Vacation at the Lake Next Week (8/14)

[wharfrat]

Hi all -Getting ready for our annual (sort of) trip to SML next week and was hoping to get some info on any striper activity.  I realize mid-Aug is probably not the best time of the year, but my brother and I grew up fishing together so we are going to try our best (along with my granddaughter who got to "catch" her first striper last year).  We have a house rented in Craddock creek and will hopefully be able to pull some alewives up to our dock light at night.  Any suggestions on where to try and/or what techniques?  I mostly live bait for stripers (Kerr lake), but I know some people swear by jigging this time of year.  I've never tried it before, but I am sure I can find some old Hopkins in the tackle box that I used to use at the coast.  Anyway, any info would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

[johnr]

Downlining those 4-6” alewives around creek channels, creek mouths, and standing timber will be a good bet. The fish have been hanging 40-70’ deep mostly, but have been finding a few coming up shallower onto points to feed for short periods of time. They seem to be moving out of the creeks as the day goes on, and must be moving back into the creeks overnight with the baitfish.

Any creek in the lower lake is bound to have some fish using it, even better if that creek has good amounts of bait. Probably fish at the dam also.

If you’re going to try jigging, I think a fluke on a 1/2 - 1oz jighead is a better option right now. Again, trees and channel edges.

[wharfrat]

Thanks for the info- when you say fish have been at 40-70', do you mean water depth or suspending in that range? I'll be sure to post a report (good or bad) after we give it a try.

[johnr]

That’s where they’re suspending. I’ve been finding some in shallower water, but mostly I’m staying in 50’- 100’ of water.

[wharfrat]

Tried the lower end of Craddock the last 2 mornings. Marked some bait, but not much fish. A couple other boats fishing, but did not see any catching. Will keep on trying.... boat traffic has been low

[johnr]

Have you looked up in the back half of the creek early AM?

[wharfrat]

Wanted to thank you for sharing your info--- it is really hard to know what to do when you only get up to the lake a couple of times a year. Finally got some decent bait (threadfins?) off the dock light. We ended up finding some fish in the back half of the creek on Thurs and Fri. Nothing big, but we did have fun. Even got to see a school busting on bait a couple of times. Thanks again--- we hope to get up there again before waiting a whole year.