Upstream Stripers

[LarryC]

Caught two small ones down rigging 35' deep with a Bomber yesterday (Nov 7th) at Horseshoe bend. Curious if anybody has caught any in the river arms yet?

[BlueWave]

LarryC,

I thought the Stripers were mostly in the lower Lake (Dam Area) as it gets colder. Do they also go up the river arms? Two weeks ago they were really stacked around point 3 area.

Also, I looking to buy a downrigger for next summer. Any recommendations?? Thanks,

[LarryC]

Normally as the water cools the stripers will spread out across the lake. It seems the last few years that has been around Thanksgiving. This year I think they arrived upstream early. I can normally find them better when they are in the river arms.

I have a Scotty Depthmaster and a Cannon Easi-Troll. Both work well but I prefer the Cannon on my boat because of the way the spashwell and transom are laid out. I’ll sell or trade the Scotty for a Cannon.

[BlueWave]

Thanks Larry. I am hoping to find the Stripers on top when I come down Thanksgiving. Got a report today they were up around Rocky Branch. I am just starting to think about a downrigger. Not sure I want the extra clap trap in my boat. Good Luck on finding the fish!

[LarryC]

Well, there right here...down riggers at 16 feet with bombers. At least they were there on Wednesday.

Hint...might be upstream a little from 412 bridge.

The bigun was far to heavy for me to lift out of the boat for a picture.

[Quillback]

Nice fish!

[Steady99]

Nice fish. I'm new to Beaver and I've only fished out of Lost Bridge and Praire Creek. I hope to try the War Eagle section, but I'm not familiar with the trailering south of Hwy 12.

I'm a bit old to trailer daily, but that is what I'll be doing in my Dec trip.

So I'm hoping someone will respond with travel advice on where to launch in the Hickory Creek area. I stay in the 8th street area in Rogers normally. I think that I just take 62/71B south to 264 and then onto Hickory area.

Any pointers on the location of an easy gasoline fillup that route when trailering. Boat is only Tracker 18 but it's easy to scrub the tires when dodging the faster traffic.

Thanks for the above update, as it makes me want to get out there.

Steady...

[LarryC]

There is a bunch of stations on 71...cheaper gas in Rogers. The last station before you get to Hickory Creek with be on 264 at the first (and only) stoplight east of 71.

There are two places to launch at Hickory Creek. You can launch in the park but put money in the box, or hang a season park pass on your mirror. The corp started giving tickets last year...even in the winter. You can also launch at the marina...think they charge $3.00. They should be open and can point you towards the fish. They normally have big brood minnows if you want to use live bait. Both are good ramps.

Think I’ll fish up War Eagle later this week...give me a PM if you have a question. And good luck.

[BlueWave]

Still plenty of fish Lost Bridge/ Starkey Area. I fished Wednesday and Thurs. A.M (Thanksgiving). They are on top mornings and evenings. I could not connect on the top waters, but took a couple of nice fish on jigs and trailer about 25' deep. Biggest Striper in 20 lb range.