Bank Fishing for Stripers
by Ken Sturdivant
Southern Fishing Schools
Inc.
The stripers head to the upper rivers in the late winter to find food
and to
get ready
for
the
spawning
run.
When
these
fish move into these rivers, they are easier to find simply because
they have limited waters to move about. The bank fisherman has a real
advantage
over boaters because they can fish the same area constantly. The stripers
get accustomed to the food being offered and will return on a regular
basis looking for food.
The waters are usually warmer in the rivers off
the main
current. The bait fish will move into these warmer areas and that's
the place to find feeding stripers. Remember the rule, find the food
and that
is where the fish will be.
Tackle for bank fishing is not limited
to bait casting reels. Many anglers use large capacity spinning reels
and
super
long rods to 8 feet. Heavy line is a bonus. Bank fishing is where
most anglers learned to fish. Use some type of rod holders that can
be stuck
in the banks. When bank fishing keep tackle simple. Hooks, sinkers
and some bait and you are ready to feed the fish.
Baits for stripers
off the
bank can be anything from hot dogs to live bream and shiners
under a float. Stripers are meat eaters so try almost anything. If you
take some fried
chicken for yourself, try the same chicken on a striper. Usually
some weight on a Carolina style rig or simply a treble hook on heavy
line
will sink
to the bottom so the fish can find it.
Tactics are simple and
the
points close to the river or creek currents are prime locations.
These fish
as they grow can smell extremely well. The fish follow the scent
of cut bait
and will find these baits all day and even at night. It is
not uncommon to see anglers on the banks and around ramps and parks at
all hours
of the day and night. Stripers can and will feed at any time
if
they can find
the food. Use some type of cut bait close to current to draw
the fish to the baits. Use a stocking with some cut bait, add a rock
and
throw
the
scent bag out upstream from your fishing location. Live bait
under a float can also work for stripers.
Think of salt water fishing
in
the surf, gear
up and head to the lake for the salt water transplant.
