VOL . 43 • ISS . 4
March 22 , 2024
11
WHAT ’ S HOT continued from page 2
It may take a little time to get them ready to release but it feels great to see those big fish swim away knowing that they will be spawning soon .
Photo Courtesy of Andrew Marlan
No , Ernie Marlan is not hand feeding this nice striper . He is releasing this beauty so our future fishermen and fisherwomen have a chance to experience this amazing fishery .
Photo Courtesy of Andrew Marlan
lures where the shallow water meets the deep . Remember , stripers love to ambush bait and will sit against tule islands and use the current to their advantage . Usually , waiting for baitfish coming down the current line right to them . I believe that when the stripers are deep they are most likely not feeding . I think this is important to know because it changes your approach on how to catch them . A real example for me is when I pull up to a spot and plan to fish shallow there are times I notice my electronics have identified a huge school of stripers below me in deep water . They are actually on the edge of where the shallow water meets the deep . I believe there are a few possibilities on why the stripers are there . One , they are resting . Two , they are moving along the deep water . The third reason , the exception to my thought , is that there is a school of bait and they are feeding on it . Trollers should mark on their electronics where this school is located and grab a lure that will dive to this depth . Make a mental note of what depth the fish are in and try trolling in
At this time of year striped bass are in the delta and river system to spawn . Take a picture and releasing them can be just as much fun and memorable as keeping them .
Photo Courtesy of Ernie Marlan this zone and definitely back and forth over the top of this school . Try and figure out why the stripers are there . Is it bait ? Is there a big depth change ? A hole ? There is a reason so try and figure it out . Another thing to try and figure out in this situation is whether the stipers are in a tight group or if there are just a bunch of them in a general area . If they are tightly grouped you should troll over them , turn around and do it again . If they are scattered you should troll a larger area before turning around . Make sure to take note of the depth the fish are located in . It could be a pattern . In this same situation , those who enjoy jigging or spooning for stripers would naturally grab a BladeRunner Spoon and drop it down . Stripers cannot handle a dying bait fish falling right in front of their face and that is exactly what the spoon looks like . I like to believe a group of stripers that are deep are resting . They are not interested in eating at that moment . However , if I am sitting on the couch after I just ate a large meal and my kids bring over my favorite dessert , I rarely turn it down . Stripers are the same way . If you troll their favorite meal right in front of their face even if they are full their instincts are just to eat it and rarely will pass it up . The other time I think deep diving lures are effective is in the Spring . I believe a striper in the delta in the spring is moving upriver and has one thing on their mind , to spawn . The spring striper feeds , of course , but its main purpose is to spawn and I believe they are constantly on the move . Trolling the deep water can be effective during this time . The fall striper on the other hand is in the delta for one reason , to feed . They are not inclined to move around as much and they will be most likely hanging out with the shad schools .
IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE FISH SNIFFER
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Because spring stripers are headed up river to go spawn I believe that they use the deep water to travel . I think they are following deep water contours and have a specific path . Therefore , I do not think trolling blindly in deep water is effective . In my opinion , it seems to be more productive trolling deep water and you need to find their path . Usually , it ’ s something different in the deep water . Current , shallower water ( in the deep water ), deeper water , or even bait . Use your electronics to identify a pattern . I would suggest immediately marking the spots where you caught a fish and maybe after you land a few the spots may tell you a story . The action of your lure is most important and you can tell if it is working correctly by the action of your rod tip . Educate yourself on the action of the lure at various speeds . It is easy to do . Leave the lure close to the boat so you can see the action while going various speeds . Some days stripers like their baits moving fast and sometimes they like it moving slower . I will say that on most days they like it at a variety of speeds . Troll fast , slow down for a split second , go fast again . Other times , hold your rod , move it up and down , this creates a different action on the lure and often triggers a strike . The message here is to change it up . In my opinion , traveling the same speed allows your lure to look like a lure . Changes in your speed makes a lure look like a bait fish and creates a reaction from stripers . I believe when there is bait around and the stripers are feeding the faster troll is better . Here is why . The bait fish are being attacked by a school of stripers . They are not taking their time trying to get away . They are moving fast and erratic trying to get away . If your bait is moving slowly it stands out and looks like a lure . If your bait is moving fast and erratic it is more than likely going to fit in with the bait and probably get hammered .
Think like a striper . They are predators ! They like to ambush bait . Understand their habits , why they are in the river at certain times of the year . There is so much more to write about but I hope this gives you something to ponder . Stripers are moving into the system daily . Get out there and enjoy catching these amazing fish . Don ’ t forget to release the larger ones and let them spawn . Keep the smaller ones and enjoy fish tacos !