Fishing has been tough and good lately, if we got cloud coverage and the wind stayed down we did good. If the moon was out all night and the wind was howling we did bad. There was little to no topwater action on days with 12-20 mph wind. We caught a couple one morning before the wind really picked up, but once it did it was over. On days with strong wind the fish never set anywhere for long. They were on the move and not stopping. On days where the moon was out good all night. Fish were very spreadout, with little to no pattern. On Friday the moon was covered all Thursday night and the wind was 5-10. We so great numbers and several areas were good groups were coming up. On Friday they were rolling, not busting or slurping. Most of the times I see them rolling is when there feeding on very small bait. When striper are feeding on bigger bait they have to work harder to get it, which leading to more aggressive feeding. When feeding on gaint small pods of bait its a lot slower paced. These fish are going up through the school slowly with very little effort and opening there mouth. Once they reach the top they roll and head back down. When striper are surfacing on top like this you need to fish both topwater and subsurface lures. Also there were just as many or more under the fish on top. Don't forget to have a inline float, planner board, or free line out when around busting fish.
Mike Walker
(205)503-2020
www.striper247smithlake.com
