Hello friends,
In this edition, we'll be covering:
Outgoing Tide Striper Fishing Strategies
Bass Fishing from the Bank for Beginners
Napa River Striper Trolling: Outsmarting the Tide
By Alex Osenenko (Captain Oso)
So, I recently hit the water with Rob from Elfouco Wood Fired Pizza. The guy's a pizza wizard, but he wanted to trade in his oven for a fishing rod for a day. We were on a mission: crack the code on Napa River striper trolling.
We timed our trip to cover the outgoing tide, the slack period, and the start of the incoming. The goal? Figure out how these big fish move with the water.
Trolling Tactics: Outsmarting the Current
Many of us already know that stripers love to hang out by the cuts in the sloughs during the outgoing tide, waiting for dinner to come to them with the tide. But here’s the kicker: trolling against the current often yields better results!
Seems counterintuitive, doesn't it?
But picture this: the baitfish the stripers are used to seeing is drifting with the tide. Our lures rarely look or behave exactly like the bait fish these stripers expect. As a result stripers often hit the "ignore" button on our lure and continue waiting for their preferred bait fish. By trolling upstream, we’re presenting a lure that moves differently and looks different. Going opposite to current gives your lure the appeal and mystique of an unexpected, but tasty meal. The lure takes them by surprise from behind or on the side and they can’t resist attacking it.
The key is to troll in fairly shallow waters, 5-10 ft deep. A deep-diving plug like the Wild Thing lures are perfect for this. Let it bounce along the bottom, kicking up mud and making noise. It’s like a red flag to a bull for these stripers. Troll the lure 140-170 feet behind the boat for the best presentation.
How to Hook ‘Em
The bites are pretty unmistakable. You'll hear that telltale "zing" of your line screaming off the reel. Tighten up the drag, grab the rod, and let the fun begin.
One cool thing about this technique is that you can keep trolling other lines while you’re fighting one fish. These fish are usually hooked solid, so the chances of landing multiple fish at once are pretty high. Just make sure to keep an eye on those rods!
We ended up landing a solid 32-incher and a 22-incher. It was a great day on the water.
Next time, I’ll dive into how we tackled the incoming tide. Stay tuned!
Oh, and if you’re looking to up your striper game on Napa River, hit me up. I’d love to help you catch more fish.
Shore Fishing for Bass: Crack the Code
By Rob George
Shore fishing ain't your average fishing trip. You gotta be ready to move around. It's like a treasure hunt, but with a fishing rod. You'll be hopping from spot to spot, walking or driving, searching for that sweet spot where the bass are hangin'.
Give each spot about an hour to see what's biting. Start with those sneaky, subtle baits like weightless Senkos, flukes, or drop shot rigs. If that doesn't work, switch it up to something a bit more aggressive like a crankbait or chatterbait.
One big challenge with shore fishing is you're kinda limited on what you can throw. Those deep-diving baits are gonna get snagged all the time. Instead, focus on areas where bass like to hide, like rocky drop-offs or those thick patches of weeds. They love to ambush their prey from there.
If you're not getting any bites, don't get discouraged. Try a different bait or move to a new spot. It's all part of the game. Keep experimenting, and you'll start to figure out what works best for you.
Want to learn more about shore fishing? Rob is a bass fishing guide who can show you the ropes on Lake Hennessy. Fill out this form to learn about his services.
Catch Happy!
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