August 12, 2009 Lake Elevation: 3639 Water Temp: 77 - 82 F |
Striped bass have established a very unusual feeding pattern in the main lake. Feeding is consistent and fish very catchable if able to understand what to look for. Each morning at 6 AM (MST) feeding begins for school fish. (If seeking a trophy it is likely that this time coincides with cessation of feeding of the larger generation.) At 6 AM single and double splashes begin. Striper splashes are fairly recognizable after some study. Look toward the rising sun and find 3 to 4 splashes in close proximity that are back lighted by the early sun. The splash often tosses a spray of water one to two feet in the air. Sometimes there is no splash, only a rolling motion of the back breaking water as the fish surfaces much like a dolphin. Carp jump too but they rise straight up and then crash back into the lake in a clumsy striper imitation. When stripers are identified get there as quickly as possible and then cruise on fast idle or full thrust on the electric motor. Fish are feeding individually and scattered within a general area. Cruise and cast as a single fish comes up in range. If the lure hits within ten seconds and two feet of the splash ring a hookup is almost assured. This feeding behavior continues until 7 AM. From 7-8 AM schools form and small boils are likely in the slick rock coves off the main channel. Cruise the canyons and coves again looking for a splash. When found stripers are very aggressive and will hit lures tossed into the school feeding zone. It is best to deliver the lure just beyond the feeding activity and retrieve quickly right into the boiling activity. ![]() Hite striper fishing has shut down. Surface striper fishing from Good Hope Bay to Wahweap is steady and consistent. Long accurate casts are readily accepted by willing stripers weighing 3-5 pounds. This action will continue and only improve as shad numbers are still high. Stripers will grow another pound during strong fall feeding. Recommended line test should be 10 pounds or better to handle the rugged shock of a striper colliding and then rolling with a surface lure. Angling for other fish species remains good to excellent but it is overshadowed by the exciting surface action provided by surface striper fishing. This is the most exciting fishing found in fresh water. It must be experienced to be believed. I challenge you to try it and see if that bold statement is true. |