Heading Down Tonight...

[LuvToFish]

My son and I will be looking for Striper the next 3 to 4 days and also plan to get in some trout fishing below the Dam. I'm pretty sure we can catch the trout, not so sure about the Striper

I have a Ranger R72 outfited with 4 rod holders and two downriggers (mounted forward of the dual consoles). My plan is to troll cranks and jigs at various depths -- whatever depth I can find baitfish balls, striper, etc. I would really like to try a baloon line with live shad if I can find any to net.

Given my setup, what areas on the Lake should produce Striper right now? I've read and re-read the striper 101 article -- very informative. The author also points out some areas on the map for summer time striper trolling.

This will be my third attempt to catch Striper on Beaver. So far I'm batting zero...any advice you can give for this weekend would be highly appreciated! Thanks

-ltf

[Feathers and Fins]

Stripers are scattered bad right now. Target the Island at Starky, Point 3 and Indian Creek. I would be setting baits at 15 to 25 ft in the early AM and as the sun got higher i would set baits from 25 to 40 and drift as much as possible without the big motor being n.

[LuvToFish]

Thanks F&F!! What you recommend for bait while drifting?

[Stump bumper]

I would suggest you get your shad between Houseman's and Holiday Island or use a light at night on Beaver. Also the biggest trout I have caught have been past Houseman's running back to Holiday Island. I saw were you plan to troll cranks but IMO dropping shad is much more productive.I carry a long handle scoop net and just scrap the shad off the top of the water when they generate in the tailwaters, by following the cold water/warm water line down stream.

But when they aren't generating throwing a cast net on big shad balls in the shallows of the river is much more productive then trying to find shad on the North end of the lake 80% of the time.

[Feathers and Fins]

Shad will be the #1 bait, #2 Blue Gill #3 night crawlers ( the crawlers will produce walleye and maybe a striper ) Beaver has been realy kicking out some great walleye. Get you shad as Stump said. I havent been out all week so im not sure what is happening but thats the best advise i can give right now. If you want trout on the white I would try running Shad Raps that dive to 15ft on the first bend east of Houseman access ( thats heading back to tablerock) also you may pick up a walleye there as well. good luck

[LuvToFish]

Thanks for the tips, will look for the shad on the river as stump suggested. I figured we would try some trolling and then drifting live shad if we can find them. I like to vertical jig for eyes off secondary points so we may do some of that as well.

Thanks again!

-ltf