Night Striper Bite

[stripernut1]

This thread got me to thinking about the last few years when the lake level was kept low. We would beach the boat right before dark , and then quietly walk the banks throwing redfins literally 5 ft from the bank. For some reason the fish would follow it all the way back and explode right in front of you. Fighting a big striper in skinny water from the bank is an insane thrill.
We may never get to do that again (in my lifetime anyway) with the water levels and all the jungles of saplings and new growth around the lake. But it was a blast for a few years.

[peter]

This thread got me to thinking about the last few years when the lake level was kept low. We would beach the boat right before dark , and then quietly walk the banks throwing redfins literally 5 ft from the bank. For some reason the fish would follow it all the way back and explode right in front of you. Fighting a big striper in skinny water from the bank is an insane thrill.
We may never get to do that again (in my lifetime anyway) with the water levels and all the jungles of saplings and new growth around the lake. But it was a blast for a few years.

You could do that from Rowena . Drive your car down to the ramp and just walk the bank all the way up to the next cove. I never did it seriously but I thought about it a lot. I'm kind of locked into the early am fishin. Things are quite and I can see! I did it a few times for about 30 minutes. Took a rod, pliers and a bucket. That's all that was needed. I will say I did check it a fairly often for visible bait. Guess I preffer haulin a several hundred pounds of equipment around the lake and burnin fuel. Nothin like the wind in your face and burnin fuel on the lake. Must be good for the soul.

[Rob1678]

I think 60 degrees is the magic number for shad spawning. I have best luck in dark nights and throwing parallel to the bank. Last year was tough. Seemed not very predictable. I like throwing a gizz4 and a Redfin

[waterdog101]

This thread got me to thinking about the last few years when the lake level was kept low. We would beach the boat right before dark , and then quietly walk the banks throwing redfins literally 5 ft from the bank. For some reason the fish would follow it all the way back and explode right in front of you. Fighting a big striper in skinny water from the bank is an insane thrill.
We may never get to do that again (in my lifetime anyway) with the water levels and all the jungles of saplings and new growth around the lake. But it was a blast for a few years.

. That’s the way I fish for them from my boat, I have my black light ready, I have it turned off but as soon as I set the hook I turn it on, so I can see how to fight the fish, I find a place where the river channel swings close to a rocky shore or cliff line, turn every light on my boat off and troll alone as close to shore as I can without bumping the rocks, and as slow as I can, making long cast and retrieve lure with just enough speed to make it stay under the surface of the water, if they are hitting it on top of water, I like using a bomber long A magnum or Redfin, and if they are bumping the top water lure and not really taking it, I switch to a sliver, because retrieving it with a slow steady crank, it will run about 3 feet deep, and they will jerk the rod out of your hand if your not ready, I think the best strike zone for striper is 3 or 4 feet from the shore line, and I think fishing dark nights with boat lights out, it will double your catch, this is without a doubt some of the best fishing there is.

[Les Young]

They’re biting now. We had 12 Saturday night & lost 12 more. Probably had another 50 smack st it. Plenty of shad up too.

[stripernut1]

They’re biting now. We had 12 Saturday night & lost 12 more. Probably had another 50 smack st it. Plenty of shad up too.

friday night was the same way, water temps were 50.6 to 51.3
there is a misconception that the shad spawn has something to do with the striper night bite, ive caught more and bigger fish from december to april than any time of the year.
glad to hear ya got em

[Les Young]

Yep it may peak about that time, but a couple times in very warm spells I have been out at night in December & the striper were busting everywhere.

[HARDROCK]

friday night was the same way, water temps were 50.6 to 51.3
there is a misconception that the shad spawn has something to do with the striper night bite, ive caught more and bigger fish from december to april than any time of the year.
glad to hear ya got em

What is the water color like? I figured it was too muddy to crank at night.

[Duayne]

What is the water color like? I figured it was too muddy to crank at night.

Water color was very stained at Grider Hill this past weekend. It sure seemed like they were on a night pattern on my end this past weekend because everyone I know struggled during the day. I found some Saturday but they weren't worth much size wise.

[fishincreek]

The wintertime/early spring fish may well be targeting gizzard and theadfins. Once water temps hit mid 50's the alewives head to those black shale banks.

[stripernut1]

Water color is pretty much all over the place, im fishing fairly clear water, it is slightly olive but still very good