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Fishing
for Stripers:
Stripers are open water roamers that are constantly in
search of food. Stripers are saltwater transplants that have been
found to thrive in deeper freshwater lakes. These are exactly the
same fish you would catch if you were fishing in the ocean off of
the East coast. In freshwater, their main food preference is
threadfin or gizzard shad but they will not turn down a bluegill or
crappie if available. I caught several Stripers last summer with
small crappies in them. Trolling is the main plan of attack for
these bruisers using downriggers and planer boards and sometimes
diving planers. There is never any doubt when a Striper hits, as the
reel just starts “screaming”!
Fishing
for Wipers:
“Wipers” are the hybrid cross between a female Striper
and a male white bass. These fish have characteristics of both
parents. Wipers tend to be wider in girth and have broken lines in
their markings. Also, the lines are not as dark or defined as in
Stripers. They also do not get as big as Stripers, but pound for
pound fight just as hard. I generally catch Wipers in the 6-11 lb.
range on Monroe. Fishing tactics are pretty much the same as for
Stripers. Wipers tend to run in “packs” and I have had 8 fish on at
one time before. Trust me, this is not a pretty sight! Doubles and
triples “fish on!!” are not uncommon.
The daily limit on Striped Bass is 2 per person
The daily limit on Wipers is 12 per person, but no more than 2
may exceed 17 inches per person. (Most Wipers caught will easily
exceed the 17 inch limit, so usually, the limit is 2 per person)
Note:
Striped Bass and Wipers are not good “catch and release” fish when
the water temperature is above 70 degrees, especially the bigger
ones. Studies have shown a mortality rate as high as 80% on Stripers
released in warm water. We pretty much keep what we catch unless the
conditions are right for a favorable release.
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