Starting in late fall, cooling water stimulates striped bass to begin feeding heavily. Alone or in schools, they attack baitfish from the surface down to the bottom. These big aggressive fish are within a day's drive of more than 50 million Americans, but they go almost unnoticed during winter. Bring your bass-casting arm and your pike lures, and get set for some of the hottest open-water action of the year.

Tackle

Rod: 6-1/2- to 7-1/2-foot heavy-power casting rod.

Reel: large-capacity baitcasting reel.

Line: 14- to 30-pound-test mono.

 

Rigging

Livebait catches stripers throughout winter, but lures allow for covering more water and exploring several depth options. Stripers force shad and other baitfish to the surface where the baitfish schools scatter, leaving disoriented individuals vulnerable. Topwater baits are effective, but baits that fall or glide like a crippled baitfish work, too. Spinners, spoons, jigs, and crankbaits also work well, while heavier spoons and jigs probe extreme depths. When fish are focused on 2-1/2- to 5-inch threadfin shad, bass-size baits may outproduce those designed for stripers. Be sure to upgrade hooks and split-rings on these lures.

Location

The vertical position of stripers during summer is determined by water temperature and the oxygen content of water. Fall turnover frees fish to move vertically and horizontally, and stripers often occupy similar spots in all types of waters.

Dead-end coves-Groups of stripers push schools of shad into areas where the baitfish are confined on three sides. Shallow cover restricts escape and may be the scene of striper activity.

Bluffs-Stripers also suspend along bluff banks where the river channel runs close to a steep bank. Shad schools move along the channel edge in winter, often in deep water where the water's warmer.

Main-lake points-Timbered points often are resting areas for inactive stripers. Shad may winter along steep downstream sides and stripers may hold and feed there, too.

Springs-In many parts of the country, aquifers close to the surface produce flowing springs. Water ranges from 55 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on geological area. They're worth checking.

Necked-down areas-Where an impoundment narrows, usually offers more current and deeper water to attract stripers. Baitfish moving upstream or downstream must pass through this area.