Grizzly2072

Thank you fishinwrench, that is a strategy I'll definitely be trying out. Thank you Devan S, I'm 100% sure I would have dropped them then took off, I know there is a lot of timber to be careful to avoid but wouldn't have given any consideration to how fast they might have fallen while not in motion. I have never trolled for anything so I'm sure I'll make tons of mistakes but that's life, I try to laugh and learn.

Thanks Dutch and Quillback, I know a guide can definitely give you a leg up, I might try that at some point. I would LOVE to catch some feeding on top, I have a couple rods rigged up for that already. I also have purchased some umbrella rigs to troll with, I'm building a trolling bar for rod holders for the back of the boat, I plan to try to troll with a couple rods at around 2mph with the trolling motor if I can find the fish. Looking forward to the adventure and I will post results as soon as I get any, until then I'll take any and all the advice I can get.

Thanks for allowing me to partake in this forum. I have read a lot of the old post here and it appears one can benefit from all the collective wisdom you kind folks have recorded. I am an absolute newbie to the striper game, I fish out of a new tracker grizzly 2072 with a 150hp mercury 4 stroke it is equipped with a 80lb terrova which I run off of 24v's of lithium powered stored energy. I have live scope on the front mounted on a pole connected to a 126sv ultra and on the center console I have a 93sv as well. In addition to being new to stripers I have never trolled for anything in my life. I have purchased some umbrella rigs and figured I'd use my catfish tackle to get me started. I live in Ft. Smith so its at least an hour and a half to Beaver for me, I'd love to start making some trips up there this fall but am curious if I just need to be watching for water temp reports or are there other specifics I should be paying attention to before I make my virgin voyage? I will probably rent a place up there for a few nights each trip. I fish alone, the wife over the last 31 years just can't find it in her spirit to accompany me on my outdoor adventures. I like the solitude of being by myself so it really works out well. I would appreciate any guidance any of you could provide for a first timer. Thanks and God Bless.