When most fishermen have their boats put up for the winter, there's a select few of us that avoid cabin fever and are out hunting and stalking the bigger stripers of the year. I like to call it Hawg Hunting.



I don't have to tell the hardcore fishermen how good the fishing can be in cold weather. Through the years I've learned more about the feeding patterns of stripers and how they relate to underwater structure. The weather has mild so far this season and even though we are going to have our share of cold weather the fish are still biting plus "the nastier the weather,the better the fishing" says it all about those stripers.


Being a bass fisherman really helped me with winter structure fishing. Main lake points,humps and ditches will hold stripers. Road Runners,flukes and sassy shad jigs are the go-to baits. Everyday can be different on the colors the stripers prefer and match your lure weight for the wind your fishing in. Bring plenty of Road Runners,buck-hairs and lead jig heads with pearl,white ice and chartreuse soft plastics. Moe's has a great variety of baits at a great price to help you get your striper fix.

From December to early April we board and depart at 10:30a.m. The water temperature is cool enough that the fish will bite all day. It makes a pleasant outing when it's 10-15 degrees warmer and the solar heat is welcomed. Our customers like it when they don't have to wake up at three a.m. to make a sunrise start.



Here's a few lure fishing tips;

If you think your fishing to slow...most days slow down very slow. Slower older reels can help as well.
Use a 6-7' medium heavy rod spooled with 15-20 lb. test line. When the bite is light we even use braid which i've grown to rather enjoy fishing with.
"Run and Gun" move alot, run a route of spots you know in succession.
When in doubt-set the hook, a big fish can be a light thump or even slack in the line.
always dress warm- you can always take it off and put it back on.
Have fun and concentrate on every cast because the biggest fish of your life could be that next cast.

put this hawg up again because this 22lb 4oz striper was caught dec 23rd and it is great enough to show again the possibilities winter fishing presents

great report for us wantabees.
Johnny

Thats good stuff Chris.

Way to put the smack down on some nice fish Chris. This mild weather has been great for everyone while keeping the fish as active as any winter I've fished in my very short career. I've caught more pond bass this winter then any winter before.

Sweet photos.

Thanks Chris for taking the time to do this. I'm a big believer in sharing tips and this is a wealth of information- for new people especially. Happy Fishing.

thx guys

Using tips that Chris details above two of us were able to catch 13 big healthy stripers up to 12 lbs in the nasty wind Sunday until the rollers started up and we got off the lake to fish another day. If you want to get some hands on tips and catch a bigun give Chris a call.
http://www.striperexpress.com/

Thats some hawgs!

Great report Chris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG! I'll settle for "small" one up above.

Lookin' forward to my next trip.

nice thread chris

glad it worked for yall...lake has risen a foot already!!!

Good Stuff Chris!

I love it when folks help other folks - that's what TFF is all about!

RC is coming up too (keep the rain dances coming - its working),

Awesomeness Chris!!!

today was windy and slow got 4 early and 8 late. did i mention it was windy?

Chris,
What does your boat look like? We were in a pontoon out of the wind just outside Mill Creek this afternoon, and I was wondering which guide boat was you?

the cc falcon hugging the bank

That's hawg hunting! WTG.

thanks everyone...last weekend alot slower a fish or two an hour but with all the inflow and this great weather i can't wait to go friday!