I went out Sunday by myself to try and find the Stripers on Lake Norman. They have been hard to find lately with the water temperature changed quickly. The temps have dropped atleast 4 degrees since last weekend. Most of the Striper hang out around the Cowans Ford Dam in the summer because of the deep cool water. As the lake temps cool down and the water column starts to turn over the fish are on the move chasing bait. Striper rely on their smell to find the bait and can sniff baitfish out from a mile away. If the current is coming their direction its a lot more! The bait seek shelter from the Big Striper in shallow flats this time of year. Most anglers feel Striper stay in cooler water because they can't handle the warm water. I'm sure they do prefer cooler water but since they are a ocean fish originally, they can handle quick temperature change because of the ocean depths and temp changes there.
Lately I have been catching a few Striper late in the afternoon in the mouths of Creeks. Whether they are on there way in chasing the bait or out. I don't know but its seems like they are heading out as I try to stay with them. Right now the Striper I've been catching are small so I hope that changes once the temps get around 60 dergees or lower. I did catch a Spotted Bass (on Huddlesone Deluxe) and a few catfish on live bait. The Stripers were caught trolling leadline with white minnowbodies and on live Threadfin Herring. I will get em this weekend!
Please wait...
