TK question

[TroutFiend]

TK, how do you think current striper fishing in mid Tn compares to when you used to guide? As far as amount caught and size. I know each reservoir is different but the ones you are most familiar with.

[tkwalker]

Originally Posted by TroutFiend

TK, how do you think current striper fishing in mid Tn compares to when you used to guide? As far as amount caught and size. I know each reservoir is different but the ones you are most familiar with.

Andy, big time Wife Knee stuff tonight ... Not a good one ... I will answer your question at first chance ... <'TK><

[tkwalker]

Andy' This will only cover one facet of Striper fishing for me ... Trophy size Rocks .. Primarily on the Cumberland. I have fished for stripers on most fisheries in East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee and KY. But I settled on the Cumberland because I was seeking The Rogues. The fish that had left the schools and pretty much had no predators ...

Rocks were introduced to the Cumberland in the early 70's and raised and released near Cunningham Island. The Striper fishing was truly pioneered By Ralph Hollis Dallas which I first met in the 70's while fishing a Bass tourney ... Another Pioneer was Fred McClintock out of Ky ... My first Striper was caught on J.Percy Priest in 1974 ... It was a school fish that weighed 17 pounds ... fishing the jumps as fast as we could rebait our Gill on the hook it was a blast !!

For almost 3 decades from their introduction there was not a lot of pressure on the Rocks on the river ... Especially in long isolated stretches on the upper end of the Lakes , Cordel Hull, Old Hickory, Cheatham, Barkley. There were only 5% of the Lic Fishermen that fished for the old Linesides ... Especially the Rogues ... That is totally a different technique, well lets say it was then but now common place.

As far as stocking numbers per year and harvesting ratios, and the percentage of fishermen going after the Stripers to day I don't have the stats. I have no idea since 2006. Mike Anderson may be able to shine some light on that . But I would guess it has increased dramatically ..

But with that said and an increase in a little pressure, when it comes to the River. I would say that the Striper Landlock record is still swimming in the Cumberland with a lot of cousins .. Why is it so prolific? The reason ... The Cumberland River is the coldest River in the State of Tennessee !! Why is That ? Fed by Dale Hollow and Center Hill Both ... Which is in a comfort zone of the Rocks and makes it Bait fish heaven as well . <'TK><

[TroutFiend]

Thank you very informative. As far as breaking free from the school, is there a average weight/length that you would notice?

[tkwalker]

Originally Posted by TroutFiend

Thank you very informative. As far as breaking free from the school, is there a average weight/length that you would notice?

Andy, from my experience Mid 30's (pounds)... They usually start ambushing bait fish. And as they get larger they get lazy ... feeding off the bottom and also by following the Striper schools and feeding on leftovers from the ravage ... <;TK><

[TroutFiend]

Awe shucks... Even though it was in the middle of the night from kayak on 10 lb test. My personal best only weighed in at 27 lbs., not rogue class weight. Gonna sharpen my skills this year and keep tryin. Thanks for the history TK. I hope your wife is recovering well.

[MNfisher]

Originally Posted by TroutFiend

Awe shucks... Even though it was in the middle of the night from kayak on 10 lb test. My personal best only weighed in at 27 lbs., not rogue class weight. Gonna sharpen my skills this year and keep tryin. Thanks for the history TK. I hope your wife is recovering well.

27 lber on 10 lb test on a kayak!?! I am impressed! Was it on a small river too? if so, how did you not loose it in a sunken tree?? Nice work!

[TroutFiend]

You guessed it. And I don't know how he didn't hang up. I guess I had a little help from my buddy running diversions from his yak tryin to corral him! Man I sure miss that Hobie yak.

[MNfisher]

Originally Posted by TroutFiend

You guessed it. And I don't know how he didn't hang up. I guess I had a little help from my buddy running diversions from his yak tryin to corral him! Man I sure miss that Hobie yak.

Well nice work! I have lost them on 80 lb test to trees!

[Fishoncheatham]

Lol where do yah fish at? Trees and 80 pound line. I usually just use 30 pound line with no trees around and all the space you need to fight your fish!!! Lol

[MNfisher]

Originally Posted by Fishoncheatham

Lol where do yah fish at? Trees and 80 pound line. I usually just use 30 pound line with no trees around and all the space you need to fight your fish!!! Lol

Haha, obviously a different place than you!

[tkwalker]

Originally Posted by Fishoncheatham

Lol where do yah fish at? Trees and 80 pound line. I usually just use 30 pound line with no trees around and all the space you need to fight your fish!!! Lol

If you fish Cheatham !! It's got trees !!!! <'TK><

[tkwalker]

Yep, and now he has help, He thinks ... <'TK><