Let's talk tree tops

[Stump bumper]

I have been reading about western highland reservoirs and all the guides talk about are tree tops, the stripers are always in the trees. I have read a lot of articles about Ozark anglers using jigs against the trees to simulate crawfish climbing the trees.

But rarely see anyone over the trees in Beaver, Beaver Lake fishermen talk about points, coves and channel swings. We have huge forest underwater compared to those western highland reservoirs and a lot bigger trees. There are still oak trees 80-90 feet high with spreading branches in Beaver and with our sonars we can easily define fish vs branches.

I personally like to fish for fish I can see vs beating an endless stretch of an empty bank, but I watch people cast at poles sticking up in 20 feet of water all day when there are massive trees near by in 80 feet of water with branches 20 feet down they never touch.

I know there are some people that fish those trees and troll over them because I have snagged there lines and recovered crankbaits from 60 feet (down riggers I am guessing) but were they purposely targeting the trees I don't know.   

Any thoughts, tactics times of year anyone would like to share on deep trees? I know the crappie fishermen love the ceder trees between point 5 and 6, especially at night. But there are a lot of the forest I never see a boat on, even when the well known ones are full of boats. 

[1969Larson]

I know quite a few folks who avoid the trees when striper fishing specifically because it can be nearly impossible to get a sizable fish out of them.   Stripers will often run right into them when hooked and then it's game over.  You can horse a bass out of the trees, but a solid striper is going to pull some drag and you're  at her mercy. 

[LarryC]

4 hours ago, Stump bumper said:

I know there are some people that fish those trees and troll over them because I have snagged there lines and recovered crankbaits from 60 feet (down riggers I am guessing) but were they purposely targeting the trees I don't know.   

 

Probably one of my lures.

Heavy braid, good electronics, and a really good plug knocker help.  I like baits that run about 5 feet below my ball so I can keep it in the strike zone.  I'm dragging the bait about 50 feet behind my 12 pound ball most of the time.  I'm also watching the ball on the graph.  For me its mostly a summertime thing.

[jolicious]

If I remember correctly, the winning catch in Table Rock's Oakley Big Bass Tourney in 2014 (might've been 2013) came on a Wiggle Wart in tree tops over 60' of water.

[Stump bumper]

You hear people on Table Rock talking tree tops, why not Beaver?

[thumper]

We fish trees in winter and summer for striper. I lost 2  $40. umbrella rigs while trolling, in the same tree at the same time though. One person can run in to trouble if the wind is high. Usually, in winter we drop a 1 oz. to 2oz. jig with a fluke or swim bait right into the trees in 60 to 80 fow, and deadstick it. Feel a thump like a crappie and set the hook. Trees are 15 to 20 ft. down from the surface.

We loose some jigs, and the occasional fish, but that is the best way to catch them that time of year. Old timers say the striper are actually leaning against the limbs, because of barometric pressure messing them up? Doesn't make sense to me, but I am not a genius, who knows everything about stripers.

In the summer troll right over the top of them with 100 lb. braid or drop shad down to them on 30 to 40 lb. mono.

I personally hate fishing trees for striper, but if that is where they are, then I do what I have to do.

[J-Doc]

If this is what I had to do to catch a striper, I'd starve. I'd rather bank beat bass with the rest of the herd than drop a jig down 60ft and deadstick it while fighting wind, boat traffic, etc.   That sounds terrible.

I agree it could work but oh my......my ADHD would hurt me so badly.

[Stump bumper]

You can work a spoon, gives you more to do. Another thing is you can put live bait down 50 feet, drift over the tree tops and hope the stripers come out of the trees to get them.

[Dan the fisherman]

I've caught a striper out of s tree once. i was dropping shad down for walleye and hooked a nice 12-14 pound striper. I reckon they can be caught out of trees. Never tried it much more than that though.  

[thumper]

All the other lakes that are within reasonable travel distance were flooded and mostly closed last year. It was the best option at the time. I have done it a few times since last winter 2015, but I prefer trolling or live shad most of the time.

I suppose you could change the treble out for a single hook on a spoon or slab and have less chance of hooking a tree.  That is the one good thing about the jigs only having the single hook.

Those fish hardly move in the winter (Dec. and Jan.)when they are in the trees like that. Most of the time the jig has to be within inches of their nose for them to bite. When they are actively feeding, they will come out chasing a bait. Only lasts about an hour at first light or 30 minutes before dark. Once they decide to start north to make babies, they will chase bait for quite a while. Other lakes are much different than that down here.