Name:	Billy -	Reply
Subject:	Striped Bass Fishing
Date:	4/18/2015 11:24:22 PM

Where are striped bass being caught this week on Lake Martin? Fished up River in Britt Creek today with no luck. Are they still in a spawning cycle?  Have gone to deep water?

Name:	mikeb -	Reply
Subject:	Striped Bass Fishing
Date:	4/19/2015 10:28:36 AM

I was up at Jaybird landing last weekend (4/12/2015) and talked to several locals. They said very few big fish were being caught but the white bass are there. I expect the striped bass to be there by now but using the right bait will be the key. I know the guides (Ware, etc.) use big red suckers (over 5 inches) and catch fish biut large shad and bream should also work. One last thing, if you can fish when the dam above where your fishing is generating power (fast water) you'll probably catch lots of fish!

I fished the upper portion of lake Harding early yesterday and we did catch a few striped bass. Westpoint dam was not generating power and my freind who fishes 4 days a week told me that as soon as the fast water starts they catch 20 - 30 fish/ hour. I have a feeling it's the same on hte upper portions of Martin.

Good luck. Let me know if you catch any.

Name:	Billy -	Reply
Subject:	Striped Bass Fishing
Date:	4/20/2015 12:17:19 PM

Thank you, Mike.  I will retire on May 31, got me a new boat (my wife wants me out of the house) and trying to learn how to catch them.  I've studied the various techniques for fishing for them, and have been out three or four times, but just havn't been able to locate them.  Any help from anyone would be very helpful and very much appreciated.

Name:	mikeb -	Reply
Subject:	Striped Bass Fishing
Date:	4/20/2015 12:57:38 PM

If you really want to catch stripers buy a casting net and learn how to throw it on Youtube. A 4-6 ft diameter net is probably all you need. Get up real early (before dawn) and catch some live shad/bream and put them in your live well ...if you don't have one get a large bucket and buy a cheap aerator. Then head up above the 280 bridge towards the creeks. Go below any one the creeks and put a 2 ounce slip sinker above a a swivel with ~ 3-4 ft of 12 - 15 lbs fluorocarbon line. Tie a # 2 circle hook on and bait with a live shad strung threw the nostrils. Put 2 -4 rods out and hang on! You will catch stripers and a lot more.

I bought a 20 ½ ft fish & ski this year just so I could go striper fishing …you’ll love it! If you need help or a partner anytime just let me know.

Good luck,

Mike

Name:	Billy -	Reply
Subject:	Striped Bass Fishing
Date:	4/24/2015 11:25:05 PM

Thanks, again, Mike.  

Three questions-

Do you fish in the back of the Creeks, in the mouth, or anywhere in the creeks.

Domyou you use any planer boards, or just down lines.

Finally, how do you fish in the current when the dams are generating?  Trolling motor, outboard motor, or anchor?

Name:	mikeb -	Reply
Subject:	Striped Bass Fishing
Date:	5/3/2015 10:27:32 PM

Billy,

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Since we are already in May I would give up on the creeks for now and focus on deeper water. Personally I don't use planer boards and generally catch live bait very early or the day before and fish areas near the main channel on the upper part of Lake Martin. I use 3 ft 10 lbs test flour. carbon leaders with a 1 -2 oz slip sinker (above a swivel) and hook live bait in the nostrails.  

Also, I was told today that the guides have been doing very well near the islands in the middle of the lake. The Alex city guide service posts information about this on facebook regularly.

I hear anything else I’ll let you know.

Good luck!

Name:	RAS -	Reply
Subject:	Striped Bass Fishing
Date:	5/21/2015 8:35:25 AM

where do you catch your live bait?

Thanks,

Name:	mikeb -	Reply
Subject:	Striped Bass Fishing
Date:	5/21/2015 10:37:10 AM

I use bream and shad/shiners fro striperss and either use cast nets very early (at dawn near lights) for shad and catch bream with small pieces of bread or crickets on ultraliight tackle.  Bream will keep overnight but shad/shiners usualluy don't.  Shiners are usually in the mouth of creeks.

I suggest you buy a cast net and watch some youtube videos on how to throw them. I have a smaller 6 ' one I use for shallow fish where the net tends to get hung up and a much larger one for deep water.