October Stripers?

[Wildeye]

Planning a mid to late october trip down your way this year. I have only fished Beaver during the Spring when we mostly target the river run areas of the lake. Do you all focus more between the dam and say rocky branch at that time? Looking to get a cabin for a weekend or so and trying to end up close to the area of the lake we would be fishing.

Also is live bait king this time of year?

Thanks for any inputs and pointers towards nice areas to stay.

[Champ188]

May sound crazy, but the striper bite in October is awesome at night. Throw a Super Spook or a big lipless crank bait like a Super Spot. Big Rat-L-Trap will work, too, but I like the Super Spot because it has one big knocker in it and makes a different sound. Color isn't really critical on either one but I tend to believe that dark colors provide a better silhouette. Can of black spray paint will work wonders. Doesn't have to be a fancy paint job. Any of the flats between Coppermine and the dam can be good. The stripers follow the shad up onto the flats and night and munch on 'em. Coppermine Lodge would be a good place to consider staying. They have their own launch ramp and a pretty good dock if you want to keep your boat in the water.

Just a suggestion.

[Wildeye]

Thanks for the point in the right direction.

[Wildeye]

Looks like the weekend we will be there will be the new moon; in my night fishing experience this is not a good thing, but usually makes a great dawn and dusk bite. Anyone ever tested this theory at Beaver?

Also what depths would you focus on this time of year?

[Champ188]

Looks like the weekend we will be there will be the new moon; in my night fishing experience this is not a good thing, but usually makes a great dawn and dusk bite. Anyone ever tested this theory at Beaver?

Also what depths would you focus on this time of year?

Actually, the striper bite is just as good or better on a dark night. As for depths, 10-15 feet on the flats is plenty of water.

[BlueWave]

I think Champ is right on the night fishing, but I have caught good fish during the day in October from point 3 to the dam. I think good Live bait is always been the best, but Jigs and deep plugs worked well last year.

[Wildeye]

Well we have our trip nailed down, going to show up late on Friday the 16th of October and stay until the following Tuesday. We plan to bring a hundred shad or so, but sounds like that time of year shad are catchable out there? We will BYOS for sure, but usually start losing some after 3 days or so. Are the trees changing that time of year? One of the folks going is a big nature photographer and was curious. Thanks all for the help.

[Quillback]

I was out near point 3 yesterday, several striper boats were in the area, but I did not see them catch anything and after a couple of hours they left for parts unknown. I tossed some jigs and spoons myself, nothing doing for me either. I did not see very many shad on the fish finder which may explain the poor striper fishing in that area. I think you are wise to bring your own shad, but keep your eye out and you may see some to net.

[LarryC]

October 15th marks the start of the War Eagle Craft Fair. Brings couple hundred thousand people to the area...dependent on who’s counting. The only reason I mention it, is because Rocky Branch campground fills up fast with the rest not far behind.

Probably won’t be much color this early but who knows anymore.

[Wildeye]

Thanks for the heads up, we are planning to stay the the Hide a way, stayed there last year and the folks were as nice as could be, but we had just planned on showing up and getting a spot. We will go ahead and reserve one, thank for the update.