Stripers Patoka

[motalot]

Anyone fish this time of year for Stripers on Patoka?

I heard about a friend crappie fishin in a cove and the stripers were tearing the shad up?

I usually start fishin there in June but may try it in late May. Just wonderin about technique and what works

[Bragger]

I fished Patoka all weekend without much success. I crappie fished and only caught a few small ones. Then I trolled for stripers - but I really don't know how to catch them. I am sure I will be visiting Patoka several more times this year, any info that could be shared would be appreciated.

The water temp was about 58 on Saturday and was up to 61 when I pulled out Sunday afternoon. I never saw any jumps.

[Moose1am]

Crappie start spawning when the spawning areas water temp gets to around 65 deg f. It sounds like it's time for the crappie to start spawning again at Patoka Lake. I'll be that the shallow water areas in the back of the bays are around 65 deg F in the daytime. The weather service is predicting warm air temps this week and coming weekend. There will be rain Wed, Thur and Friday but Saturday and Sunday look nice. Water should be warming up now.

Did you check out the shallow water areas for crappie? Did you check any mid depth drops near potential shallow water spawning areas? That includes a lot of area at Patoka. Some may be used by the crappie while others that look good may not be used.

By Stripers are you talking about the hybrid that grow really big? These fish roam the waters from what I understand. I am not that familiar with their habits but they do sound like a fun fish to fish for. I've added some rod holders to my boat for trolling crank baits out the back of my boat. I've caught crappie using this method. Just get the crank baits to hit the 10 ft to 12 ft depths and you can catch suspended crappie on Patoka Lake. My first time trying this I caught three nice sized crappie in less than 1/2 hr. But I had some clues as to where the fish were before I launched. I noticed a boat fishing as I approached the launch ramp. I got lucky as before I launch this boat returned to the ramp to leave. I got to see their catch and it was a good catch. So I had an idea where they had just finished fishing which was a huge advantage. It always helps to have good information on where the fish are being caught the day you go fishing. I got lucky. There were three guys in this boat and one guy had a particular hat that stood out from long distance. I didn't recognize their boat or anything else but the guys hat. So when I saw this boat coming back to the launch ramp I saw the guys hat and knew it was the same boat. It pays to pay attention when driving around the lake. LOL Now I have a new fishing spot for the fall of the year to add to my 4 or 5 other hot spots. But there are many more spots on Patoka Lake where you can catch crappie year round.

I fished Patoka all weekend without much success. I crappie fished and only caught a few small ones. Then I trolled for stripers - but I really don't know how to catch them. I am sure I will be visiting Patoka several more times this year, any info that could be shared would be appreciated.

The water temp was about 58 on Saturday and was up to 61 when I pulled out Sunday afternoon. I never saw any jumps.

[raporter]

Crappie start spawning when the spawning areas water temp gets to around 65 deg f. It sounds like it's time for the crappie to start spawning again at Patoka Lake. I'll be that the shallow water areas in the back of the bays are around 65 deg F in the daytime. The weather service is predicting warm air temps this week and coming weekend. There will be rain Wed, Thur and Friday but Saturday and Sunday look nice. Water should be warming up now.

Did you check out the shallow water areas for crappie? Did you check any mid depth drops near potential shallow water spawning areas? That includes a lot of area at Patoka. Some may be used by the crappie while others that look good may not be used.

By Stripers are you talking about the hybrid that grow really big? These fish roam the waters from what I understand. I am not that familiar with their habits but they do sound like a fun fish to fish for. I've added some rod holders to my boat for trolling crank baits out the back of my boat. I've caught crappie using this method. Just get the crank baits to hit the 10 ft to 12 ft depths and you can catch suspended crappie on Patoka Lake. My first time trying this I caught three nice sized crappie in less than 1/2 hr. But I had some clues as to where the fish were before I launched. I noticed a boat fishing as I approached the launch ramp. I got lucky as before I launch this boat returned to the ramp to leave. I got to see their catch and it was a good catch. So I had an idea where they had just finished fishing which was a huge advantage. It always helps to have good information on where the fish are being caught the day you go fishing. I got lucky. There were three guys in this boat and one guy had a particular hat that stood out from long distance. I didn't recognize their boat or anything else but the guys hat. So when I saw this boat coming back to the launch ramp I saw the guys hat and knew it was the same boat. It pays to pay attention when driving around the lake. LOL Now I have a new fishing spot for the fall of the year to add to my 4 or 5 other hot spots. But there are many more spots on Patoka Lake where you can catch crappie year round.

According to the DNR there are no hybrids in Patoka. They are all stripers.

[Bragger]

Crappie start spawning when the spawning areas water temp gets to around 65 deg f. It sounds like it's time for the crappie to start spawning again at Patoka Lake. I'll be that the shallow water areas in the back of the bays are around 65 deg F in the daytime. The weather service is predicting warm air temps this week and coming weekend. There will be rain Wed, Thur and Friday but Saturday and Sunday look nice. Water should be warming up now.

Did you check out the shallow water areas for crappie? Did you check any mid depth drops near potential shallow water spawning areas? That includes a lot of area at Patoka. Some may be used by the crappie while others that look good may not be used.

By Stripers are you talking about the hybrid that grow really big? These fish roam the waters from what I understand. I am not that familiar with their habits but they do sound like a fun fish to fish for. I've added some rod holders to my boat for trolling crank baits out the back of my boat. I've caught crappie using this method. Just get the crank baits to hit the 10 ft to 12 ft depths and you can catch suspended crappie on Patoka Lake. My first time trying this I caught three nice sized crappie in less than 1/2 hr. But I had some clues as to where the fish were before I launched. I noticed a boat fishing as I approached the launch ramp. I got lucky as before I launch this boat returned to the ramp to leave. I got to see their catch and it was a good catch. So I had an idea where they had just finished fishing which was a huge advantage. It always helps to have good information on where the fish are being caught the day you go fishing. I got lucky. There were three guys in this boat and one guy had a particular hat that stood out from long distance. I didn't recognize their boat or anything else but the guys hat. So when I saw this boat coming back to the launch ramp I saw the guys hat and knew it was the same boat. It pays to pay attention when driving around the lake. LOL Now I have a new fishing spot for the fall of the year to add to my 4 or 5 other hot spots. But there are many more spots on Patoka Lake where you can catch crappie year round.

I did check the shallow areas and did not find anything except a couple very small LMB. I ran into some other fishermen who had caught some crappie at 6to 8 ft deep over 20 ft of water and that is where I was fishing when I caught the few crappie that I did catch.

From what I understand their are no Hybrid stripers in Patoka, they are all stripers (rockbass). I would love to learn to catch them.

[Moose1am]

Rockbass. Now those are the really big ones. I grew up fishing KY lake with my dad. This was before I studied fish at University. LOL Dad always called the White bass ... stripers. So that's why I get confused when I hear the term.. stripers.The fish we use to catch at KY lake were mostly 1/2lb to 2lbs. One of my first times fishing with Dad at KY lake on summer back in 1959 though 1965 we ran into a school of white bass that were feeding on the surface. Dad called that "firing". I cast a spoon out into the boil and hooked and landed a nice 2.5lb white bass. These fish had sharp dorsal fins and had horizontal stripe running down their sides parallel with the lateral lines. White Bass = Roccus chrysops (Rafinesqaue)Striped Bass = Roccus saxatilis (Walbaum) Reaches large size in the sea, weighing over 100 lbs.I guess the Rock bass is the Roccus saxatilis at Patoka? Yes?We caught the Roccus chrysops at KY Lake. Also caught what I though were small White bass at Patoka while crappie fishing in the Lick Fork Area last Fall. But maybe they were small rock fish? I can't tell them apart myself.I have a book that helps to ID fish but I have not really used it on these fish yet. I'll take a look at it in more depth later.

I did check the shallow areas and did not find anything except a couple very small LMB. I ran into some other fishermen who had caught some crappie at 6to 8 ft deep over 20 ft of water and that is where I was fishing when I caught the few crappie that I did catch.

From what I understand their are no Hybrid stripers in Patoka, they are all stripers (rockbass). I would love to learn to catch them.

[fishmanrq]

There are actually both pure strain stripers and white bass in Patoka. No hybrids at all (which are in Lake Monroe). The white bass all average about 2lbs almost having the shape of a crappie. But the stripers are elongated, and can probably be up to about 25 pounds in Patoka. Hope this helps.

[Moose1am]

Thanks for the information. Yea that helps. I forget about Monroe having the Hybrids. That's why I get to thinking that Patoka has them. Now I'll have to memorize this so I don't repeat that mistake. Thanks for clearing it up.

I looked up White Bass, Yellow Bass and Stripers in my Fish Identification book and it agrees with what Fishmanrq said.

Now how do we rig up to catch the big ocean going stripers that the IDNR put in Patoka Lake.

Well down riggers would be my best bet. That and large baits on long leaders with very strong fishing line.

Remember that in the summer month's Patoka has a very distinct thermocline somewhere between 20 and 28ft. So the striper will be found above the thermocline. My understanding is that these fish are free roaming and that they follow the schools of bait fish (gizzard shad in this case).

ON the IDNR web site there is a study posted about radio tracking studies performed on the Hybrid Stripers on Monroe. I wonder if the real stripers behave in a similar way on Patoka Lake? Good question for Dan Carnahan to answer? Wish that Dan would post on here from time to time. HINT HINT! LOL I found another fishing web site where one of the Illinois DRN fishery biologist logs on and answers questions from time to time. I think that is the Indiana Small Mouth Web site but can't recall for sure.

[fishmanrq]

I fish Monroe almost exclusively for walleye and the hybrid stripers (wipers), and the stripers pattern pretty much the same way as the hybrids. What I do from the beginning of May thru summer is troll. Right now the hybrids are scattered through the whole **** lake and are hard to find. I usually use bandit 200s to 300s depending on how I mark fish on the depthfinder, white, red, chrome or firetiger have all been huge for me. I will focus on water anywhere from 12-15 feet right now, since the water is cool and comfortable for the fish. For Patoka I would probably do the same for the stripers. Focus on coves early in the morning, and then stay close to main lake water during the day. Its tough fishing because there really isnt a thermocline set up yet, but I'd expect them to be 15 feet or shallower. I just troll all day until I find them holding, then hopefully catch 3 or 4 fish right in a row. I hope this info helps. Many people also use live bait, but this time of the year you can catch them just as easily trolling artificials unless they get lockjaw.

[Moose1am]

Last Fall I setup for trolling crank baits for crappie. I purchased two of the Shakespeare Ugly Sticks and two Ambassader bait casting reels with some 10 lb test stren spooled on them. I got two rod holders for my boat. I added two of the shakespeare line counters to these two rods to keep track of how much line I have out behind the boat. I started out using 50ft of line and 300 series bandit crank baits. All my crank baits that I use are stored in four of the 3750 Plano Plastic bait containers which I store inside a new Soft Cased Plano Tackle bag. I troll into the wind at 1.5 mph and caught three nice crappie at Patoka Last Nov. This past weekend I used this same setup to catch a crappie at Otter Pit in Southern Indiana's Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area. These area has been stocked with MUSKIE. The size limit on these lakes is 36" for now. I hope that one of these muskie doesn't take a swipe at my crank baits. My rod holders are not that sturdy. LOL I don't want to lose a rod and reel before I get them broke in. I could only image a big Striper hitting on my setup at Patoka. Those fish are huge and are powerful.

Thanks for the warning and the method. Sounds like the Stripers hang around the same depth as the crappie. I think my 300 bandits are suppose to get down to about 10ft deep. I may have to let out more fishing line to get them deeper. I think that with 50ft out they hit the bottom in about 8 to 10ft of water. I tested this setup out at Lynville Lake and when I get into an area that was 10ft deep (a flat) the baits started hitting the bottom. Before that they ran free in 15 to 20 ft of water.

When I get a crappie on the crank bait the fish and the crank bait comes to the surface and the crappie slides over the top of the water. I have to hold onto the line and rod to feel if I am getting a bite. I have to watch ahead to drive the boat.

Oh yea. I am using a 16 ft flat bottom john boat by Fisher Marine with a 35 HP Johnson Outboard. The flat front of the boat keeps the speeds down. I can idle at around 2.0 mph in calm waters. 1.5 mph into a strong 10 mph wind.

I read somewhere that it makes a difference if you troll with or against the wind. Fish face into the current and the winds help to set currents in a lake. You want to present the baits to the fish's so that the fish see the bait coming towards them and not from behind them.

I fish Monroe almost exclusively for walleye and the hybrid stripers (wipers), and the stripers pattern pretty much the same way as the hybrids. What I do from the beginning of May thru summer is troll. Right now the hybrids are scattered through the whole **** lake and are hard to find. I usually use bandit 200s to 300s depending on how I mark fish on the depthfinder, white, red, chrome or firetiger have all been huge for me. I will focus on water anywhere from 12-15 feet right now, since the water is cool and comfortable for the fish. For Patoka I would probably do the same for the stripers. Focus on coves early in the morning, and then stay close to main lake water during the day. Its tough fishing because there really isnt a thermocline set up yet, but I'd expect them to be 15 feet or shallower. I just troll all day until I find them holding, then hopefully catch 3 or 4 fish right in a row. I hope this info helps. Many people also use live bait, but this time of the year you can catch them just as easily trolling artificials unless they get lockjaw.

[fishmanrq]

Thats funny you say that. MOst crappie fisherman would never believe you catch crappies trolling. But every **** time I go to Monroe I drag in about 15 big crappie. As well as walleye, catfish, wipers, and bass. I love trolling, its the most productive way to catch multi species. And there's a very good possibility you will hook into a striper at patoka trolling like that, especially with those bandit 300s...they go about 13-15 feet deep, I always let out exactly 75 feet of line (line counter), gets it down to that ideal depth. But I did hear that the stripers weren't doing well in Patoka at all and they quit stocking, not for sure though. I wouldnt worry about getting your gear trashed if you have good line and your drag set, I exclusively use 10lb test fireline and medium action rods, and I have caught many large fish with no issues. Well good luck fishin this year! I'll post to let everyone know how monroe was Thursday and Friday.






QUOTE=Moose1am;294249]Last Fall I setup for trolling crank baits for crappie. I purchased two of the Shakespeare Ugly Sticks and two Ambassader bait casting reels with some 10 lb test stren spooled on them. I got two rod holders for my boat. I added two of the shakespeare line counters to these two rods to keep track of how much line I have out behind the boat. I started out using 50ft of line and 300 series bandit crank baits. All my crank baits that I use are stored in four of the 3750 Plano Plastic bait containers which I store inside a new Soft Cased Plano Tackle bag. I troll into the wind at 1.5 mph and caught three nice crappie at Patoka Last Nov. This past weekend I used this same setup to catch a crappie at Otter Pit in Southern Indiana's Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area. These area has been stocked with MUSKIE. The size limit on these lakes is 36" for now. I hope that one of these muskie doesn't take a swipe at my crank baits. My rod holders are not that sturdy. LOL I don't want to lose a rod and reel before I get them broke in. I could only image a big Striper hitting on my setup at Patoka. Those fish are huge and are powerful.

Thanks for the warning and the method. Sounds like the Stripers hang around the same depth as the crappie. I think my 300 bandits are suppose to get down to about 10ft deep. I may have to let out more fishing line to get them deeper. I think that with 50ft out they hit the bottom in about 8 to 10ft of water. I tested this setup out at Lynville Lake and when I get into an area that was 10ft deep (a flat) the baits started hitting the bottom. Before that they ran free in 15 to 20 ft of water.

When I get a crappie on the crank bait the fish and the crank bait comes to the surface and the crappie slides over the top of the water. I have to hold onto the line and rod to feel if I am getting a bite. I have to watch ahead to drive the boat.

Oh yea. I am using a 16 ft flat bottom john boat by Fisher Marine with a 35 HP Johnson Outboard. The flat front of the boat keeps the speeds down. I can idle at around 2.0 mph in calm waters. 1.5 mph into a strong 10 mph wind.

I read somewhere that it makes a difference if you troll with or against the wind. Fish face into the current and the winds help to set currents in a lake. You want to present the baits to the fish's so that the fish see the bait coming towards them and not from behind them.[/QUOTE]

[Moose1am]

Well, the secrete is out now. Hope I don't start seeing too many boats trolling crank baits out the back! Yikes. I used about 1.5 to 2 gallons trolling last Tuesday. Didn't get any fish Tuesday but I suspect it's because the fish are shallow doing the spawning thing.

I could have trolled a 200 series bandit but I don't have many of them. I am setup for Summer time trolling right now.

Yea it's surprising that a crappie will hit a crank bait. I caught my first crappie on a crank bait way back in the 1960 on KY lake. What's really surprising is that even a small crappie will sometimes attack a crank bait. The fish is not more than 2x as long as the small crank bait.

I have not given this tried and true method it's due... yet. And high gas prices this summer may put a dent in my trolling. I may troll more and just go fishing less often. I need to find a new hobby to do in the summer months. Something that does not cost too much money. Like walking or bike riding.

Thats funny you say that. Most crappie fisherman would never believe you catch crappies trolling. But every **** time I go to Monroe I drag in about 15 big crappie. As well as walleye, catfish, wipers, and bass. I love trolling, its the most productive way to catch multi species. And there's a very good possibility you will hook into a striper at Patoka trolling like that, especially with those bandit 300s...they go about 13-15 feet deep, I always let out exactly 75 feet of line (line counter), gets it down to that ideal depth. But I did hear that the striper's weren't doing well in Patoka at all and they quit stocking, not for sure though. I wouldn't worry about getting your gear trashed if you have good line and your drag set, I exclusively use 10lb test fireline and medium action rods, and I have caught many large fish with no issues. Well good luck fishing this year! I'll post to let everyone know how Monroe was Thursday and Friday.






QUOTE=Moose1am;294249]Last Fall I setup for trolling crank baits for crappie. I purchased two of the Shakespeare Ugly Sticks and two Ambassador bait casting reels with some 10 lb test stren spooled on them. I got two rod holders for my boat. I added two of the Shakespeare line counters to these two rods to keep track of how much line I have out behind the boat. I started out using 50ft of line and 300 series bandit crank baits. All my crank baits that I use are stored in four of the 3750 Plano Plastic bait containers which I store inside a new Soft Cased Plano Tackle bag. I troll into the wind at 1.5 mph and caught three nice crappie at Patoka Last Nov. This past weekend I used this same setup to catch a crappie at Otter Pit in Southern Indiana's Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area. These area has been stocked with MUSKIE. The size limit on these lakes is 36" for now. I hope that one of these muskie doesn't take a swipe at my crank baits. My rod holders are not that sturdy. LOL I don't want to lose a rod and reel before I get them broke in. I could only image a big Striper hitting on my setup at Patoka. Those fish are huge and are powerful.

Thanks for the warning and the method. Sounds like the Striper's hang around the same depth as the crappie. I think my 300 bandits are suppose to get down to about 10ft deep. I may have to let out more fishing line to get them deeper. I think that with 50ft out they hit the bottom in about 8 to 10ft of water. I tested this setup out at Lynville Lake and when I get into an area that was 10ft deep (a flat) the baits started hitting the bottom. Before that they ran free in 15 to 20 ft of water.

When I get a crappie on the crank bait the fish and the crank bait comes to the surface and the crappie slides over the top of the water. I have to hold onto the line and rod to feel if I am getting a bite. I have to watch ahead to drive the boat.

Oh yea. I am using a 16 ft flat bottom john boat by Fisher Marine with a 35 HP Johnson Outboard. The flat front of the boat keeps the speeds down. I can idle at around 2.0 mph in calm waters. 1.5 mph into a strong 10 mph wind.

I read somewhere that it makes a difference if you troll with or against the wind. Fish face into the current and the winds help to set currents in a lake. You want to present the baits to the fish's so that the fish see the bait coming toward them and not from behind them.

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