I don't have the history on this lake like many here, but I find that this year is really strange. Not sure if the summer we had or what but I find the lake striper fishing is nothing like what I am use to for the first week of
November. Don't get me wrong I am getting my 2 fish but that's about it.
I am catching more smallies than stripers at least 4 or 5 to 1. Yesterday it was only 7 smallies so maybe my ratio is a little off.
I'm fishing small swim baits in front of any cove on the main lake catching nice ones up to 4lbs which would be great but the difference between hooking a 10lb + striper and a 4lb smallie is like night and day don't get me wrong the smallies fight good but a stripper hits it like its going full steam in the opposite direction when it hits. I have to say I love fishing 10lb braid with about a 20ft section of 12lb fluorocarbon zero stretch, they can just about yank your rod out of your hands if your not paying attention. .
I'm graphing most of the stripers sitting on the bottom in 70ft to 80ft of water. I can get to them with my downriggers but you lose that freight train of a hit.
Not sure why there is nothing up more mid water column by the first week of Nov. Typically I'm getting some fish in the jumps starting in mid October maybe not allot but if when on the water during the week I could always cruise around until I would find a school and fish it as it would come up and down and have some fun.
Is it the water temp? Is it a drain down pattern rain flows. Was it the amount boats out this summer?
Is this just an odd year. I'm off work the week of thanksgiving so I'll go back and give it a try. Hopefully things change or I'll have to.
Anyone have any incites I'd like to hear hem.

PS: is it just me or do some of our local bass fishermen seem to be clueless to someone using planner boards.
During my down time I'll break out planner boards and troll to take a break and it never ceases to amaze me how inconsiderate people can be. My boards will be 50-75ft off to the side of me bright yellow with orange flags on them and bass boats come flying by 25ft away from them apparently clueless to how that screws up my fishing. When I flip them off they look befuddled There is lots of room I mean lots a whole freaking lake on either side where they can stay clear me room. I stay as far away from fisherman as I can. Its not all bass boaters but enough to make me wish I had brought my wrist rocket sling shot.