Catch Stripers Righ Now!!!!

[shallowrunner]

50 degrees is the magic water temperature for Rockfish/Striped Bass. The fish are actively feeding in water as shallow as 2 feet this time of year and are quick to strike anglers offerings. I believe Spring is the best time of year to fish for stripers on the Gaston. Both up and down the lake can be productive. Look for birds diving into schools of shad or fish main lake points with your favorite striper lure. These fish are particularly active during low light conditions. The first 2 hours after daybreak and the last 2 hours before dark are your best chance to catch these hard fighting gamefish. If you put a bait in front of a striper early morning or late evening this time of year you better hold on tight cause it's gonna get nailed. Hope this helps you guys looking to capitalize on the great rockfish fishery in Lake Gaston. You gotta fish for em to catch em..so get out on the water and give em a shot. It might surprise you how easy they can be to catch when you find em. Good Luck and Tight Lines!!!!!

DGH

[clm1117]

Which dam? Kerr or Gaston?

[Harv Powers]

Thanks for the great update, shallowrunner. I'm seeing a lot of boats on the lake this morning so either the fishing's good or there is a big tournament.

And "clm117" asking the "which dam" question, Lake Gaston is down-river of Kerr dam and above Gaston dam.

[clm1117]

The reason I asked the question - I am wondering this time of year whether these fish head upstream to spawn? So would the Kerr Dam be more productive?

[shallowrunner]

To answer your question clm 1117 both Dams can be productive this time of year. Yes a certain amount of the fish in the lake will try to make a spawning run up the river below the Buggs Island Dam. Others will remain down the lake and not make the run. Both areas of the lake are productive this time of year as well as all areas in between. The fish that do make the run up the river below Buggs Island dam to spawn are unsuccessful as their eggs must remain floating for x amount of hours once fertilized in order to hatch. The flow of water out of Buggs Island Lake is not consistent enough to allow the the fertilized the eggs to hatch. With the lack of current they just sink to the bottom. This being said, remember that all of the Striped Bass that are in Lake Gaston are stocked and they cannot reproduce on their own. Please practice catch and release with these fish to keep the fishery going for future generations of anglers.

As for all the boats on the lake this weekend. The largemouth bass tournament season is in full swing and there were 3 tournaments on the lake last weekend. Looks like great weather again this week so get out there and catchem guys.

DGH

[clm1117]

Thanks for the information. Does anyone know the number you call for the schedule for Kerr Dam power generation?

[Harv Powers]

I believe the best number is 434-738-6101

[clm1117]

Thanks for the number. I appreciate it. I wish this board would take off. I would love to hear more about Gaston in general and stripers on Gaston specifically.