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 Live bait in the Spring and downriggers and planer boards during the Summer months. 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.