of year.

And most of the bait is still deep elsewhere.

[piper]

Mar 6, 2022 20:52:25 GMT -5 stripersonly said:

Hey guys,

While I’m not new to the lake, I am new to stripers. So trying to give some info since I’ve been following along to learn myself.

Went out today for the first time this year, my goal today was really to find bait. I’m down lake in Hatcher creek, scanned a good bit of Hatcher all the way back in the creek, even headed over to Craddock all the way back on both ends and while I did see some singles and double of suspended fish that I jigged on for a bit, no bites. But also, I saw zero bait. No bait balls on the side scan at all.

So I headed uplake past the S Curve and hit a few creeks along the way just scanning, Bettys included. Again, a few singles here and there but almost no bait.

Are the shad really far up river? How are you guys catching bait this time of year?

Thanks!

Oh...give it say 4-5 weeks. Banks will be humming with the ales down your way. Find you a few thundersticks and enjoy yourself!!  As others have said, the gizzards tend to stay toward the bridge. Ive netted a handful but mostly ales where you are. I will say I havnt had a ton of success in Hatcher throughout the years. I do think white bass fishing is decent. Craddocks is a whole different story.