Me and Allen were launched and heading down the lake before daybreak this morning. Hit our first spot and had a couple hits on live BB's but no hookups. Finally, Allen hooked up with what felt decent but wound up being a blue cat about 5.5 lbs. Hit our second spot and Allen had a line runner right off the bat. Made the trees and that was that! For the next hour or so bites can fairly steady. Problem was we had "6" big fish hookups but never landed any of them. They just run drag out until they reached the trees and hung us up and broke off. Once, I tried tightening the drag as the fish headed for cover and popped a 17# leader right before the fish made the trees. Bummer! Anyway, it was alot of fun for both of us. We just gotta find those hawgs somewhere AWAY from the trees if we are gonna get any in the boat for pics. We fished out 2 dozen BB's and called it a day at 11AM. Wound up keeping the catfish, one hybrid about 6 & 1/2 lbs., one stripe at 9 lbs. and one suicide stripe that swallowed thye hook. All other fish were small and released unharmed to grow. Weather permitted, plans are to give 'em a go again in the morning!

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A Proud Supporter!

Man that is fun when the drag starts a Zinging. Bummer had so many pop the line. Looks like yum yums for supper. I just never really did stripers on a consistant basis. Getting the right bait seems to be the hard part.

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WP the other white meat.

I hear you Gabowman you and Allen keep after them. That cooler is looking good. Hope y'all get on them tomorrow-good luck

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It can't be finer than Spider Rigging for Crappie in Carolina

Good going Butch. Looks like you are getting into some quality fish if you are having trouble turning them and having breakoffs. Luck to you on getting into them again.

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In the face of Terror and Murder the call for Peace is NOT PATRIOTIC.....IT'S COWARDICE!!!!!!!

CK, I'm learning as I go on this striper fishing. But I do whole heartedly agree with you about the right bait. Where we have been buying bait the water is almost hot in the tanks, the BB's already have red noses, and they are very sluggish. In other words, the bait isnt much good as far as I'm concerned. Me and Allen have both seen fish come up to our hooks and turned their noses at the biats on our graphs and go back down. Found another guy today that sells BB's and he also catches BB's. He's been doing it for years. He's also a guide for stripers on the hill. His bait is smaller but is as active in the tank as in the lake. Some first rate looking baits. Hopefully the larger stripes will like the smaller, much more lively baits. Hopefully will find out soon soon.

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A Proud Supporter!

couple nice looking fish. butch have you tried any big bass shiners yet? we use on striper down at wateree with good results

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If it aint UGLY, it aint worth the price..

Looks like a good meal bowman. What lake are you striper hunting?

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my tip to you is this time of the year from past expierence, striper perfer smaller baits. i could probably go out there on my lake and wear em out on the "larger" crappie minnows. this time of the year my opinion size of bait doesnt make too much of a difference. when you get into late fall, winter and spring months, size is everything to a successful striper outing just my .02


oh and i have to add this in for the record...if ya wernt using ugly sticks, then maby you could get em big boys out of the trees everyone already knows the ugly sticks cant handle a big fish

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if at first you dont succeed............drink another beer
Gotta go.......FISH ON !!
I only fish on days that end in"Y"

Great catch!

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I practice catch and release... into the grease!