Dirk
05-11-2012, 09:43 PM
I have been trying artificials with very limited success for big Stripers this year. Got off work around lunchtime today so decided to go net some bait for a possible morning trip to a North Georgia river where bait is scarce. Now bait is not exactly abundant on lake Lanier, atleast if you want big Gizzard Shad, but they are there if you can find them and/or are willing to throw a large castnet 100+ times for a good load. :( I threw the net till my arms were sore, back hurt, and shoulders were aching but I managed about 40-50 good gizzards with several in the 12+ inch range... ;) At this point it was still early and I decided to go a few miles up to some current and see if the I could find a Stripe or 2. Best decision I have made in a while. :D
Water in the lake itself on the north end where I netted bait was around 77 degrees, but as I got to a tad of current it quickly dropped below 70. By the time I got to the area I wanted to fish it was about 67-68 and I was feeling good about my chances to find some Stripes that would eat. Started pulling baits upriver and put out one planer board each side(10+ inch gizzard shad), one balloon rig back 101 feet(12" gizzard), and one flatline back about 44 feet (6-7" gizzard). Too shallow for downlines as I was in 3-6 feet of water but going over some holes and ditches that were 6-12 feet deep. First fish came within a couple hundred yards and was a decent 16 lber. I was fishing alone with only my old phone for photos so they are not great pictures.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/DirkDial/2-4.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/DirkDial/3-3.jpg
While I was fighting this fish had 2 pulls on other rods but they both came unbuttoned. Went up a few hundred yards to a sharp turn and turned around to make another pass. when I got to the spot I had the action a planer gizzard started going nuts and even airborne, but he was destined to be eaten and it was on... I knew immediately it was a nice fish as I use heavy gear but this fish still peeled off about 150 feet of line going upstream... :eek: I finally got it turned and then after it tangled up 2 of my other lines I got a look at it.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/DirkDial/5-3.jpg
Hard to tell the size in that photo but when I got it lipped and lifted it in the boat I new I had finally got my first 2012 30+ lber.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/DirkDial/7-3.jpg
This fish was only around 40 inches but had a MASSIVE girth and these photos do not do it justice.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/DirkDial/9.jpg
Fish weighed 36 lbs on my digital scale and got it back in the water as soon as I could and it swam away in good shape, for someone else to catch one day.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/DirkDial/8-2.jpg
I had several tangled lines and was beat from net-throwing and landing that fish so headed home for dinner with the wife. I am tired and will be sore tomorrow but I have some great baits in my tank and I landed 2 nice Stripers, one being a VERY nice one and I am feeling pretty good about my day, and may change my plans and fish there again in the morning. Unfortunately Lanier gets a little crowded about everywhere on Saturday so I may stick with my original plan. :confused: At this point though I don't really care as I got my first 2012 30+ and its all good...
Water in the lake itself on the north end where I netted bait was around 77 degrees, but as I got to a tad of current it quickly dropped below 70. By the time I got to the area I wanted to fish it was about 67-68 and I was feeling good about my chances to find some Stripes that would eat. Started pulling baits upriver and put out one planer board each side(10+ inch gizzard shad), one balloon rig back 101 feet(12" gizzard), and one flatline back about 44 feet (6-7" gizzard). Too shallow for downlines as I was in 3-6 feet of water but going over some holes and ditches that were 6-12 feet deep. First fish came within a couple hundred yards and was a decent 16 lber. I was fishing alone with only my old phone for photos so they are not great pictures.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/DirkDial/2-4.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/DirkDial/3-3.jpg
While I was fighting this fish had 2 pulls on other rods but they both came unbuttoned. Went up a few hundred yards to a sharp turn and turned around to make another pass. when I got to the spot I had the action a planer gizzard started going nuts and even airborne, but he was destined to be eaten and it was on... I knew immediately it was a nice fish as I use heavy gear but this fish still peeled off about 150 feet of line going upstream... :eek: I finally got it turned and then after it tangled up 2 of my other lines I got a look at it.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/DirkDial/5-3.jpg
Hard to tell the size in that photo but when I got it lipped and lifted it in the boat I new I had finally got my first 2012 30+ lber.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/DirkDial/7-3.jpg
This fish was only around 40 inches but had a MASSIVE girth and these photos do not do it justice.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/DirkDial/9.jpg
Fish weighed 36 lbs on my digital scale and got it back in the water as soon as I could and it swam away in good shape, for someone else to catch one day.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c122/DirkDial/8-2.jpg
I had several tangled lines and was beat from net-throwing and landing that fish so headed home for dinner with the wife. I am tired and will be sore tomorrow but I have some great baits in my tank and I landed 2 nice Stripers, one being a VERY nice one and I am feeling pretty good about my day, and may change my plans and fish there again in the morning. Unfortunately Lanier gets a little crowded about everywhere on Saturday so I may stick with my original plan. :confused: At this point though I don't really care as I got my first 2012 30+ and its all good...