September Stripers

[snkrohn]

We are considering a trip to Beaver in mid-September to try to catch a striper. Is this a good time of the year to go? Where are the fish at this time of year? Is one part of the lake better than another? Would appreciate any advice. Thanks

[wily]

not sure where they'll be in september but we went last year -- about the 3rd week in october. lots of fish in the Rocky Branch area. we trolled live bait in the area that's shaded...and cast topwaters and sassy shads to breaking fish. fish the gravel flats next to the river channel.

the stripers were eating very small shad. we went with Don Andreason from Beaver Fever and the lures and equipment that he had were all too large for the size shad they were eating...don't get me wrong we caught quite a few on live bait but only one on top.

i'd say take white bass size grubs, and small topwaters and give it a go. I think if i'd have had my regular white bass stuff i could have loaded the boat.

if you decide to take a guide...i recommend Don

http://www.beaverfeverguides.com/

[snkrohn]

Thank you very much. Have any idea where the guide got the bait? Did he net them? You were down there about a month after we plan to go so I don't know how that might effect where the fish are or at least how you would fish for them. Wouldn't mind getting into a bunch of white though. Thanks again, Steve

[wily]

i think most of the guides down there used to buy their shad from a guy who would net them in grand lake, but they changed the law and the bait can't be transported across state lines...so there is a shortage of shad.

that seems wierd to me...maybe the guys in oklahoma are better net throwers...or the shad are shallower or ?? -- i really don't know.

seems like the best place to get bait would be to stop at your favorite creek or pond and catch a bunch of small bluegill/perch and use them. creek chubs would work great too but hard to keep alive.

as far as moving around...i'm sure they do. but most important thing i think is gravel flats near the river channel.

i'd say if you're serious about it...you should take a guide the first day, and then take what you'll learn and use that the remaining days.