Whats a Striper ???

[TomD]

Is a Rock Bass and a Striper the same fish?

Do these ever return to the salt water, those found in the Cumberland? Would one normally drift live bait below a dam.

Whats the right way to fish for them and is it more a night time fish? Can the same rig for the striper be use for cats?

Im thinking I want to put in below Cordull Hull dam then drift down. Im thinking there is a landing on the lock side if I remember right.

One one occasion I went to the ramp in Carthage but the river was sort of fast and I thought may launching might be iffy.

[txnative]

A rock bass is a totally different species from stripers.

You may be thinking of rock fish...this is a nickname for the striped bass.

Drifting live bait below dams works very well. A catfish rig (egg sinker, swivel, leader and hook) works great, just be sure to use enough weight to keep your bait down. You will also want to pay careful attention to your rig to prevent hang-ups...they are GOING to happen, but you can keep them to a minimum.

Stripers do prefer low light levels, but generation is the primary thing to worry about below dams. Generation consolidates baitfish, and stripers take advantage of the feeding opportunity. If there is constant generation, I would fish the dawn and dusk times hard. If generation is intermittent, I would go whenever water is being released.


Chris

PS: I'd be happy to join you on the water, I've been wanting to go below Cordell Hull for a while. If you don't mind the company, pm me.

[tkwalker]

Originally Posted by TomD

Is a Rock Bass and a Striper the same fish?

Do these ever return to the salt water, those found in the Cumberland? Would one normally drift live bait below a dam.

Whats the right way to fish for them and is it more a night time fish? Can the same rig for the striper be use for cats?

Im thinking I want to put in below Cordull Hull dam then drift down. Im thinking there is a landing on the lock side if I remember right.

One one occasion I went to the ramp in Carthage but the river was sort of fast and I thought may launching might be iffy.

Tom I will work through your questions ... TX native has answered a number of them ...

1. Striper/Rockfish/Linesides all one fish and they are of the true Bass family.

2. Stripers are not found on the Cumberland via natural migration .. They have been stocked here since the early 70's near Cunningham Island ... they have an annual stocking yearly from two Tennessee hatcheries ... These hatcheries also produce our Hybrids ... Hybrids have not been stocked in Old Hickory but some are there that have managed to Lock Through ... (Hybrids are a cross of a Striper and a White Bass) These fish are trapped via the Dams but they do migrated the 100 mile Old Hickory stretch every Spring (to spawn) and Migrate upstream again in the Fall for a false spawn. About 25% of the Stripers never leave the upper end do to the cold water that they like..

Stripers spawn when the water temp hits 60 degrees ... but only 5% actually make it ... It takes 8 miles of tumbling in a tributary for the fry to develop ...

Now there are many ways to fish for Stripers ... Also what are you targeting ...School fish (usually under 35 pounds or Trophy Rogues these start at around 35 pounds to the 60's in weight ... What size gear are you using ? You can't go to a gun fight with a knife!!

Bait can range from artificial to live ... Most successful striper fishermen use live bait. Gizzard Shad, Skip Jack, and the preferred Striper Candy.. Trout.. in the 12 to 18 inch in length range Striper Fishing is like a fine wine, Whisky or Scotch ... You have to develop a taste for it ... In another words there is a lot of trial and error ... Read everything you can about it ... Then go try it ... Usually about 50% of what you read is BS ... but for a writer they have no limits or bounds when it comes to fact and fiction ... Take what you need from the article and forget about the rest ..

Get to know the fishery you are in ... Make a lot of notes (Diary) when you do catch fish, Water and air temp, Barometric pressure , time of day , wind direction, location ... Is there animal and bird activity on the Bank? Currents , how many Generators are running? My experience is when the weather is not fit for man nor beast ... That is when my best Stripers have been caught... Striper fishing is not always a fair weather game ... Sometimes it can be like the "Deadliest Catch" .... Hope this helps ... <'TK><

[TomD]

Thanks guys for the great feedback.

I also found this article
http://www.in-fisherman.com/2012/07/...-river-boys/5/

Ive got the gear and I would enjoy getting into some schooling or rouges.

I catch and release as a rule but have dined on a few smaller I think white bass or hybrids in the 2-3 lb range. Not a tastier fish in the water.

Is anyone familiar with a tackle shop near the dam that sells live bait? Ive never used a throw net but for now would rather just buy the bait.

[Travis C.]

"What's a Striper ???"

Striper- (noun), Mythological fish species said to swim in the Cumberland River. Not known to take any artificial baits and/or live bait when Travis C is angling for them.

Used in a sentence: Where the hell are the stripers?

[blink]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

"What's a Striper ???"

Striper- (noun), Mythological fish species said to swim in the Cumberland River. Not known to take any artificial baits and/or live bait when Travis C is angling for them.

Used in a sentence: Where the hell are the stripers?

lol.

we were in the main channel in OH the other day at some bluffs and they were surfacing everywhere. I couldnt fool any of them. Never caught one.

[txnative]

Tom,

Don't let Travis discourage you. He's kind of a striper repellant, I've seen his bad juju work firsthand. I think I've helped though, I put him on hybrids over 15" earlier this year, so maybe our upcoming striper foray will completely break his bad luck.


Chris

[nomad60]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

"What's a Striper ???"

Striper- (noun), Mythological fish species said to swim in the Cumberland River. Not known to take any artificial baits and/or live bait when Travis C is angling for them.

Used in a sentence: Where the hell are the stripers?

X100

Although, I've gotten some great tips here lately from fellow forum members so hopefully, my luck will change before 2014.

[jad2t]

Originally Posted by TomD

I catch and release as a rule but have dined on a few smaller I think white bass or hybrids in the 2-3 lb range. Not a tastier fish in the water.

Some say only the smaller ones taste good but I ate a 20 pounder not too long ago, they taste fantastic!

[SAMBOLIE]

Originally Posted by jad2t

Some say only the smaller ones taste good but I ate a 20 pounder not too long ago, they taste fantastic!

You would probably like carp.

I think you like anything labeled as fish. That is good. They were not put here to be part of a sport.

[TomD]

Originally Posted by txnative

Tom,

Don't let Travis discourage you. He's kind of a striper repellant, I've seen his bad juju work firsthand. I think I've helped though, I put him on hybrids over 15" earlier this year, so maybe our upcoming striper foray will completely break his bad luck.


Chris

I tried above the dam with artificial stuff including an umbrella rig all the way up the the marina about 5 miles from the dam and have concluded they are mythological.

Chris
Im going to put the boat in probably next week (or soon) if this rain stops at Mona Landing on Jefferson Pike (just past Walter Hill) and see if all is in order.
If you want to meet up at the Mona landing we can work out a plan for Cordell Hull. Did you get my PM?

[txnative]

Tom,

I got your pm, I'll get with you when I have a better idea of my schedule.


Chris